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Thai protest convoy defies troops Thai protest convoy defies troops
(10 minutes later)
Hundreds of red-shirt protesters have formed a convoy to drive to a rally outside Bangkok, as Thailand's political stand-off continues.Hundreds of red-shirt protesters have formed a convoy to drive to a rally outside Bangkok, as Thailand's political stand-off continues.
The protesters left their fortified camp in central Bangkok to drive to the site 50km (30 miles) away.The protesters left their fortified camp in central Bangkok to drive to the site 50km (30 miles) away.
Troops have fired warning shots despite a vow by protesters to break through their ranks if they are stopped.Troops have fired warning shots despite a vow by protesters to break through their ranks if they are stopped.
The red-shirts, who want the government to step down, have been camped out in Bangkok for more than six weeks.The red-shirts, who want the government to step down, have been camped out in Bangkok for more than six weeks.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has so far rejected their demand for him to dissolve parliament.Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has so far rejected their demand for him to dissolve parliament.
On Tuesday he told the BBC that while he wanted a political solution to the crisis, immediate elections were not the answer.
"There is a clear threat that if we hold elections too soon, with the mood running as high in terms of divisions and in terms of tension, elections would turn violent and they would solve nothing and we could be back into this vicious cycle of demonstrations."
'Break through''Break through'
The red-shirts currently occupy a swathe of Bangkok from the commercial district running south to the business district.The red-shirts currently occupy a swathe of Bangkok from the commercial district running south to the business district.
Many remained behind in the camp as the convoy set off for the Talad Thai market. Many remained behind in the camp as the convoy set off for the rally at the Talad Thai market.
RED-SHIRT PROTEST 14 Mar: Red-shirts converge on Bangkok, hold first big rally, occupy government district16 Mar: Protesters splash their own blood at Government House30 Mar: A round of talks with the government ends in deadlock3 Apr: Red-shirts occupy Bangkok shopping district7 Apr: PM Abhisit orders state of emergency 10 Apr: Troops try to clear protesters; 25 people are killed and hundreds injured22 Apr: Grenade blasts kill one and injure 85 near protest hub; each side blames the otherRED-SHIRT PROTEST 14 Mar: Red-shirts converge on Bangkok, hold first big rally, occupy government district16 Mar: Protesters splash their own blood at Government House30 Mar: A round of talks with the government ends in deadlock3 Apr: Red-shirts occupy Bangkok shopping district7 Apr: PM Abhisit orders state of emergency 10 Apr: Troops try to clear protesters; 25 people are killed and hundreds injured22 Apr: Grenade blasts kill one and injure 85 near protest hub; each side blames the other
But up to 1,000 protesters boarded pick-up trucks or motorbikes to make their way there.But up to 1,000 protesters boarded pick-up trucks or motorbikes to make their way there.
Hundreds of security forces have set up a checkpoint in Bangkok's northern suburbs and some fired warning shots into the air. There was no initial attempt to stop the convoy but hundreds of security forces had set up a checkpoint in Bangkok's northern suburbs. Some fired warning shots into the air.
Reuters news agency reported that some riot police had also been seen charging towards the convoy amid heavy traffic.
A protest leader, Kwanchai Praipanna, said Wednesday's rally was a way to thank local people for their support.A protest leader, Kwanchai Praipanna, said Wednesday's rally was a way to thank local people for their support.
"If the troops try to stop us, we will break through their cordons and checkpoints," he said."If the troops try to stop us, we will break through their cordons and checkpoints," he said.
They planned to return to their encampment in Bangkok afterwards, he said.They planned to return to their encampment in Bangkok afterwards, he said.
Bangkok itself has remained mostly calm since grenade attacks last week in the business district killed one person and injured 80.Bangkok itself has remained mostly calm since grenade attacks last week in the business district killed one person and injured 80.
On Tuesday protesters blocked the elevated Skytrain line for several hours but it later reopened.On Tuesday protesters blocked the elevated Skytrain line for several hours but it later reopened.
The weeks-long stand-off has hit Thailand hard, forcing major hotels and shops in central Bangkok to shut.The weeks-long stand-off has hit Thailand hard, forcing major hotels and shops in central Bangkok to shut.
A government attempt to clear protesters from one area on 10 April left 25 people dead and hundreds injured.A government attempt to clear protesters from one area on 10 April left 25 people dead and hundreds injured.
The red-shirts, many of whom support ousted leader Thaksin Shinawatra, say Mr Abhisit's government is illegitimate.The red-shirts, many of whom support ousted leader Thaksin Shinawatra, say Mr Abhisit's government is illegitimate.
On Tuesday Mr Abhisit told the BBC that while he wanted a political solution to the crisis, immediate elections were not the answer.
"There is a clear threat that if we hold elections too soon, with the mood running as high in terms of divisions and in terms of tension, elections would turn violent and they would solve nothing and we could be back into this vicious cycle of demonstrations."
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