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Thai protesters call off march for holiday
Source: Agencies |
April 14, 2010, Wednesday
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THAILAND'S opposition called off a march on an army base today as the government vowed to hunt down "terrorists" it blames for the Southeast Asian country's worst violence in 18 years.
Thai "red shirt" protesters had threatened to march on army barracks where Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has been based, but the plan was abandoned as the country celebrated its new year.
"We will stay at main protest sites during songkran. We will decide after festivities are over how to step up protests if Abhisit is still stubborn," said Weng Tojirakan, one of the leaders of the red shirts.
Thailand's new year holidays run through to Thursday, with the stock market due to reopen on Friday after heavy losses due to violence at the weekend that claimed 21 lives and saw over 800 people injured in clashes between protesters and security forces.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thuagsuban ordered police on Wednesday to hunt for the "terrorists" the government blames for the killings in Bangkok's old quarter.
"We can't let terrorists walk freely in this country," he said. "We have enough evidence from still pictures and video footage that we can identify those carrying M-16 or AK-47 rifles."
The "red shirt" demonstrators, who want Abhisit to stand down immediately, said they would send out hundreds of motorcyclists to hand out leaflets and pictures from the clashes.
Abhisit, who came to power in 2008 when the army brokered a deal in parliament, would have to step down if the Constitutional Court found his Democrat Party guilty of funding irregularities.
The Election Commission on Monday unexpectedly recommended his party be dissolved for suspected funding irregularities. It is now in the court's hands.
Surin Pitsuwan, secretary-general of the Association of South East Asian Nations, said the situation was deteriorating and must not be left to "fester".
"The deteriorating situation in Thailand between demonstrators and government security forces in Bangkok has caused serious concern among ASEAN member states and the world at large," he said in an unusually bold statement for a group that tends not to criticise its members.
"The situation is affecting the confidence in the security and stability in the region and if it is left to fester and escalate, it could lead to more violence and loss of life," he said on Tuesday.
The unexpected violence at the weekend has prompted investors to desert Thailand and caused credit ratings agencies to warn that the country's economy could be damaged.
Credit ratings agency Standard & Poor's said yesterday that its was maintaining its negative outlook for Thailand's debt rating due to the "political uncertainties".
Thai "red shirt" protesters had threatened to march on army barracks where Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has been based, but the plan was abandoned as the country celebrated its new year.
"We will stay at main protest sites during songkran. We will decide after festivities are over how to step up protests if Abhisit is still stubborn," said Weng Tojirakan, one of the leaders of the red shirts.
Thailand's new year holidays run through to Thursday, with the stock market due to reopen on Friday after heavy losses due to violence at the weekend that claimed 21 lives and saw over 800 people injured in clashes between protesters and security forces.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thuagsuban ordered police on Wednesday to hunt for the "terrorists" the government blames for the killings in Bangkok's old quarter.
"We can't let terrorists walk freely in this country," he said. "We have enough evidence from still pictures and video footage that we can identify those carrying M-16 or AK-47 rifles."
The "red shirt" demonstrators, who want Abhisit to stand down immediately, said they would send out hundreds of motorcyclists to hand out leaflets and pictures from the clashes.
Abhisit, who came to power in 2008 when the army brokered a deal in parliament, would have to step down if the Constitutional Court found his Democrat Party guilty of funding irregularities.
The Election Commission on Monday unexpectedly recommended his party be dissolved for suspected funding irregularities. It is now in the court's hands.
Surin Pitsuwan, secretary-general of the Association of South East Asian Nations, said the situation was deteriorating and must not be left to "fester".
"The deteriorating situation in Thailand between demonstrators and government security forces in Bangkok has caused serious concern among ASEAN member states and the world at large," he said in an unusually bold statement for a group that tends not to criticise its members.
"The situation is affecting the confidence in the security and stability in the region and if it is left to fester and escalate, it could lead to more violence and loss of life," he said on Tuesday.
The unexpected violence at the weekend has prompted investors to desert Thailand and caused credit ratings agencies to warn that the country's economy could be damaged.
Credit ratings agency Standard & Poor's said yesterday that its was maintaining its negative outlook for Thailand's debt rating due to the "political uncertainties".
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