PAD stands firm on not moving rally site; Demand political changes

via CAAI

BANGKOK, March 5 -- In defiance against the imposition of the Internal Security Act by the government, the yellow-clad movement, or the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), on Saturday reiterated that its members who are now holding a rally on Bangkok’s Rajdamnoen Nok Avenue would not disperse even at police request, as the area is needed to hold an annual Red Cross Fair, said PAD core leader retired Maj Gen Chamlong Srimuang on Saturday.

It shows that police is trying to use legal means to intimidate PAD members so that they could leave the area before March 15 as demanded by them, Gen Chamlong said, adding that the fair, of which most of the shops were private businesses, could be relocated. Police should think twice before taking any drastic action against the demonstrators.

PAD members have been holding their rally in the area since January 25 demanding the ouster of the government under Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, charging that the government is neglecting its duty, which caused the country to lose territory around the disputed Preah Vihear temple to Cambodia. The movement is planning to collect 20,000 signatures on a petition to impeach Mr Abhisit, as required by the Constitution, and present it to the Constitution Court.

On Friday, Gen Chamlong also demanded that Thailand’s political system should be amended temporarily for at least four to five years before a general election is held. He said he would reveal details of the political amendment later.

His call was made as Mr Abhisit has said he would dissolve the House and call for a general election later this year.

Meanwhile, PAD spokesman Panthep Puapongphan said his group rally would not affect plans to organise the Red Cross Fair and that his group had in 2006 held a demonstration which coincided with the fair and that it went smoothly then. He said his group would retaliate against the government from next Monday on the imposition of the Internal Security Act.

The Civil Court on Friday rejected petitions filed by the PAD against Mr Abhisit, the cabinet and the national police chief over the imposition of the Act and six related orders. The movement had earlier asked the court to issue an injunction against the Act and those related orders. (MCOT online news)