Abhisit gets radio death threats
Stations in Chiang Mai may be shut before visit
- Published: 21/11/2009 at 12:00 AM
- Newspaper section: News
Community radio stations in Chiang Mai are being closely monitored and could face closure after reportedly threatening to kill Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva during his planned visit to the province next weekend.
PM's Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey said authorities are keeping track of community radio broadcasts in Chiang Mai, which he said have repeatedly incited red shirt supporters to protest against Mr Abhisit's visit to the province on Nov 29 where he will attend a meeting of the chambers of commerce.
Some community radio stations are said to have threatened to kill Mr Abhisit in a bomb attack during his visit.
Mr Sathit said the PM's Office had sent warnings to the stations several times telling them to refrain from any unlawful activity.
"When there is clear evidence that they have violated criminal law and community radio regulations, the stations will be shut down and face legal action," he said.
The minister said he has instructed the authorities concerned to record the broadcasts of the anti-government community radio stations in question.
Mr Sathit said precautions are being taken because the prime minister is being targeted by some elements.
His comments came as Democrat MP for Bangkok Boonyod Sukthinthai lodged a complaint with Crime Suppression Division police against the host of a programme broadcast on FM 92.5 community radio in Chiang Mai.
The complaint demanded an investigation into Phetchawat Wattanapongsirikul, host of the Sapha Kafae (Coffee Council) programme, and his co-host, who was not identified.
Both were accused of encouraging their audience to come out to protest violently against Mr Abhisit.
Mr Boonyod also handed over audio clips of the programme broadcasts to the CSD for further investigation.
But Mr Abhisit yesterday said he would travel to Chiang Mai next weekend as planned. He expressed confidence in the security authorities.
"Nothing has changed yet because I have confidence in the authorities in charge of providing security," he said.
Extra-tight security is being planned. Twenty companies of police and another 20 companies of troops from the 3rd Army will be deployed during the prime minister's visit.
Mr Abhisit also warned the radio stations that they faced possible legal action for making death threats and told the authorities to keep a close watch on the stations' broadcasts.
Mr Abhisit will travel to Chiang Mai, the political stronghold of the opposition Puea Thai Party, to attend a seminar at the invitation of the Thai chambers of commerce around the country.
He will give a lecture to northern businessmen on economic affairs.
The prime minister warned Thaksin Shinawatra's supporters in Chiang Mai to stop their hostile action, saying they should work with the government to bring about peace and reconciliation in the province.
"Frankly speaking, Chiang Mai has lost a lot of opportunities because of political conflicts despite the fact that the government gives full backing to every area," he said.
Wittaya Krongsap, secretary-general of the Chiang Mai Chamber of Commerce, expressed concern that the event would be exploited by interest groups.
Mr Abhisit also said the cabinet would also consider whether to implement the Internal Security Act during the cabinet meeting on Tuesday to control a planned red shirt rally in Bangkok.
The pro-Thaksin United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship is calling a major rally on Nov 28 in Bangkok.
"The government cannot surrender (to the red shirt protesters), if they do anything illegal," Mr Abhisit said.
He asked the red shirts to stop their planned protest because he would not submit to their demands to dissolve the House and call a general election.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said the government needs to assess the situation before it decides whether to invoke the security law.
"We are considering invoking the security law because they say that they are going to bring down the government. I am still haunted by the Songkran riots," Mr Suthep said.
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- Writer: Post Reporters
- Position: Reporters
