Published on February 16, 2009
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday warned the red-shirted protesters to respect the law when they hold a mass rally at Government House next week. Leaders of the red-shirted movement vowed to besiege the Government House complex on February 24 to pressure the government to resign or dissolve the House.
Asked to comment on the threat, Abhisit said the protesters could demonstrate as long as they did not break the laws.
"If they don't break the law, their rally could be prolonged," the prime minister said.
Asked if he was worried by the timing of the protest near the Asean summit, Abhisit replied that the government expected it.
"The officials concerned have been prepared to cope with the protest. We will try to reach an understanding with the demonstrators and the general members of the public," Abhisit said.
"The country has moved forward quite far. And it is very important for us to show that Thailand is ready to become Asean chairman and to host the Asean summit. The readiness will have significant impact on the efforts to tackle the economic crisis and to solve the people's problems. I would like all sides to realise this point.
"I understand well that people with different opinions would like to express their opinions or raise their demands. But please refrain from causing damage to the national interest."
Abhisit shrugged off the latest threat by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to step up his fight for justice.
In a phone-in message to his supporters Saturday night, Thaksin said he would rather die than give up.
"He said nothing new and I'll focus on the government's duty to solve the people's problems," Abhisit said, when asked to comment on Thaksin's phone-in.
Abhisit said Thaksin's message could not cause him to be worried or distract from his works.
"I have a responsibility to run the country. Anyone can talk about his problems but his problems are not the works of the government. The government must instead give priority to problems of the entire country," Abhisit said.
Asked whether he would order security agencies to monitor the movements of Thaksin, Abhisit replied: "They have a duty to do it. Anyone who breaks the law must be brought to justice."
Meanwhile, General Somjet Boonthanom, former secretary general of the Council for National Security, said no one would assassinate Thaksin but would let him live to suffer.
"If he is assassinated, all the suffering will be gone. Let him live long to pay for his karma. A person like Thaksin must live with suffering throughout his life," Somjet said.
Source: The Nation
