ID :
27944
Sat, 11/01/2008 - 22:34
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/27944
The shortlink copeid
PM unworried over ex-PM Thaksin`s 8pm `phone-in` rally
CHIANGMAI, Nov 1 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat said he was unworried about the planned phone-in to a Bangkok political rally by ousted fugitive premier Thaksin Shinwatra as he believed there would be no any violence as long as there was no 'third hand' involved to disturb the gathering.
The prime minister said he believed the police can control the situation.
Ten of thousands of Thaksin supporters were occupying the 50,000 seats
Rajamangala Stadium expectantly awaiting to hear Mr.Thaksin's call from abroad, reportedly now Hong Kong, which was the highlight of the gathering organised by TV political talk show programme "Truth Today" which is aired on state-run NBT television.
The event on Saturday was organised on the theme "Truth Today Family
Against the Coup d'etat."
In a country which has become polarised on red pro-government and yellow anti-government clothing, the numbers of people attending the rally, most wearing red, kept increasing.
The former prime minister was sentenced to two years imprisonment in
absentia a week ago Tuesday by the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for
Holders of Political Positions for violating the National Counter
Corruption Act in a Bangkok land purchase deal.
The three hosts of the "Truth Today" political talk show, led by veteran
politician Veera Musigapong, People Power Party MP Jatuporn Promphan and
Korkaew Pikulthong appeared on stage in the stadium.
Government Spokesman Natthawut Saikua also on stage. A former host, he
halted his appearanced on the show after he was appointed as government
spokesman.
Former leading members of the disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party and core
leaders of pro-government group National United Front of Democracy Against
Dictatorship (UDD) packed on the stage to show their support for the
gathering.
Prime Minister Somchai, Thaksin's brother-in-law who was in Chiang Mai,
said he believed the telephone call from Thaksin would not create any
untoward incident as some feared, but thought that there would be no
violence if there was no the 'third hand' trying to use the opportunit to
cause a negative situation.
Some 1,500 police officers have been deployed to provide security for
participants, while another 2,000 are on standby to respond in case of
violence which could occur after the event ends at 10 pm. (TNA)
The prime minister said he believed the police can control the situation.
Ten of thousands of Thaksin supporters were occupying the 50,000 seats
Rajamangala Stadium expectantly awaiting to hear Mr.Thaksin's call from abroad, reportedly now Hong Kong, which was the highlight of the gathering organised by TV political talk show programme "Truth Today" which is aired on state-run NBT television.
The event on Saturday was organised on the theme "Truth Today Family
Against the Coup d'etat."
In a country which has become polarised on red pro-government and yellow anti-government clothing, the numbers of people attending the rally, most wearing red, kept increasing.
The former prime minister was sentenced to two years imprisonment in
absentia a week ago Tuesday by the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for
Holders of Political Positions for violating the National Counter
Corruption Act in a Bangkok land purchase deal.
The three hosts of the "Truth Today" political talk show, led by veteran
politician Veera Musigapong, People Power Party MP Jatuporn Promphan and
Korkaew Pikulthong appeared on stage in the stadium.
Government Spokesman Natthawut Saikua also on stage. A former host, he
halted his appearanced on the show after he was appointed as government
spokesman.
Former leading members of the disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party and core
leaders of pro-government group National United Front of Democracy Against
Dictatorship (UDD) packed on the stage to show their support for the
gathering.
Prime Minister Somchai, Thaksin's brother-in-law who was in Chiang Mai,
said he believed the telephone call from Thaksin would not create any
untoward incident as some feared, but thought that there would be no
violence if there was no the 'third hand' trying to use the opportunit to
cause a negative situation.
Some 1,500 police officers have been deployed to provide security for
participants, while another 2,000 are on standby to respond in case of
violence which could occur after the event ends at 10 pm. (TNA)
