Anti-government protest at Sanam Luang draws 1,000

Will move to Gen Prem's house today

By Manop Thip-osod Wassana Nanuam

Anti-coup groups staged a rally at Sanam Luang yesterday to renew their attacks against the Sept 19 coup and vowed to continue their protest today outside the residence of Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda. Statesman Gen Prem is among the key figures targeted by pro-democracy groups.

They allege he played an active role in opposing deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and was influential in securing the appointment of current Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont.

Nearly 1,000 people gathered at Sanam Luang yesterday evening to listen to severe criticism of the government and its military backers, given by the groups' speakers.

Those who attended the rally were also asked to sign their names to show their opposition to the ongoing drafting of a new charter to replace the 1997 'people's constitution' that was torn up by the military last year.

''The government has done nothing to reform society over the past six months while it has been in place,'' democracy advocate Sant Hathirat said.

Tomorrow will mark sixth months since the military-led Council for National Security (CNS) brought tanks onto the streets of Bangkok and overthrew the elected Thaksin government.
The CNS claimed it would root out the corruption under the past government, but that corruption still existed today with no sign of it disappearing, the groups said.

Some also took an opportunity to support Mr Thaksin yesterday by showing quotes from speeches given by the ousted premier.

Some raised banners saying ''Thaksin Shinawatra, the democracy premier.''

Group leader Chanakarn Pandermwong called on Gen Prem to tell people that he himself masterminded the move to topple the Thaksin administration through non-democratic means.
Her members will gather in front of Gen Prem's Si Sao Theves residence this evening.

CNS spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said both plainclothed and uniformed officers would stand guard at Gen Prem's Bangkok residence and the nearby Makawan bridge where CNS chairman Sonthi Boonyaratkalin will launch a morality campaign today.

Col Sansern said the demonstration had not troubled the CNS because it was their right to protest.

However, he warned protesters to stay within the law.

The groups said they would hold a ''prolonged demonstration'' again on April 5 onwards until the CNS and its appointed government resigned.

In Nakhon Ratchasima, 300 riot control police were also told to tighten security during an outdoor talk show held by Mr Thaksin's regular critic Sondhi Limthongkul near the landmark statue of heroine Ya Mo.

Meanwhile, after initial hiccups, satellite-based People's Television (PTV) finally started broadcasting yesterday with programmes on news and political commentary criticising the undemocratic role of the CNS.

PTV, founded by former Thai Rak Thai executive Veera Musikapong, has been criticised as a mouthpiece of the former prime minister to counter the present government's work.
The legality of its broadcasts remains in question after the government said it had not been given a licence to go to air.

Bangkok Post
Sunday March 18, 2007