'Final fight' to bring down govt

[Lite Beer]

POLITICS
'Final fight' to bring down govt
The Nation

A protester waves the Thai national flag in front of riot police and soldiers guarding the National Broadcast Services of Thailand (NBT) television station yesterday.

BANGKOK: -- Five TV stations occupied, pressured to air PDRC statements; fears of clashes rise

Anti-government protesters yesterday began their "final fight" to topple the embattled government by occupying the country's five major television stations and other key locations, amid mounting fears of street clashes between rival political groups.

Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban announced that the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) aimed to change the government peacefully within three days. He told supporters this was possible "if we all cooperate. But if within three days we have not got rid of this regime, then we will do what is necessary."

The government's Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO) warned of possible attacks at night against the protesters occupying the different locations.

"A group of people with ill intentions will attack those participating in the protests at different locations. The public are advised to use discretion when participating in such gatherings for your own safety," CAPO said in a statement.

CAPO also threatened to take legal action against the executives of any TV stations that agreed to follow requests by the PDRC, such as broadcasting its statements or stopping broadcasts of CAPO announcements.

Suthep, who is the PDRC secretary-general, yesterday led a group of protesters to rally outside Government House, and he planned to stay there overnight in an attempt to force the Cabinet to resign.

He requested a meeting with Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan, who became acting prime minister after the Constitutional Court ousted Yingluck Shinawatra on Wednesday for abuse of power in connection with the 2011 removal of National Security Council secretary-general Thawil Pliensri.

"If you find [Cabinet members], bring them to me. I wish to speak to them. I will be waiting at Government House," Suthep said.

He also urged respectable people in the country, such as the Supreme Court president, the Senate Speaker and election commissioners, to hold discussions on a way out for the country.

"If you can't find a solution in three days, I and my supporters will use our own ways to end this crisis," he said.

Thousands of protesters from the PDRC and its allied groups gathered at the five major free-to-air TV stations - Channels 3, 5, 7, 9 and the National Broadcasting Services of Thailand - Government House, Parliament House, and CAPO headquarters.

The protesters called on the TV stations to broadcast statements from the PDRC, not to broadcast messages from the government or CAPO, and allow them to stay at the stations for three to five days. Channels 3, 5, 7 and 9 later agreed to the PDRC's requests, according to Satit Wongnongtaey, who is a PDRC leader. In response, the Thai Journalists Association and the Thai Broadcast Journalists Association issued a joint statement calling on the PDRC to vacate the stations and stop pressuring staff.

Suthep earlier yesterday issued this message to the TV stations during his rally address: "We ask you to stop broadcasting news of this dictatorial government. We won't interfere with your normal schedule, but when we need to broadcast statements, we want you to cooperate." At Parliament House, Suthep met with Deputy Senate Speaker Surachai Liangboonlert-chai, in his capacity as the acting Speaker, and asked him and other senators to help find a "solution" for the country.

Surachai said before meeting with Suthep he would speak with independent agencies in a bid to settle the political crisis. He said the Senate might need to discuss the matter informally.

Meanwhile, red-shirt supporters of the ruling Pheu Thai Party were preparing for a large rally starting today in support of the government.

Red-shirt leader Kwanchai Praipana said he would lead more than 1,000 people from the Northeast to join the rally on Aksa Road in Nakhon Pathom province.

"We are angry and we are ready to fight," he said.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva expressed concern that the confrontation between the pro- and anti-government groups could lead to violence. He added, however, that the government was incapable of dealing with the problem - pointing to recent bomb attacks targeting many locations, including the house of a Constitutional Court judge who ruled against Yingluck.

-- The Nation 2014-05-10

[Snig27]

20,000 people marching yesterday in a city of 15 million. The batshit crazy man from the south really speaks for the "people".