ID :
111282
Fri, 03/12/2010 - 16:20
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http://m.oananews.org//node/111282
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Thai Deputy PM unworried over Red Shirt threat to besiege Bangkok
BANGKOK, March 12 (TNA) - Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban on Friday said the government is not worried over the threat of anti-government Red Shirt leaders to seal off the Thai capital on Monday if Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva does not dissolve the parliament by
Sunday.
Mr Suthep commented in response after the key United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) Nattawut Saikua called for the dissolution of the House of Representatives by Sunday. If dissolution does not take place the Red Shirts will besiege Bangkok.
The deputy premier said that there is no problem if the activists protest peacefully, but if traffic is blocked and Bangkokians cannot live their lives normally, legal action will be taken against those who violate the law.
Mr Suthep said that the demand of Red Shirt leaders for the premier's resignation or House dissolution is normal and that the prime minister will evaluate the situation as necessary.
"If the protesters break the law, they will be arrested," said Mr Suthep, "and if the protest leaders incite their supporters to violate the law, they will also be arrested."
The deputy premier who oversees national security added that following enforcement of the Internal Security Act (ISA), the overall situation in Bangkok is still normal due to the well-prepared security measures of the concerned authorities.
The security law was invoked Thursday and remains in effect through March 23 throughout Bangkok and Nonthaburi, plus some districts of other six provinces surrounding the capital.
Mr Suthep advised the Bangkok citizen not to panic over possible sabotage as security personnel have prepared their response to such incidents. He also revealed that the government has been closely monitoring many groups of hardcore activists who are likely to trigger chaos in the capital, but their names cannot be disclosed.
The deputy premier vowed the government will not let the UDD protesters seize Government House and they will not be allowed to rally on roads leading to the premier's office, but can protest on Ratchadamnoen Avenue.
Mr Suthep said he will work at Government House on Monday as usual.
The deputy prime minister reaffirmed that the government has not obstructed the UDD protesters from entering the capital as earlier misrepresented by protest leaders, saying that the checkpoints have been set up only for screening weapons and illegal migrant workers.
Following rumours that ousted convicted ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra will be in a neighbouring country to supervise the UDD mass rally, Mr Suthep said he has not been given such information.
Mr Suthep added that the government has prepared a team to negotiate with the Red Shirt leaders at any time.
Regarding five bomb attacks in the southern province of Surat Thani, his hometown Friday morning, the deputy premier said that the incident is not beyond expectation as this had happened once when he took the post and the suspects were arrested.
Mr Suthep said he believes that the incident is aimed at creating a situation rather than physically harming anyone, as no injuries have been reported.
Meanwhile, UDD leader Jatuporn Prompan said the Red Shirt gathering at different locations of Bangkok started at noon and will end around 5pm.
Mr Jatuporn said the protesters will meet again Saturday afternoon at Phanfa Lilat Bridge, with music and speeches explaining the reasons for the UDD demonstration, as the await Red Shirts from other provinces who will arrive Sunday for the mass rally.
In a related issue, US Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell met with Mr Abhisit Friday morning at Government House, saying he understood that Thailand have been facing internal problems.
The senior US official echoed the US Embassy statement issued on Thursday calling on all parties not to use violence and to bring peace back to the country.
Mr Campbell is visiting the Southeast Asian and Pacific regions prior to an official visit of US President Barack Obama. (TNA)
Sunday.
Mr Suthep commented in response after the key United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) Nattawut Saikua called for the dissolution of the House of Representatives by Sunday. If dissolution does not take place the Red Shirts will besiege Bangkok.
The deputy premier said that there is no problem if the activists protest peacefully, but if traffic is blocked and Bangkokians cannot live their lives normally, legal action will be taken against those who violate the law.
Mr Suthep said that the demand of Red Shirt leaders for the premier's resignation or House dissolution is normal and that the prime minister will evaluate the situation as necessary.
"If the protesters break the law, they will be arrested," said Mr Suthep, "and if the protest leaders incite their supporters to violate the law, they will also be arrested."
The deputy premier who oversees national security added that following enforcement of the Internal Security Act (ISA), the overall situation in Bangkok is still normal due to the well-prepared security measures of the concerned authorities.
The security law was invoked Thursday and remains in effect through March 23 throughout Bangkok and Nonthaburi, plus some districts of other six provinces surrounding the capital.
Mr Suthep advised the Bangkok citizen not to panic over possible sabotage as security personnel have prepared their response to such incidents. He also revealed that the government has been closely monitoring many groups of hardcore activists who are likely to trigger chaos in the capital, but their names cannot be disclosed.
The deputy premier vowed the government will not let the UDD protesters seize Government House and they will not be allowed to rally on roads leading to the premier's office, but can protest on Ratchadamnoen Avenue.
Mr Suthep said he will work at Government House on Monday as usual.
The deputy prime minister reaffirmed that the government has not obstructed the UDD protesters from entering the capital as earlier misrepresented by protest leaders, saying that the checkpoints have been set up only for screening weapons and illegal migrant workers.
Following rumours that ousted convicted ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra will be in a neighbouring country to supervise the UDD mass rally, Mr Suthep said he has not been given such information.
Mr Suthep added that the government has prepared a team to negotiate with the Red Shirt leaders at any time.
Regarding five bomb attacks in the southern province of Surat Thani, his hometown Friday morning, the deputy premier said that the incident is not beyond expectation as this had happened once when he took the post and the suspects were arrested.
Mr Suthep said he believes that the incident is aimed at creating a situation rather than physically harming anyone, as no injuries have been reported.
Meanwhile, UDD leader Jatuporn Prompan said the Red Shirt gathering at different locations of Bangkok started at noon and will end around 5pm.
Mr Jatuporn said the protesters will meet again Saturday afternoon at Phanfa Lilat Bridge, with music and speeches explaining the reasons for the UDD demonstration, as the await Red Shirts from other provinces who will arrive Sunday for the mass rally.
In a related issue, US Assistant Secretary of State Kurt Campbell met with Mr Abhisit Friday morning at Government House, saying he understood that Thailand have been facing internal problems.
The senior US official echoed the US Embassy statement issued on Thursday calling on all parties not to use violence and to bring peace back to the country.
Mr Campbell is visiting the Southeast Asian and Pacific regions prior to an official visit of US President Barack Obama. (TNA)
