Asia-Pacific

Thai Red-shirts to stage peaceful rally on Sunday

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-12-18 21:19

BANGKOK - Anti-government "Red-shirts" will stage a peaceful protest on Sunday at a key commercial district in central Bangkok where earlier this year the soldiers cracked down protesters, a movement leader said on Saturday.

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The protest will be in commemorating those killed during the occupation of Ratchaprasong intersection, an upscale shopping area, in April and May, Thida Tojirakarn told reporters.

Candles will be lit later in the evening at Ratchaprasong to commemorate the 91 people killed during the weeks-long occupation of the intersection.

Thida, wife of detained "Red-shirts" leader Weng Tojirakarn, on Saturday met Bangkok police officers to discuss arrangements for Sunday's rally.

Police Major General Wichai Sangprapai of Bangkok metropolitan police force asked Thida to make sure that protesters will not do anything in defaming the monarchy during the rally and not to light any floating lanterns as they could cause fire on nearby high-rise buildings.

Thida assured Wichai that the planned rally will be peaceful.