ID :
52287
Wed, 03/25/2009 - 20:48
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/52287
The shortlink copeid
Military deployed as protesters plan siege at Government House
Military deployed as protesters plan siege at Government House
BANGKOK, March 25 (TNA) - Military security personnel began taking position at Government House Wednesday afternoon to provide security to Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s offices as the ‘Red Shirts’ of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) began gathering for a large-scale rally on Thursday attempting to oust the three-month-old government.
Government House officials were busy collecting important documents and removing hard discs from computers, while police installed closed circuit television cameras throughout the premises over fears that the anti-government UDD protesters might storm the premises and resort to violence.
Only Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban is expected to appear at Government House on Thursday as other ministers, including Mr. Abhisit, have official engagements elsewhere.
Deputy Interior Minister Thaworn Senneam said he expected some 15,000 demonstrators from Bangkok and as many as 7,000 to 8,000 people from other provinces would join the demonstration.
Lt-Gen. Kanit Sapitak, commander of the First Army Region responsible for security in Bangkok and Central region provinces, said the military posted at Government House will not clash with the protesters.
On worries that the demonstration could be prolonged, Gen. Kanit said it depended on the decisions of responsible civil authorities to resolve the problem, while the military would stand by only to carry out whatever duty was given.
A spokesman of the ruling Democrat Party said Thursday’s UDD protest should be considered as upgrading the fight against the government by the convicted, ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and supporters in continuing attempts to oust the present government.
The spokesman said the only solution is for Mr. Abhisit to talk with senior UDD representatives before the rally starts and that opposition political parties join together with various organisations to bring Thailand’s problems to the negotiating table in order to prevent violence from occurring.
The Thai public remains deeply divided between two political factions with no functional resolution currently in sight. - (TNA)
BANGKOK, March 25 (TNA) - Military security personnel began taking position at Government House Wednesday afternoon to provide security to Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s offices as the ‘Red Shirts’ of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) began gathering for a large-scale rally on Thursday attempting to oust the three-month-old government.
Government House officials were busy collecting important documents and removing hard discs from computers, while police installed closed circuit television cameras throughout the premises over fears that the anti-government UDD protesters might storm the premises and resort to violence.
Only Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban is expected to appear at Government House on Thursday as other ministers, including Mr. Abhisit, have official engagements elsewhere.
Deputy Interior Minister Thaworn Senneam said he expected some 15,000 demonstrators from Bangkok and as many as 7,000 to 8,000 people from other provinces would join the demonstration.
Lt-Gen. Kanit Sapitak, commander of the First Army Region responsible for security in Bangkok and Central region provinces, said the military posted at Government House will not clash with the protesters.
On worries that the demonstration could be prolonged, Gen. Kanit said it depended on the decisions of responsible civil authorities to resolve the problem, while the military would stand by only to carry out whatever duty was given.
A spokesman of the ruling Democrat Party said Thursday’s UDD protest should be considered as upgrading the fight against the government by the convicted, ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and supporters in continuing attempts to oust the present government.
The spokesman said the only solution is for Mr. Abhisit to talk with senior UDD representatives before the rally starts and that opposition political parties join together with various organisations to bring Thailand’s problems to the negotiating table in order to prevent violence from occurring.
The Thai public remains deeply divided between two political factions with no functional resolution currently in sight. - (TNA)
