ID :
114945
Sun, 04/04/2010 - 13:02
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/114945
The shortlink copeid
PM reiterates House dissolution within 15 days can’t solve problem; Protesters defy dispersal order
BANGKOK, April 4 (TNA) -- Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Sunday a demand by anti-government protesters for him to dissolve the House within 15 days will not solve the persisting political crisis in Thailand, while the demonstrators continue to defy an order for them to leave from occupying an area in the prime retail business district of central Bangkok.
In a special live telecast announcement, Mr Abhisit said the order issued by the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) for protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) to vacate Rajprasong intersection and nearby areas did not mean that the government wanted to use force to break the protest as senior police officers are negotiating with the UDD leaders aimed at making the protesters fully understand the order.
Under an added clause of the Internal Security Act, announced by CAPO before midnight Saturday, unlawful gatherings are punishable with maximum imprisonment of one year and a fine of 20,000 baht (US$625)or both.
Thousands of red-shirted UDD demonstrators marched from their base at Phan Fa Bridge and occupied Rajprasong intersection on Saturday and have remained there. Nearly 10 major shopping malls and several five-star hotels in the area have been impacted.
The malls have temporarily closed their doors since Saturday and it is not yet known when they will reopen.
Negotiations between key UDD leaders and Mr Abhisit last Sunday and Monday failed to break the political impasse as the Red Shirts insisted that the prime minister must dissolve the House within 15 days without conditions while Mr Abhisit said the House should be dissolved in nine months as the government still must consider the Fiscal 2011 budget, starting October 1, and a number of significant issues.
Mr Abhisit said on TV that “it’s undeniable that many Bangkokians don’t agree with the UDD demand” and that his coalition government is “willing to reduce its timeframe (on House dissolution) if it could bring peace back to the country and benefit a majority of the people”.
He said his government is “willing to invite every sector to discuss the issue” and if this is agreed it could take less than one year and nine months (for the House to be dissolved).
The coalition government still has that timeframe to complete its term in office and a general election must be held.
Early Sunday, UDD protesters opened two lanes for traffic at Rajprasong intersection, allowing the public and patients to enter Police General Hospital conveniently, but traffic remains heavy in the area. (TNA)
In a special live telecast announcement, Mr Abhisit said the order issued by the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) for protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) to vacate Rajprasong intersection and nearby areas did not mean that the government wanted to use force to break the protest as senior police officers are negotiating with the UDD leaders aimed at making the protesters fully understand the order.
Under an added clause of the Internal Security Act, announced by CAPO before midnight Saturday, unlawful gatherings are punishable with maximum imprisonment of one year and a fine of 20,000 baht (US$625)or both.
Thousands of red-shirted UDD demonstrators marched from their base at Phan Fa Bridge and occupied Rajprasong intersection on Saturday and have remained there. Nearly 10 major shopping malls and several five-star hotels in the area have been impacted.
The malls have temporarily closed their doors since Saturday and it is not yet known when they will reopen.
Negotiations between key UDD leaders and Mr Abhisit last Sunday and Monday failed to break the political impasse as the Red Shirts insisted that the prime minister must dissolve the House within 15 days without conditions while Mr Abhisit said the House should be dissolved in nine months as the government still must consider the Fiscal 2011 budget, starting October 1, and a number of significant issues.
Mr Abhisit said on TV that “it’s undeniable that many Bangkokians don’t agree with the UDD demand” and that his coalition government is “willing to reduce its timeframe (on House dissolution) if it could bring peace back to the country and benefit a majority of the people”.
He said his government is “willing to invite every sector to discuss the issue” and if this is agreed it could take less than one year and nine months (for the House to be dissolved).
The coalition government still has that timeframe to complete its term in office and a general election must be held.
Early Sunday, UDD protesters opened two lanes for traffic at Rajprasong intersection, allowing the public and patients to enter Police General Hospital conveniently, but traffic remains heavy in the area. (TNA)
