Thailand’s PM to ‘Skip Town’ Ahead of Mass Rallies

Published : March 05, 2010 :: 16:03:50 [ 1,195 views ]

Thailand's Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Friday said his planned visit to Australia March 13-17 remains unchanged even though the timing coincides with the planned anti-government mass rallies March 14 onward.

Bangkok, the 5th of March 2010 [TNA]: Mr Abhisit’s visit to Australia will be his first as Thai prime minister and follows an invitation by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd last year. The key areas set to be discussed between the two leaders during the Thai premier’s visit include Australian and Thai trade relations and ongoing
security arrangements between the two countries.

Mr Abhisit said Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban who is in charge of national security will be assigned to supervise law enforcement in the country in his absence. The Thai prime minister said he believed the rally would be peaceful. He also urged the demonstrators not be tempted to use violence nor fall prey
to the group who want to break the law.

The pro-Thaksin “Red Shirts” announced a planned mass rally in Bangkok on March 14, saying that they intend to bring down the government. The group’s key leaders said they expect the rally will be the largest ever, claiming that one million demonstrators from across the country will attend the rally.

Mr Abhisit said the government so far has no plan to enforce a special security law or declare a national holiday during the planned mass rally by the Red Shirt group. He however said the Security Monitoring Committee would closely monitor the situation.

In a related development, Army Chief of Staff Gen Pirun Paewpolsong said the Security Monitoring Committee chaired by Mr Suthep would meet Monday to evaluate the situation and decide whether or not it is necessary to invoke the Internal Security Act to maintain law and order. If the special law is needed, the committee would seek cabinet approval, he said. Gen Pirun said the committee is concerned over possible sabotage by some groups of people who want to stir up violence, therefore the military would be on alert and ready to support the police. (TNA)

Comments

rob

said :

To PDN Staff.

When are you going to start captioning your photos so that foreigners know who people are in your articles? Who is the farang in the photos below what I think is a photo of your PM? Is it the PM of Australia? How do we know if we are not Australian or a New Zealander?

So many times I am left guessing at who what where and when, when I look at your articles and photos. You waist too much space telling everyone about the rank of a police officer or an elected official in stories that you are telling and then show pictures that people, unless they are Thai. know nothing of who they are or where the photos are taken etc.

I realize that you maybe controlled by some regulations when writing articles etc., but to put captions on your photos should not be a problem.

To other readers of the PDN, join in here and see if we can have this done. Takes a lot of guess work out translating and understanding many articles. I think the PDN is the best way for foriegners to be kept abreast of what is going on in and around Pattaya and generally they (PDN) do a good job.

Thanks for all your articles PDN.

Regards:

Rob........

Email : robbod@yahoo.com Date : 2010-03-07 23:11:44

lee

said :

I remember when Thaksin was out of town a few years ago! Oh could this be the Coup date... saw a load of Army trucks loaded with troops heading towards Bangkok today

Email : lee@pattaya.com Date : 2010-03-06 01:47:12

coupster

said :

GREAT! Good time for a good old fashioned thai army coup.
Good luck to the coupsters.Only a strong army regime can save Thailand.

Email : coupdtat@yahoo.com Date : 2010-03-05 17:36:00

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