ID :
114873
Sat, 04/03/2010 - 20:42
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/114873
The shortlink copeid
PM affirms government can handle Red Shirt protest; no Emergency Decree
BANGKOK, April 3 (TNA) - Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva begged Bangkok residents to be patient, affirming that the government is not ignoring the troubles they are facing from the protest of the anti-government 'Red-Shirt' United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) and asserting that it is unnecessary to invoke an Emergency Decree at the moment.
The Red Shirt protesters on Saturday left their base at Phan Fa Bridge on Ratchadamnoen Avenue and marched to Rajprasong intersection. They erected a large platform at the intersection in front of a luxury hotel, causing a heavy traffic jam in Bangkok's prime retail business area.
The protest also forced the closure of streets in the area, as well as luxury department stores such as Central World, Gaysorn Plaza, Siam Paragon and Siam Centre.
Another group of demonstrators used motorcycles and other vehicles on Vibhavadirangsit Road and protested at the state-owned television NBT.
Mr Abhisi, in Hua Hin to attend the Mekong River Commission (MRC) Summit, said he is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with the the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO), an agency temporarily given authority above existing security organisations.
He said the Red Shirt's movement to block the roads at Rajprasong intersection was an action that went beyond the exercise of basic rights under the Constitution and that the UDD leaders intended two outcomes, first to cause trouble with Bangkok residents to put pressure on the government, secondly to incite an escalation of the situation.
The premier said the government would try to ease trouble as much as possible and would adhere to the legal framework and according to international standards.
The first procedure was the talks and other measures would follow if the protesters still defied the government's request, he said.
He said that until now, there was no need to invoke an Emergency Decree, but affirmed hope that the blockade of Rajprasong intersection would not last at least three days as the UDD leaders announced.
The government is confident that it can handle the situation and promised that the government would carefully address the situation, which he said was not easy.
The goverment have no policy to crack down on the protesters, he said, but a third round of talks between government and Red Shirt leaders could not happen unless the protesters return to their main protest site at Phan Fa Bridge.
Meanwhile, CAPO announced its operational approaches in handling the Red Shirt activists at Rajprasong intersection, that was broadcast live on national television networks.
Army spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd, in his capacity of CAPO spokesman, said that the police would firstly dispatch a team to negotiate with the UDD demonstrations urging them to return and open the area for the public by 9pm.
If the CAPO request is rejected, security personnel will have to implement stiff measures in handling the crowd under the Internal Security Act (ISA).
Acting government spokesman Panitan Wattanayakorn added that the negotiation team now will consist of senior police officials. A pickup truck mounted with loudspeakers is being used to inform the protesters about the penalties they may face, as well as creating a better understanding among protesters who may not know that their moves contradict to the principle of peaceful demonstrations.
Mr Panitan said the Red Shirt leaders and supporters will be given time to consider their withdrawal from the location.
“The Rajprasong intersection has been blocked for several hours now and it is the country’s major important intersection,” said the government spokesman.
“If the talks have failed, the government has no other choice but using strict measures to enforce the law.”
Mr Panitan added that CAPO has not yet considered imposing an Emergency Decree.
Enforcement of other security laws may be considered, depending on situation.
Meanwhile, UDD leader Veera Musikapong announced when addressing the Red Shirt supporters who have occupied the capital's primary luxury shopping zone, Rajprasong, since Saturday morning, that the Red Shirt protesters would stay overnight at the site and that no time frame has been set for their protest there.
He also stressed their demand to dissolve the House immediately. At the same time, however, he said the UDD is ready to consider the stance of the goverment.
He said the Red Shirt would not back off if the government applied forces to disperse the protest.
Another Red Shirt leader, Nattawut Saikua, called for donations of food and water for the demonstrators. Some food will be taken from the group’s main rally site at Phan Fa Bridge.
As many factions of Red Shirts rallied in various locations of Bangkok, another group of UDD protesters led by Kwanchai Praipana marched to the office of state-owned television NBT on Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road at 3pm.
The Red Shirt demonstration at NBT is aimed at pressuring the prime minister to dissolve the House, as well as expressing their dissatisfaction over, what they claimed, was distorted news reports about the red-clad movement.
The protesters however withdrew from the NTB headquarters and returned to Phan Fa Bridge shortly after they had submitted a complaint urging for impartial news presentations and stop attacking fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, ousted in a coup d'etat is September 2006. (TNA)
The Red Shirt protesters on Saturday left their base at Phan Fa Bridge on Ratchadamnoen Avenue and marched to Rajprasong intersection. They erected a large platform at the intersection in front of a luxury hotel, causing a heavy traffic jam in Bangkok's prime retail business area.
The protest also forced the closure of streets in the area, as well as luxury department stores such as Central World, Gaysorn Plaza, Siam Paragon and Siam Centre.
Another group of demonstrators used motorcycles and other vehicles on Vibhavadirangsit Road and protested at the state-owned television NBT.
Mr Abhisi, in Hua Hin to attend the Mekong River Commission (MRC) Summit, said he is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with the the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO), an agency temporarily given authority above existing security organisations.
He said the Red Shirt's movement to block the roads at Rajprasong intersection was an action that went beyond the exercise of basic rights under the Constitution and that the UDD leaders intended two outcomes, first to cause trouble with Bangkok residents to put pressure on the government, secondly to incite an escalation of the situation.
The premier said the government would try to ease trouble as much as possible and would adhere to the legal framework and according to international standards.
The first procedure was the talks and other measures would follow if the protesters still defied the government's request, he said.
He said that until now, there was no need to invoke an Emergency Decree, but affirmed hope that the blockade of Rajprasong intersection would not last at least three days as the UDD leaders announced.
The government is confident that it can handle the situation and promised that the government would carefully address the situation, which he said was not easy.
The goverment have no policy to crack down on the protesters, he said, but a third round of talks between government and Red Shirt leaders could not happen unless the protesters return to their main protest site at Phan Fa Bridge.
Meanwhile, CAPO announced its operational approaches in handling the Red Shirt activists at Rajprasong intersection, that was broadcast live on national television networks.
Army spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd, in his capacity of CAPO spokesman, said that the police would firstly dispatch a team to negotiate with the UDD demonstrations urging them to return and open the area for the public by 9pm.
If the CAPO request is rejected, security personnel will have to implement stiff measures in handling the crowd under the Internal Security Act (ISA).
Acting government spokesman Panitan Wattanayakorn added that the negotiation team now will consist of senior police officials. A pickup truck mounted with loudspeakers is being used to inform the protesters about the penalties they may face, as well as creating a better understanding among protesters who may not know that their moves contradict to the principle of peaceful demonstrations.
Mr Panitan said the Red Shirt leaders and supporters will be given time to consider their withdrawal from the location.
“The Rajprasong intersection has been blocked for several hours now and it is the country’s major important intersection,” said the government spokesman.
“If the talks have failed, the government has no other choice but using strict measures to enforce the law.”
Mr Panitan added that CAPO has not yet considered imposing an Emergency Decree.
Enforcement of other security laws may be considered, depending on situation.
Meanwhile, UDD leader Veera Musikapong announced when addressing the Red Shirt supporters who have occupied the capital's primary luxury shopping zone, Rajprasong, since Saturday morning, that the Red Shirt protesters would stay overnight at the site and that no time frame has been set for their protest there.
He also stressed their demand to dissolve the House immediately. At the same time, however, he said the UDD is ready to consider the stance of the goverment.
He said the Red Shirt would not back off if the government applied forces to disperse the protest.
Another Red Shirt leader, Nattawut Saikua, called for donations of food and water for the demonstrators. Some food will be taken from the group’s main rally site at Phan Fa Bridge.
As many factions of Red Shirts rallied in various locations of Bangkok, another group of UDD protesters led by Kwanchai Praipana marched to the office of state-owned television NBT on Vibhavadi-Rangsit Road at 3pm.
The Red Shirt demonstration at NBT is aimed at pressuring the prime minister to dissolve the House, as well as expressing their dissatisfaction over, what they claimed, was distorted news reports about the red-clad movement.
The protesters however withdrew from the NTB headquarters and returned to Phan Fa Bridge shortly after they had submitted a complaint urging for impartial news presentations and stop attacking fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, ousted in a coup d'etat is September 2006. (TNA)
