CINA

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Bangkok is bracing for more unrest after the Thai PM rejected an offer by anti-gov't protesters to end their demonstrations in return for fresh elections within 30 days. Instead, Abhisit Vejjajiva reiterated in a nationally televised address on Sunday that the authorities will retake the main protest site of the so-called "Red shirts", aka UDD(*) in Bangkok's main shopping area of Ratchaprasong... And "Red shirt" leaders responded to Abhisit's warning by telling thousands of their supporters to expect a violent gov't crackdown, according to today's al-Jazeera report(**).

Here some impressions from last week's scenes in Bangkok's central district:

* UDD's (United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship) "Six Principles":

1) Achieving the goal of establishing a genuine democracy that has the
King as our Head of State, with political power belonging exclusively to
the people. We reject any attempt, past or future, at using the monarchy
to silence dissent or advance a particular agenda.

2) Dissolving the 2007 Constitution and restoring the 1997 Constitution,
which may then be amended through a transparent, consultative and
democratic process.

3) Bringing Thais together in an effort to solve our political and
socio-economic problems, recognizing that such efforts must stem from the
power of the people.

4) Implementing the rule of law, due process and a system of equal justice
for all, free of any obstructions or double-standards.

5) Uniting all Thais who love democracy, equality, and equal justice
within all facets of society, in an effort to deconstruct and move beyond
the Amartyatippatai (Aristocracy) system.

6) Using exclusively non-violent means to achieve these objectives.

** The Thai PM vows to retake protest site