ID :
150278
Thu, 11/18/2010 - 15:19
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http://m.oananews.org//node/150278
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Army chief: Red Shirts can rally but cannot breach law
BANGKOK, Nov 18 - The Thai army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha on Thursday said the anti-government Red Shirt supporters can rally on Friday if they do not breach the terms of the state of emergency, but warned them not to attempt to incite violence and allow security officials to do their duties.
The army chief commented following the planned protest of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) this Friday to mark six- month anniversary of the end of the group's April-May protest at Ratchaprasong intersection.
Gen Prayuth said the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency situation (CRES) met after intelligence report confirmed people from upcountry will be transported to the capital to attend the Red Shirt activity tomorrow.
CRES has agreed that the Red Shirts can rally as long as their gathering does not violate the Emergency Decree and will not disrupt the public, said the army chief, while asking the protesters to allow the security officials to do their duty in maintaining law and order.
Gen Prayuth urged the protesters not to incite violence as it will not be good for any party.
"Please convey my message to the protesters. They may come because they want to or with other reason, they should go back home to take care of their families rather than joining the
protest. I promise that security officials must follow the law." said Gen Prayuth.
The army chief however conceded that he does not want to use law enforcement or operation which will cause more conflict among the public, but security officials are duty-bound to maintain order if the demonstrators do not comply with the law.
The UDD ended the group's rallies in Bangkok's prime commercial area May 19 after army troops sealed off the area which had been occupied by the Red Shirt protesters for more than ten weeks.
Eighty-nine people were killed while more than 1,900 were wounded during several clashes between Red Shirt protesters and the army personnel which occurred in April and May.
The Thai capital and the three adjacent provinces of Samut Prakan, Nonthaburi, and Pathum Thani remain under a state of emergency as concerned agencies said intelligence reports said some groups of people are still attempting to create disturbances.
Metropolitan Police Chief Pol Lt-Gen Chakthip Chaichinda earlier said he has assigned the deputy chief of metro police Pol Maj Gen-Kririn Inkaew to negotiate with the Red Shirt leaders over their planned activity.
Gen Kririn will seek cooperation from the protest leaders not to breach the law, especially traffic blockade and ban on use of loudspeakers, said the metro police chief.
Gen Chakthip said the UDD members will begin their activities at Bang Kwang Prison, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) headquarters, the Government Complex in the Chaeng Wattana area and Ratchaprasong intersection, respectively.
He said police want the Red Shirt gathering to end by 8pm as it is difficult to control the situation at night. (MCOT online news)
The army chief commented following the planned protest of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) this Friday to mark six- month anniversary of the end of the group's April-May protest at Ratchaprasong intersection.
Gen Prayuth said the Centre for the Resolution of the Emergency situation (CRES) met after intelligence report confirmed people from upcountry will be transported to the capital to attend the Red Shirt activity tomorrow.
CRES has agreed that the Red Shirts can rally as long as their gathering does not violate the Emergency Decree and will not disrupt the public, said the army chief, while asking the protesters to allow the security officials to do their duty in maintaining law and order.
Gen Prayuth urged the protesters not to incite violence as it will not be good for any party.
"Please convey my message to the protesters. They may come because they want to or with other reason, they should go back home to take care of their families rather than joining the
protest. I promise that security officials must follow the law." said Gen Prayuth.
The army chief however conceded that he does not want to use law enforcement or operation which will cause more conflict among the public, but security officials are duty-bound to maintain order if the demonstrators do not comply with the law.
The UDD ended the group's rallies in Bangkok's prime commercial area May 19 after army troops sealed off the area which had been occupied by the Red Shirt protesters for more than ten weeks.
Eighty-nine people were killed while more than 1,900 were wounded during several clashes between Red Shirt protesters and the army personnel which occurred in April and May.
The Thai capital and the three adjacent provinces of Samut Prakan, Nonthaburi, and Pathum Thani remain under a state of emergency as concerned agencies said intelligence reports said some groups of people are still attempting to create disturbances.
Metropolitan Police Chief Pol Lt-Gen Chakthip Chaichinda earlier said he has assigned the deputy chief of metro police Pol Maj Gen-Kririn Inkaew to negotiate with the Red Shirt leaders over their planned activity.
Gen Kririn will seek cooperation from the protest leaders not to breach the law, especially traffic blockade and ban on use of loudspeakers, said the metro police chief.
Gen Chakthip said the UDD members will begin their activities at Bang Kwang Prison, the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) headquarters, the Government Complex in the Chaeng Wattana area and Ratchaprasong intersection, respectively.
He said police want the Red Shirt gathering to end by 8pm as it is difficult to control the situation at night. (MCOT online news)
