Thai PM rejects dissolution

THAILAND: Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Monday rejected an ultimatum by tens of thousands of protesters to dissolve Parliament or face further demonstrations.

“The protesters have demanded that I dissolve the house before midday (0500 GMT) today, but the coalition parties agree the demand cannot be met,” Abhisit said on national television, from a barracks where he moved for the rally.

“Elections must be held under common rules and genuine calm. We have to listen to other people’s voices, not just the protesters,” he said.

Flanked by other leaders from his six-party coalition government, Abhisit sought to reassure the public, as the first group of so-called “Red Shirt” protesters arrived to surround the army base where he was staying.

“Chaos will not be triggered by the government. I want to reassure the public that my government will continue working and restore normalcy as soon as possible,” said Abhisit, before leaving the barracks by helicopter.

Abhisit said he wanted to inspect traffic in the city, snarled up by the moving Red Shirt rally.

Army officials boosted troop numbers and put in place evacuation plans for the government after the Red Shirts, loyal to ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, began to move from their rally site near government offices early Monday. Chumpol Silpa-archa, the tourism minister and leader of the Chart Thai Pattana party, a partner in the ruling coalition, said his party members would remain loyal to Abhisit’s Democrat party. “Our party will not switch,” he said.The Red Shirts travelled in convoy to the barracks on the capital’s northern outskirts in trucks, buses, cars and pick-up trucks, promising non-violence and vowing to return later to the main rally site.

Thai army spokesman Colonel Sunsern Kaewkumnerd said about 2,000 soldiers were manning the 11th infantry army barracks, with three helicopters on standby to whisk leaders away if needed.

Bangkok, Monday, AFP