http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/28Mar2006_news03.php
POST REPORTERS The shifting of an anti-Thaksin rally to the street outside the Siam Paragon shopping mall tomorrow evening has raised fears of major traffic snarls in downtown Bangkok.
The three-day rally, from tomorrow to Friday, led by the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), will force the closure of part of Rama I road which is lined with up-market shopping malls, movie theatres and restaurants. This is certain to cause traffic jams.
“We are worried the traffic congestion could even spread as far as Thon Buri” on the western side of the Chao Phraya river, said traffic police commander Maj-Gen Panu Kerdlappol.
“There will be a traffic jam along Sukhumvit road stretching to Samrong Nua in Samut Prakan province,” he added.
Police spokesman Pol Lt-Gen Achirawit Supanphesat said the gathering near Siam Paragon would cause concerns about public safety.
The area is full of tall buildings with pedestrian bridges and a BTS skytrain station above the rally venue. Police feared “some people” might use this setting for evil action that could harm others, said Metropolitan Police Bureau Region 6 Commander Pol Maj-Gen Wanit Suraphonchai.
Sa Pathum Palace is behind Siam Paragon and the mall has been visited by members of the royal family, said Justice Minister Chidchai Wannasathit.
PAD said it was relocating the protest to business areas, such as Silom and Rama I roads, to make it easier for middle-class people to show support.
Sondhi Limthongkul and other leading PAD members, including Piphop Dhongchai, Somkiat Pongpaiboon and Somsak Kosaisuk, were silent when asked about their plans to change the venue from Ratchadamnoen Nok avenue to in front of Siam Paragon.
Asked if they knew the new venue was near the palace, Mr Sondhi said PAD had organised the rally at the Royal Plaza and knew what was appropriate.
But the new rally venue drew mixed response from teenagers and vendors at Siam Square, a favourite teen hangout.
“If the traffic is clogged up we can come here by the skytrain and then get double benefits, shopping and joining in the PAD movement,” said Wilailuck Lertphaopanya, 15.
However, other youngsters who attend extra-tuition classes at Siam Square disagreed with the move.
Kulkitti Jadphon, 15, said she feared the noise might disturb her studies.
Clothing and shoe sellers were also upset, predicting the rally would cut the number of customers who drive to Siam Square to shop. They said the Sunday rally, which lasted for a half day, sharply reduced sales revenue.
“In fact we dislike Mr Thaksin, but if the rally hurts us, then PAD will lose new members,” said vendor Thasawan Kotesri.
Phaibul Kanokvatanawan, executive vice-president of the Mall Group which operates Siam Paragon and the Emporium said the shopping centres will open as usual and he expected tomorrow’s rally to have only a slight effect on sales.
All activities and promotions at the stores will continue as scheduled, including the Midnight Sale promotion.
Ik vind het persoonlijk wel een simme actie. Aangezien de meeste THai en Farang veel tijd doorbrengen in de winkelcentra, zeker nu met deze hitte, zullen veel mensen met de demonstranten geconfronteerd worden. Een ideale manier om je ideeen kenbaar te maken ten overstaan van een groot publiek.
Filed by Jasper at 6:57 pm under Thailand 
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