Thai "red-shirts" give ultimatum for security forces to withdraw

PATUM THANI, Thailand, April 9 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's anti- government protesters at the Thaicom firm issued a 30-minute ultimatum at about 2:10 p.m. Friday, demanding the guarding army to withdraw from the compound, or else they will break in.

The "red-shirts" leader Jatuporn Promphan arrived at the rally site in Patum Thani province on Friday noon and issued the ultimatum.

The military must withdraw from inside by 2:40 p.m., or else the "red-shirts" protesters will break in and occupy the Thaicom, he said.

The protesters are rallying at the company to urge the government to resume the broadcasting of the "red-shirts" TV channel, People's Channel (PTV). The roads around the firm are blocked by the "red-shirts" vehicles.