Govt supporters roam city in convoy
By Theerawat Khamthita
Agroup of about 1,000 people who call themselves the 24 June Democracy and Chiang Rai People for Democracy group yesterday roamed Chiang Rai city in a bid to stop Chirmsak Pinthong, a core leader of the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), from holding a seminar in the province.
Clad in red shirts, the group roamed the northern city in a motorcade of 30 pick-up trucks and six-wheeled trucks. They also held cloth banners with anti-PAD messages.
The group rallied at Chiang Rai airport, major hotels in the province and outside the residences of people known to be key PAD supporters. Among their targets was Chiang Rai senator Tuanjai Deetes and Pang Polchai, the owner of a community radio station in Mae Sai district.
One of the group's members also fired stones from a slingshot at windows in Mrs Tuanjai's house, breaking two.
At Chiang Rai airport, a motorist filed a complaint with police that members of the anti-PAD groups had unlawfully stopped her car to search for PAD leaders.
The anti-PAD groups' move was reportedly in response to the PAD's plan to hold a political seminar in Chiang Rai, hosted by Mr Chirmsak.
Pibhop Dhongchai, one of the PAD leaders, last night read a statement demanding anti-PAD groups stop their petty attacks against PAD supporters.
Mr Pibhop also called on the Internal Security Operations Command, which is under the supervision of army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda, to take action against anti-PAD groups and ensure the safety of PAD supporters.
He added that PAD supporters who were assaulted by members of the group had already lodged complaints with police in their localities.
If authorities failed to address those complaints, the PAD would gather signatures and petition the National Counter Corruption Commission, seeking both criminal and disciplinary investigations against those authorities, he said.
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