ID :
52913
Mon, 03/30/2009 - 16:43
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/52913
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Thai PM leaving for G-20 London meeting; Cabinet meet may be postponed
BANGKOK, March 30 (TNA) - Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will leave Bangkok for London Tuesday noon to attend the G-20 summit, so will not be attending his government’s weekly Cabinet meeting.
However, Mr. Abhisit said it was undecided whether the Cabinet would carry on as usual, or if the time or venue would be changed.
Anti-government protesters have cordoned off Government House, making access unlikely except under heavy police escort, an inconvenience for the Cabinet and other officials.
Red-shirted United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) demonstrators have surrounded Government House since last Thursday, attempting to oust the three-month-old Democrat-led government.
The prime minister said he will discuss the matter with Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban who supervises security affairs before making a decision.
Meanwhile, Mr. Abhisit has not scheduled to work at his Government House office as he has outside engagements during the entire day.
Monday morning he presided over the opening of the 29th United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) assembly for Asia and the Pacific at the United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC) on Rajdamneon Nok Road.
The UN Centre is not far from Government House and some anti-government protesters gathered near the building using 'foot clappers' to show their disapproval of the government.
The prime minister's motorcade reportedly used a route to avoid passing through the UDD Red Shirt protesters.
In related developments, Bangkok’s metropolitan police used the internal public address system inside Government House to tell the UDD members to disperse as blocking the entrance to the compound is illegal.
The authorities also warned that if they resist, the police will have to disperse the protesters.
The main UDD leaders gathered on the stage called on the protesters to gather near the stage saying that the police were only just using psychological warfare techniques, and should not be obeyed. The core leaders affirmed that they would not disperse. (TNA)
However, Mr. Abhisit said it was undecided whether the Cabinet would carry on as usual, or if the time or venue would be changed.
Anti-government protesters have cordoned off Government House, making access unlikely except under heavy police escort, an inconvenience for the Cabinet and other officials.
Red-shirted United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) demonstrators have surrounded Government House since last Thursday, attempting to oust the three-month-old Democrat-led government.
The prime minister said he will discuss the matter with Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban who supervises security affairs before making a decision.
Meanwhile, Mr. Abhisit has not scheduled to work at his Government House office as he has outside engagements during the entire day.
Monday morning he presided over the opening of the 29th United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) assembly for Asia and the Pacific at the United Nations Conference Centre (UNCC) on Rajdamneon Nok Road.
The UN Centre is not far from Government House and some anti-government protesters gathered near the building using 'foot clappers' to show their disapproval of the government.
The prime minister's motorcade reportedly used a route to avoid passing through the UDD Red Shirt protesters.
In related developments, Bangkok’s metropolitan police used the internal public address system inside Government House to tell the UDD members to disperse as blocking the entrance to the compound is illegal.
The authorities also warned that if they resist, the police will have to disperse the protesters.
The main UDD leaders gathered on the stage called on the protesters to gather near the stage saying that the police were only just using psychological warfare techniques, and should not be obeyed. The core leaders affirmed that they would not disperse. (TNA)
