ID :
112411
Thu, 03/18/2010 - 15:55
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http://m.oananews.org//node/112411
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Thai PM: Talks with Red Shirts only possible if unlawful acts stop
BANGKOK, March 18 (TNA) - Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Thursday said his government stands ready to talk with the 'Red Shirt' United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) movement, but the anti-government activists must comply with the law without blockading government offices and the homes of key persons and they must stop inciting violence.
Mr Abhisit told a joint news conference conducted with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) at the 11th Infantry Regiment in Bangkok that his government has no objection to enter talks as proposed by key UDD leaders--Veera Musikapong, Weng Tojirakarn and Jaral Ditthaapichai--through the NHRC.
"If the rallies comply with the law, the government has no objection to talk as it welcomes participation from all parties concerned, the premier said, "but do not push too much about who the negotiators would be, otherwise it will be difficult to work it out."
The prime minister's reaction came as the anti-government rally entering its fifth day on Thursday after Mr Abhisit rejected the protesters' demand for dissolution of the House. The UDD leaders vowed to launch a 'class war' with convoys of pick-up trucks fanning out across the capital on Saturday to seek
support from Bangkokians to extend their fight against what they term as 'the illegitimate government' and the elites whom they accuse of using a double standards against convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his allies.
Many of the red-clad demonstrators are poor people from the North and Northeast who are loyal to Mr Thaksin whom they hailed as champion of the poor for his populist policies which benefitted them.
The Red Shirts continue to camp out on Ratchadamnoen Avenue on the historic Bangkok area to continue to pressure Mr Abhisit to bow to their demand. They had adopted stunt tactics with 'bloody' protest by splashing their own blood into Abhisit's residential compound and throwing bags of blood into his home Wednesday, following similar protests the day before at Government House and the ruling Democrat Party headquarters.
Mr Abhisit urged the NHRC to look into the incident in which his home compound was splashed with blood, saying individual rights and private homes must be respected and protected by law.
He added that the blockade of government offices is not considered as an exercise of constitutional rights by the demonstrators.
Key UDD leader Natthawut Saikua said earlier that a group of Red Shirt activists will blockade Parliament once the premier attends a House session and promised the same when the premier works at Government House. The activists will follow the premier, attempting to dog him wherever he goes.
"The prolonged protest will be better for the Red Shirts as it will severely affect the prime minister. He cannot work nor make public his schedule," Mr Nattawut said approvingly. "Mr Abhisit has apparently lost his leadership."
The key UDD leader also said that opposition MPs are invited to address the Red Shirt crowd at their makeshift stage at Phan Fah bridge Monday evening to expose the alleged corruption scandals in the government. (TNA)
Mr Abhisit told a joint news conference conducted with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) at the 11th Infantry Regiment in Bangkok that his government has no objection to enter talks as proposed by key UDD leaders--Veera Musikapong, Weng Tojirakarn and Jaral Ditthaapichai--through the NHRC.
"If the rallies comply with the law, the government has no objection to talk as it welcomes participation from all parties concerned, the premier said, "but do not push too much about who the negotiators would be, otherwise it will be difficult to work it out."
The prime minister's reaction came as the anti-government rally entering its fifth day on Thursday after Mr Abhisit rejected the protesters' demand for dissolution of the House. The UDD leaders vowed to launch a 'class war' with convoys of pick-up trucks fanning out across the capital on Saturday to seek
support from Bangkokians to extend their fight against what they term as 'the illegitimate government' and the elites whom they accuse of using a double standards against convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his allies.
Many of the red-clad demonstrators are poor people from the North and Northeast who are loyal to Mr Thaksin whom they hailed as champion of the poor for his populist policies which benefitted them.
The Red Shirts continue to camp out on Ratchadamnoen Avenue on the historic Bangkok area to continue to pressure Mr Abhisit to bow to their demand. They had adopted stunt tactics with 'bloody' protest by splashing their own blood into Abhisit's residential compound and throwing bags of blood into his home Wednesday, following similar protests the day before at Government House and the ruling Democrat Party headquarters.
Mr Abhisit urged the NHRC to look into the incident in which his home compound was splashed with blood, saying individual rights and private homes must be respected and protected by law.
He added that the blockade of government offices is not considered as an exercise of constitutional rights by the demonstrators.
Key UDD leader Natthawut Saikua said earlier that a group of Red Shirt activists will blockade Parliament once the premier attends a House session and promised the same when the premier works at Government House. The activists will follow the premier, attempting to dog him wherever he goes.
"The prolonged protest will be better for the Red Shirts as it will severely affect the prime minister. He cannot work nor make public his schedule," Mr Nattawut said approvingly. "Mr Abhisit has apparently lost his leadership."
The key UDD leader also said that opposition MPs are invited to address the Red Shirt crowd at their makeshift stage at Phan Fah bridge Monday evening to expose the alleged corruption scandals in the government. (TNA)
