ID :
114952
Sun, 04/04/2010 - 14:36
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http://m.oananews.org//node/114952
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Government to seek court order to force protesters from Bangkok's commercial centre
BANGKOK, April 4 (TNA) - Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban on Sunday said he will ask a court Monday for an order to force the anti-government Red Shirt protesters to leave the capital's prime commercial centre.
Mr Suthep, in his capacity as director of the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO), spoke after protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) rallied at Rajprasong intersection for a second day, paralysing traffic and forcing closure of several nearby luxury malls frequented by high-end shoppers and tourists.
Mr Suthep said the Red Shirt seizure of Rajprasong intersection threatened both the country's retail and tourism economies, causing far-reaching effects. Retail operators and hospitals in the area have been hard hit by the UDD moves.
Monday is a normal working day. If the protesters remain defiant and challenging the authorities, the public will be affected and the government must apply law across a specrum of soft to harsh measures until they vacate the area, according to Mr Suthep.
The security chief said he has instructed the National Police Bureau to speak to the demonstrating Red Shirts by mobile loudspeaker in cars and informing the red shirts that their rally now is violating the law. Police have been ordered to bar protesters to rally in other prime business areas including Silom Road.
The deputy premier added that he has assigned a legal team to file a petition in court on Monday, seeking its order to force the protesters to leave Rajprasong intersection.
"We have no choice but to enforce harsher legal measures, said Mr Suthep. "We don't want any clash and may dispatch law-enforcement officers to clear the area with special care to avoid causing any injuries to the people."
The CAPO director said every province has been instructed to monitor the situation following the Red Shirt leaders threat to seize city halls. If the city halls are set on fire, the protest leaders will be immediately arrested on charge of threatening national security.
Mr Suthep's stern warning, however, was disregarded by the UDD leaders.
Nattawut Saikua announced that the Red Shirt protesters will remain rallying at two locations; the main rally site at Phan Fa Bridge and at Rajprasong intersection.
Mr Nattawut pledged that the rallies will be prolonged with no ending date, but will be peaceful.
He said the UDD leaders will evaluate the situation Sunday afternoon to consider whether the demonstrators will march to other locations to pressure Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve the House within 15 days.
"If the premier announces the House dissolution, the Red Shirts are ready to disperse immediately," he said.
The UDD leader also threatened to intensify the protest if their demand is not met. (TNA)
Mr Suthep, in his capacity as director of the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO), spoke after protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) rallied at Rajprasong intersection for a second day, paralysing traffic and forcing closure of several nearby luxury malls frequented by high-end shoppers and tourists.
Mr Suthep said the Red Shirt seizure of Rajprasong intersection threatened both the country's retail and tourism economies, causing far-reaching effects. Retail operators and hospitals in the area have been hard hit by the UDD moves.
Monday is a normal working day. If the protesters remain defiant and challenging the authorities, the public will be affected and the government must apply law across a specrum of soft to harsh measures until they vacate the area, according to Mr Suthep.
The security chief said he has instructed the National Police Bureau to speak to the demonstrating Red Shirts by mobile loudspeaker in cars and informing the red shirts that their rally now is violating the law. Police have been ordered to bar protesters to rally in other prime business areas including Silom Road.
The deputy premier added that he has assigned a legal team to file a petition in court on Monday, seeking its order to force the protesters to leave Rajprasong intersection.
"We have no choice but to enforce harsher legal measures, said Mr Suthep. "We don't want any clash and may dispatch law-enforcement officers to clear the area with special care to avoid causing any injuries to the people."
The CAPO director said every province has been instructed to monitor the situation following the Red Shirt leaders threat to seize city halls. If the city halls are set on fire, the protest leaders will be immediately arrested on charge of threatening national security.
Mr Suthep's stern warning, however, was disregarded by the UDD leaders.
Nattawut Saikua announced that the Red Shirt protesters will remain rallying at two locations; the main rally site at Phan Fa Bridge and at Rajprasong intersection.
Mr Nattawut pledged that the rallies will be prolonged with no ending date, but will be peaceful.
He said the UDD leaders will evaluate the situation Sunday afternoon to consider whether the demonstrators will march to other locations to pressure Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dissolve the House within 15 days.
"If the premier announces the House dissolution, the Red Shirts are ready to disperse immediately," he said.
The UDD leader also threatened to intensify the protest if their demand is not met. (TNA)
