ID :
54976
Sun, 04/12/2009 - 19:36
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http://m.oananews.org//node/54976
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Thai PM: Officials enforcing state of emergency; Thaksin continues to incite Red Shirts
BANGKOK, April 12 (TNA) -- Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Sunday that state officials are prepared to enforce the State of Emergency order, which he issued earlier in the day, in the capital and in five neighbouring provinces, if the Red Shirt anti-government protesters continue to violate other people’s rights.
Shortly after, convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra Sunday evening continued to incite his supporters by video-link speech from an unknown location, saying he would return to Thailand to lead people in upcountry in a march on the capital if necessary.
Mr. Thaksin thanked the Thai military for refusing to use force against the people. The ex-premier also warned that once the military rolled out tanks into streets, the people would come out for 'a revolution for democracy'.
Speaking live to the public in his second national address on television in one day, at 5.15pm Sunday evening, the prime minister said United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) Red Shirts continued to violate the law and showed no respect for other people’s rights as provided by the Constitution.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban called on the country’s armed forces and police to fully enforce the State of Emergency.
The protesters continue to provoke chaos, said Mr. Abhisit, adding that officials are now prepared to exercise power provided under the state of emergency, he said.
UDD protesters stormed into the Interior Ministry compound while Mr. Abhisit was announcing the state of emergency, smashing a car and injuring several aides to the prime minister during their illegal trespass.
Urging the public to remain at peace, Mr. Abhisit said his government is in process of doing everything possible to uphold the law and restore peace in the country soon.
“The protesters have no right to violate the law, especially violating other people’s rights. They should stop these actions,” Mr. Abhisit warned.
Armoured military vehicles and soldiers have been deployed at 50 key locations in the capital as anti-government protests turn more violent and spread into several areas of Bangkok following the prime minister’s imposition of a State of Emergency.
However, in a very confused situation, some army armoured personnel carriers were captured by the red-clad protesters.
Army spokesman Col. Sansern Kaewkamnerd said the military's presence is meant to restore order, after red-shirted anti-government protesters stormed into the ministry compound, and local television showed pictures of the mob armed with poles and paving slabs smashing a car they believed carried the prime minister.
Mr. Abhisit escaped unharmed and he later told reporters that he was safe but one of his security guards was nabbed by the protesters.
Meanwhile, Red Shirt supporters in the eastern province of Chanthaburi blocked the Chantaburi-Sra Kaeo road, paralysing traffic in the area, urging the release of detained UDD leader Arisman Pongruangrong.
In Lampang and Phitsanuloke, hundreds of UDD supporters rallied at city and provincial halls after learning their protest leader was arrested and that the premier declared a State of Emergency in Bangkok and neighbouring areas.
The situation is the same at the northeastern province of Si Sa Ket and Ubon Ratchathani, where protesters demonstrated at provincial and municipal offices calling on the Abhisit administration to step down. (TNA)
Shortly after, convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra Sunday evening continued to incite his supporters by video-link speech from an unknown location, saying he would return to Thailand to lead people in upcountry in a march on the capital if necessary.
Mr. Thaksin thanked the Thai military for refusing to use force against the people. The ex-premier also warned that once the military rolled out tanks into streets, the people would come out for 'a revolution for democracy'.
Speaking live to the public in his second national address on television in one day, at 5.15pm Sunday evening, the prime minister said United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) Red Shirts continued to violate the law and showed no respect for other people’s rights as provided by the Constitution.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban called on the country’s armed forces and police to fully enforce the State of Emergency.
The protesters continue to provoke chaos, said Mr. Abhisit, adding that officials are now prepared to exercise power provided under the state of emergency, he said.
UDD protesters stormed into the Interior Ministry compound while Mr. Abhisit was announcing the state of emergency, smashing a car and injuring several aides to the prime minister during their illegal trespass.
Urging the public to remain at peace, Mr. Abhisit said his government is in process of doing everything possible to uphold the law and restore peace in the country soon.
“The protesters have no right to violate the law, especially violating other people’s rights. They should stop these actions,” Mr. Abhisit warned.
Armoured military vehicles and soldiers have been deployed at 50 key locations in the capital as anti-government protests turn more violent and spread into several areas of Bangkok following the prime minister’s imposition of a State of Emergency.
However, in a very confused situation, some army armoured personnel carriers were captured by the red-clad protesters.
Army spokesman Col. Sansern Kaewkamnerd said the military's presence is meant to restore order, after red-shirted anti-government protesters stormed into the ministry compound, and local television showed pictures of the mob armed with poles and paving slabs smashing a car they believed carried the prime minister.
Mr. Abhisit escaped unharmed and he later told reporters that he was safe but one of his security guards was nabbed by the protesters.
Meanwhile, Red Shirt supporters in the eastern province of Chanthaburi blocked the Chantaburi-Sra Kaeo road, paralysing traffic in the area, urging the release of detained UDD leader Arisman Pongruangrong.
In Lampang and Phitsanuloke, hundreds of UDD supporters rallied at city and provincial halls after learning their protest leader was arrested and that the premier declared a State of Emergency in Bangkok and neighbouring areas.
The situation is the same at the northeastern province of Si Sa Ket and Ubon Ratchathani, where protesters demonstrated at provincial and municipal offices calling on the Abhisit administration to step down. (TNA)
