Govt whip: Wrong time for political rallies

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Govt whip: Wrong time for political rallies

Published: 19/11/2009 at 10:09 AM
Online news: Breakingnews

The next few weeks would be an improper time for any political demonstration as all Thai people were happily preparing to show their loyalty to His Majesty the King on his 82nd birthday, government chief whip Chinnaworn Boonyakiat said on Thursday.

Mr Chinnaworn was commenting on the mass anti-government rallies planned from Nov 20 to Dec 3 by the pro-Thaksin United front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).

Jatuporn Promphan, a core leader of the UDD, has announced the red-shirts are detenmined to bring down the the Democrat-led coalition government before the end of this year.

Deputy Prime Minister for security affairs Suthep Thaugsuban said on Wednesday that although the UDD and its supporters have the constitutional right to assembly and expression, they must not step outside the law.

The government would consider again imposing Internal Security Act if the rally seemed likely to spin out of control. The government would maintain law and order.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday declined to respond to the red-shirts' determination to bring down his government within the next few weeks. He said his government would ensure that Thai people are able to celebrate the New Year festival.

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Nicole Cheverny

Discussion 3 : 19/11/2009 at 01:53 PM3
Who will invite Mr. Promphan to a nationally televised discussion on issues of interest to the People? What does he believe in? What does he want? What does he propose? As well, who will take on Mr. Yongchaiyudh? What does he have to say about his plans for this Nation and his record as a (short-tenured) prime minister?

Is not the job of the media, in addition to informing the public, to foster freedom of expression, understanding and opinion forming? Is it not a function of the media to provide the facilities to those who aspire to serve this Nation to express themselves? Will the editors, moderators, anchormen and women mobilize and promote the debate that this Nation needs if it is to move towards more knowledgeable, more responsible and more effective governance?

While political rallying is a normal practice in a well-functioning democratic system it is not a panacea. Progress will not come from the street. Progress will come from newspapers' columns, radio studios and television sets. Progress will come from the People listening to, watching, reading and judging those would-be political leaders.

Do the media understand that the present turmoil is a blessing in disguise, a quasi-historic opportunity for them to evolve while helping this Nation out of its political morass?
Aussiebob

Discussion 2 : 19/11/2009 at 11:09 AM2
I see when the THUGS protest that is alright now the Red shirts should not but then this guy (Mr Chinnawornhas) has his position because of the betrayal caused by the THUGS so what else would you expect
ricefieldradio

Discussion 1 : 19/11/2009 at 10:31 AM1
But it is appropriate for the PM to go into one of the hotbeds of the Reds on the same date? The fact it is never acceptable for an anti government rally from the government's point of view.

Govt whip: Wrong time for political rallies