ID :
132201
Fri, 07/09/2010 - 19:27
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http://m.oananews.org//node/132201
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PM: Government prepared for possible protest on Thaksin’s birthday
BANGKOK, July 9 - Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is confident that his government's security measures will be sufficient to deal with any possible anti-government actions during the upcoming birthday of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra later this month.
The government will be cautious, he said, conceding that it could be difficult to handle if armed actions are involved.
Asked about a report regarding Red Shirt movements on Mr Thaksin's July 26 birthday, the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) will respond to such actions. If the UDD protest actions are within the law, there will be no problem.
Community radio stations are now criticising the government with views sympathetic to the Red Shirts, but that is not a problem, according to the prime minister, because criticism was under the law. But if a community radio host incites violence, the reaction from the government will be different, he said.
There are agencies and mechanisms to work with such matters, he said, showing he is unworried about possible movements that may be linked as the government and CRES are prepared to respond to it.
The government is not careless and has monitored all movements. Any measure to be implemented must be appropriate as measures which are too harsh can bring about more pressure. The (emergency) law which has been imposed is adequate, Mr Abhisit said.
Citing the violence in May as a lesson, he said violence and weapons caused difficulty in handling the situation.
There are still limits in how law enforcement and the government respond to resolving the problems as well as controlling weapons, he said.
The prime minister noted that he will attend many international meetings at the year-end including Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and under the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), and United Nations General Assembly. He also planned to visit China and Myanmar, with his first Myanmar trip expected next month.
“Many countries are interested in Thailand’s situation and economy. It is not quite worrisome as they can see Thailand’s strength in recovery.
However, the turmoil of the past two years can cause them to question Thailand’s situation and (related) movements in other countries can cause confusion. We need to clarify that to other countries,” he said.
Speaking about the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s projection that Thai economic growth is likely to reach seven per cent this year, the prime minister said regardless of the unrest, the country's economic performance is likely to reach seven per cent.
However, agencies lowered their projections after the violence in May. Mr Abhisit said his own target is to achieve the six per cent goal. (MCOT online news)
The government will be cautious, he said, conceding that it could be difficult to handle if armed actions are involved.
Asked about a report regarding Red Shirt movements on Mr Thaksin's July 26 birthday, the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency Situation (CRES) will respond to such actions. If the UDD protest actions are within the law, there will be no problem.
Community radio stations are now criticising the government with views sympathetic to the Red Shirts, but that is not a problem, according to the prime minister, because criticism was under the law. But if a community radio host incites violence, the reaction from the government will be different, he said.
There are agencies and mechanisms to work with such matters, he said, showing he is unworried about possible movements that may be linked as the government and CRES are prepared to respond to it.
The government is not careless and has monitored all movements. Any measure to be implemented must be appropriate as measures which are too harsh can bring about more pressure. The (emergency) law which has been imposed is adequate, Mr Abhisit said.
Citing the violence in May as a lesson, he said violence and weapons caused difficulty in handling the situation.
There are still limits in how law enforcement and the government respond to resolving the problems as well as controlling weapons, he said.
The prime minister noted that he will attend many international meetings at the year-end including Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and under the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), and United Nations General Assembly. He also planned to visit China and Myanmar, with his first Myanmar trip expected next month.
“Many countries are interested in Thailand’s situation and economy. It is not quite worrisome as they can see Thailand’s strength in recovery.
However, the turmoil of the past two years can cause them to question Thailand’s situation and (related) movements in other countries can cause confusion. We need to clarify that to other countries,” he said.
Speaking about the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s projection that Thai economic growth is likely to reach seven per cent this year, the prime minister said regardless of the unrest, the country's economic performance is likely to reach seven per cent.
However, agencies lowered their projections after the violence in May. Mr Abhisit said his own target is to achieve the six per cent goal. (MCOT online news)
