Thai Govt Decides To Fight Red-Shirt Protests With Hard Work

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Govt decides to fight protests with hard work

By Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- In the government's first "war room" meeting yesterday, coalition parties agreed that their MPs need to explain to their constituents the "distorted facts" being presented about the ongoing political conflict.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who chaired the meeting, also warned coalition leaders to be alert about volatility and reminded them that unexpected clashes could further worsen the issue.

He also urged Cabinet members to step up their work and not be deterred by the anti-government red-shirt protests. The coalition alliance plans to showcase its achievements as a rebuttal to attacks from the protesters.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who was among the senior coalition figures attending the meeting, said: "Certain groups are trying to distort facts, which has caused confusion among the public."

He was referring to leaders of the anti-government red-shirt movement who are demanding an immediate dissolution of the House of Representatives.

Suthep said it was also agreed that Cabinet members would work harder in responding to people's problems in different areas. "We will fight the protest with work," he added.

Transport Minister Sophon Saram from Bhum Jai Thai Party said at the meeting, Abhisit had instructed the Cabinet members to expedite their work in competition with the protesters.

At a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the coalition leaders agreed to set up a war room so they could fight for public support against the red shirts and the de facto opposition leader, former PM Thaksin Shinawatra.

Other coalition leaders attending yesterday's meeting included Deputy PM Sanan Kachornprasart from the Chart Thai Pattana Party; Energy Minister Wannarat Charnnukul from the Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana Party; and Industry Minister Charnchai Chairungrueng from the Puea Pandin Party. The meeting took place inside the PM's reception room at the Parliament building.

Sanan, who is chief adviser to the Chart Thai Pattana Party, said Abhisit and Suthep also invited other coalition leaders to discuss problems regarding the ongoing protest.

He said they all agreed the protest could continue, possibly after the end of this month.

He said security forces deployed to enforce the Internal Security Act would be instructed to brace for violence, following the recent M-79 grenade launcher attacks on government and military buildings.

Sanan said the coalition parties would continue working with the Democrat Party, adding that ex-PM Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, who leads the opposition Pheu Thai Party, had approached his party for a discussion.

Chart Thai Pattana leader Chumpol Silapa-archa has agreed to talk to Chavalit but the meeting has yet to be scheduled, Sanan added.

Chavalit had earlier dismissed media reports that he was trying to talk major coalition parties into withdrawing from the Democrat-led government, and now he says that he will only be discussing "good things for the country" with them.

Charnchai, who is also the Puea Pandin Party leader, said Abhisit had expressed concerns about the current situation following recent grenade attacks.

He added the government would not take any action against the protesters as long as the rally remains peaceful.

-- The Nation 2010-03-25

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[onlooker]

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who was among the senior coalition figures attending the meeting, said: "Certain groups are trying to distort facts, which has caused confusion among the public."

The same Suthep who was warning about bombs likely to be planted in up to 40 locations by Red Shirts, claiming that Thaksin was really in Cambodia not Montenegro, who warning of a armed army of red shirts descending on Bangkok etc etc

[bacchanal]

The same Suthep who was warning about bombs likely to be planted in up to 40 locations by Red Shirts, claiming that Thaksin was really in Cambodia not Montenegro, who warning of a armed army of red shirts descending on Bangkok etc etc

He probably got that from listening to red shirt leader Arisman saying he was going to have one million red shirts descend on Bangkok and burn it to the ground.

[rreddin]

I think the people of Thailand have something to thank the red shirt protesters for. At last their MP is going to do what he or she was elected to do - look after the interests of their constituents. That has got to be a step in the right direction.

[MILT]

Do the reds shirt protesters know that they are setting the image of Thailand in the world media? I don't know which is more annoying all the smoke in the North or all the Blowing smoke in the capital.