UDD supporters told to prepare

BANGKOK, 19 May 2010 (NNT) – Core leaders of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) told their supporters to calm down and be prepared for further measures adopted by the authorities in a bid to disperse the group.

UDD Secretary-General, Nattawut Saikua announced on stage and told all UDD protestors to be ready for more intense operations of security officers to regain the areas occupied by the group. UDD guards have been distributing facemasks and plastic bags for UDD protestors to protect themselves from teargas.

UDD core figures, MD Weng Tojirakarn and Arisman Pongruangrong were reported to be wearing bulletproof vests at the backstage of the rally site at Ratchaprasong. All UDD core leaders were reported to be very stressful with the situation.

Earlier, UDD protestors at Ratchaprasong Intersection launched out lanterns, shot Bangfai rockets, and lit up firecrackers to prevent helicopters of the troops sent to survey the situation