ID :
117085
Fri, 04/16/2010 - 17:29
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Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/117085
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People urge army chief to take action against protesters
BANGKOK, April 16 (TNA) -- Charging that anti-government protesters, backed by fugitive ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, now demonstrating a Bangkok’s prime business crossroads, have already caused many deaths and left hundreds wounded, as well as critically damaging Thailand’s economy, several thousand Bangkokians on Friday urged Army chief Gen Anupong Paochinda to come out and take action against the protesters.
Bangkok residents who are feeling victimised went to 11th Infantry Regiment headquarters in northern Bangkok where Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is sheltering temporarily, carrying their encouragement to boost his morale and submitted an open letter to Gen Anupong through the Royal Thai Army secretariat, saying that the violence on last Saturday, April 10, was carefully planned by Mr Thaksin.
Gen Anupong should have realised this and must “restore his dignity as a career soldier”, the letter said, adding that the people hope that they would not have to walk back empty-handed and chase the protesters away by themselves.
Protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) who are staunch supporters of Mr Thaksin, ousted in a bloodless coup in September 2006, have demonstrated in the capital since March 14. The demonstration turned violent that day when government security forces clashed with the protesters on Ratchadamnoen Avenue.
Simultaneously, Bangkok citizens submitted another letter, read by retired Gen Pathompong Kesornsuk, former chief adviser to the Supreme Command, to a number of senior government officials including Panithan Wattanayagorn, deputy secretary-general to the prime minister.
The letter said UDD protesters had abused the rights of assembly provided by the Constitution, and that they acted like terrorists and broke the law.
Protester actions have led to the deaths of two dozen people, and resulted in hundreds more being hospitalised, while the economy has been damaged by tens of billion baht, causing fears among innocent Thais throughout the country, the letter said.
“If the government and the military stay idle towards the protesters, a [peoples'] movement will come out in full force to protect the country by themselves,” said the letter read by Gen Pathompong. (TNA)
Bangkok residents who are feeling victimised went to 11th Infantry Regiment headquarters in northern Bangkok where Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is sheltering temporarily, carrying their encouragement to boost his morale and submitted an open letter to Gen Anupong through the Royal Thai Army secretariat, saying that the violence on last Saturday, April 10, was carefully planned by Mr Thaksin.
Gen Anupong should have realised this and must “restore his dignity as a career soldier”, the letter said, adding that the people hope that they would not have to walk back empty-handed and chase the protesters away by themselves.
Protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) who are staunch supporters of Mr Thaksin, ousted in a bloodless coup in September 2006, have demonstrated in the capital since March 14. The demonstration turned violent that day when government security forces clashed with the protesters on Ratchadamnoen Avenue.
Simultaneously, Bangkok citizens submitted another letter, read by retired Gen Pathompong Kesornsuk, former chief adviser to the Supreme Command, to a number of senior government officials including Panithan Wattanayagorn, deputy secretary-general to the prime minister.
The letter said UDD protesters had abused the rights of assembly provided by the Constitution, and that they acted like terrorists and broke the law.
Protester actions have led to the deaths of two dozen people, and resulted in hundreds more being hospitalised, while the economy has been damaged by tens of billion baht, causing fears among innocent Thais throughout the country, the letter said.
“If the government and the military stay idle towards the protesters, a [peoples'] movement will come out in full force to protect the country by themselves,” said the letter read by Gen Pathompong. (TNA)
