City grinds to halt

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is threatening to take off the kid gloves in dealing with protesters who paralysed Bangkok on Thursday by blocking main roads.

Victory Monument is seized by protesters who blocked the flow of traffic in surrounding roads. THITI WANNAMONTHA

Mr Abhisit said the government would begin taking swift legal action against those protesters who cause unrest.

"I appeal to those who have been misled into joining the protest to reconsider," he said.

"I ask you to stop any act of legal violation. We will deal with people who display intent to break the law and undermine national security."

The prime minister said in a televised address that today would be declared a national holiday in light of the intensifying protests by United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship supporters. Commercial banks will remain open.

Mr Abhisit also refused to quit or call an early election

A large band of protesters yesterday afternoon descended on Victory Monument, the city's main bus interchange. Traffic was brought to a standstill as many commuters were forced to either use the skytrain or walk.

At the same time, pockets of protesters blocked primary roads during the evening rush hour. Tailbacks stretched for several kilometres on some roads.

The traffic situation in the city became critical when about 100 taxi drivers associated with the UDD blocked traffic at Victory Monument.

Called to join the protest through the Taxi Community Radio Club, the taxi drivers double-parked their cars and blocked all four roads approaching the monument. As the blockade proved effective some red shirts called off their rally outside the home of Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda and gathered at other locations, including Democracy Monument and the Sukhumvit-Rama IV intersection.

‘We will deal with people who display intent to break the law and undermine national security.’ ABHISIT VEJJAJIVA PRIME MINISTER

The protesters yesterday also staged small rallies in front of the Democrat party headquarters, the Foreign Ministry and the Constitution Court.

At press time last night, protesters were continuing to man blockades at Victory Monument, Democracy Monument, Sukhumvit-Rama IV intersection and the inbound lanes of the Din Daeng-Bang Na expressway.

The prime minister said the immediate task was to separate those protesters who resort to violence from those who rally peacefully.

Mr Abhisit flew by helicopter to Bangkok from Chon Buri for an emergency security meeting at the First Infantry Division Royal Guard.

Armed forces leaders were at the meeting together with Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, in charge of national security, Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon and First Army chief Kanit Sapitak.

The meeting decided against imposing emergency law to restore order as this would play into the hands of Thaksin Shinawatra, who they said was provoking unrest to justify spreading the protest.

The source said authorities would deploy mainly police and city thessakij inspectors to help subdue the protests. Military personnel would identify those fomenting violence.

The traffic law would be invoked to prosecute those who close roads.

Mr Abhisit said 70% of the protesters did not agree with causing such havoc and had left the gathering.

Deputy Interior Minister Thavorn Senniam said the government would first negotiate with the protesters. If there was no response, the law would be enforced and anyone found guilty would face up to seven years in jail.

Mr Abhisit insisted earlier he would not yield to what he described as the UDD's changing demands.

"They called for a House dissolution the other day, and today they want me to resign," he said.

The prime minister said police had videotaped protesters' movements and this would be used as evidence to press charges against law breakers.

Thaksin, meanwhile, said through another video-link yesterday that Bangkok's motorists inconvenienced by the UDD blockade should be prepared to make sacrifices for the sake of democracy.

He insisted the protesters could not afford to lose. But they would not raid or lay siege to government offices.

"We won't retreat. The only way is forward. If the government uses force to suppress the protesters who come in peace, we will rise up," he said.

"All roads will lead to Bangkok and I'll be there with you." Thaksin asked protesters not to go home.

The government yesterday maintained the Asean summit in Pattaya, which begins today, would proceed as usual.

The UDD yesterday threatened to disrupt the summit after Mr Abhisit refused to bow to its demand to step down. UDD supporters were expected last night to travel to Pattaya where the three-day summit will take place.