Anti-govt leaders pledge to continue pressuring PM to resign
Written by Writer on Friday, October 10th, 2008
Anti-govt leaders pledge to continue pressuring PM to resign
BANGKOK (TNA) — After being freed on bail Friday, core leaders of the anti-government People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) pledged that their group members and supporters would continue to pressure Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat to resign from his post to show responsibility for the violent clash earlier this week which left two persons dead and 443 injured.
Suriyasai Katasila, a core leader of the PAD, told journalists after he and five of his colleagues were released on bail, that the democracy coalition will continue protesting to seek justice for those who were killed and injured on Tuesday.
Mr. Suriyasai said the coalition had received reports that 10 persons were still missing from the bloody clashes and that his group would continue to seek justice for the dead and missing.
On plans by the prime minister for two independent committees to investigate Tuesday’s violence, Mr. Suriyasai said both the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) and the judicial system must be considered as important role models for the committees.
PAD members now occupying Government House and Makkawan Bridge near the United Nations Asia-Pacific headquarters will march to police headquarters Monday morning as police celebrate National Police Day.
On Monday evening the demonstrators will attend religious bathing ceremonies in Buddhist temples for the two persons who died at Parliament, Mr. Suriyasai said.
Meanwhile PAD core leader Somkiat Pongpaiboon, an opposition Democrat list-MP, also reported to police on several charges, including insurrection. Mr. Somkiat said he would notify the House speaker that he would not exercise his parliamentary privilege granting him immunity because the House is still in session.
Somkiat said he planned to submit his letter to the House speaker either on Friday or next Monday.
In another development, police investigators told all seven PAD core leaders who appeared before the authorities Friday and were later freed, to report again on October 24. (TNA)
