ID :
118849
Mon, 04/26/2010 - 21:33
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/118849
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Yellow Shirts won't rally: Call for martial law to end protests
BANGKOK, April 26 (TNA) – Thailand’s yellow-shirted People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) movement on Monday pledged not to stage a further mass rally against its rival Red Shirts, but urged the government to impose martial law to end the unlawful protests and take urgent action against 'terrorists'.
PAD coordinator Suryasai Katasila read a statement on the Yellow Shirt position in reaction the ongoing political crisis after the group on April 18 gave the government a one-week deadline to take action against the 'terrorists' that infiltrated the Red Shirt protesters.
As the deadline has passed, the Yellow Shirt leaders said in the statement the government has not taken action against the terrorists despite the increasingly violent incidents which intensified during the current crisis, so the group opted to exercise their rights under Article 70 of the Constitution regarding protection of the kingdom, religion and the monarchy.
Mr Suriyasai said the PAD urged the government to announce its clear stance on how to tackle terrorists and advised the prime minister to use a military rather than a political approach to solve the problem given that the current crisis is about national security.
"The prime minister realises that the current crisis is national security crisis which military measures are needed as it was difficult to resolve it through political means," Mr Suriyasai said.
The PAD statement also demanded that the government declare imposition of martial law in urgently needed areas to end the unlawful protests and arrest terrorists as soon as possible.
The statement said Yellow Shirt representatives will march to military units in every province nationwide and submit the group's letter on Thursday, calling them to carry out their duty.
Mr Suriyasai said the PAD in the Bangkok will submit the letter at the 11th Infantry Regiment where the Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES) is located to speed up legal action against the terrorists.
The PAD coordinator also urged the Yellow Shirts nationwide to oppose the terrorists and violators of the law by boycotting products and businesses supporting the Red Shirt movement, while also asking them to rally peacefully in their provinces and give correct information to the public.
PAD leader Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang said as Thailand now has virtually no government, military and police, but does have terrorists who can do anything they want, the people should get themselves ready.
"In the current situation, if it continues like this, civil war will happen," Gen Chamlong said.
When asked whether the PAD will join with the multi-coloured group who support the government and rejects the Red Shirt’s demand for a House dissolution, Mr Suriyasai said the yellow-shirted people can use their rights as citizen to join the movement which has been well-organised.
Mr Suriyasai however refused to give deadline to the government after the group’s letter will be submitted, saying the PAD will monitor the situation closely.
The PAD is a staunch opponent of ousted convicted ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra whose marathon movement against the fugitive ex-premier led to coup in September 2006.
The Yellow Shirts also launched campaign to bring down the successive governments of ex-premier Samak Sundaravej and Sonchai Wongsawat, both of which they said were proxies of Mr Thaksin.
The pro-Thaksin protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship began their anti-Abhisit government mass rallies March 14 and intensified their campaign by protesting at Bangkok’s prime commercial and shopping area of Ratchaprasong in early April after two rounds of talks with the government ended in a deadlock.
The Red Shirt protests turned violent on April 10 when the protesters clashed with army troops who attempted to retake the rally site at Ratchadamnoen Avenue, leaving 26 people dead including soldiers and protesters, more than 800 injured.
Severe casualties occurred at Khok Wua intersection when an unidentified group of gunmen fired grenade and bullets at soldiers and protesters. The government called the gunmen as “terrorists” who mingled with the Red Shirts to incite violence.
The prime minister also vowed to stay on and bring those terrorists for legal process as well as distinguish them from innocent protesters.
On April 22, Bangkok’s business district of Silom was also hit by a series of bomb attacks by unknown persons, killing one woman and wounding some 80 other people. (TNA)
PAD coordinator Suryasai Katasila read a statement on the Yellow Shirt position in reaction the ongoing political crisis after the group on April 18 gave the government a one-week deadline to take action against the 'terrorists' that infiltrated the Red Shirt protesters.
As the deadline has passed, the Yellow Shirt leaders said in the statement the government has not taken action against the terrorists despite the increasingly violent incidents which intensified during the current crisis, so the group opted to exercise their rights under Article 70 of the Constitution regarding protection of the kingdom, religion and the monarchy.
Mr Suriyasai said the PAD urged the government to announce its clear stance on how to tackle terrorists and advised the prime minister to use a military rather than a political approach to solve the problem given that the current crisis is about national security.
"The prime minister realises that the current crisis is national security crisis which military measures are needed as it was difficult to resolve it through political means," Mr Suriyasai said.
The PAD statement also demanded that the government declare imposition of martial law in urgently needed areas to end the unlawful protests and arrest terrorists as soon as possible.
The statement said Yellow Shirt representatives will march to military units in every province nationwide and submit the group's letter on Thursday, calling them to carry out their duty.
Mr Suriyasai said the PAD in the Bangkok will submit the letter at the 11th Infantry Regiment where the Center for the Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES) is located to speed up legal action against the terrorists.
The PAD coordinator also urged the Yellow Shirts nationwide to oppose the terrorists and violators of the law by boycotting products and businesses supporting the Red Shirt movement, while also asking them to rally peacefully in their provinces and give correct information to the public.
PAD leader Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang said as Thailand now has virtually no government, military and police, but does have terrorists who can do anything they want, the people should get themselves ready.
"In the current situation, if it continues like this, civil war will happen," Gen Chamlong said.
When asked whether the PAD will join with the multi-coloured group who support the government and rejects the Red Shirt’s demand for a House dissolution, Mr Suriyasai said the yellow-shirted people can use their rights as citizen to join the movement which has been well-organised.
Mr Suriyasai however refused to give deadline to the government after the group’s letter will be submitted, saying the PAD will monitor the situation closely.
The PAD is a staunch opponent of ousted convicted ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra whose marathon movement against the fugitive ex-premier led to coup in September 2006.
The Yellow Shirts also launched campaign to bring down the successive governments of ex-premier Samak Sundaravej and Sonchai Wongsawat, both of which they said were proxies of Mr Thaksin.
The pro-Thaksin protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship began their anti-Abhisit government mass rallies March 14 and intensified their campaign by protesting at Bangkok’s prime commercial and shopping area of Ratchaprasong in early April after two rounds of talks with the government ended in a deadlock.
The Red Shirt protests turned violent on April 10 when the protesters clashed with army troops who attempted to retake the rally site at Ratchadamnoen Avenue, leaving 26 people dead including soldiers and protesters, more than 800 injured.
Severe casualties occurred at Khok Wua intersection when an unidentified group of gunmen fired grenade and bullets at soldiers and protesters. The government called the gunmen as “terrorists” who mingled with the Red Shirts to incite violence.
The prime minister also vowed to stay on and bring those terrorists for legal process as well as distinguish them from innocent protesters.
On April 22, Bangkok’s business district of Silom was also hit by a series of bomb attacks by unknown persons, killing one woman and wounding some 80 other people. (TNA)
