Chalerm: `Urgent'
business in Bangkok |
Interior Minister Chalerm Yubamrung abruptly cut short his tour of northeastern provinces within hours of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej announcing plans to reshuffle the cabinet.
Mr Chalerm, who was due to return to Bangkok on Wednesday, curtailed his trip yesterday, but denied it was a result of Mr Samak's announcement. He will catch a flight to Bangkok this evening, said a source.
The minister also faced protests from the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) wherever he visited.
The source said he cancelled his trip following Mr Samak's remark during his weekly television show yesterday that he would reshuffle the cabinet.
However, the outspoken minister cited an urgent task at the ministry as a reason. He said he had to call a meeting with agencies to address the rising prices of water and electricity.
In Buri Ram, a group of government supporters clashed with members of the PAD on Saturday night.
About 1,000 anti-PAD protesters gathered in front of the Buri Ram railway station about 9pm near a venue where key members were gathered.
The pro-government group used a six-wheel truck as a stage to make speeches attacking the PAD.
The clash erupted when PAD member Abdulloh Nopsuwanwong struck a loudspeaker belonging to the government supporters. This prompted over 50 protesters to attack him and other PAD members. The clash ended when police intervened.
The confrontation prompted key PAD speakers, including former Buri Ram MP Sophon Phetsawang, to cancel their speeches.
In Chiang Mai, about 100 government supporters yesterday staged a protest in front of the Chiang Mai municipality's sports stadium, where a PAD faction was holding a forum about the Preah Vihear temple issue.
The protesting group, led by Phetchawat Pattanasirikul, chairman of the Chiang Mai residents council, carried placards criticising the PAD. Some threw eggs and water bottles at PAD vehicles.
Suriyan Thongnu-ied, a leading member of the PAD network in Chiang Mai, said he wanted to know why police let the protesting group, which had only about 100 members, create unrest at the PAD's forum venue.
In Chon Buri, about 3,000 PAD members yesterday gathered in front of a new People Power party branch office, forcing Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Somchai Wongsawat, who was due to preside over the opening ceremony of the branch office, to cancel his trip.
Culture Minister Anusorn Wongwan chaired the event instead.
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