Thai anti-gov't protesters end march in Bangkok peacefully

by Nuttanan Srithorn

BANGKOK, March 20 (Xinhua) -- The Thai anti-government red shirts on Saturday evening returned to the main rally site Phan Fah Bridge following their peaceful march around the capital Bangkok.

Two red-shirted core leader Jatuporn Promphan and Natthawut Saikua led the red shirts back to the Phan Fah Bridge at about 6: 00 p.m. local time.

Ten of thousands of the protesters led by United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) have converged on Bangkok since March 12 to press the premier to dissolve the lower House of parliament and call new election.

At about 10:00 a.m. local time, they started their march and moved to several places in Bangkok claiming that they wanted to send smile, love, and happiness to Bangkok residents.

Prime Minister's (PM) Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey said the government managed to prevent the traffic problem and clash from occurring during the red-shirted march, the National News Bureau of Thailand (ANT) under the government's Public Relations Department reported.

Security officers also attempted to prevent any confrontation between the protesters and the Bangkokians who are not happy with the red-shirted movement, said Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd, the spokesman of the peace-keeping operation center.

Col Sansern said it was estimated that up to 30,000 supporters participated in the red-shirted procession.

About 4,000 motorcycles were used in the procession by the red shirts on Bangkok streets, according to a report by Bangkok Post's website.

Hence, amid the traffic congestion, Police Major General Panu Kerdlappol, Deputy Police Commander of the Metropolitan Police, who closely monitored the traffic situation, suggested Bangkok residences to avoid the streets occupied by the red shirts.

Also, Police Major General Panu suggested the general public to use public transportation services in a bid to help reduce the traffic problem, Thai News Agency reported.

In a related development, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the government has never rejected a proposed peace talk with the red-shirted group, but this option is unlikely to happen since ousted former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra had turned down the attempt by the National Human Rights Commission to settle the conflict.

Speaking during an interview with Thailand's Channel 3 Television, Abhisit said he has understood why the red-shirts have demanded a House dissolution, but prior to this stage, it is essential to have an agreement between the government and the red- shirts.

Significantly, such an agreement between the government and the red-shirts must be made based on the national interest and democracy, Abhisit said.

Also, Abhisit said "Thaksin is an obstacle of the proposed negotiation. I will talk with the red-shirted leaders if they do not take Thaksin as a condition."

On March 22, Mr. Korbsak Sabhavasu and PM Office Minister Sathit will hold a negotiation with the red shirted core leaders, Abhisit said.

Korbsak is the secretary-general of Prime Minister Abhisit, Thai News Agency reported.