ID :
54783
Fri, 04/10/2009 - 16:33
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http://m.oananews.org//node/54783
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Thai protesters vow Pattaya fight to the end
BANGKOK, April 10 (TNA) – Thailand's protest-inspired holiday bonus Friday leaves many streets in the Thai capital relatively empty, and a key protest leader told the media that his red-clad anti-government protesters would end their traffic blockade at Victory Monument at 5pm and march back to Government House.
Large numbers of commuters left the city for upcountry for an extra-long Songkran Thai New Year break after the premier declared Friday a national holiday to ease the public inconvenience from traffic woes.
Meanwhile heads of government from 10-member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the regional grouping's dialogue partners, as well as United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-mun, are ‘seeing red’ in Pattaya as the anti-government protesters led by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), who already crippled traffic in parts of the Thai capital are now fixed on trying to block summit venue access.
The protesters have vowed to continue fighting until gaining victory.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit with related summits in Pattaya to tackle world and regional economic problems is opening Friday, but the Red Shirts would rather the visiting leaders learn about their version of democracy.
Jatuporn Prompan, a core leader of the UDD, told journalists that his ‘Red Shirt’ protesters don’t care if the government wants to take legal action against those violating the law.
But Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva should rethink before taking legal action against UDD violators for their comparatively minor traffic law infractions because the Red Shirt actions are much less severe than those of the UDD arch rival, the yellow-shirted People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which seized airports late last year, Mr. Jatuporn said.
He charged that Mr. Abhisit had adopted a double standard in dealing with the protesters.
UDD leaders will reevaluate the situation after they successfully gather both in Pattaya and Bangkok’s Victory Monument before taking further steps, Mr. Jatuporn said.
Demonstrators would continue to rally at Government House even though the public is celebrating Songkran, Thailand’s traditional New Year. The annual festival officially begins Monday.
UDD protesters have rallied at Government House since March 26.
Natthawut Saikuea, another UDD leader, claimed that the prime minister wanted to impose an anti-protest emergency decree during his television address Thursday, but changed his mind after finding that the army would not support the move. (TNA)
Large numbers of commuters left the city for upcountry for an extra-long Songkran Thai New Year break after the premier declared Friday a national holiday to ease the public inconvenience from traffic woes.
Meanwhile heads of government from 10-member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the regional grouping's dialogue partners, as well as United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-mun, are ‘seeing red’ in Pattaya as the anti-government protesters led by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), who already crippled traffic in parts of the Thai capital are now fixed on trying to block summit venue access.
The protesters have vowed to continue fighting until gaining victory.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit with related summits in Pattaya to tackle world and regional economic problems is opening Friday, but the Red Shirts would rather the visiting leaders learn about their version of democracy.
Jatuporn Prompan, a core leader of the UDD, told journalists that his ‘Red Shirt’ protesters don’t care if the government wants to take legal action against those violating the law.
But Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva should rethink before taking legal action against UDD violators for their comparatively minor traffic law infractions because the Red Shirt actions are much less severe than those of the UDD arch rival, the yellow-shirted People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), which seized airports late last year, Mr. Jatuporn said.
He charged that Mr. Abhisit had adopted a double standard in dealing with the protesters.
UDD leaders will reevaluate the situation after they successfully gather both in Pattaya and Bangkok’s Victory Monument before taking further steps, Mr. Jatuporn said.
Demonstrators would continue to rally at Government House even though the public is celebrating Songkran, Thailand’s traditional New Year. The annual festival officially begins Monday.
UDD protesters have rallied at Government House since March 26.
Natthawut Saikuea, another UDD leader, claimed that the prime minister wanted to impose an anti-protest emergency decree during his television address Thursday, but changed his mind after finding that the army would not support the move. (TNA)
