New rally cited as reason to prolong state of emergency

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New rally cited as reason to prolong state of emergency

Published: 21/04/2009 at 01:32 PM
Online news: Politics

The weekend rally planned by anti-government protesters will prolong the state of emergency in Bangkok and surrounding areas, a government minister said on Tuesday.

Supporters of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra have announced they will regroup on Saturday in Samut Sakon, outside the emergency zone, after rallies in Bangkok ended last week following street battles between demonstrators and armed troops.

PM's Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey said the protest in Samut Sakhon province, 36 kilometres outside Bangkok, would only worsen the political turmoil.

"The government is ready to deal with any chaos, but this rally will affect the government's decision when to lift the state of emergency,'' Mr Sathit told reporters.

''This is bad news for our country because it will worsen the crisis. They [Thaksin's supporters] should rely on the parliament, as the government plans charter amendments as demanded by the protesters,'' he said.

On Monday Jakrapob Penkair, a fugitive senior member of United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, told news agencies the pro-Thaksin UDD would continue its campaign against Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Mr Jakrapob has fled the country to evade warrants for this arrest.

"We have developed some strategies,'' Mr Jakrapob told AFP in a telephone call diverted by an assistant to avoid detection.

The red-shirts shut down an Asian summit in Pattaya on April 11 and then clashed with troops in Bangkok on two days later. Two people were confirmed killed, in clashes between local residents and rampaging protesters, and 123 injured in the unrest in the capital.

The protesters continue to demand Mr Abhisit's resignation, claiming he came to power unfairly in December after a court removed Thaksin's allies from government.

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Report objectionable comments click here. Include: discussion #, commenter name, comment date / time as it looks on the page. Example: discussion 15: 09/01/2009 at 10:00 AM.

Village Idiot

Discussion 6 : 21/04/2009 at 09:46 PM6
Reference Discussion 4.........Mr Abishit might well be willing to negotiate but he's too power hungry to think of calling an election, because he well knows that he will not be able to retain that power. The majority of Thais will kick him in the butt.
R.A

Discussion 5 : 21/04/2009 at 05:03 PM5
when is this all gonna end???
im so tired of these types of news...
the red shirt givin already plz
if u still carry on then it would only worsen the country
when will peace be in line for Thailand???
ABC

Discussion 4 : 21/04/2009 at 04:52 PM4
Max Neo,

Mr Abhisit is willing to negotiate, but the red does'nt want to, they just want to do it their way.
Wendy

Discussion 3 : 21/04/2009 at 04:37 PM3
Perhaps the police/army can find and arrest those who are still wanted for the civil unrest last week!

To everyone in Samut Sakon, go and make your claim to the THB 50,000/person by calling the police when these RED criminals show up at the rally!
Carl

Discussion 2 : 21/04/2009 at 03:04 PM2
When Bangkok is in "a state of emergency" what actual visual impact does that have on anything?

"The government is ready to deal with any chaos, but this rally will affect the government's decision when to lift the state of emergency,'' Mr Sathit told reporters.

Thats all well and good, but how has stating us at a level of emergency done?
Max Neo

Discussion 1 : 21/04/2009 at 03:04 PM1
Mr Abhisit should listen to the red shirt.

Village Idiot

Discussion 6 : 21/04/2009 at 09:46 PM6

Reference Discussion 4.........Mr Abishit might well be willing to negotiate but he's too power hungry to think of calling an election, because he well knows that he will not be able to retain that power. The majority of Thais will kick him in the butt.

R.A

Discussion 5 : 21/04/2009 at 05:03 PM5

when is this all gonna end???
im so tired of these types of news...
the red shirt givin already plz
if u still carry on then it would only worsen the country
when will peace be in line for Thailand???

ABC

Discussion 4 : 21/04/2009 at 04:52 PM4

Max Neo,

Mr Abhisit is willing to negotiate, but the red does'nt want to, they just want to do it their way.

Wendy

Discussion 3 : 21/04/2009 at 04:37 PM3

Perhaps the police/army can find and arrest those who are still wanted for the civil unrest last week!

To everyone in Samut Sakon, go and make your claim to the THB 50,000/person by calling the police when these RED criminals show up at the rally!

Carl

Discussion 2 : 21/04/2009 at 03:04 PM2

When Bangkok is in "a state of emergency" what actual visual impact does that have on anything?

"The government is ready to deal with any chaos, but this rally will affect the government's decision when to lift the state of emergency,'' Mr Sathit told reporters.

Thats all well and good, but how has stating us at a level of emergency done?

Max Neo

Discussion 1 : 21/04/2009 at 03:04 PM1

Mr Abhisit should listen to the red shirt.

New rally cited as reason to prolong state of emergency