Thai PM vows to retake Bangkok protest site
Monday, 26 April 2010
BANGKOK, Apr 25 (AFP): Thailand's embattled premier vowed to clear Bangkok's commercial heart of anti-government Red Shirt protesters as he appeared on national television Sunday in a show of unity with his army chief.
But Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva did not say when security forces planned to regain control of the Red Shirts' vast protest site, which has been fortified with barricades made from truck tyres and sharpened bamboo poles.
The Reds, who are demanding elections to replace the government, have occupied the Ratchaprasong intersection for three weeks and fear a crackdown is looming after Abhisit rejected their offer of a compromise.
"There will be a retaking of Ratchaprasong but the process, the measures, how and when it will be done we cannot disclose because it depends on several things," said Abhisit.
"The main point now is not whether or not to disperse but how to solve the whole problem," added the premier, who has been holed up in a military barracks since street rallies erupted in mid-March.
The pre-recorded televised appearance by the premier and army chief General Anupong Paojinda was seen as an attempt to quash speculation of a rift between the two men on how to deal with the crippling political crisis.
Anupong said the military -- which mounted a 2006 coup that forced then-premier Thaksin Shinawatra out of power -- would follow government orders.
"We are an army for the nation, for the monarchy and for the people. We will do our job without taking sides," he said.
The highly influential army chief said Friday, however, that the use of force was no solution to the crisis, which has twice descended into deadly street violence this month, leaving 26 dead and hundreds injured.
When troops tried to sweep Reds out of Bangkok's historic area on April 10 they suffered a humiliating retreat and there is growing talk of "watermelon" soldiers -- green outside but red inside -- who support the protesters.
Anupong played down talk of a split within the army, which has been sending out mixed signals on how it prefers to handle the demonstrators, who are defying a state of emergency and a ban on rallies in the capital.
He admitted, however, that some serving troops apparently fought alongside the Red Shirts in the April 10 clashes.
Hopes for an agreement to end the long-running protests were dashed Saturday when Abhisit ruled out the Red Shirts' offer to disperse if parliament was dissolved in 30 days for elections in three months' time.
In response the Reds -- mostly rural and urban poor who support ex-premier Thaksin -- said they would prepare for a military offensive to clear their camp, which has forced hotels and malls to close.
"If Abhisit fails to crack down on us he will have to leave office, and if he succeeds in pushing us out using force, Reds rallies will break out in every region of the country," vowed leader Nattawut Saikuar.
But Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva did not say when security forces planned to regain control of the Red Shirts' vast protest site, which has been fortified with barricades made from truck tyres and sharpened bamboo poles.
The Reds, who are demanding elections to replace the government, have occupied the Ratchaprasong intersection for three weeks and fear a crackdown is looming after Abhisit rejected their offer of a compromise.
"There will be a retaking of Ratchaprasong but the process, the measures, how and when it will be done we cannot disclose because it depends on several things," said Abhisit.
"The main point now is not whether or not to disperse but how to solve the whole problem," added the premier, who has been holed up in a military barracks since street rallies erupted in mid-March.
The pre-recorded televised appearance by the premier and army chief General Anupong Paojinda was seen as an attempt to quash speculation of a rift between the two men on how to deal with the crippling political crisis.
Anupong said the military -- which mounted a 2006 coup that forced then-premier Thaksin Shinawatra out of power -- would follow government orders.
"We are an army for the nation, for the monarchy and for the people. We will do our job without taking sides," he said.
The highly influential army chief said Friday, however, that the use of force was no solution to the crisis, which has twice descended into deadly street violence this month, leaving 26 dead and hundreds injured.
When troops tried to sweep Reds out of Bangkok's historic area on April 10 they suffered a humiliating retreat and there is growing talk of "watermelon" soldiers -- green outside but red inside -- who support the protesters.
Anupong played down talk of a split within the army, which has been sending out mixed signals on how it prefers to handle the demonstrators, who are defying a state of emergency and a ban on rallies in the capital.
He admitted, however, that some serving troops apparently fought alongside the Red Shirts in the April 10 clashes.
Hopes for an agreement to end the long-running protests were dashed Saturday when Abhisit ruled out the Red Shirts' offer to disperse if parliament was dissolved in 30 days for elections in three months' time.
In response the Reds -- mostly rural and urban poor who support ex-premier Thaksin -- said they would prepare for a military offensive to clear their camp, which has forced hotels and malls to close.
"If Abhisit fails to crack down on us he will have to leave office, and if he succeeds in pushing us out using force, Reds rallies will break out in every region of the country," vowed leader Nattawut Saikuar.