ID :
37801
Mon, 12/29/2008 - 10:33
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http://m.oananews.org//node/37801
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Thaksin supporters demonstrate at Parliament; traffic blocked
Thaksin supporters demonstrate at Parliament; traffic blocked
BANGKOK, Dec 29 (TNA) – Red-clad demonstrators who started their demonstration to protest against the government at Sanam Luang moved late Sunday to rally at Parliament to prevent Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva from delivering the government's policy statement at 9.30 am.
The road to Parliament is now blocked and members of parliament are unable enter the compound.
Veteran politician Veera Musikapong, a leader of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), the core organiser of the demonstration, said earlier that the red shirt group would rally continuously on December 29-30.
The UDD Red Shirt protesters are loyal to fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was toppled in a military coup in 2006.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said the government had no immediate plans to change the venue of the policy speech. He said that if members of parliament could not enter the Parliament, it could not start in the morning as planned, and the session would be postponed to start in the afternoon, in the evening or at night.
He added, however, that the decision to postpone or change the venue depends solely on Parliament Speaker Chai Chidchob, and that the goverment would only advise him of its recommendation.
National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Patcharawat Wongsuwan met Mr. Veera Monday morning to negotiate to request the UDD to open way for the MPs to enter Parliament by car.
They reached no agreement, but Veera said the MPs and Senators could enter Parliament only by foot, and that the UDD, which called on Prime Minister Abhisit to dissolve Parliament, would not obstruct but facilitate their walking.
Another UDD core leader, former government spokesman Nuttawut Saikua, said that the demonstration at Parliament would continue during the government's plan to deliver its policy statement.
If the venue is changed, the UDD will follow the MPs to the new venue wherever the meeting is to be held, he said.
He reaffirmed that the UDD objected to the manner in which Mr. Abhisit reached the prime minister's post.
Meanwhile, the prime minister was reportedly staying at Democrat Party headquarters to observe the situation. (TNA)
BANGKOK, Dec 29 (TNA) – Red-clad demonstrators who started their demonstration to protest against the government at Sanam Luang moved late Sunday to rally at Parliament to prevent Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva from delivering the government's policy statement at 9.30 am.
The road to Parliament is now blocked and members of parliament are unable enter the compound.
Veteran politician Veera Musikapong, a leader of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), the core organiser of the demonstration, said earlier that the red shirt group would rally continuously on December 29-30.
The UDD Red Shirt protesters are loyal to fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was toppled in a military coup in 2006.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said the government had no immediate plans to change the venue of the policy speech. He said that if members of parliament could not enter the Parliament, it could not start in the morning as planned, and the session would be postponed to start in the afternoon, in the evening or at night.
He added, however, that the decision to postpone or change the venue depends solely on Parliament Speaker Chai Chidchob, and that the goverment would only advise him of its recommendation.
National Police Chief Pol. Gen. Patcharawat Wongsuwan met Mr. Veera Monday morning to negotiate to request the UDD to open way for the MPs to enter Parliament by car.
They reached no agreement, but Veera said the MPs and Senators could enter Parliament only by foot, and that the UDD, which called on Prime Minister Abhisit to dissolve Parliament, would not obstruct but facilitate their walking.
Another UDD core leader, former government spokesman Nuttawut Saikua, said that the demonstration at Parliament would continue during the government's plan to deliver its policy statement.
If the venue is changed, the UDD will follow the MPs to the new venue wherever the meeting is to be held, he said.
He reaffirmed that the UDD objected to the manner in which Mr. Abhisit reached the prime minister's post.
Meanwhile, the prime minister was reportedly staying at Democrat Party headquarters to observe the situation. (TNA)
