ID :
142249
Wed, 09/15/2010 - 19:01
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/142249
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Red Shirts pledge peaceful rally marking anti-Thaksin coup’s 4th anniversary
CHIANG MAI, Sept 15 - Anti-government protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) in the northern province of Chiang Mai, a major Red Shirt stronghold, on Wednesday promised a peaceful demonstration to mark the fourth anniversary of the September 19 coup which toppled prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra from power.
Pichit Tamool, secretary of the Chiang Mai Red Shirt group, said the event will be held at a provincial sport complex in the municipality this Sunday from noon until midnight. The Red Shirt caravan will also travel from Bangkok to Chiang Mai on Saturday.
The rally is aimed at denouncing the coup for causing the loss of people's lives while the group will also issue three demands including the release of all political prisoners to pave the way for national reconciliation and the exercise of jury system in judicial process and economic reform, according to Mr Pichit.
All activities will be carried out under the rule of law and peace, he said, asserting that the group would not initiate possible violence.
The state of emergency in Chiang Mai was revoked on August 16 following an evaluation that the enforcement had negatively impacted business and the tourism industry. At present, a state of emergency is in effect in Thailand's capital and six other provinces.
Despite the planned protest and the latest grenade attack last Sunday at the office of the father-in-law of Newin Chidchob, a banned politician who is de facto leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, a coalition partner of the Democrat-led government, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva earlier asserted he preferred using normal law to maintain order in the province.
Meanwhile, following rumours over possible violence this Sunday, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, in his capacity as director of the Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES) reaffirmed on Wednesday there is no confirmed report on the matter from the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).
Mr Suthep said no extra security measures are provided for the premier on September 19.
The deputy prime minister’s comments came as Democrat members of parliament discussed in a party meeting that intelligence reports said the Red Shirt movement planned to amass a crowd on September 18-19 leading to concerns about possible violence, sabotage and assassination attempts on the country's key figures. (MCOT online news)
Pichit Tamool, secretary of the Chiang Mai Red Shirt group, said the event will be held at a provincial sport complex in the municipality this Sunday from noon until midnight. The Red Shirt caravan will also travel from Bangkok to Chiang Mai on Saturday.
The rally is aimed at denouncing the coup for causing the loss of people's lives while the group will also issue three demands including the release of all political prisoners to pave the way for national reconciliation and the exercise of jury system in judicial process and economic reform, according to Mr Pichit.
All activities will be carried out under the rule of law and peace, he said, asserting that the group would not initiate possible violence.
The state of emergency in Chiang Mai was revoked on August 16 following an evaluation that the enforcement had negatively impacted business and the tourism industry. At present, a state of emergency is in effect in Thailand's capital and six other provinces.
Despite the planned protest and the latest grenade attack last Sunday at the office of the father-in-law of Newin Chidchob, a banned politician who is de facto leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, a coalition partner of the Democrat-led government, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva earlier asserted he preferred using normal law to maintain order in the province.
Meanwhile, following rumours over possible violence this Sunday, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, in his capacity as director of the Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES) reaffirmed on Wednesday there is no confirmed report on the matter from the National Intelligence Agency (NIA).
Mr Suthep said no extra security measures are provided for the premier on September 19.
The deputy prime minister’s comments came as Democrat members of parliament discussed in a party meeting that intelligence reports said the Red Shirt movement planned to amass a crowd on September 18-19 leading to concerns about possible violence, sabotage and assassination attempts on the country's key figures. (MCOT online news)
