15,000 gather to decry Thaksin - Nine people injured in firecracker incident
The People's Alliance for Democracy delivered a six-point statement attacking convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen at a major gathering in Bangkok yesterday.
Participants at the gathering, which drew about 15,000, were asked to pledge their loyalty to His Majesty the King, religion and the nation.
Most supporters wore their signature yellow shirts, while others were seen in a variety of colours, including red, the colour of the rival United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship movement.
More than 1,500 police were deployed to protect the crowd.
A minor disturbance was reported in the evening when an explosive, believed to be a giant firecracker, was thrown into the crowd by a man on a motorcycle near the Grand Palace.
Nine people, including a boy, were injured.
The victims were taken to Wachira Hospital.
The person suspected of throwing the cracker, whose name was not revealed, was later arrested by police.
Organisers said the event was "colourless" (without political stripes).
They urged people from all walks of life to put aside their political beliefs and unite behind the institution of the monarchy.
"The nation comes before colours," PAD co-leader Sondhi Limpthongkul told the crowd. He said the PAD would hold another gathering on Dec 5, His Majesty's birthday. Mr Sondhi later led a candlelight vigil in reaffirming allegiance to the King and the royal family and calling for the annihilation of "traitors". Phibhop Dhongchai, another PAD core leader, read out a six-point statement stressing that Thailand is indivisible and will always be governed by its constitutional monarchy.
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The statement also fired a broadside at Thaksin and demanded the ousted former premier pay for damage he has inflicted on the country.
The alliance holds him accountable for acts of treason by conspiring with the enemy, understood to be Hun Sen, in undermining the country's stability.
The diplomatic spat with Cambodia could also divide the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), making Thaksin a threat beyond Thai borders.
The PAD deflected criticism by Thaksin and Hun Sen against the justice system.
It charged that Thaksin, sentenced by the Supreme Court to two years in jail in the Ratchadaphisek land trial, decried the justice system but sought the court's action in filing defamation cases against his opponents.
Hun Sen, who describes himself as Thaksin's eternal friend, has declared that the Thai justice system is not worthy of respect.
The statement also insisted Hun Sen must stop colluding with Thaksin in inciting animosity in Thailand.
In Yala, there was a similar gathering in which more than 1,000 residents turned out in yellow shirts.
Wichian Iebsakul, who is chairman of a club devoted to Yala, said the gathering of local residents was motivated by their deep respect for the monarchy.
Nit Saksaengsopha, one of the demonstrators, said local residents considered Thaksin's conduct as an act of betrayal to the country.
In Satun, thousands converged on the provincial hall yesterday to protest against Hun Sen's attack against the Thai justice system.
The compound of the provincial hall was overflowing and those in attendance were waving national flags.
Source : Political news, PAD news at
Bangkok Post.
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