Flashermac Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 Bangkok Post 15 Feb 2009 The People's Alliance for Democracy will "invade" political strongholds of its opponents to stamp out the influence of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, its leaders say. Speaking to a PAD rally in Udon Thani yesterday, PAD key leader Sondhi Limthongkul said rallies would be held in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, probably in May. The two provinces strongly support Thaksin. Udon Thani is a key political base of the PAD's rivals, the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship, and the Puea Thai party. The UDD held a rally of its own in the northeastern province yesterday, but neither side came to blows. The PAD pulled a crowd of about 15,000 yellow-shirted members from across the country. They gathered at Nong Prachaksilakhom park, where six months earlier a PAD supporter was killed by red-shirted UDD members in a clash. Mr Sondhi said people in Thaksin's political strongholds in the North and Northeast had been brainwashed into thinking the PAD was against the monarchy. "We have the basic right to go everywhere we want. The PAD gathering in the provinces will boost the people's morale and strengthen their love for the nation and the monarchy," he told the crowd. About 2,000 police were deployed to prevent any further clashes between the PAD and UDD members. About 3,000 red-shirted UDD supporters held a peaceful demonstration of their own at the local airport, then moved on to the township of Udon Thani. Kittisak Hattahsongkroh, a Puea Thai MP, said the PAD was trying to humiliate his party and the UDD. His party helped the Democrat party form the government, but decided not to resort to violent measures to oust the PAD. In Bangkok, the UDD said it would keep up its rally until the government agrees to its demands, including dissolving the House. UDD leader Jatuporn Prompan said the next demonstration could be held on Feb 24, starting at Sanam Luang and marching on to Government House. Speaking at a Chinese banquet to raise funds for the group, he denied members would lay siege to Government House. The last major demonstration by the UDD, on Jan 31, drew 20,000 demonstrators. It dispersed after leaders posted their demands in front of Government House. They want the government to take legal action against PAD members who forced the closure of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, sack Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, amend the charter, then dissolve the House. The UDD's fund-raising event yesterday at Wat Phai Khiew in Don Muang district attracted 20,000 supporters. The highlight was a phone-in from Thaksin, who said he would rather die than lose his fight for "fairness". "I will fight side by side with you. I will not give up until fairness and democracy return to the country," he said. Police were biased, he said. They took care of rallies organised by the PAD but tried to prevent his supporters from holding their own gathering, he said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavanami Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 From what I hear, locally, the people are not pleased with the present gov. They say they there will soon be another change of gov in LOS, within a few months or sooner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tartempion Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 A friend drove to Udon yesterday (Saturday) He was not aware both Yellows and Reds have parties in town. He was surprised to see Big C, Lotus and Charoensri shopping malls that empty on a Saturday (therefore I never drive to Udon Sat/sun) I guess normal people are simply scared to go downtown. Cops were everywhere though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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