BANGKOK, Jan 30 (TNA) - Anti-government 'Red Shirt' protesters on Friday presented letters to the ambassadors of members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in Bangkok, urging the neighbouring countries to review the legitimacy of Thailand's Democrat-led coalition government.
Veera Musikapong, Nattawut Saikua and Jakrapob Penkair, key leaders of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), together with supporters, went to the embassies of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam in Bangkok to hand over letters to the three countries' ambassadors to Thailand, amid tight police security from the Metropolitan Police Bureau.
According to the UDD, the letters said the current government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva does not genuinely represent the people and does not have legitimacy to administer the country.
Also, the Abhisit administration appointed Kasit Piromya, who once supported the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) in its two main airports siege late November, as foreign minister.
The UDD leaders urged members of the Association of Southeast Asian countries (ASEAN) to review their stance towards the Democrat-led coalition government and the appropriateness of Mr. Kasit's appointment.
The 'Red Shirts' had earlier submitted letters to six other regional grouping members, so that now all nine ASEAN members other than Thailand,are aware of the UDD position.
Meanwhile, 'Red Shirt' protesters in the northern province of Lampang gathered at the provincial railway station for free rail transport on the Chiang Mai-Bangkok line to join the UDD's mass anti-government rally on Saturday.
Key UDD leaders earlier announced that the group will demonstrate at Sanam Luang Saturday evening before marching to blockade Government House, to press the government to take legal action against the PAD and to remove Mr. Kasit from the post.
As for the comments by Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thuagsuban that police would strictly monitor the UDD's mass rally and would arrest those who commit illegal actions, UDD leader Nattawut Saikua said Friday that the deputy premier himself has no authority to act against the UDD's movement, as he and his Democrat Party had already sided with the PAD.
"The Democrat Party is not impartial, as they have already sided with the PAD," Mr. Nattawut said.
"So the Democrat-led government cannot be considered as the government of all Thais," according to Mr. Nattawut, a former Government spokesman.
The UDD key leader enphasised that what the Red Shirts will do on Saturday is to exercise their freedom
and rights under the democratic system.
Mr. Nattawut said he was informed that the government has been attempting to block the UDD supporters in many upcountry provinces to join the mass protest in Bangkok, but he insisted that the government could not stop the UDD.
"Saturday's demonstration will prove it," he said.
He added that if the UDD demonstration and their march to Government House was not blocked or interrupted, the rally would be ended on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Pol. Lt-Gen Suchart Mueankaew, Bangkok metropolitan police chief, said the UDD rally must be law-abiding and that the protesters cannot enter Government House grounds or block the entrances of the complex. He warned that violators will be arrested promptly.
Gen. Suchart said the police would not use tear gas or commit any violence against protesters but will carry shields to protect themselves and will remain unarmed.
Meanwhile, government officials boosted security and packed up valuable belongings and documents to avoid losses and damage as when their offices were vandalised during the PAD occupation last year.
Veera Musikapong, Nattawut Saikua and Jakrapob Penkair, key leaders of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), together with supporters, went to the embassies of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam in Bangkok to hand over letters to the three countries' ambassadors to Thailand, amid tight police security from the Metropolitan Police Bureau.
According to the UDD, the letters said the current government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva does not genuinely represent the people and does not have legitimacy to administer the country.
Also, the Abhisit administration appointed Kasit Piromya, who once supported the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) in its two main airports siege late November, as foreign minister.
The UDD leaders urged members of the Association of Southeast Asian countries (ASEAN) to review their stance towards the Democrat-led coalition government and the appropriateness of Mr. Kasit's appointment.
The 'Red Shirts' had earlier submitted letters to six other regional grouping members, so that now all nine ASEAN members other than Thailand,are aware of the UDD position.
Meanwhile, 'Red Shirt' protesters in the northern province of Lampang gathered at the provincial railway station for free rail transport on the Chiang Mai-Bangkok line to join the UDD's mass anti-government rally on Saturday.
Key UDD leaders earlier announced that the group will demonstrate at Sanam Luang Saturday evening before marching to blockade Government House, to press the government to take legal action against the PAD and to remove Mr. Kasit from the post.
As for the comments by Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thuagsuban that police would strictly monitor the UDD's mass rally and would arrest those who commit illegal actions, UDD leader Nattawut Saikua said Friday that the deputy premier himself has no authority to act against the UDD's movement, as he and his Democrat Party had already sided with the PAD.
"The Democrat Party is not impartial, as they have already sided with the PAD," Mr. Nattawut said.
"So the Democrat-led government cannot be considered as the government of all Thais," according to Mr. Nattawut, a former Government spokesman.
The UDD key leader enphasised that what the Red Shirts will do on Saturday is to exercise their freedom
and rights under the democratic system.
Mr. Nattawut said he was informed that the government has been attempting to block the UDD supporters in many upcountry provinces to join the mass protest in Bangkok, but he insisted that the government could not stop the UDD.
"Saturday's demonstration will prove it," he said.
He added that if the UDD demonstration and their march to Government House was not blocked or interrupted, the rally would be ended on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Pol. Lt-Gen Suchart Mueankaew, Bangkok metropolitan police chief, said the UDD rally must be law-abiding and that the protesters cannot enter Government House grounds or block the entrances of the complex. He warned that violators will be arrested promptly.
Gen. Suchart said the police would not use tear gas or commit any violence against protesters but will carry shields to protect themselves and will remain unarmed.
Meanwhile, government officials boosted security and packed up valuable belongings and documents to avoid losses and damage as when their offices were vandalised during the PAD occupation last year.
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