The Bangkok Shutdown started one day early and by Monday morning protesters are already occupying all the targeted sites in the city. Traffic has been severely disrupted.
The Bangkok Shutdown started one day early and by Monday morning protesters are already occupying all the targeted sites in the city. Traffic has been severely disrupted.
The first full day of the so-called Bangkok shutdown is almost over. The crowds were much larger than many people expected and the question now is how long will they stay and what pressure can they put on the government. Will rally leaders be willing to compromise is also a key question because millions of people around the country would prefer to see the Feb 2 elections go ahead.
Here is a look at all the rally sites. Starting at the top left and going left to right in each row, Democracy Monument (now closed), Asok, Chaeng Wattana, Lat Prao, Lumpini, Ratchaprasong, Pathumwan, Victory Monument.
20:10
A demonstration in Nakorn Ratchasima this morning supporting the Feb 2 election and opposing all forms of violence. PRASIT TANGPRASERT
There has not been a lot of reporting from upcountry today but there have been dozens of demonstrations, many of them quite large and strongly opposing what was taking place in Bangkok. Khon Kaen had a big demonstration and protesters filled the streets of Roi-et and many other provincial capitals in the Northeast and the North. In the South, of course, it was the opposite with protesters surrounding provincial halls and supporting the Bangkok shutdown.
Monday afternoon updates
The mid-afternoon view high above the Lat Prao intersection and Chatuchak. SITHIKORN WONGWUDTHIANUN
An aerial view above the Pathumwan intersection looking from behind the main rally stage toward Chulalongkorn University. SITHIKORN WONGWUDTHIANUN
Ordinary commuters and protesters have are using the BTS Skytrain although not at the levels feared. Service has been quite smooth. PATTANAPONG HIRUNARD
16:30
Although things looked quite normal at Amarin Plaza next to Ratchaprasong today, business operators there are worried about a prolonged rally. THITI WANNAMONTHA
From our online reporters
The Ratchaprasong Square Trade Association (RSTA) has appealed to anti-government protesters asking them to bring a swift end to their rally in the area.
The association, which represents businesses, shops and hotels, said a prolonged rally would damage the economy and hamper confidence in Thailand for foreign tourists, investors and businessmen.
Its members plan to meet with police and other agencies if the protest in the area drags on, the RSTA said in a statement released on Monday.
15:55
A protester symbolically locks the gate outside the Labour Ministry today. THANARK KHOONTON
One of the objectives of the Bangkok shutdown is to persuade or force civil servants to stop working for this government. Thus at least four ministries – Labour, Foreign Affairs, Industry and Science – were "visited" today. At the Labour Ministry it was reported that quite a few civil servants did leave and go home.
15:30
Protesters of the People's Democratic Force to Overthrow Thaksinism (Pefot) put up a covering to shade protesters who have set up a new site on the Rama 8 bridge. PANUMAS SANGUANWONG
Protesters of the People's Democratic Force to Overthrow Thaksinism (Pefot), led by Gen Preecha Iamsuphan, have closed the Rama 8 bridge, blocking both inbound and outbound traffic over the Chao Phraya river, reports said.
They had begun setting up tents on the bridge, preparing to spend the night there.
A modified truck with sound equipment had arrived at the bridge, where the protesters were taking turns speaking, alternating with musical shows.
Gen Preecha said the Rama 8 bridge and the Wisutkasat intersection were being closed to protect the protesters from attacks.
It is not yet clear if this will be a temporary base or a permanent one, rally leaders said. The Rama 8 bridge was built to relieve congestion on the Memorial Bridge and the Krung Thon Bridge, so a closure could have serious effects on traffic.
Update includes information from our online reporters
Monday morning updates
Protesters at Ratchadamnoen prepare to march to other sites as the main site is being shut down. PATTARAPONG CHATPATTARASILL
Asok early this morning. The intersection has been shut down and a crowd is gathering. SOMCHAI POOMLARD
The crowd at Victory Monument has started to grow. APICHART JINAKUL
The entry to Silom Road is blocked by protesters sitting in the shade of the overpass across from Lumpini park. PAWAT LAOPAISARNTAKSIN
The mid-morning crowd at Lat Prao. PATIPAT JANTHONG
Ratchaprasong is crowded with protesters as usual. THITI WANNAMONTHA
12:30
The crowd at the Pathumwan, the PDRC's new main rally site stretches all the way to Chulalongkorn University in the distance. SEKSAN ROJJANAMETAKUL
Mr Suthep reaches Siam Centre. The donations keep pouring in. PATTARAPONG CHATPATTARASILL
PDRC core leader Suthep Thuagsuban arrived on foot late this morning at the Pathumwan intersection which has now taken over from Ratchadamnoen as the main rally stage. The crowd there stretches from the intersection in front of MBK all the way to Chulalongkorn University.
Former Prime Ministers Chuan Leekpai (far left) and Abhisit Vejjajiva (next to him) look down at the crowd at Pathumwan. Security is very tight and people are not being allowed on the skywalks. PORNPROM STRABHAYA
Mr Suthep only stayed briefly at Pathumwan before heading on to an equally large crowd at Ratchaprasong intersection, passing another crowd in front of National Police headquarters on the way. This afternoon, he is scheduled to continue down Sukhumvit to the Asok rally site which has filled up considerably in the last two hours.
Each stage has its own leaders and many are filled with protesters from particular parts of the country. At Lat Prao, for example, much of the crowd is from northeastern provinces and the local dialect is being used on the stage regularly.
Thus far Mr Suthep and other leaders have not announced plans for future movements, but that is expected this evening.
11:10
Demonstrators in Nakorn Ratchasima march in opposition to any coup attempt and, of course, opposing the Bangkok shutdown. PRASIT TANGPRASERT
Although they aren't getting much attention yet, many counter demonstrations, some organied by local red-shirts, are taking place around the country.
10:55
Photo by Chanat Katanyu
Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is meeting with members of her cabinet and other top officials at the Office of the permanent secretary of defence in Muang Thong Thani.
10:45
A report from our online reporters:
In addition to the planned roadblocks, protesters arrived about 9.30am at the headquarters of Thai Airways International on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road, and quickly went to work to block access.
They blocked the inbound frontage road, causing an almost instant backup of traffic on the north-south road, the main route to Don Mueang airport.
The Tollway above the road remained clear.
10:35
Crowds at the rally sites and on the streets are getting much bigger. Victory Monument is filling up rapidly.
9:55
Mr Suthep's "army" of protesters leaves Ratchaprasong. PATTARAPONG CHATPATTARASILL
PDRC secretary-general Suthep Thuagsuban has left Ratchadamnoen and he is now walking down Lan Luang Road with a large group of protesters. The Democracy Monument site will no longer be used, but the Dhamma Army will stay there. (10:35 Mr Suthep has entered Petchaburi Road with his "mob".)
8:25
In one of the first activities of the day, protesters at Lat Prao are preparing to go to the Labour Ministry to "say hello" to caretaker minister Chalerm Yubamrung.
6:55
Richard Barrow has a google map of all the protest sites, both current and past. It is updated regularly. You can find it here: http://bit.ly/1avfPoW
Here is our own map based on plans announced by PDRC leaders:
The Asok intersection has now been closed as expected, and the Wittaya - Sathorn Nuea intersection has also apparently been closed, which was not expected. The BTS has opened normally, but it is reported to be packed with commuters. Lots of people slept on the streets last night at all sites. These are largely advanced groups with the main shutdown activities beginning later this morning. There was no police crackdown last night.
There were two reports of shootings last night, one at the Democrat Party Headquarters which caused some damage but no casualties and another in the Chaeng Wattana area which injured a 20-year-old.
Sunday updates
While, protesters have already moved to some of the targetted intersection, the main group is still at Democracy Monument and will be until tomorrow morning. PATIPAT JANTHONG
If you look closely you can see that tents are going up in preparation of the shutdown of the Lat Prao 5-way intersection. WISIT THAMNGERN
21:30
Traffic near the 5-way Lat Prao intersection tonight as the PDRC starts closing this vital communication link. PATTARAPONG CHATPATTARASILL
As of 9:30pm, here is the situation as far as I know. At Democracy Monument PDRC rally leaders are holding their final -- all night -- rally before leaving for the seven other rally sites. Of these, traffic at the main site at the Patumwan intersection next to MBK and Siam Square has been blocked off and a stage is going up. The same is true at nearby Ratchaprasong, but there has been no significant activity at Asok intersection further up Sukhumvit Road. At Lumpini Park, the stage is reported to be just about finished. Two stages at Chaeng Wattana are being built and traffic has been blocked for a 2km stretch at the Goverment Complex there. At Victory Monument many cars have parked and large trucks have moved in, so it looks like a shutdown is imminent there too although traffic was still moving smoothly in the early evening. Finally, it looks like Lat Prao is about to be blocked completely off as well since large numbers of protesters have arrived and tents are being erected.
Where are the police? Good question. There are reports that more than 10,000 have been selected for keeping peace and order but it is not clear where they are. So far, the numbers of protesters are relatively small at each site, so I imagine organisers are a bit nervous about what might happen in the early hours of the morning.
I'll be back with full coverage tomorrow.
20:45
Meanwhile, from Ratchaprasong, Richard Barrow reports that Ratchdamri is closed all the way to Pratunam, but the crowd is not yet really big.
19:25
PDRC protesters block Chaeng Wattana Road road near the entrance to Government complex on Sunday afternoon, one day earlier than the planned Jan 13 Bangkok Shutdown. THITI WANNAMONTHA
Thai PBS has just reported from the Lat Prao 5-way intersection that while an advanced group of protesters is there, they have not yet blocked traffic. A 2km stretch of highway has been blocked at Chaeng Wattana, but protesters are trying to keep traffic moving to some extent. The seven protest sites will not be in full operation until tomorrow.
18:10
Democrat party leader and former PM Abhisit Vejjajiva (center) joins core leader Sathit Wongnongtoei (right) on the Democracy Monument stage. PATIPAT JANTHONG
Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva is now addressing the crowd at Democracy monument. He has not been there very often recently.
17:54
Twitter is the fastest place to find out what is happening this minute. To get you started, here are some people to follow:
@RichardBarrow who is watching twitter reporters from throughout the city
Lat Prao @Phop_NTV
Pathumwan @jonmarsk @georgehenton
17:43
Again, via twitter, blockage beginning at Pathumwan intersection which is supposed to be the main rally site. The situation is a bit confused at the moment, apparently.
17:30
Photos via twitter show a stage being erected at Lumpini Park.
17:25
More information is coming in. Core leader Sathit Wongnongtoei says the Democracy Monument site will be dismantled by 9am tomorrow and protesters will go to the seven shutdown sites. He says the Dhamma Army will guard Democracy Monument after site is dismantled and wait for eventual "victory celebrations".
Dr Warong Detkitwikrom, former Democrat MP from Phitsanulok, says all ministries will be blocked except the Health Ministry which has already been effectively taken over by ministry staff.
The scene outside caretaker Labour Minister's house a short time ago. THANARAK KHOONTON
Bangkok Shutdown to start early
One of the most important intersections targetted by the anti-goverment protesters will be closed today, Sathit Wongnongtoey, a core leader of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) said this afternoon.
Mr Sathit told the crowd at Ratchadamnoen Avenue that they would start marching from Ratchadamnoen to Lat Phrao at 4pm today in order to set up a stage there. Isara Somchai, another PDRC core leader, will lead the protesters, mostly from the Northeast, to this spot.
Protesters from the lower North are also headed for the area from upcountry. Protest leaders are asking people to go to the Lat Prao area immediately to reinforce an advanced group and prevent pro-government supporters from interfering with the closure.
Mr Sathit also announce that another group of protesters will surround the house of caretaker Labour Minister Chalerm Yubamrung this afternoon. (Latest: Protesters have now arrived, but that don't know where Mr Chalerm is although one of his sons may be there.)
The protesters were to leave from the Interior Ministry for Bang Bon at around 2.30pm.
Breaking: There are reports of traffic stoppages at the Government Complex at Chaeng Wattana. CCTV cameras now show all lanes closed to traffic.
