Anti-government "red shirts" attempt to expand protest zone

(28 Apr 2010) 1. Tilt down from building to barricade built by protesters 2. People walking in front of barricade 3. Police carrying shields crossing street with protesters barricade in background 4. Wide of stage with banner: (English) "Peaceful protesters not terrorists" 5. Mid shot of red shirt speakers speaking on stage 6. Close up of protester listening to speech 7. Various of red shirt protesters listening to speech 8. Close up poster of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra 9. Wide of poster on street 10. Mid shot of military officers on top of building 11. Various of military officers looking through binoculars 12. Wide of building STORYLINE: Thai protesters demanding the dissolution of parliament planned to spread out into more parts of Bangkok on Wednesday, a day after forcing a shutdown of the city''s elevated train system and escalating weeks of anti-government demonstrations that have paralysed much of the capital. Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he hoped to resolve the standoff peacefully even as the government on Tuesday cancelled rubbish collection in the barricaded encampment that thousands of protesters have occupied in the city''s commercial district since last month. With many Thais losing patience, the government has yet to outline a clear plan on how to end the sporadically violent crisis after calling off negotiations with the protesters, who consider the government illegitimate and want parliament disbanded. At least 26 people have been killed and nearly one thousand wounded since the protesters, known as the "red shirts", began occupying parts of Bangkok in mid-March, closing down five-star hotels and shopping centres and devastating the country''s vital tourism industry. The protesters in recent days fortified their stronghold, erecting barricades of tyres, bamboo sticks and fencing along the streets. They also set up barricades on roads leading to the capital to prevent police reinforcements from being sent to assist in a possible crackdown. The "red shirts" consist largely of poor, rural supporters of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and pro-democracy activists who opposed the military coup that ousted him in 2006 on corruption allegations. The group believes that Abhisit''s government - backed by the urban elite - is illegitimate, having been helped into power by the country''s powerful military. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...