Yellow Shirts pledge prolonged protest against Abhisit government
BANGKOK, Jan 24 - Thailand's key yellow-clad People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) leaders on Monday reasserted the group's planned protest against the Thai government Tuesday and threatened to prolong the rally nearby Government House until Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva responds to their demands over the Thai-Cambodian border dispute.
The PAD earlier announced its planned demonstration Tuesday afternoon at Makkawan Rangsan Bridge, just few metres from the government seat, to pressure the Abhisit administration to revoke the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding signed by Thailand and Cambodia concerning their border disputes.
The ultra nationalist movement claimed that the 2000 MoU puts Thailand at a disadvantage in handling such disputes with the neighbouring country.
Key PAD leader Gen Chamlong Srimuang said the yellow-clad rally will begin at 2pm, giving three demands to the prime minister: withdraw from the United Nations Education Scientific and Culture Organisation (UNESCO)'s World Heritage Committee, revoke the 2000 MoU signed with Cambodia and push Cambodian people now living in areas which they claim belong to Thailand back to their homeland.
Gen Chamlong said the PAD will assess the situation on a daily basis and pledged that his group will prolong its protest until the premier moves to "protect the country".
Following concerns over possible confrontation with the rival Red Shirts of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) which also plans to rally the same day, the Yellow Shirt leader said it is the duty of the police to maintain order to prevent clashes between the two groups.
National police chief Gen Wichean Potephosree on Monday pledged police would not allow any Yellow Shirt protesters to seize or block entrances to Government House and the Parliament during their Tuesday rally.
The police chief said 24 companies--3,600 police officers--have been assigned to standby to ensure law and order, as well as prevent any confr! ontation between the Yellow Shirts and their arch rival Red Shirts June 24 Group which is also scheduled to rally on the same day.
In a related development, Thai army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha on Monday said the Cambodian authorities have agreed to hold talks with their Thai counterparts regarding Cambodian troops' carved stone in the disputed area near the ancient Preah Vihear temple, bearing a Cambodian message accusing Thai soldiers of invading the neighbour's land.
Gen Prayuth expressed hope that good news is expected within two days, adding that Cambodia has acknowledged Thailand's stance and is considering the kingdoms request to remove the controversial signboard.
The Thai army chief also said he believes the situation will not escalate into an armed clash. (MCOT online news)
The PAD earlier announced its planned demonstration Tuesday afternoon at Makkawan Rangsan Bridge, just few metres from the government seat, to pressure the Abhisit administration to revoke the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding signed by Thailand and Cambodia concerning their border disputes.
The ultra nationalist movement claimed that the 2000 MoU puts Thailand at a disadvantage in handling such disputes with the neighbouring country.
Key PAD leader Gen Chamlong Srimuang said the yellow-clad rally will begin at 2pm, giving three demands to the prime minister: withdraw from the United Nations Education Scientific and Culture Organisation (UNESCO)'s World Heritage Committee, revoke the 2000 MoU signed with Cambodia and push Cambodian people now living in areas which they claim belong to Thailand back to their homeland.
Gen Chamlong said the PAD will assess the situation on a daily basis and pledged that his group will prolong its protest until the premier moves to "protect the country".
Following concerns over possible confrontation with the rival Red Shirts of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) which also plans to rally the same day, the Yellow Shirt leader said it is the duty of the police to maintain order to prevent clashes between the two groups.
National police chief Gen Wichean Potephosree on Monday pledged police would not allow any Yellow Shirt protesters to seize or block entrances to Government House and the Parliament during their Tuesday rally.
The police chief said 24 companies--3,600 police officers--have been assigned to standby to ensure law and order, as well as prevent any confr! ontation between the Yellow Shirts and their arch rival Red Shirts June 24 Group which is also scheduled to rally on the same day.
In a related development, Thai army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha on Monday said the Cambodian authorities have agreed to hold talks with their Thai counterparts regarding Cambodian troops' carved stone in the disputed area near the ancient Preah Vihear temple, bearing a Cambodian message accusing Thai soldiers of invading the neighbour's land.
Gen Prayuth expressed hope that good news is expected within two days, adding that Cambodia has acknowledged Thailand's stance and is considering the kingdoms request to remove the controversial signboard.
The Thai army chief also said he believes the situation will not escalate into an armed clash. (MCOT online news)
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