ID :
32904
Sat, 11/29/2008 - 01:28
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/32904
The shortlink copeid
Thai police order anti-gov`t protesters to leave airport
BANGKOK, Nov. 28 Kyodo - (EDS: UPDATING WITH POLICE ORDER) Thai police on Friday issued an order telling protesters occupying angkok's
Don Muang airport to leave the area as soon as possible.
Metropolitan police chief Suchart Muankaew, who was appointed to deal with the
protesters at the airport, warned that law enforcement officers will take
appropriate actions against those who refuse to obey the order.
In the order, Suchart said the protesters' movements have damaged the country's
economy, especially public transportation, telecommunications, and also
violated people's rights.
Suchart told reporters earlier that he would set up a negotiating team to talk
with the protesters.
He also urged the protesters and the government to compromise, because Thailand
will celebrate King Bhumibol Adulyadej's birthday next Friday.
''I do not say who is right or wrong, but please think about our father
(King)...Negotiation is the best way to solve this problem,'' he said.
In a statement broadcast live from Chiang Mai, Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat
said officials were told to use ''gentle means'' to deal with the
anti-government protesters occupying Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang airports.
''Officials will use gentle means. We never want to injure anyone and we will
take only appropriate actions fit to the situation,'' he said.
He said they would adhere to universal standards and emphasized
''transparency'' in removing the protesters. He invited all news media and
representatives from the national human rights commission to witness the
eviction.
Somchai was on television after he demoted Police Chief Watcharawat Wongsuwan
to an inactive post.
Suvarnabhumi international airport, which closed Tuesday night, has extended
its closure until 6 p.m. Saturday.
But the airport's acting director, Serirat Prasutanon, said he was trying to
arrange for about 480 people to leave through the airport by Friday, including
some 450 Muslims on a pilgrimage to Mecca who were stranded when it closed.
The Civil Aviation Department has permitted many airlines to switch to U-Tapao
airport, located in a naval base some 190 kilometers southeast of Bangkok.
The U.N. Children's Fund office in Thailand expressed deep concern over
children with parents participating in the demonstration at Bangkok's airports.
UNICEF also called for PAD leaders and authorities to take all steps to ensure
the children's safety.
The PAD activists, who have occupied Government House in central Bangkok since
August, began their anti-government protests on May 25 and continued even after
then Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej was unseated by the Constitutional Court
in early September.
==Kyodo
Don Muang airport to leave the area as soon as possible.
Metropolitan police chief Suchart Muankaew, who was appointed to deal with the
protesters at the airport, warned that law enforcement officers will take
appropriate actions against those who refuse to obey the order.
In the order, Suchart said the protesters' movements have damaged the country's
economy, especially public transportation, telecommunications, and also
violated people's rights.
Suchart told reporters earlier that he would set up a negotiating team to talk
with the protesters.
He also urged the protesters and the government to compromise, because Thailand
will celebrate King Bhumibol Adulyadej's birthday next Friday.
''I do not say who is right or wrong, but please think about our father
(King)...Negotiation is the best way to solve this problem,'' he said.
In a statement broadcast live from Chiang Mai, Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat
said officials were told to use ''gentle means'' to deal with the
anti-government protesters occupying Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang airports.
''Officials will use gentle means. We never want to injure anyone and we will
take only appropriate actions fit to the situation,'' he said.
He said they would adhere to universal standards and emphasized
''transparency'' in removing the protesters. He invited all news media and
representatives from the national human rights commission to witness the
eviction.
Somchai was on television after he demoted Police Chief Watcharawat Wongsuwan
to an inactive post.
Suvarnabhumi international airport, which closed Tuesday night, has extended
its closure until 6 p.m. Saturday.
But the airport's acting director, Serirat Prasutanon, said he was trying to
arrange for about 480 people to leave through the airport by Friday, including
some 450 Muslims on a pilgrimage to Mecca who were stranded when it closed.
The Civil Aviation Department has permitted many airlines to switch to U-Tapao
airport, located in a naval base some 190 kilometers southeast of Bangkok.
The U.N. Children's Fund office in Thailand expressed deep concern over
children with parents participating in the demonstration at Bangkok's airports.
UNICEF also called for PAD leaders and authorities to take all steps to ensure
the children's safety.
The PAD activists, who have occupied Government House in central Bangkok since
August, began their anti-government protests on May 25 and continued even after
then Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej was unseated by the Constitutional Court
in early September.
==Kyodo
