ID :
52509
Fri, 03/27/2009 - 11:36
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/52509
The shortlink copeid
Thai PM stands firm despite anti-government protest
BANGKOK, March 27 (TNA) - Despite anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) protesters surrounding Government House, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Friday he will not step down under pressure, but only leave office through democratic means.
The UDD said they won’t allow access for the prime minister, Cabinet ministers or other officials to enter Government House, but metropolitan police said they will escort the prime minister and other officials engaged in their duties.
The UDD challenge drew out a cautionary statement from the deputy metropolitan police chief, Police Maj-Gen. Amnuay Nimmano who warned that the police stand ready to facilitate the premier and other Cabinet members to enter the Government House premises.
Gen. Amnuay also warned that legal action will be taken against demonstrators who make verbal attacks against the monarchy which are considered as lese majeste.
Meanwhile, fugitive former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra telephoned his supporters who claimed they totally cordoned off Government House on Thursday to protest and pressure the prime minister to resign.
The UDD demonstrators, known as Red Shirts, gathered at Bangkok’s Sanam Luang Wednesday night before marching to Government House Thursday afternoon, trying to oust the three-month-old government.
Key UDD leader Jatuporn Prompan, a member of parliament from the Opposition Puea Thai Party, said earlier that the rally would last for at least one month, and that the group has sufficient capability to sustain the protest up to one year if they wish.
After a permanent stage was built near the Government House compound, the UDD leaders took turn on stage to attack the Abhisit government.
They charged that the government has administered the country for three months but have accomplished nothing. Army Chief Gen. Anupong Paochinda and privy councillors were also under verbal attack.
The protesters planned to send small groups of supporters to protest at other locations.
Deposed prime minister Thaksin thanked his supporters Thursday for ‘supporting democracy’, and said that democracy in the kingdom had been set back 30 years.
Mr. Thaksin promised that on Friday he would reveal the identity of the "extra-constitutional figure" behind the coup deposing him in 2006. He said he will discuss economic issues Saturday and tell how Thailand can come out of economic crisis.
The UDD leaders said Mr. Thaksin would speak to supporters via video links everyday beginning Friday.
Mr. Thaksin said he is in an African country but did not say where, and said he was meeting leaders of several African states.
Deposed in a bloodless military coup in September 2006, ex-premier Thaksin was found guilty by Thailand’s Supreme Court last year of violating conflict of interest laws in a Bangkok land purchase by his then wife.- (TNA)
The UDD said they won’t allow access for the prime minister, Cabinet ministers or other officials to enter Government House, but metropolitan police said they will escort the prime minister and other officials engaged in their duties.
The UDD challenge drew out a cautionary statement from the deputy metropolitan police chief, Police Maj-Gen. Amnuay Nimmano who warned that the police stand ready to facilitate the premier and other Cabinet members to enter the Government House premises.
Gen. Amnuay also warned that legal action will be taken against demonstrators who make verbal attacks against the monarchy which are considered as lese majeste.
Meanwhile, fugitive former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra telephoned his supporters who claimed they totally cordoned off Government House on Thursday to protest and pressure the prime minister to resign.
The UDD demonstrators, known as Red Shirts, gathered at Bangkok’s Sanam Luang Wednesday night before marching to Government House Thursday afternoon, trying to oust the three-month-old government.
Key UDD leader Jatuporn Prompan, a member of parliament from the Opposition Puea Thai Party, said earlier that the rally would last for at least one month, and that the group has sufficient capability to sustain the protest up to one year if they wish.
After a permanent stage was built near the Government House compound, the UDD leaders took turn on stage to attack the Abhisit government.
They charged that the government has administered the country for three months but have accomplished nothing. Army Chief Gen. Anupong Paochinda and privy councillors were also under verbal attack.
The protesters planned to send small groups of supporters to protest at other locations.
Deposed prime minister Thaksin thanked his supporters Thursday for ‘supporting democracy’, and said that democracy in the kingdom had been set back 30 years.
Mr. Thaksin promised that on Friday he would reveal the identity of the "extra-constitutional figure" behind the coup deposing him in 2006. He said he will discuss economic issues Saturday and tell how Thailand can come out of economic crisis.
The UDD leaders said Mr. Thaksin would speak to supporters via video links everyday beginning Friday.
Mr. Thaksin said he is in an African country but did not say where, and said he was meeting leaders of several African states.
Deposed in a bloodless military coup in September 2006, ex-premier Thaksin was found guilty by Thailand’s Supreme Court last year of violating conflict of interest laws in a Bangkok land purchase by his then wife.- (TNA)
