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13884
Sat, 07/26/2008 - 14:57
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http://m.oananews.org//node/13884
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PAD leader urges provincial supporters to join Bangkok rally
BANGKOK, July 26 (TNA) - Retired Maj-Gen. Chamlong Srimuang, one of several core leaders of the activist People's Alliance for Democracy(PAD), on Saturday urged its provincial sympathizers nationwide to cease rallying upcountry and join the protest group's ongoing demonstration in Bangkok, claiming that neither police nor provincial administrators are providing sufficient safety for them.
The former Bangkok governor said the PAD in Bangkok had informed its upcountry allies that since they may be at risk in local protests--with neither the police nor local officials, providing adequate protection--itis advisable for them to move the ongoing demonstration in Bangkok.
Since May 25 the PAD has protested daily, dedicated to bring about theresignation of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and his government.
Gen. Chamlong's remarks were made after hundreds of protesters in the so-called 'Udon Lover Group' on Thursday stormed into a PAD-led rally in Udon Thani and demolished its stage. Some chased and beat PAD supporters in Udon, while a similar event occurred in the nearby province of BuriRam.
Udon Thani provincial governor Supoj Laowansiri on Friday expressed concern over the violent confrontation, saying that 15 persons wereinjured in the melee.
However, he said no one was beaten to death as earlier reported, but fourof the injured were hospitalized.
Denouncing the Udon Thani incident as "brutal and inhumane", Gen. Chamlong said if provincial PAD groups wanted to protest, they should first ask theprovincial police and authorities .
Gen. Chamlong said he had been warned by some "well-intentioned people" that his life is at risk from opponents who will try to break up his rallyin Bangkok.
Despite the warning, the PAD was o rally in Lampang on Saturday evening, with over 200 police equipped with batons and shields, expected to patrol the area in order to prevent any untoward incident. (TNA)
The former Bangkok governor said the PAD in Bangkok had informed its upcountry allies that since they may be at risk in local protests--with neither the police nor local officials, providing adequate protection--itis advisable for them to move the ongoing demonstration in Bangkok.
Since May 25 the PAD has protested daily, dedicated to bring about theresignation of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and his government.
Gen. Chamlong's remarks were made after hundreds of protesters in the so-called 'Udon Lover Group' on Thursday stormed into a PAD-led rally in Udon Thani and demolished its stage. Some chased and beat PAD supporters in Udon, while a similar event occurred in the nearby province of BuriRam.
Udon Thani provincial governor Supoj Laowansiri on Friday expressed concern over the violent confrontation, saying that 15 persons wereinjured in the melee.
However, he said no one was beaten to death as earlier reported, but fourof the injured were hospitalized.
Denouncing the Udon Thani incident as "brutal and inhumane", Gen. Chamlong said if provincial PAD groups wanted to protest, they should first ask theprovincial police and authorities .
Gen. Chamlong said he had been warned by some "well-intentioned people" that his life is at risk from opponents who will try to break up his rallyin Bangkok.
Despite the warning, the PAD was o rally in Lampang on Saturday evening, with over 200 police equipped with batons and shields, expected to patrol the area in order to prevent any untoward incident. (TNA)
