PM to visit Chiang Mai next weekend

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PM to visit Chiang Mai next weekend

Published: 20/11/2009 at 04:21 PM
Online news: Politics

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has reaffirmed his intention to visit Chiang Mai on Nov 29 to attend the Thai Chamber of Commerce meeting, despite threats made to his safety.

The confirmation came after a community radio station reportedly claimed that a bomb would take the life of the prime minister during his visit to the northern province, which is hometown of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Mr Abhisit is due to address members of the Thai Chambers of Commerce on the economy and has said previously the issues are too important to cancel the meeting.

He insisted on Friday there would be no change of plans. He believed local security officials could keep the situation under control.

Asked if he was intimidated by the threat, Mr Abhisit replied that he had no right to be frightened. It was his duty to attend the meeting.

It was not the first time he had heard about a threat to his life, but this time it was stated publicly, he said.

Prime Minister's Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey said the government would take legal action against any community radio station that tries to incite people to break the law or obstruct Mr Abhisit's visit to Chiang Mai.

The station operators would face charges and the radio stations could be closed, he said. The government was not abusing its authority to interfere in the stations' right to express opinions, but they must not break the law.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said he was worried by the theat made against Mr Abhisit's life and had instructed local authorities to step up security measures.

Mr Suthep, who is in charge of security affairs, also said that the Internal Security Act might be invoked to ensure peace and order during the mass anti-government rally by the red-shirts planned for Nov 28 to Dec 2 in Bangkok. He would recommend its use to the cabinet.

“The government will closely monitor the situation. I will propose the use of the security law to the cabinet meeting for consideration next Tuesday,” Mr Suthep said.

The red-shirts have the right to assemble to pressure the government to call a general election, but if the House were to be dissolved the procedure must be constitutional, he added.

The anti-government protest was aimed at paving the way for Thaksin to return to power and to regain his frozen 76 billion baht in assets, he said.

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Eleanor

Discussion 11 : 21/11/2009 at 09:31 AM11
This article makes much of a life-threatening threat to the PM.

Did you notice who mentions the threat?

It is his political enemies who said someone threatened him.

It is fabricated crisis mongering.

In fact, I think that is an underlying hope by the PAD/Democrat Party and all their friends, that a violent confrontation occurs. That is why this trip was hurriedly put in place to coincide with the UDD protest in BKK. They would love to "visit the sins of some on all the others".

And to get the ball rolling in that regard, start talking about obscure threats that no-one can or will bother verifying.

So why do these people want confrontation........?

All part of the Thaksin/UDD demonization campaign, that is why!
ricefieldradio

Discussion 10 : 21/11/2009 at 12:47 AM10
Lets see. Thaksin claims they want to assassinate him, Sondhi is claiming they want to assassinate him and the PM is now claiming they want to assassinate him.

The PM was so against rumors last week and now he's helping to spread them.

Here is something about Thailand for all to ingest. If someone or a group in Thailand wants you dead, you will be dead before you have a chance at spreading a rumor.
sormpopj

Discussion 9 : 20/11/2009 at 11:53 PM9
Dear my brother Thai's,

If you can let the goverment do they job for one year without any intruption at all, If end of the day the problem is getting worst I agree than that all Thai's should join the protest.
Patangko

Discussion 8 : 20/11/2009 at 09:42 PM8
Why do I get the feeling these red shirts and PT guys reminding me of soi dogs? The similarity in behaviour is striking....
BKKMAN

Discussion 7 : 20/11/2009 at 09:05 PM7
What is really sad about all this is how the general public is being used by the rich/powerful people. All these people showing up at rallies are getting paid, then bombed and hurt. The rich/powerful people should stop all this and focus on their country, not how to help themselves to more of the country's resources.
tanyalee

Discussion 6 : 20/11/2009 at 09:04 PM6
why u want to plan a game to kill yourself, Mr Abhisit ? It just your own plan and trick. If people wants to kill u, they will do it queitly. brainless Thai people for believing Mr Abhisit.
dom

Discussion 5 : 20/11/2009 at 08:31 PM5
It seems that red-shirted rally will create a big problem to the country again. I don't understand why many people in Thailand still think that Thaksin is a hero for them and why they don't look throuht the past when Thaksin incited red-shirted protesters to guard his benefits and politcal power. But, Thaksin ordered them from oversea country, which certainly no harm for him at all. Such the case in Songkran festival is a clear example that Thaksin incited Thai people to fight for him and he said that when the first sound of a bullet release, he would come back to Thailand and stand side by side with Thai people.
The past history of this case is clear in itself. Thaksin lied Thai people and he didn't come back to Thailand at all....he is such a son of a bitch.
CC

Discussion 4 : 20/11/2009 at 08:25 PM4
Exactly, couldn't agree more with the #2. The protest must be made on the ground of the ISSUES, not person nor personalities.

If the protesters can sort it out what this govt should or should not do in terms of policy, then it is worth marching along the street.
boonisback

Discussion 3 : 20/11/2009 at 08:18 PM3
Nothing wrong in paving the way for Thaksin to return to power and to regain his frozen 76 billion baht in assets. Instead it will be good for Thailand. The people who do not want to see this happen are actually full with greed and fear. TRT was toppled illegally. So, the 1997 constitution must return to people and TRT government resume governing Thailand. Leave all allegations of corruption, abused of power and disloyalty to the process of law.
Ozman_Bkk

Discussion 2 : 20/11/2009 at 06:13 PM2
In a free society it is the right for any citizen to protest against the government. That is what a free society means. However when it leads to threats to kill or maim any other person, be it the PM or anyone else, that is taking protest too far. That can not be tolerated. I trust that the threat to kill the PM is someone's idle chatter. No-one can want change so badly that they would take a life to do it. Instead of marching up and down and shouting get organised and fight the next election on ISSUES and not personalities. To be honest, Thailand deserves better than what she is getting with red and yellow rabbles ruling the streets.

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PM to visit Chiang Mai next weekend