ID :
111669
Mon, 03/15/2010 - 13:02
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/111669
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Thai PM rejects Red Shirt ultimatum to dissolve House
BANGKOK, March 15 (TNA) - With tens of thousands of demonstrators pressuring Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve the House of Representatives by Monday noon, the prime minister remained adamant, rejecting their demand, saying his government was legitimately elected and will not use force against the red-clad demonstrators.
"The demand of those demonstrators for House dissolution before noon today to end their demonstration cannot be met, but it doesn't mean that I or the coalition parties will not listen to their voices," Mr Abhisit announced in a nationally televised address from the 11th Infantry Regiment headquarters, where he was flanked by key ministers.
The prime minister stated that his government welcomes their ideas but any political decision making must be based on ultimate national interest and accommodating all opinions from every group in society.
Mr Abhisit reassured the public that his government will not use violence to maintain law and order. He urged security personnel to carry their duty with utmost restraint and strictly comply with the law.
The prime minister and Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban stayed at the 11th Infantry HQ in Bangkhen where the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) is coordinating the government's response to the Red Shirt rally situation.
The prime minister then left the army unit by helicopter to observe the traffic flow as caravans of motorcycles, cars and pickup trucks carrying thousands of the Red Shirt demonstrators led by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) began moving to the 11th Infantry Regiment to pressure the government to accede to their demand. Their march caused heavy trafffic congestion in key roads.
The UDD leaders declared the ultimatum at noon on Sunday, giving the government 24 hours to dissolve the House to pave the way for the new election. Some protesters still remain at the Phan Fah Lilat Bridge and the platform they erected there on Sunday as their fellow Red Shirts plan to return to the protest site which drew a crowd of up to 100,000 on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd, CAPO spokesman, warned protesters not to intrude into the 11th Infantry Regiment, but they could gather outside the gates and submit a letter to the government.
Twenty companies of soldiers are on standby and harsh measures will be implemented if they encroach on the army unit, Col Sansern said, adding that light measures will be applied and the level will be increased step by step from initial warnings to using shields, to force the demonstrators to leave, water cannons, high-frequency sound waves, and tear gas. Batons and rubber bullets will be used as the last resort to maintain peace and order.
Meanwhile the Psychological Operation Battalion is prepared to talk with protesters, while many surveillance cameras have been installed in case any party starts violence.
As part of the preparations, smoke grenades have been placed on the barbed wire, and eight armoured vehicles and three helicopters are on standby at the CAPO office. (TNA)
"The demand of those demonstrators for House dissolution before noon today to end their demonstration cannot be met, but it doesn't mean that I or the coalition parties will not listen to their voices," Mr Abhisit announced in a nationally televised address from the 11th Infantry Regiment headquarters, where he was flanked by key ministers.
The prime minister stated that his government welcomes their ideas but any political decision making must be based on ultimate national interest and accommodating all opinions from every group in society.
Mr Abhisit reassured the public that his government will not use violence to maintain law and order. He urged security personnel to carry their duty with utmost restraint and strictly comply with the law.
The prime minister and Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban stayed at the 11th Infantry HQ in Bangkhen where the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) is coordinating the government's response to the Red Shirt rally situation.
The prime minister then left the army unit by helicopter to observe the traffic flow as caravans of motorcycles, cars and pickup trucks carrying thousands of the Red Shirt demonstrators led by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) began moving to the 11th Infantry Regiment to pressure the government to accede to their demand. Their march caused heavy trafffic congestion in key roads.
The UDD leaders declared the ultimatum at noon on Sunday, giving the government 24 hours to dissolve the House to pave the way for the new election. Some protesters still remain at the Phan Fah Lilat Bridge and the platform they erected there on Sunday as their fellow Red Shirts plan to return to the protest site which drew a crowd of up to 100,000 on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd, CAPO spokesman, warned protesters not to intrude into the 11th Infantry Regiment, but they could gather outside the gates and submit a letter to the government.
Twenty companies of soldiers are on standby and harsh measures will be implemented if they encroach on the army unit, Col Sansern said, adding that light measures will be applied and the level will be increased step by step from initial warnings to using shields, to force the demonstrators to leave, water cannons, high-frequency sound waves, and tear gas. Batons and rubber bullets will be used as the last resort to maintain peace and order.
Meanwhile the Psychological Operation Battalion is prepared to talk with protesters, while many surveillance cameras have been installed in case any party starts violence.
As part of the preparations, smoke grenades have been placed on the barbed wire, and eight armoured vehicles and three helicopters are on standby at the CAPO office. (TNA)
