UDD prepares for 'coup'

UDD prepares for 'coup'

The red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) has called a meeting of its leaders from across the country in Nakhon Ratchasima on Tuesday.

They will discuss plans to counter any coup which they believe could be triggered by protesters' efforts to paralyse Bangkok.

UDD leader Tida Tawornseth said about 5,000 red-shirt leaders are expected to attend the meeting at Chalerm Phrakiat Stadium in Muang district.

Ms Tida said she hopes there will not be a coup as the public have had enough of them.

She also said the red shirts do not plan to start clashes but they do want to present an opposing political view in a peaceful manner.

The public wants to move forward through democratic means, she added.

People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) leader Suthep Thaugsuban has called a mass rally to "shut down" Bangkok from Monday to demand the resignation of caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

UDD co-leader Weng Tojirakarn said the meeting is significant for the red shirts as they prepare to fight against a possible coup which could follow the shut down. The UDD will fight to the end, he said.

Anuwat Thinarat, a leader of the UDD in the Northeast, said the meeting will find ways to stop the protest "insurrection", to support the Feb 2 election and to draw up an action plan.

Mr Anuwat said he had contacted police to provide security at the meeting.

Hundreds of UDD guards will also be deployed to help officers, he said.

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