Police in riot gear have been massing under the Rajdamri BTS station, 500 meters south of the rally stage at Rajprasong intersection. Scuffles have broken out between the police and Red Shirt protesters. Thanks to Twitter user narisa_nna, we have the latest pictures from the scene.
First few Red Shirts arrive at the riot police area.
Red Shirts clash with riot police.
At the moment, it appears the Red Shirt protesters have surrounded the police with many vehicles and large numbers of protesters. UDD support vehicles have been lined up alongside police barriers and paddy wagons. Dozens of protesters are standing on top of both UDD and police vehicles while hundreds or possibly thousands of Red Shirts surround the police.
Protesters gather around riot police in Rajdamri Road.
The following photo, taken by Twitter user Bancha_nna, shows UDD leaders on a truck railing against the government while increasing numbers of protesters face off against riot police beneath Rajdamri BTS station. Army troops (out of shot) are backing up the police.
Red Shirt protesters face off against massed riot police.
Nation Group reporter Noppatjak Attanon is first in with a photo of Red Shirts flooding into the top of Silom Road, one of 11 roads from which they are banned by the authorities, under threat of one year in prison if they are arrested and prosecuted.
Red Shirts flood into the top of Silom Road.
Twitter user SaiManasvee has another photograph showing protesters coursing through the large intersection at the bottom of Rajdamri road.
A few commuter vehicles find themselves swarmed by Red Shirt traffic.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Matt Jasper, nkoleszar and Asian Correspondent, Charles Mabbett. Charles Mabbett said: bangkok's red army RT @nkoleszar: #RedShirts in Scuffles with Riot Police #pix http://bit.ly/9DPQPg @media140 #redmarch [...]
Posted by Tweets that mention media140 Thailand — Red Shirts in Skuffles with Riot Police -- Topsy.com on April 6th, 2010.
This crisis is destined to continue for years to come because the two sides are about equal in strength. If no agreement acceptable to both sides is reached, it could lead to wider social unrest, crippling the Thai economy.
Posted by Thai Songs on May 25th, 2010.