BANGKOK, THAILAND: Thousands of anti-government protesters in red shirts gathered at Sanam Luang Monday night (23 Feb) before marching to Government House early Tuesday (24 Feb). Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Promphan said the red shirts are expected to march to Government House this morning, and though the rally is expected to last a while the exact time period is still unknown.
He added that the protest leaders have been instructed to not enter Government House grounds nor obstruct the Asean Summit in Cha-am. "If anybody instigates violence or carries a weapon into Government House, it would not be someone from our group and we will happy to hand that person over to police," he said, adding that plainclothes officers were reportedly going to be part of the crowds. Jatuporn said that though ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was not behind this rally, it was still uncertain if he would be addressing his supporters through a phone-in. Another protest leader Natthawut Sai-kua said the red shirts would not obstruct the Asean Summit but would show the foreigners that this government is not legitimate, adding that they would increase the pressure if the government refuses to respond to their four demands. The demands include the removal of Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya.
