Five core members of the People's Alliance for Democracy take the stage to announce the expansion of the group's rally. The rally against the charter amendment has been turned into an anti-Samak government campaign. — CHANAT KATANYU Saturday May 31, 2008
THIP-OSOD & ANUCHA CHAROENPO
The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) has announced it will continue its rallies, the focus of which has now turned to toppling the Samak Sundaravej administration, which it calls a puppet government, from office.
The PAD's declaration came despite the fact that the government's motion to amend the charter was dropped due to the withdrawal of lawmakers' support and PM's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair announcing his resignation.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej will go on air on the National Broadcasting of Thailand (NBT) channel at 9am today to talk about measures to cope with the PAD demonstrations.
The People Power party (PPP) also declared yesterday it would propose that Interior Minister Chalerm Yubamrung be given power to deal with the PAD.
PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul, along with other core leaders, went on stage yesterday evening and read out a statement attacking the PPP-led coalition government to the cheers of over 10,000 supporters of the alliance who gathered at Makawan Rangsan bridge.
In the statement, Mr Sondhi accused the government of acting as a puppet government under the direction of Thaksin Shinawatra.
Mr Sondhi alleged that the Samak government had adopted the same corrupt practices as the ousted Thaksin government.
He criticised the government for its failure to tackle poverty and the soaring cost of living.
He slammed the government for attempting to block compulsory licensing, meddling with the judicial process and interfering with the media.
He said the government had proved inept at protecting national sovereignty, citing the dispute with Cambodia over the Preah Vihear temple and the continuing southern unrest.
Mr Sondhi accused the Thaksin regime of being the brains behind the movement seeking change in the constitutional monarchy and allowing people with ''a dangerous attitude'' towards the royal institution to run the country.
Mr Sondhi heavily criticised the government for trying to get rid of the constitution endorsed by the public in the referendum last year.
Mr Samak and 22 cabinet ministers from the PPP yesterday had dinner together at party headquarters.
A source who was present at the dinner said the prime minister would try to ''take the street back'' from the protesters.
In a related development, other PAD leaders yesterday submitted a petition to Senate Speaker Prasobsuk Boondej signed by 31,881 people seeking the removal of MPs and senators who joined in a motion to rewrite the constitution.
Somsak Kosaisuk, one of the PAD leaders, said the PAD had the right to do so under Articles 122 and 270 of the constitution.
He said the PPP's charter amendment proposal was aimed at deleting several chapters and transitory provisions from the constitution and adopting the abrogated 1997 constitution to replace the existing one.
Mr Prasobsuk said the petition would be examined to see if it had any grounds for proceeding against those MPs and senators in question.
The Central Registration Bureau and the Election Commission will be asked to check the identities of the people who signed the petition.
The procedures are expected to be completed within 30 days.
Suriyasai Katasila, another PAD leader, confirmed that the PAD will continue to hold demonstrations and keep an eye on the movements of the PPP.
Some People Power MPs were set to renew their efforts to have the charter rewritten, even though the motion to rewrite the constitution had been shot down, Mr Suriyasai said.
He said the government must make it clear that it would put a stop to its plans to amend the charter.
Panya Sripanya, a People Power MP for Khon Kaen, said the party was concerned about the PAD street protests which could get out of hand and eventually bring the government down.
He was speaking after a meeting of MPs of the PPP yesterday.
At present, the new national police chief has yet to be appointed, leaving the police leaderless and inefficient in dealing with demonstrators, he said.
The meeting agreed that Mr Chalerm would be suited for the job.
''The PAD sees themselves as achieving a victory by making Mr Jakrapob resign. The government must choose the right man to do this job,'' Mr Panya said.
The proposal will be taken to the cabinet for consideration soon, he said.
THIP-OSOD & ANUCHA CHAROENPO
The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) has announced it will continue its rallies, the focus of which has now turned to toppling the Samak Sundaravej administration, which it calls a puppet government, from office.
The PAD's declaration came despite the fact that the government's motion to amend the charter was dropped due to the withdrawal of lawmakers' support and PM's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair announcing his resignation.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej will go on air on the National Broadcasting of Thailand (NBT) channel at 9am today to talk about measures to cope with the PAD demonstrations.
The People Power party (PPP) also declared yesterday it would propose that Interior Minister Chalerm Yubamrung be given power to deal with the PAD.
PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul, along with other core leaders, went on stage yesterday evening and read out a statement attacking the PPP-led coalition government to the cheers of over 10,000 supporters of the alliance who gathered at Makawan Rangsan bridge.
In the statement, Mr Sondhi accused the government of acting as a puppet government under the direction of Thaksin Shinawatra.
Mr Sondhi alleged that the Samak government had adopted the same corrupt practices as the ousted Thaksin government.
He criticised the government for its failure to tackle poverty and the soaring cost of living.
He slammed the government for attempting to block compulsory licensing, meddling with the judicial process and interfering with the media.
He said the government had proved inept at protecting national sovereignty, citing the dispute with Cambodia over the Preah Vihear temple and the continuing southern unrest.
Mr Sondhi accused the Thaksin regime of being the brains behind the movement seeking change in the constitutional monarchy and allowing people with ''a dangerous attitude'' towards the royal institution to run the country.
Mr Sondhi heavily criticised the government for trying to get rid of the constitution endorsed by the public in the referendum last year.
Mr Samak and 22 cabinet ministers from the PPP yesterday had dinner together at party headquarters.
A source who was present at the dinner said the prime minister would try to ''take the street back'' from the protesters.
In a related development, other PAD leaders yesterday submitted a petition to Senate Speaker Prasobsuk Boondej signed by 31,881 people seeking the removal of MPs and senators who joined in a motion to rewrite the constitution.
Somsak Kosaisuk, one of the PAD leaders, said the PAD had the right to do so under Articles 122 and 270 of the constitution.
He said the PPP's charter amendment proposal was aimed at deleting several chapters and transitory provisions from the constitution and adopting the abrogated 1997 constitution to replace the existing one.
Mr Prasobsuk said the petition would be examined to see if it had any grounds for proceeding against those MPs and senators in question.
The Central Registration Bureau and the Election Commission will be asked to check the identities of the people who signed the petition.
The procedures are expected to be completed within 30 days.
Suriyasai Katasila, another PAD leader, confirmed that the PAD will continue to hold demonstrations and keep an eye on the movements of the PPP.
Some People Power MPs were set to renew their efforts to have the charter rewritten, even though the motion to rewrite the constitution had been shot down, Mr Suriyasai said.
He said the government must make it clear that it would put a stop to its plans to amend the charter.
Panya Sripanya, a People Power MP for Khon Kaen, said the party was concerned about the PAD street protests which could get out of hand and eventually bring the government down.
He was speaking after a meeting of MPs of the PPP yesterday.
At present, the new national police chief has yet to be appointed, leaving the police leaderless and inefficient in dealing with demonstrators, he said.
The meeting agreed that Mr Chalerm would be suited for the job.
''The PAD sees themselves as achieving a victory by making Mr Jakrapob resign. The government must choose the right man to do this job,'' Mr Panya said.
The proposal will be taken to the cabinet for consideration soon, he said.
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