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Yellow shirt hand-clappers set for Phuket on Saturday

No Fear: Phuket PAD Set for Sondhi Show

Friday, April 17, 2009
Photo Album Above

MOST people would come to the Peoples' Alliance for Democracy concert on Phuket on Saturday night to enjoy themselves, organiser Aparat Chartchutikumjorn said today.

She was speaking as workers began erecting the large stage and setting out seating for an expected sellout audience of 10,000, probably the largest all-ticket event Phuket has seen.

The shooting of the PAD's most identifiable face, Sondhi Limthongkul, in Bangkok this morning brought a sharp emphasis on security for tomorrow's event.

Suriya Chauychaun, public relations officer for the Phuket PAD, said that 10 trained male and female security guards would check everyone entering the concert perimeter, and look inside any bags.

Inside the concert zone, about 500 security guards would be positioned to look for signs of trouble.

''There have been no mass cancellations,'' he said. ''People are confident they will be safe.''

Sales of the 200 baht tickets increased after the red shirt protest failed in Bangkok, with only a few hundred tickets still available by noon on Friday.

''We will know in advance if there is any red shirt attention being paid to the concert,'' Khun Suriya added.

The concert and rally site is in the large Saphan Hin public park in Phuket City, an area almost surrounded by water, with few entrances.

Portable toilet facilities are being provided by Orborjor Phuket to supplement existing permanent rest rooms.

A team of about 50 doctors and nurses will also be on standby. Many of them will be travelling from Bangkok, along with busloads of others attending from all over Thailand.

Three shows will be incorporated on the main stage, Khun Suriya said, including local dancing and music.

The highlight, though, will be the appearance of the PAD leaders and their speeches.

While the concert and rally was organised long before the red revolution, today's shooting of Khun Sondhi gives it added purpose. Tributes can be expected.

Khun Sondhi's ASTV channel, the main outlet for PAD and yellow shirt politicking over the past year, will telecast the event live.

SONDHI SHOT: Alarm over Phuket PAD Concert
Latest The shooting of the PAD's best known yellow shirt leader leaves organisers with security concerns over a large PAD concert planned for Saturday night on Phuket
SONDHI SHOT: Alarm over Phuket PAD Concert

PAD Phuket Concert and Rally, April 18
Latest A PAD ''invasion'' set for Phuket this month is likely to boost tourism and perhaps achieve a worthwhile outcome in occupancy rates and benefits to the island's economy.
PAD Phuket Concert and Rally, April 18

Red Revolution: Holiday Chaos to Hit Offices
Photo Album Government offices in Phuket and throughout Thailand face chaos on Monday after a 10 day holiday triggered by the red revolution. But was it necessary?
Red Revolution: Holiday Chaos to Hit Offices

Red Shirts Retreat: Bangkok Protest Abandoned
Latest The traditional Songkran Family Day holiday saw red shirts formally abandon their 18 day Bangkok occupation, halting clashes with troops and residents.
Red Shirts Retreat: Bangkok Protest Abandoned

Bangkok Two 'Killed by Red Shirts'
Update Troops and red shirts skirmished on Bangkok streets before dawn. About 9.40pm, one man was shot dead, first fatality of the street confrontation.
Bangkok Two 'Killed by Red Shirts'

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Monday November 25, 2024
Horizon Karon Beach Resort & Spa

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