Thailand Deploys Troops Ahead of Protests

(March 12) -- Some 50,000 security forces fanned out across Thailand today as gongs and Buddhist chanting heralded the start of massive grassroots protests aimed at toppling the government that took power by military coup more than three years ago.

Protesters led by the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship – popularly known as the "Red Shirts" because of the color they wear – began assembling around the country this morning. Protesters are are expected to descend upon the capital Bangkok by Sunday for a main rally against what they say is an undemocratic and elitist regime.

Many are supporters of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was toppled in a 2006 military coup and now lives in exile in Dubai. They accuse the current prime minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, of taking power undemocratically with the backing of Bangkok elites, and demand that he call new elections. The rally also was timed to protest a ruling by the Thai Supreme Court last month that froze most of Thaksin's more than $2 billion fortune.

"Our aim is to topple the government, to force them to make a choice between suppressing us and stepping down," Red Shirt leader Jaran Ditsatapichai told Al-Jazeera last week. Thaksin himself is expected to address the crowd at an undisclosed time via video link from Dubai.

Clad in red and waving placards with messages like "No Justice, No Peace" and "We Need True Democracy," hoards of demonstrators motored through the outskirts of Bangkok this morning in a convoy of pickup trucks and vans.

One of them said she despises the current regime because it's done nothing for poor people. "I don't love this government," Mam Angkana, a health food saleswoman, told The Times of London. "I don't love this prime minister." She also said she expects violence this weekend. "The Red Shirts only have hand-clappers, but the government has troops," she said. "Abhisit wants to kill people. ... He wants to kill Red Shirts."

Thaksin's support comes largely from poor rural areas in Thailand's north and northeast, where residents resent the political influence of wealthy elites in Bangkok. Buses are shuttling demonstrators southward, but the government has banned farm vehicles and out-of-state taxis from making the trip.

Tens of thousands of Thai troops armed with water cannons, sound wave machines, tear gas and batons are already waiting for them. The security forces have set up roadblocks at all main access points to the capital and are stopping and searching cars. They've also threatened to shut down gas stations en route from the rural north. There have been scattered reports this morning of protesters being turned away as they try to get to designated meeting places where the rallies began.

Security forces say they'll honor the Red Shirts' right to gather peacefully, but earlier this week the government invoked a security law that gives the military special powers to restore order if necessary, with the authority to ban large gatherings and impose curfews.

"If there is a siege, we would no longer consider it a peaceful protest and immediately take steps to disperse the crowds," Suthep Thaugsuban, the prime minister's deputy, said Thursday at a news conference. He said he and Abhisit will be based at a temporary military command center throughout the weekend.

In a speech to parliament Thursday, Abhisit said fresh elections – and even his resignation – were not off the table. But he said he won't resign at gunpoint. "I will not hold on to power. ... If the House [legislature's] dissolution or my departure will make things better, I have no problem at all. But a coup is totally unacceptable to me."

The last time the Red Shirts held such a large-scale rally was in April 2009, when what was meant to be a peaceful protest broke down into bloody clashes with troops. Protest leaders later blamed the violence on pro-government thugs hired to stir up unrest. Two people were killed and scores injured.

In late 2008, an opposing movement of anti-Thaksin protesters occupied and shut down Bangkok's main international airport for days, stranding tourists and bringing commerce to a halt in a move that cost the country millions of dollars in lost revenue.

Organizers of this weekend's protests say they have no intention of occupying public buildings or airports. Nevertheless, the manager of Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi international airport issued a statement earlier this week saying emergency measures are in place in case of any siege. The Thai stock exchange said the same.

Many schools in the Bangkok area are closed today. Thailand's national soccer league was supposed to start its annual season this weekend, but that's been delayed.

Dozens of foreign countries have issued travel warnings cautioning tourists to stay away from protest sites. A U.S. State Department advisory says "violence cannot be ruled out," while Britain's warning said the situation could be "volatile" and urged visitors to "exercise caution at all times."