Songkhla protesters storm highspeed rail exhibit

[webfact]

Songkhla Protesters Storm Highspeed Rail Exhibit
By Khaosod Online



BANGKOK: -- Hundreds of anti-government protesters in Songkhla province have stormed the venue of roadshow exhibition promoting the government′s plan to construct high-speed rail system.

The transportation overhaul project, which is expected cost 2.2 trillion baht and due to complete in 2020, is opposed by critics of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Transport Minister Chatchart Sittipan and Minister of Finance Kittirat na Ranong were slated to give keynote speeches at the exhibition in Songkhla, but security concerns have forced the government to assign the role to the Governor of Songkhla and a high ranking official from the Ministry of Transport.

Before the show started, however, 400 protesters rushed into the exhibition hall, occupying the stage and giving speeches critical of the government. A protest leader said it is unacceptable if a corrupt government is allowed to organise such events in Songkhla.

The protesters also unfurled a banner which alleged that the 2.2 trillion baht project is a potential ground for massive corruption.

Mr. Krisada Boonraj, Governor of Songkhla, later went on stage and assured the protesters that no Cabinet member would be attending the exhibition. He also offered to cancel the events for the day in exchange with the protesters′ departure from the exhibition hall, which was agreed by the protesters.

However, the protesters also erected a stage just outside the exhibition hall where they continued to rally. Scores of police officers kept close watch of the protesters nearby.

The latest wave of political tumult has brought doubts over the fate of the highspeed rail project. Ms. Yingluck was quoted as telling the Ambassador of the United Kingdom yesterday that the project might be "delayed".

Source: http://www.khaosod.co.th/en/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNNE5UYzNPRFkyTVE9PQ==

-- KHAOSOD English 2013-11-30

[winstonc]

wooooohoooooo...its descending into utter chaos.might be delayed hahahahahaha best news so far today.

[robblok]

Everyone knows its just the money they want and that getting a dual track railway would be much more beneficial but harder to skim money off. Not even mentioning the fact they want to do it in such a way checks and balances are not in place.

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[Bagwan]

I'm sure that Her Majesties Ambassador is fully acquainted with railway operation delays. Maybe he can advise on the dangers of falling leaves and the wrong kind of rain and snow..

[FangFerang]

I went to see the version of this story at Nationmultimedia....but the website is down. Anyone else?

[Soupdragon]

I went to see the version of this story at Nationmultimedia....but the website is down. Anyone else?

Working OK for me and no mention of this story that I can see.

There is a story on CAT service being interrupted in Bangkok, could that be affecting you ?