(9 December) The United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) has cancelled its rally in Ayutthaya province, hours after Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra announced her intention to dissolve the parliament.
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Redshirts across the country were originally urged to hold a massive rally at a stadium in Ayutthaya tomorrow to defend the government of Ms. Yingluck amid the ongoing anti-government protests to replace her with an unelected ?People′s Council? – a proposal decried as unconstitutional by the Redshirts.
The scheduled date of the rally, 10 December, is also designed to coincide with Constitution Day, which remembers the enactment of the first official Constitution in 1932, following a successful revolution to overthrow the Absolute Monarchy by People′s Party in June that year.
But Mr. Surachet Chaikosol, leader of UDD′s Ayutthaya chapter, said UDD leaders have discussed about the situation and agreed that it is best to call off the rally. "The Prime Minister has declared her wish to solve the House, that is a good solution, because it would help prevent Thai people from confronting each other," Mr. Surachet said.
UDD staff have already packed up their tents, loudspeakers, and other equipment, and vacated the stadium, Mr. Surachet added.
The last Redshirts rally to show their support for the government was ended following the violence near their rally site in eastern Bangkok which killed one anti-government protester and three Redshirts supporters.
Pol.Lt.Gen. Sermkit Sitthichaikarn, a police commander in Ayutthaya, said the police are "relieved" to hear about the Redshirts? cancellation of their rally. Nevertheless, he said police officers will continue to monitor the situation and set up security checkpoints in the province as a precaution.
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