Vendors and office workers join protests

Vendors and office workers join protests

Anti-government demonstrators and a group of Pratunam-area vendors and office workers held separate whistle-blowing protests yesterday.

An anti-government group gathers in front of Platinum shopping complex in a street protest yesterday. PATIPAT JANTHONG

Supporters of the "V for Thailand" white-masked group, led by Tul Sitthisomwong, gathered at the Ratchaprasong Intersection about noon.

The group demanded the government not accept the International Court of Justice ruling on the disputed land around the Preah Vihear temple. The ruling was handed down on Monday, and awarded some of the disputed land to Cambodia.

The protesters also voiced opposition to the government's draft amendment to Section 190 of the charter, which they say could apply to the ICJ ruling.

The section deals with international agreements requiring parliamentary approval, and the draft amendment would reduce the scope of foreign deals that need House input.

Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva has urged Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to withhold the draft charter amendment following the Preah Vihear territorial ruling.

He said the amendment should not be enforced to make sure any negotiations that take place between Thailand and Cambodia are conducted with transparency and accountability.

The V for Thailand protesters said they prefer Section 190's original version, which requires that any international agreement which affects sovereignty, national security or the economy be approved by parliament.

Meanwhile, another group of anti-government protesters, comprising mainly people working around the Pratunam area, joined forces in a whistle-blowing campaign.

Mr Abhisit joined the protesters before his fellow Democrat Party member Chitpas Bhirombhakdi led them to the main anti-government rally venue on Ratchadamnoen Avenue.

Also yesterday, Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand supporters gathered outside the Department of Special Investigation to demand the removal of department chief Tarit Pengdith.

The group lashed out at Mr Tarit for threatening legal action against the financiers of the Democrat-led anti-government rally.

The group also said Mr Tarit was trying to protect the government.

Meanwhile, university students and the Business Club for Democracy petitioned the Senate to impeach the 310 MPs who voted to approve the blanket amnesty bill on Nov 1.

They pledged to gather at least 20,000 signatures from supporters of the impeachment by Tuesday.

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