RED SHIRTS TAKE OVER ARMOURED VEHICLES

By D. Arul Rajoo

BANGKOK, April 12 (Bernama) -- Hundreds of anti-government Red Shirt
protesters have seized two armoured vehicles while several major shopping
complexes near the famous Rachaprasong intersection were closed due to fear of
violence, an eyewitness said.

He said he was stunned to see protesters taking over the vehicles near the
Siam Paragon shopping centre.

"There were about 500 of them, but later dispersed to other areas and only
the police are here now," said the Malaysian expatriate who is working with a
Bangkok-based multinational company.

He said the Siam Paragon, Central World and few other shopping malls in the
area were closed, while only passengers were allowed into the BTS (light rail
train) stations there.

"Many tourists panicked when they saw the Red Shirt people. Some women even
cried and tried to get taxis to get out from the area but the traffic was not
moving," he said.

Soldiers were deployed to over 50 areas in Bangkok after Prime Minister
Abhisit Vejjajiva declared a state of emergency, while the police were said to
be preparing to storm the protest site of the Red Shirt protesters near the
Government House.

Local media reported that soldiers are currently guarding King Bhumibol
Adulyadej's palace, as well as several key ministries.

-- BERNAMA