ID :
32676
Thu, 11/27/2008 - 22:25
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http://m.oananews.org//node/32676
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Thai PM declares emergency at BKK airports
Thai PM declares emergency at BKK airports
BANGKOK, Nov 27 (TNA) - Thailand's Prime Minster Somchai Wongsawat announced on Thursday the imposition of a state of emergency decree at two Bangkok airports shut down by anti government protesters for two straight days.
The Prime Minister said in a televised address Thursday evening the emergency decree was enforced at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang Airports.
"It is wrong for protesters to take the entire Thai nation hostage. The government is not intending to hurt anybody but is just facilitating authorities’ works, and the emergency will be temporary," said the prime minister
Police will enforce the decree and the military will provide support if requested.
The decision was made at an urgent cabinet meeting in the northern province of Chiang Mai Thursday. The emergency decree, which bans public gathering of more than five people, gives authorities the right to restore normalcy.
Thousands of anti People’s Alliance for Democracy protesters are occupying the terminals of both airports, halting all flights and stranding thousands of foreign and Thai travellers.
Meanwhile, anti-government protesters stepped up security to cope with a possible crackdown Thursday night, after the government announced a state of emergency at the two airports still occupied by the protesters.
PAD leader Suriyasai Katasila said the group’s lawyer planned to file a lawsuit at the Supreme Court to revoke the emergency decree. He also warned some people might disguise themselves as PAD protesters and torch government offices overnight Thursday. He said if the police found people doing such, they should arrest them.
“The state of emergency was issued to justify the government’s intention to use force against us. We’ve had experience in the October 7 incident and now we are ready to defend ourselves," said Suriyasai.
At Suvarnabhumi Airport, another PAD leader Somsak Kosaisuk said the protesters had to counter the Government’s resort to use of violence. He believed the police would not be able to break through the group’s human shield.
The PAD leader stressed the protesters would not leave until the government stepped down. Mr. Suriyasai said the protesters would not disperse even if a coup took place.
Meanwhile, Army Spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said a coup could be ruled out as the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) would hold a mass rally to protest such action.
People Power Party MP. Sutin Klangsang urged people to show their support for the government by wearing red T-shirts.
“I kindly ask people to wear red shirts. Maybe only about 20,000 people for each province to protest against the PAD.” (TNA)
BANGKOK, Nov 27 (TNA) - Thailand's Prime Minster Somchai Wongsawat announced on Thursday the imposition of a state of emergency decree at two Bangkok airports shut down by anti government protesters for two straight days.
The Prime Minister said in a televised address Thursday evening the emergency decree was enforced at Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang Airports.
"It is wrong for protesters to take the entire Thai nation hostage. The government is not intending to hurt anybody but is just facilitating authorities’ works, and the emergency will be temporary," said the prime minister
Police will enforce the decree and the military will provide support if requested.
The decision was made at an urgent cabinet meeting in the northern province of Chiang Mai Thursday. The emergency decree, which bans public gathering of more than five people, gives authorities the right to restore normalcy.
Thousands of anti People’s Alliance for Democracy protesters are occupying the terminals of both airports, halting all flights and stranding thousands of foreign and Thai travellers.
Meanwhile, anti-government protesters stepped up security to cope with a possible crackdown Thursday night, after the government announced a state of emergency at the two airports still occupied by the protesters.
PAD leader Suriyasai Katasila said the group’s lawyer planned to file a lawsuit at the Supreme Court to revoke the emergency decree. He also warned some people might disguise themselves as PAD protesters and torch government offices overnight Thursday. He said if the police found people doing such, they should arrest them.
“The state of emergency was issued to justify the government’s intention to use force against us. We’ve had experience in the October 7 incident and now we are ready to defend ourselves," said Suriyasai.
At Suvarnabhumi Airport, another PAD leader Somsak Kosaisuk said the protesters had to counter the Government’s resort to use of violence. He believed the police would not be able to break through the group’s human shield.
The PAD leader stressed the protesters would not leave until the government stepped down. Mr. Suriyasai said the protesters would not disperse even if a coup took place.
Meanwhile, Army Spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said a coup could be ruled out as the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) would hold a mass rally to protest such action.
People Power Party MP. Sutin Klangsang urged people to show their support for the government by wearing red T-shirts.
“I kindly ask people to wear red shirts. Maybe only about 20,000 people for each province to protest against the PAD.” (TNA)
