ID :
109985
Fri, 03/05/2010 - 16:12
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/109985
The shortlink copeid
Thai PM Abhisit to visit Australia next week
BANGKOK, March 5 (TNA) - Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Friday said his planned visit to Australia March 13-17 remains unchanged
even though the timing coincides with the planned anti-government mass rallies March 14 onward.
Mr Abhisit's visit to Australia will be his first as Thai prime minister and follows an invitation by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd last year.
The key areas set to be discussed between the two leaders during the Thai premier's visit include Australian and Thai trade relations and ongoing
security arrangements between the two countries.
Mr Abhisit said Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban who is in charge of national security will be assigned to supervise law enforcement in the
country in his absence.
The Thai prime minister said he believed the rally would be peaceful. He also urged the demonstrators not be tempted to use violence nor fall prey
to the group who want to break the law.
The pro-Thaksin "Red Shirts" announced a planned mass rally in Bangkok on March 14, saying that they intend to bring down the government.
The group's key leaders said they expect the rally will be the largest ever, claiming that one million demonstrators from across the country will attend the rally.
Mr Abhisit said the government so far has no plan to enforce a special security law or declare a national holiday during the planned mass rally by the Red Shirt group.
He however said the Security Monitoring Committee would closely monitor the situation.
In a related development, Army Chief of Staff Gen Pirun Paewpolsong said the Security Monitoring Committee chaired by Mr Suthep would meet Monday
to evaluate the situation and decide whether or not it is necessary to invoke the Internal Security Act to maintain law and order.
If the special law is needed, the committee would seek cabinet approval, he said.
Gen Pirun said the committee is concerned over possible sabotage by some groups of people who want to stir up violence, therefore the military would be on alert and ready to support the police. (TNA)
even though the timing coincides with the planned anti-government mass rallies March 14 onward.
Mr Abhisit's visit to Australia will be his first as Thai prime minister and follows an invitation by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd last year.
The key areas set to be discussed between the two leaders during the Thai premier's visit include Australian and Thai trade relations and ongoing
security arrangements between the two countries.
Mr Abhisit said Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban who is in charge of national security will be assigned to supervise law enforcement in the
country in his absence.
The Thai prime minister said he believed the rally would be peaceful. He also urged the demonstrators not be tempted to use violence nor fall prey
to the group who want to break the law.
The pro-Thaksin "Red Shirts" announced a planned mass rally in Bangkok on March 14, saying that they intend to bring down the government.
The group's key leaders said they expect the rally will be the largest ever, claiming that one million demonstrators from across the country will attend the rally.
Mr Abhisit said the government so far has no plan to enforce a special security law or declare a national holiday during the planned mass rally by the Red Shirt group.
He however said the Security Monitoring Committee would closely monitor the situation.
In a related development, Army Chief of Staff Gen Pirun Paewpolsong said the Security Monitoring Committee chaired by Mr Suthep would meet Monday
to evaluate the situation and decide whether or not it is necessary to invoke the Internal Security Act to maintain law and order.
If the special law is needed, the committee would seek cabinet approval, he said.
Gen Pirun said the committee is concerned over possible sabotage by some groups of people who want to stir up violence, therefore the military would be on alert and ready to support the police. (TNA)
