PM to visit red shirt base of Chiang Mai

POLITICS

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva plans to visit Chiang Mai, a stronghold of the anti-government red shirts, on Nov 29, the same day the red shirts plan to gather in Bangkok for a lengthy rally.

The prime minister's weekend travel schedule was revealed yesterday by PM's Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey in response to questions about the government's security measures for the upcoming rally of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).

Mr Abhisit is to visit Chiang Mai where he will attend a meeting of the chambers of commerce, Mr Sathit said.

Chiang Mai is the hometown of ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra who still enjoys strong support there.

Several Democrat ministers and party executives have been met with fierce opposition by red shirt demonstrators when they visited the northern province, which forced them to cut short their schedules and leave.

They include Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban who was besieged at a hotel in January, Public Health Minister Witthaya Kaewparadai who was blockaded in a hospital in July, and the party chief adviser Chuan Leekpai who was beset at the airport in January.

Before travelling to Chiang Mai, Mr Sathit said Mr Abhisit will also visit the lower northern provinces of Phitsanulok, Sukhothai and Phichit on Saturday and will travel to the central province of Suphan Buri on Sunday to inspect the government programme to guarantee farmer incomes.

In preparation for the UDD rally in Bangkok on Nov 29, the government might consider enforcing the Internal Security Act in Bangkok, Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said yesterday.

Further assessment of intelligence information regarding possible violence at the planned mass rally would be carried out to determine if the act needs to be invoked or not, Gen Prawit said.

"If the protest looks like it will trigger unrest, the act will be needed. But if not, then the law will not be necessary," he said.

The Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) will be responsible for judging if the act should be enforced during the red shirt rally and Mr Abhisit would have the final say on the decision.

Gen Prawit also rebuked key People's Alliance for Democracy and New Politics Party leader Sondhi Limthongkul for accusing the army of being behind the grenade attack at the PAD's rally on Sunday.

Puea Thai MP Jatuporn Prompan on Tuesday confirmed the UDD would stage the rally on Nov 29 to demand a quick dissolution of the House.