Thai "red-shirts" begin major rally in Bangkok

BANGKOK, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's "red-shirts" began their scheduled rally in Bangkok Friday morning, defying an emergency decree imposed by the government since Wednesday.

The "red-shirts" protesters, by motorcycles and cars, departed from Ratchaprasong Intersection and Phan Fah Bridge at about 10:30 a.m., but their leaders refused to disclose where they are heading to.

The Nation TV reported, however, that the motorcade is going to rally at the Thaicom satellite firm in Nonthaburi province.

After the declaration of a state of emergency by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva Wednesday which covered Bangkok and some neighboring provinces, the leaders of the anti-government movement called on their supporters throughout the country to take part in Friday's mobile rally, scheduled to march to undisclosed places in Bangkok.