ID :
47445
Tue, 02/24/2009 - 21:12
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/47445
The shortlink copeid
Anti-govt protesters vow to prolong Government House rally
BANGKOK, Feb 24 (TNA) - The red-shirted protesters led by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) may prolong their rally for as long as weeks or a month and said the premier and his Cabinet may enter Government House for work on Wednesday because the protesters will by no means invade or occupy the premises as earlier feared, Puea Thai MP and UDD leader Chatuporn Phromphan announced on Tuesday.
Students at nearby schools and those working at neighbouring government offices will not be affected by the protest at Government House, he said.
Platforms with loudspeakers and projectors will be erected at the bridge outside Government House and elsewhere in the neighborhood as the protesters mount pressure for the Abhisit government to dismiss Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and meet other demands, the UDD leader said.
He said the UDD protesters will not impede the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Thailand's southern seaside resort town of Hua Hin this week though they insist that the foreign minister must be let go very shortly.
Meanwhile, over 5,000 police officers and soldiers have been standing guard inside and outside Government House with the intent to keep the protesters from trespassing onto the premises, according to Metropolitan Police Commissioner Pol. Lt-Gen. Vorapong Chewpreecha.
Police and army units were deployed both inside and adjacent to Government House to maintain peace and order as thousands of red-shirted protesters gathered outside the entrances.
Red Shirt protesters who peacefully proceeded from Sanam Luang on to Rajdamnern Avenues and finally surrounded Government House had earlier demanded that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva dissolve the House of Representativesin order to call a general election, bring those who had occupied Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports as well as Government House to justice, depose Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and amend the Constitution according to their requirements.
Gen. Vorapong disclosed that the policemen and soldiers were unarmed, though water cannon and tear gas had been prepared in case of any untoward incident that might occur when the premier and the Cabinet return to Government House Wednesday.
Meanwhile, deputy army chief Gen Jiradet Khocharat said he had kept army chief Gen. Anupong Phaochinda abreast of the situation with the latest reports of the Red Shirt demonstration's movements.
He gave assurances that the military will not use force against the protesters. (TNA)
Students at nearby schools and those working at neighbouring government offices will not be affected by the protest at Government House, he said.
Platforms with loudspeakers and projectors will be erected at the bridge outside Government House and elsewhere in the neighborhood as the protesters mount pressure for the Abhisit government to dismiss Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and meet other demands, the UDD leader said.
He said the UDD protesters will not impede the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Thailand's southern seaside resort town of Hua Hin this week though they insist that the foreign minister must be let go very shortly.
Meanwhile, over 5,000 police officers and soldiers have been standing guard inside and outside Government House with the intent to keep the protesters from trespassing onto the premises, according to Metropolitan Police Commissioner Pol. Lt-Gen. Vorapong Chewpreecha.
Police and army units were deployed both inside and adjacent to Government House to maintain peace and order as thousands of red-shirted protesters gathered outside the entrances.
Red Shirt protesters who peacefully proceeded from Sanam Luang on to Rajdamnern Avenues and finally surrounded Government House had earlier demanded that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva dissolve the House of Representativesin order to call a general election, bring those who had occupied Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports as well as Government House to justice, depose Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and amend the Constitution according to their requirements.
Gen. Vorapong disclosed that the policemen and soldiers were unarmed, though water cannon and tear gas had been prepared in case of any untoward incident that might occur when the premier and the Cabinet return to Government House Wednesday.
Meanwhile, deputy army chief Gen Jiradet Khocharat said he had kept army chief Gen. Anupong Phaochinda abreast of the situation with the latest reports of the Red Shirt demonstration's movements.
He gave assurances that the military will not use force against the protesters. (TNA)
