by Anusak Konglang, March 12, 2011
BANGKOK (AFP) - Several thousand police were deployed in the Thai capital Saturday ahead of a major rally by anti-government "Red Shirts" to mark the first anniversary of the start of mass protests that turned deadly.
Thai society remains bitterly divided following the worst political violence in decades which left about 90 people dead -- mostly civilians -- in a series of street clashes between armed troops and protesters in April and May 2010.
National police spokesman Major General Prawut Thavornsiri said almost 3,500 police officers were deployed for Saturday's rally and more were on standby.
"Police predict there will be more than 40,000 protesters and the rally will continue into the early hours, but we don't expect any violence," he said.
A procession of red-clad protesters on motorbikes was seen streaming through central Bangkok waving red flags on their way to the gathering, which was due to start in the mid-afternoon.
The movement, which is broadly loyal to fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, has held a series of peaceful one-day rallies in the capital in recent weeks. Thaksin was expected to address the crowd by video link.
"In the past year we have suffered excruciating pain and been suppressed by the elite," said Nattawut Saikuar, one of seven top leaders of the movement who were recently released on bail after nine months in prison.
"I invite our brothers and sisters to come out tonight," he told a satellite television station run by the Reds.
Saturday's rally in the area of Bangkok's Democracy Monument is expected to be the biggest since May 2010, when troops firing live rounds and backed by armoured vehicles moved in to end the two-month demonstration.
"It's likely that the rally will attract a large number of protesters," said Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.
But he said he was not concerned about possible violence and predicted that police could control the situation.
Abhisit said Friday he would dissolve the lower house of parliament by early May, paving the way for what is expected to be a hard-fought election in the politically divided nation in late June or early July.
The Red Shirts view Abhisit's government as undemocratic because it came to power in a 2008 parliamentary vote with the backing of the military after a court ruling threw out the previous administration.
