Declaration of a Severe Emergency Situation on April 7, 2010 by Prime Minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva. The Declaration in the Areas of Bangkok; Nonthaburi Province; Mueang, Bang Phli, Phra Pradaeng, Bang Bo and Bang Sao Thong Districts, Samut Prakan Province; Thanyaburi, Lat Lum Kaeo, Sam Khok, Lam Luk Ka, Khlong Luang Districts, Pathum Thani Province; Phutthamonthon District, Nakhon Pathom Province; and Wang Noi, Bang Pa-in, Bang Sai and Lat Bua Luang Districts, Ayutthaya Province.

Photo: Prowpatareeya

As it appears that a group of persons has been inciting the public – verbally, in writing, by telecommunications and other means, which is not within the intent of the Constitution and the law nor an honest expression of views or criticisms – in order to bring about a change of the law of the land or of the Government by using coercive force or physical attacks to instigate chaos or defiance among the public to the extent that it leads to unrest in the Kingdom of Thailand, such persons should be prevented from violating the law and causing disturbances. There is reason to believe that there will be acts of escalating violence leading to unrest in the country through incitement to illegal actions, as such gatherings show a tendency to increase in violence and cause harm to life and property of innocent people.

Because the actions by these groups of persons are not peaceful assembly, contravening the provisions of the law and the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, affecting the administration of the state and confidence in the economy, threatening public safety and state security, as well as affecting the democratic development process and the exercise of rights and liberties of innocent people, it is therefore of urgent necessity to quickly resolve and put an end to the problems.

The UDD leadership announced on 3 March 2010 that the UDD (Red Shirt) movement is staging additional rallies at the following sites in Bangkok.

* Ratchaprasong intersection
* Vibhavadi Rangsit Road

As of 09.00 hrs of March 3, UDD protesters set up a temporary stage at Ratchaprasong intersection. The UDD leaders have announced that the protesters will remain at the Ratchaprasong intersection rally site overnight.

The UDD leadership has pledged that the rallies will remain peaceful.

For security reasons, the following department stores and shopping malls around Ratchaprasong intersection and Siam Square are closed from 13.00 hrs (1.00 pm) onwards – CentralWorld, Zen, Big C Rajdamri, Gaysorn Plaza, Erawan Bangkok, Amarin Plaza, Siam Center & Siam Discovery Center, and Siam Paragon.

Photo: Gary Wong

AREAS TO BE AVOIDED & ROADS CLOSED TO TRAFFIC

Visitors and tourists are advised to avoid areas near the UDD rally sites at the Ratchaprasong intersection and Vibhavadi Rangsit Road. The following roads in Bangkok near the rally sites are closed to traffic.

• Chaloemphao intersection where Henri Dunant Road meets Rama I Road to the Ploenchit intersection
• Rajdamri intersection to Pratunam intersection
• Pathumwan intersection to Ratchaprasong intersection
• Pratunam intersection to Ratchaprasong intersection
• Childom intersection to Ratchaprasong intersection
• Saladaeng intersection to Ratchaprasong intersection
• Vibhavadi Rangsit Road: Dindaeng intersection to
• Suthisan intersection

To avoid traffic congestion, it is best to travel by BTS Skytrain or the MRT(Bangkok Subway).

Both city airports (Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang) are operating as normal.

All other international and domestic airports in Thailand remain fully operational.

Sources: thailand.prd.go.th