BANGKOK, Jan 19 (TNA) – The Red Shirt anti-government United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) announced Tuesday it is considering a protest at the entrance of Suvarnabhumi Airport as part of its movement against the government.

Thepthai Senpong, spokesman for Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, said there is a high possibility of violence during the 10-day Red Shirt movement between February 16-26. The planned protest at Suvarnabhumi Airport must be closely monitored, he said.

The UDD said it will gather at the airport to hasten legal action against its major rival the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) which seized the airport in late 2008.

The Thai stock index fell 10.43 points or 1.39 per cent to close at 736.48 as investors concern over the planned mass protest at the country’s main airport. Some international investors unloaded their portfolios, according to analysts.

The Red Shirts also submitted a letter to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to take legal action against the prime minister and the Ministry of Justice for negligence of duty in a delay in submitting the petition to His Majesty the King.

The Red Shirts submitted the petition to His Majesty the King asking for a royal pardon for ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, sentenced in absentia for his role in a conflict of interest case that he says is politically motivated.

DSI director-general Tharit Pengdit said a team of investigators will be set up to inspect the case, assuring the DSI will work transparently.

Meanwhile, in Chanthaburi, a district chief met head of the Khao Soi Dao wildlife sanctuary to be prepared for a planned protest by the UDD this weekend. Some 400 police officers will be deployed to maintain order, the DSI indicated. A portion of Highway 317 may be closed if a large number of protesters turns up.

MCOT