BANGKOK (AFP)--A Thai pro-government group vowed Saturday to hold a rally in Bangkok, raising fears of clashes with rivals who have occupied the city's airports in their bid to topple the prime minister.
The group, known informally as the "Red Shirts" but officially called the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), would rally Sunday in the capital, a leader said.
"We call on our group to come to rally at 4:00 pm (0900 GMT) Sunday at first and the rally will continue through to the next day," Jatuporn Prompan, a government lawmaker, told AFP.
"Our supporters will come from across the country to Bangkok as the battleground is here," he said.
Jatuporn asked supporters to gather at Sanam Luang plaza, a popular protest spot in Bangkok's government district.
The site isn't far from the prime minister's cabinet offices, which have been occupied by protesters from the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) since late August.
The PAD - who wear yellow shirts and headbands in what they say is a symbol of their desire to protect Thailand's revered monarchy - are locked in a stand-off with police at Bangkok's two main airports.
Clashes between the pro and anti-government groups have broken out sporadically across Thailand recently and people fear a large scale confrontation.
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(END) Dow Jones Newswires
November 29, 2008 03:00 ET (08:00 GMT)

Publié le 29 novembre 2008 Copyright © 2008 Dowjones