Thai PM talks to assure people: gov't in charge

2009-04-13 06:02:37  

    by Shen Min

    BANGKOK, April 13 (Xinhua) --

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva made two television speeches in early hours of Monday in a bid to restore people's confidence on his government's capability to control situation, after anti-government protests turned violent and forced him to declare state of emergency twice in two days.

    Abhisit appeared on state TV NBT after midnight, first time flanked with ministers, army and police top officials in charge of securities, the second alone. The two speeches carried the same key information, which was that the Abhisit government was not as soft and lonely as some people has judged from what they have seen in events in the past 48 hours.

    In the last speech, the PM made an appeal to the tens of thousands of "red-shirt" protesters who camped outside the Government House throughout Sunday, to start negotiation with the government rather than continuing the "unlawful" rallies in Bangkok.

    He had discussed security measures with ministers, police and military top brass to find ways, effective while legal, to bring peace and order back to the country.

    He told people not to panic, and not to be misled by some false information about the lack of coordination between government, police and the army.

    The remarks were believed to be responding to rumors that the Abhisit government lacked support from the police and army, which was why the security forces were reluctant to act against the red-shirted protesters who stormed the ASEAN and related summits venue in Pattaya on Saturday and state institutions in Bangkok on Sunday.

    The government was forced to cancel the summits schedule and declared a state of emergency over Pattaya, and later lifted it after protesters retreated to Bangkok, claiming victory over the cancellation of summits.

    On Sunday, citing danger of escalating violence, Abhisit imposed the emergency decree over Bangkok and surrounding areas.

    Some rumors even had the suspicion that a military coup might be launched to take over the power from the Abhisit government.

    Abhisit said police and soldiers have been deployed around Bangkok to keep things under control.

    The next three to four days will be crucial, during which people will see "real change" of situation, said Abhisit. The government will prove its capability by bringing law and order back to the country by taking tougher measures against the protests.

    As a proof of the tougher measures the government promised to use, Abhisit announced that the Pattaya court has issued arrest warrants for the five core leaders of the red-shirted group United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD). One of the leaders, Arisamun Pongruangrong, was already in custody, on charges of inciting violence and creating disorder in society.

    Whilst the Thai PM assured citizens that his government is reliable, his own safety remained on hold as earlier on the day his motorcade was attacked by red-shirted protesters outside the Interior Ministry. Local media reports said he was slightly injured in the riot, but the government denied it.

    He said he's ready to step down or dissolve the House of Representatives if only the moves will bring peace to the country. "My own position is not important," said Abhisit.

    The red-shirted protesters wanted Abhisit to step down and declared their loyalty to Thaksin Shinawatra, the former premier ousted by a military coup on Sept. 19, 2006 and in exile ever since, who urged his supporters on Sunday evening to join the rally at Government House to topple the Abhisit government.

    In the latest TV speech, the fifth for the embattled Thai PM since Sunday morning, Abhisit said the aim of the protests by the red-shirted people were beyond "democracy" as the protesters claimed they wanted to achieve.

    "Those ill-intentioned people will be disappointed," said Abhisit. 

At least 77 wounded in army-protester clash in Bangkok

2009-04-13 06:52:53   At least 77 wounded when army soldiers and protesters clashed in Bangkok Monday. ·Soldiers fired warning shots into the air and used teargas to disperse the protesters. ·Sansern also said the situation, to some extent, has been brought under control.

    BANGKOK, April 13 (Xinhua) --

At least 77 were wounded when hundreds of army soldiers and anti-government protesters clashed in Bangkok early Monday morning 14 hours after Thai PM declared a state of emergency in the capital city, Thai media said.

    The Nation quoted hospital reports as saying at least 77 people suffered injuries mainly from teargas, with five seriously injured.

    At around 7:20 a.m., the government announced it was in control of the situation at Din Daeng, The Nation said on its website.

    The report said Deputy PM's Secretary-General Panithan Wattanayakorn told a press conference Monday morning that some protesters had been arrested, and Army Spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd earlier said "similar operations will be carried out in other areas."

    The clash occurred around 04:30 a.m. Monday (2100 GMT Sunday) when some 300 so-called red-shirted protesters used a seized bus to crash soldiers stationed at Din Daeng District in north Bangkok, Army spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd told TPBS.

    Soldiers fired warning shots into the air and used teargas to disperse the protesters after failing to persuade the red shirts to stop, Sansern said.

    Earlier the Health Department of Bangkok Metropolitan Administration announced a total injury number of 68.

    Army Chief General Anupong Paojinda refused to comment on the incident, adding that he will learn more about it first.

    At about 06:15 a.m. Monday (2315 GMT Sunday), ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra told the red-shirted protesters to continue fighting in a phone conversation with a core leader of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).

    Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva declared on Sunday afternoon a state of emergency in Bangkok and some districts of five provinces nearby, citing the escalating violence of red-shirted protesters.

    Soon after the declaration of the state of emergency, soldiers and armored carriers were deployed onto the Bangkok street.

    Meanwhile, about 1,000 policemen, armed with tear gas, headed for the Government House after red-shirted protesters stormed state institutions and clashed with security forces during the day.

    Abhisit appeared on TV around midnight Sunday to assure people that his government will enforce law to keep situation under control. He said soldiers and police have been deployed at many spots around Bangkok, and his government is ready to enforce measures step by step in the next two or three days to bring law and order back.

    While telling the Thai people to remain calm as his government has the capability to control the situation, he also told the people to inform authorities about any unlawful acts by the red-shirted anti-government protesters.

    In the early hours of Monday, the Thai prime minister made another television speech, urging protesters camped at the Government House to end their "unconstitutional" rallies immediately and send representatives to talk with his government.

    The government's tough measures were taken a day after the anti-government demonstrators, or known as red-shirted people, obstructed the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and Related Summits.

    The summits, which involved 10 ASEAN countries and its six dialogue partner nations -- China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand -- was scheduled for Saturday and Sundayin the central beach resort city Pattaya. But the Thai government was forced to call off the meeting after over 1,000 red-shirted protesters besieged and broke into the meeting venue Saturday, demanding the Abhisit government resign.

    Political tensions have simmered since Thaksin was ousted by a military coup in 2006 for alleged corruption and abuse of power. He remains popular in Thailand's impoverished countryside. 

Protesters drive gas tankers into residential area in Bangkok

 2009-04-13 11:09:55  

     BANGKOK, April 13 (Xinhua) --

Residents of Din Daeng area in Bangkok began to evacuate when protesters drove two tanker trucks fueled by NGV (Natural Gas for Vehicles) gas into the compound.

    Reporters saw two NGV cylinders on the trucks and the red-shirted protesters shouted that the flat residents there should leave immediately, prompting speculation that the protesters would explode the gas tanks.

    Many residents smelt the odor of the gas and began to flee away, TV footage showed.

    Din Daeng is a key entrance to Bangkok as well as a major residential area, where the clash between anti-government protesters and the army took place hours ago. 

Editor: An

Thai gov't, Army try negotiation before shooting into air

 2009-04-13 09:36:41  

    BANGKOK, April 13 (Xinhua) --

The acting government spokesman and Army spokesman insisted in a press conference Monday morning that soldiers tried to talk protesters out of stopping road-blockade at the Din Daeng Intersection before dispersing them by force, Thai media reported.

    Acting Government Spokesman Panithan Wattanayakorn and Army Spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd said soldiers had to fire teargas and shot into the air after protesters threw bombs and teargas at the troops and drove some vehicles rushing towards them, The Nation said on its website.

    Sansern insisted troops fired shots into the air just for terrifying the protesters.

    At least 68 wounded when hundreds of army soldiers and anti-government protesters clashed in Bangkok early Monday morning, 14 hours after Thai PM declared a state of emergency in the capital city, Bangkok health department said.

    The clash occurred around 4:30 a.m. Monday (2100 GMT Sunday) when some 300 so-called red-shirted protesters used a seized bus to crash soldiers stationed at Din Daeng District in north Bangkok, Sansern told TV PBS.

    Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva declared on Sunday afternoon a state of emergency in Bangkok and some districts of five provinces nearby, citing the escalating violence of red-shirted protesters.

    The latest round of the anti-government protests led by UDD, has entered its 19th day. Red-shirted protesters on Saturday stormed the venue of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations)summit and related summits in Pattaya, and forced the summits canceled.