ID :
118665
Sun, 04/25/2010 - 21:07
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http://m.oananews.org//node/118665
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PM instructs governors to tell locals that Ratchaprsong protest unlawful
BANGKOK, April 25 (TNA) – Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva met with governors from 61 provinces Sunday, asking them to build understanding among local residents that the protest at Ratchaprsong is against the law and asked them to also take a legal action against local media broadcasting distorted information.
Mr Abhisit on Sunday convened a meeting with governors from 61 provinces, except the southernmost provinces. Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban and Army Chief Gen Anupong Paochinda also attended the meeting.
Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said that the prime minister insisted that the protest can be done under the law and that the government continues to resolve the ongoing problem.
Mr Abhisit told the governors to explain to local residents what a peaceful protest is and what action is violation of the law. He also urged governors take a legal action against media which incite violence, particularly community radio, said Mr Panitan.
Ministry of Interior officials and governors will meet next week to consider means of enforcing the law against media engaged in provocation and information distortion.
Dr Panitan said the meeting did not discuss the Red Shirts changing their distinctive clothing to wear multi-coloured shirts instead of red.
If the protesters do not move to other locations, it is still clear which group they are, but if they do move, the situation will need to be reassessed, he said.
Meanwhile, pro-government ‘Multi-Coloured’ demonstrators gathered at Victory Monument and nearby flyovers amid tight security late Sunday afternoon.
Its leaders asked the crowd to oppose the Red Shirt protest, saying it caused trouble to the public. They called for the army chief to order unarmed troops to end the protest at Ratchaprasong.
Tul Sitthisomwongon, a group leader, said that the ‘Multi-Coloured’ Group gathering will continue at Victory Monument everyday from 4pm to 6pm until the anti-government Red Shirts end their protest.
They are scheduled to hold a mass gathering at Wongwian Yai on April 29 while their members in other provinces will also gather in their provinces on the same day to sing the national anthem at 6pm.
Dr Panitan also said eight people involved in motorcycle protest teams at the
prime minister's home were detained for questioning. A summons will be issued for the head of the motorcycle taxi riders who led the group of motorcyclists to the prime minister's home in Sukhumvit.
In another development, Red Shirt supporters in Pathum Thani blocked part
of inbound Phaholyothin frontage road and expressways heading to Bangkok.
The Red Shirts aimed to obstruct 500 police officers from Lop Buri, Chai Nat,
Nakhon Sawan and Nakhon Phanom from coming to Bangkok for fear that the
police would be assigned to disperse the Red Shirt protest at Ratchaprasong.
Pol Maj-Gen Kamronwit Thoopkrachang, deputy chief of Provincial Police
Region 1, negotiated with the protesters to open way for commuters and police officers but the negotiation failed.
Traffic on roads bound for the capital was heavily congested though they later opened only the expressways.
In Udon Thani, anti-government demonstrators there also blocked portions of Mittraparb Road, obstructing police contingents from travelling to Bangkok. (TNA)
Mr Abhisit on Sunday convened a meeting with governors from 61 provinces, except the southernmost provinces. Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban and Army Chief Gen Anupong Paochinda also attended the meeting.
Government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said that the prime minister insisted that the protest can be done under the law and that the government continues to resolve the ongoing problem.
Mr Abhisit told the governors to explain to local residents what a peaceful protest is and what action is violation of the law. He also urged governors take a legal action against media which incite violence, particularly community radio, said Mr Panitan.
Ministry of Interior officials and governors will meet next week to consider means of enforcing the law against media engaged in provocation and information distortion.
Dr Panitan said the meeting did not discuss the Red Shirts changing their distinctive clothing to wear multi-coloured shirts instead of red.
If the protesters do not move to other locations, it is still clear which group they are, but if they do move, the situation will need to be reassessed, he said.
Meanwhile, pro-government ‘Multi-Coloured’ demonstrators gathered at Victory Monument and nearby flyovers amid tight security late Sunday afternoon.
Its leaders asked the crowd to oppose the Red Shirt protest, saying it caused trouble to the public. They called for the army chief to order unarmed troops to end the protest at Ratchaprasong.
Tul Sitthisomwongon, a group leader, said that the ‘Multi-Coloured’ Group gathering will continue at Victory Monument everyday from 4pm to 6pm until the anti-government Red Shirts end their protest.
They are scheduled to hold a mass gathering at Wongwian Yai on April 29 while their members in other provinces will also gather in their provinces on the same day to sing the national anthem at 6pm.
Dr Panitan also said eight people involved in motorcycle protest teams at the
prime minister's home were detained for questioning. A summons will be issued for the head of the motorcycle taxi riders who led the group of motorcyclists to the prime minister's home in Sukhumvit.
In another development, Red Shirt supporters in Pathum Thani blocked part
of inbound Phaholyothin frontage road and expressways heading to Bangkok.
The Red Shirts aimed to obstruct 500 police officers from Lop Buri, Chai Nat,
Nakhon Sawan and Nakhon Phanom from coming to Bangkok for fear that the
police would be assigned to disperse the Red Shirt protest at Ratchaprasong.
Pol Maj-Gen Kamronwit Thoopkrachang, deputy chief of Provincial Police
Region 1, negotiated with the protesters to open way for commuters and police officers but the negotiation failed.
Traffic on roads bound for the capital was heavily congested though they later opened only the expressways.
In Udon Thani, anti-government demonstrators there also blocked portions of Mittraparb Road, obstructing police contingents from travelling to Bangkok. (TNA)
