国际英语新闻：Pro-Thaksin demonstrators launch rally to protest gov't policy debate

  BANGKOK, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- Thousands of red-shirt demonstrators have launched rallies in central Bangkok to get ready for a besiege over the Parliament on Monday and Tuesday, when Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is scheduled to deliver the government's policy statement.

    The red-clad people, estimated at about 40,000, led by the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DAAD) group, began gathering on Sunday afternoon at Sanam Luang (Royal), one day ahead of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's delivery of the government's policy statement in Parliament.

    Police handed out about 40,000 leaflets to the demonstrators, warning against "illegal acts" by obstructing the policy delivery during their rally for the next two days.

    The opposition Puea Thai party spokesman Pormpong Nopparit said that the content of 40,000 pamphlets distributed by the police in Bangkok, surrounding areas and other provinces is considered threatening.

    About 5,000 police officers will be deployed to reinforce security around the Parliament.

Supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra wave a Thai flag and hold a banner during a protest against the Government in Bangkok, December 28, 2008.

    The DAAD lashed at the current Government led by Abhisit's Democrat Party, calling it a "bandit government", and called for the party's dissolution.

    Abhisit was elected Thailand's 27th PM after his predecessor, Somchai Wongsawat was forced to step down with a court ruling that disbanded his People Power Party, a reincarnation of the disbanded Thai Rak Thai party, which was founded by coup-ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

    The rally is going to continue through Monday and Tuesday, the two days for the Parliament debate on the government policy.

    The DAAD demonstrators used iron barricades to close down U-Thong Nai road near the Equestrian Statue of King Rama V near the parliament, in an attempt to blockade MPs to enter the parliament.

    The deputy commander of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, Pol MajGen Amnuay Nimmano, said the police will stick to the same measures as the ones being used against the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

    The PAD besieged the Parliament when Somchai delivered his government policy address on Oct. 7 by leading yellow-shirt protesters to block gates to the parliament compound, forcing Somchai and MPs to sneak out of after the parliament session without a debate.

    The PAD demanded Somchai, Thaksin's brother-in-law who was elected prime minister in September, to step down, calling his government a proxy of Thaksin.

    On the day police used tear-gas to disperse the PAD protesters, leading to clashes that killed two persons and injured more than 400 others.

    Amnuay said the DAAD protesters could be charged with insurrection, should they attempt to stop the government from delivering its policy statement to the parliament on Monday and Tuesday.

    He said the police will use close circuit cameras to record activities during the anti-government protest and they will not take violent actions against the demonstrators definitely.

    Meanwhile on Monday, Navy Commander in Chief Adm Kamthon Phumhiran said the armed forces are ready to assist police to maintain law and order if the DAAD protests turn violent.

    The military has played inactive during the previous PAD rallies since May, including its seizure of Government House since August and shutdowns of the two Bangkok airports in November, even with a declaration of emergency state over the two airports by then Somchai government.

    Some observers are worried that the military might not stay as patient with the red-shirt demonstrators as with PAD, and violence could repeat in Bangkok streets as on Oct. 7.