Move follows Monday's UDD rally at parliament
POST REPORTERS
Police will take criminal action against members of the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) who were involved in Monday's protest outside parliament when Democrat party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva was elected as prime minister.
Deputy police chief Pol Gen Jongrak Chuthanont said the protesters will face charges over the piling up of metal barricades to block entrances to the parliament and attacking politicians and their vehicles.
The protesters were angry with MPs who voted for Mr Abhisit.
 |
| Key members of the coalition parties discuss the new government's policies at Democrat headquarters yesterday. |
Those protesters captured on video footage would be charged with illegally detaining other people, destroying personal property and assaulting politicians, he said.
On Monday, about 100 red-shirt clad demonstrators broke through police lines and damaged cars belonging to MPs from the Democrat and Puea Pandin parties after they finished voting to elect the new prime minister.
Pol Gen Jongrak denied police were quick to seek the prosecution of the UDD supporters because a Democrat was leading the new government.
He said the protesters broke the law and must face the consequences.
He said police were obtaining footage from the media of the incidents.
Pol Maj-Gen Anan Srihiran, head of the Metropolitan Police Division 1, said the protesters threw rocks at vans belonging to acting finance minister Ranongrat Suwanchawee and Democrat MP Ong-art Klampaiboon.
Some of the protesters were also accused of trying to spray acid at politicians but ended up hurting themselves.
Pol Maj-Gen Ekkarat Meepreecha, deputy chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau, said policemen were on standby following reports of more red-shirt supporters from the provinces being mobilised in Bangkok.
Acting national police chief Pol Gen Pratheep Tanprasert yesterday ordered police to be ready to deal with possible rallies and beef up security at residences of important figures and MPs and offices of political parties.
Meanwhile, the UDD denied any involvement in Monday's rally outside parliament.
Natthawut Saikua, a former government spokesman and leading UDD member, said the UDD had made it clear during its rally on Dec 13 that it would not lead supporters to parliament on Monday.
The protest was carried out by individuals who found the switching of sides by government MPs to support the Democrat party unacceptable, he said.
Veera Musikhapong, a UDD leader, questioned the legitimacy of prime minister-elect Abhisit Vejjajiva, whom he accused of evading conscription.
He also alleged the Democrat-led government was backed by military officers involved in the 2006 coup.
Jatuporn Promphan, another UDD leader, demanded Mr Abhisit act against the group's rival, the People's Alliance for Democracy, which seized Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports.
Meanwhile, a group of taxi drivers laid a wreath near the Democrat headquarters in a protest against parliament voting for Mr Abhisit as prime minister.
Prev
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
Next
