Thousands of Red Shirts rally in Bangkok

BANGKOK, Jan 23 — Ratchadamnoen Road closed to traffic in a historic part of the capital late Sunday as the anti-government Red Shirts demonstrate at Democracy Monument in a mass gathering set to end at midnight.

Thousands of United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) activists have occupied the roadway from Phan Fah Bridge to Sanam Luang ceremonial ground. As the main rally stage has been erected at the monument itself, small assembly points were scattered throughout the area, and police were deployed to provide security and maintain order.

The demonstrators lit red candles in commemoration of the Red Shirt protesters killed during the street violence in April and May during the mass protest.

MCOT