Triple tension
Written by Writer on Thursday, October 23rd, 2008
Triple tension
Anti- and pro-government groups appear to be on a collision course, with the possibility of violent clashes in Bangkok when the verdict in the Ratchadaphisek land case against Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife is handed down tomorrow.
A highly placed source at the Special Branch Police office said police received information that three different groups will mobilise their supporters in Bangkok over the next few days.
The groups are the anti-government People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), the pro-government United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) and a group of police supporters.
The PAD plans to hold a rally outside CentralWorld Plaza in Ratchaprasong today and distribute VCDs and documents about the government’s crackdown on its supporters on Oct 7 and will then march to police headquarters.
The PAD also plans to gather at the Supreme Court tomorrow to hear the verdict in the Ratchadaphisek land case in which former prime minister Thaksin and his wife, Khunying Potjaman, are the defendants.
UDD supporters and several progovernment movements from the Northeast and the North also plan to gather at the Supreme Court tomorrow to hear the verdict, the source said.
A source at the Supreme Court said clashes between supporters and opponents of Mr Thaksin outside the court are a strong possibility unless measures are taken to control the crowds.
On Wednesday, a mass merit-making ceremony will be held at the Royal Plaza, organised by former deputy police chief Salang Bunnag.
Many retired and serving police officers are expected to take part in the ceremony.
Pol Gen Salang had earlier announced he would mobilise police and force the PAD’s supporters out of the Government House grounds.
Suriyasai Katasila, a PAD coordinator, said his alliance is considering canceling its rallies in Bangkok to avoid any clashes with pro-government groups.
“We’ve been informed that the UDD is preparing to hold a rally near our rally sites,” he said.
“We’re worried that there could be a confrontation with UDD supporters if we go ahead with our rallies.”
He also said the PAD would not accept any new government formed by the ruling People Power party should Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat step down.
He conceded that the PAD wants the military to seize power and return it to civil society and respected parties to form an interim government.
“I don’t want to see another coup, but will accept it if it leads to political change by the people,” he said.
A 59-year-old PAD supporter died in hospital yesterday after collapsing at Government House.
Somlert Kasemsukprakarn was waiting to have a medical check at a PAD medical unit at Government House when he collapsed. He was rushed to Vajira Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Doctors said he had a history of heart problems.
Bangkok Post
Thursday October 23, 2008
