Grand march planned in Bangkok

After days of peaceful demonstrations, red shirt protesters in Thailand are planning a city-wide march in Bangkok. They are encouraging local residents to join them.

Three groups of protesters will converge in downtown Bangkok on Saturday. They plan to continue the demonstration following the march. Protesters say they will not enter talks with the government unless their demands for dissolving parliament and calling snap elections are met. Earlier this week, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he was willing to meet with protesters to ease the political tension. But he said he would not do so under intimidation. Abhisit has expressed confidence that his country will return to normal next week.

Thousands of anti-government protesters gather by their  motorcycles before marching through central Bangkok March 20,  2010. Thousands of "red shirt" anti-government protesters and  supporters of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra pressed ahead  with demonstrations through central Bangkok on Saturday,  continuing their bid to bring down a government that is refusing  to budge and call for new elections. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj