Bangkok (ANTARA News/Xinhua-OANA) - The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, or "red shirts", announced Wednesday its next rally in the capital city will be held ten days later, on Jan. 23.

UDD spokesman Worawut Wichaidit said the "red shirts" would on that day first gather at the Ratchaprasong intersection of central Bangkok, at 1:00 p.m. before moving to the Democracy Monument on Ratchadamnern avenue at 3:00 p.m.

The rally would continue until midnight, he said.

Addressing the concerns over possible losses of the businesses at Ratchaprasong caused by the rally, Worawut said the red-shirts would not take up much of the area, to avoid causing damage.

The businessmen should not have submitted a letter to the government complaining about the UDD rallies; instead they should call for justice for the red-shirts, he said, in reference to Tuesday`s protest by local businessmen against frequent anti-government rallies there.

UDD chairwoman Thida Thavornseth said the business incomes might have been affected by the rallies, but they should understand why the red-shirts had to rally. They were fighting for justice, she said.

The UDD would cooperate with police to keep the rallies in order, but would not compromise on its demands on the government, said Thida.

The anti-government movement has announced its plan of holding twice rallies a month at Ratchaprasong intersection, demanding justice for those who died in the April-May protests.

Altogether 91 people, most of them "red shirts", died in the conflicts between the security forces and the protesters during that chronic rally in Ratchaprasong. (*)

Reporter:
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
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