ID :
111376
Sat, 03/13/2010 - 10:28
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/111376
The shortlink copeid
Finance minister assures Japan of Thailand's ability to cope with rallies
BANGKOK, Mar 13 (TNA) – Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij on Friday assured the Japanese government and private sector that the Thai government is in a position to cope with the planned mass rally by anti-government Red Shirt demonstrators over the weekend.
Speaking via the Telepresence System from Japan where he is leading a Thai delegation in a road show, he said top officials and private-sector executives had joined his trip to explain doubts by Japanese investors regarding economic conditions, ongoing rallies by Red Shirt protestors, and investment suspensions in the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate.
The minister said he clarified to the Japanese government and private sector that the rallies by the Red Shirts, the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) had been staged because the UDD members, most of which are supporters of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, refused to accept the ruling by the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders ruling to confiscate part of the frozen assets of the ousted premier while most people of the country accepted the decision.
The Thai government decided to enforce the Internal Security Act (ISA) in the capital and its environs since it expected the violence to erupt anytime.
The move was made to keep peace and order and for the safety of Thai people.
He was optimistic the government could cope with the planned rallies, which would help boost confidence among Japanese investors, said Mr Korn
“Should we continue doing something that hurts our country, foreign investors may shift to invest in other countries as India has a growth potential, Indonesia has an abundance of natural resources, and Malaysia has a sound political stability,” he said.
Regarding the demand by the Red Shirt protesters for the dissolution of the House of Representatives, he said it depends on Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s decision.
“The premier made his stance in the parliament that he is ready to dissolve the House if it could benefit the country. Normally, the House should be dissolved when the government is unable to perform its duty in the parliament. But in case the government is under heavy pressure from street protests, it is the premier’s discretion to seek a way out,” he said. (TNA)
Speaking via the Telepresence System from Japan where he is leading a Thai delegation in a road show, he said top officials and private-sector executives had joined his trip to explain doubts by Japanese investors regarding economic conditions, ongoing rallies by Red Shirt protestors, and investment suspensions in the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate.
The minister said he clarified to the Japanese government and private sector that the rallies by the Red Shirts, the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) had been staged because the UDD members, most of which are supporters of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, refused to accept the ruling by the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders ruling to confiscate part of the frozen assets of the ousted premier while most people of the country accepted the decision.
The Thai government decided to enforce the Internal Security Act (ISA) in the capital and its environs since it expected the violence to erupt anytime.
The move was made to keep peace and order and for the safety of Thai people.
He was optimistic the government could cope with the planned rallies, which would help boost confidence among Japanese investors, said Mr Korn
“Should we continue doing something that hurts our country, foreign investors may shift to invest in other countries as India has a growth potential, Indonesia has an abundance of natural resources, and Malaysia has a sound political stability,” he said.
Regarding the demand by the Red Shirt protesters for the dissolution of the House of Representatives, he said it depends on Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s decision.
“The premier made his stance in the parliament that he is ready to dissolve the House if it could benefit the country. Normally, the House should be dissolved when the government is unable to perform its duty in the parliament. But in case the government is under heavy pressure from street protests, it is the premier’s discretion to seek a way out,” he said. (TNA)
