Thai "red-shirts" win back PTV broadcasting after raid on Thaicom

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Thailand's Thaicom satellite firm Friday afternoon agreed to resume the signal transmission for People's Channel (PTV) after the "red-shirts" besieged and stormed the company's grounds earlier the day.

In the latest development, PTV is now back online via Thaicom.

According to Thai News Agency, Natthawut Saikua, a co-leader of "red-shirts", made the announcement at about 5:00 p.m. after negotiation between three protest leaders and the representatives from Thaicom and the police.

He also thanked the soldiers for refraining from using force against the red-shirts and urged them to return to the barracks and not be a tool of the government.

The soldiers are withdrawing from the company and the "red- shirts" are moving back to Ratachaprasong Intersection and Phan Fa bridge, leaving only PTV technicians and Thaicom personnel to reconnect the signal.

The resumption came after the protestors broke into the compound of Thaicom satellite firm in Patum Thani province at about 2:40 p.m. Friday. Altogether 21 people from either side got injured from the clash at the facility, with one seriously injured on the head.

PM's Office Minister Satit Wongnongtaey confirmed Thursday that the airing in all the frequencies by PTV had been shut down, citing it distorts information to cause misunderstanding.

The "red-shirts" decided Friday morning to move by motorcycles and pickups to the satellite company, about one hour's drive from Bangkok, to pressure the government to resume the broadcast by PTV through ThaiCom satellite.

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