Ratchaburi reds near clash with rivals

Ratchaburi reds near clash with rivals

Separate rallies by the red shirts and supporters of the People's Democratic Reform Committee in Ratchaburi province on Wednesday almost led to a clash as police stepped in to keep the two groups separated.

Members of a local women's rights group and the red shirts stage a rally in Ratchaburi's Ban Pong district to protest at supporters of the anti-government movement who they accuse of incting divisions among the locals. Photos by Saichol Srinuanchan.

About 200 members of a local women's rights group and the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) converged on Wat Tha Pa in tambon Tha Pa of Ban Pong district on Wednesday morning to express their resentment at PDRC leaders in the province who delivered speeches at a rally criticising a local woman who is standing in the Feb 2 election under the banner of the Pheu Thai Party.  

The protesters held a banner that accused the PDRC supporters of inciting divisions among Bang Pong residents and wanted them to stop the provocation. 

The group used cars and a mobile stage to demonstrate around Ban Pong and delivered speeches attacking the PDRC. Afterwards the protesters prepared to march into municipal areas.    

Meanwhile, a similar number of PDRC loyalists, armed with whistles, turned up in front of a mosque in the municipality. They blew whistles and vowed to prevent the red shirts from entering the neighbourhood. 

Police officers were deployed to prevent the two sides, who were only 500 metres apart, from clashing. 

The red shirts were finally directed to pass by the municipality without incident. The whistle-blowing protesters later marched to the district office and submitted a letter to Mondob Eksinghaschai, Ban Pong deputy district chief supervising security issues, demanding authorities be neutral and side with the people. 

They also thanked Pol Col Itthipol Chalayondaecha, chief of Ban Pong police, for sending officers to maintain order and prevent any possible violent incident.     

A police officer stand guards at a counter-rally held by PDRC supporters to prevent a possible confrontation with a nearby red-shirt rally.


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