Source: BangkokPost
Published: 7/04/2009

Police have prepared supplies of teargas and extracts from the cow-itch plant to disperse red-shirt protesters during Wednesday's mass rally, according to United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) core member Nattawut Saikua.

Police have them ready for use against the protesters who will march to Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda's Si Sao Thewes residence, Mr Nattawut said on Tuesday.

The cow-itch plant is also known as the trumpet vine. It causes skin irritation.

Mr Nattawut said he believed a third party might try to provoke the red-clad protesters. It was the duty of the police to maintain peace and order during the rally, he said.

Police should show sincerity in carrying out their job, and not act as agitators of violence.

Mr Nattawut believed the UDD core members would be able to control the situation, and affirmed that the protesters would not take weapons to the rally.

There would be no violence and the demonstrators would not confront Gen Prem's supporters, he said.

Referring to banned politician Newin Chidchob's emotional press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Mr Nattawut said he wondered if his speech had anything to do with his visit to the Si Sao Thewes residence on Monday about 10pm.

The UDD leader asked if Mr Newin would sacrifice his life for Gen Prem the same way way he sacrificed himself for former prime ministers Banharn Silpa-archa and Thaksin Shinawatra.

Mr Newin appealed to Thaksin Shinwatra to stop questioning his Majesty the King's judgement in appointing members of the Privy Council. He said this would prove Thaksin's loyalty to the King.