Thailand may see more rallies in near future - Xinhua | English.news.cn

Thailand may see more rallies in near future

 English.news.cn
2012-10-30 1803

BANGKOK, Oct. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Thai politics is heated again as pro-government red shirts have threatened to hold mass rally across the country to show their support for the government after a newly-emerged group organized rally against the government on Sunday.

On Sunday, a group called Pitak Siam, meaning protecting Siam, gathered at the Royal Turf Club in Bangkok's Nang Loeng district and drew about 20,000 participants claimed by the organizer.

The group said to allow the government under Prime Minister Yingluch Shinawatra to continue would hurt the country, adding that it is not affiliated with any political 'colour' or parties.

After the rally, Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit, a retired officer and the core organizer, believed the campaign is gaining momentum and it is likely that the group will stage another rally soon.

The remarks from Gen Boonlert sparked fierce response from the red shirts who are supporters of the Pheu Thai-led government.

On Monday, a red-shirt core member Kwanchai Praipana announced that red-shirt supporters from 20 provinces in the northeast are ready to counter any further rallies led by the Pitak Siam group.

Korkaew Pikulthong, another red-shirt core leader, urged the government to be on alert and keep a close watch on these anti- government elements. He also suggested that the Royal Turf Club at Nang Loeng be closed in order to prevent future rallies by the Pitak Siam group.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said on Sunday the rally by Pitak Siam would not affect the government's work.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung said he had told police to review the tape recording of the Sunday rally to see if any defamatory remarks were made.

Chalerm also said on Tuesday that there is no need for supporters of the red shirts to travel to Bangkok to show opposition to the Pitak Siam group. However, if the red shirts were not satisfied they could protest symbolically at the provincial hall.

Regarding Gen Boonlert's remarks that the group would stage another rally soon, Chalerm said he was not worried about it as he did not think the rally would develop into a siege of the Government House.

Authorities would keep the rally under control, using internationally recognized standards for crowd control without use of weapons, he added.