Red shirts plan long siege

Coalition politicians and security advisers braced themselves yesterday for the red shirts' mass rally starting today in the capital that is viewed as setting the stage for an "all-out battle" to force the government out of office.

Sources from the administration and security agencies estimate that 25,000 to 35,000 protesters would gather at Government House.

If this final push fails to bring about any significant political change, the government would stay in power for a long time, the sources said.

Some 5,000 to 6,000 supporters from the provinces would be brought by MPs belonging to the opposition Pheu Thai Party and 15,000 would come from Bangkok alone, according to estimates.

Others would join the rally as detractors of the government, the ruling Democrat Party and the People's Alliance for Democracy, or simply as observers, the sources said.

Authorities will not allow demonstrators to enter the Government House compound or any state agency, the sources said.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban ordered security at Government House to be beefed up.

Military officers were seen congregating inside the compound as plans were laid to prevent the mob from gaining access.

Leaders of the red shirts said the protesters would gather at Sanam Luang in the morning and proceed to Government House sometime before noon.

Nattawut Saikua, a Pheu Thai politician and one of the protest leaders, said the red shirts would surround Government House and set up a stage for a long siege there.

However, government sources said the protesters were expected to disperse by Sunday to make way for the opening of the annual Red-Cross Fair nearby, with HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presiding.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he would be absent from his office in Government House as he would be busy all day attending meetings at Parliament.

He reminded the protesters to abide by the law.

Any attempt to blockade or occupy Government House would not be tolerated, he said.

Deputy Premier Suthep said the special Bt1-billion budget for Internal Security Operations Command projects would be used to dilute anti-government protests.

Suthep, who is in charge of security affairs, said that since the country was facing a serious political divide, the funds would be spent to boost loyalty to the monarch among the people and pre-empt lese majeste cases that could destabilise the country.

Isoc would also use the project funds to tackle economic problems in line with His Majesty the King's principle of sufficiency economy, which was the best way to cope with the country's recession, he added.