"Army chief General Anupong Paochinda and Police chief Patcharawat Wongsuwan held a tense meeting yesterday afternoon with Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to devise a plan on how to prevent the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) from taking over the Government House compound tomorrow.
Following the meeting, Patcharawat said the police would only allow the PAD to hold its rally at the Makhawan Rangsan Bridge and would use all means possible to block the rally from moving to Government House tomorrow. The police plan to bring in more than 3,000 officers to ensure security around Government House.
Police Lt-General Vichien-chote Sukchotirat, the Government House spokesman, issued a warning: "The PAD has committed itself to becoming either a coup-maker or a traitor," he said. "The protesters can't besiege Government House, which is the symbol of democracy and of the administration. When they stage a coup, they have to take over Government House. If they are successful, we call it a coup or a reform. If not successful, we call it the act of a traitor."
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/06/19...es_30075931.php
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Tensions mount over PAD rally on Friday
Started by Garcia, Jun 19 2008 11:19 AM
2 replies to this topic
#2
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Posted 19 June 2008 - 12:02 PM
QUOTE
If they are successful, we call it a coup or a reform. If not successful, we call it the act of a traitor."
That kinds of talk about "traitors" sounds like the police are getting prepared to use force. No wonder the Thai stock market is dropping like a rock in a swamp.
#3
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Posted 20 June 2008 - 05:44 AM
QUOTE(TheYenta @ Jun 19 2008, 01:02 AM) 
That kinds of talk about "traitors" sounds like the police are getting prepared to use force.
PAD once again is attempting to totally ignore the rule of law and do their own revolution so, while the word ("traitor")is a bit strong, it could fit (it's also possible that the English translation of the comments in Thai are a bit off - not unusual for either the Bangkok Post or the Nation). I'm not sure what you call a small minority who wishes to toss out elected leaders but I wouldn't call them "democratic."
I wouldn't blame the police at all for taking all necessary action to stop any group from taking over legislative offices. In my view, there is no way Washington, London, France, or any other western power would allow any group to take over a legislative building (congress, parliament, whatever) by occupying it and potentially trashing it. I don't see why the Thais government or police should be criticized for threatening to do exactly what our western governments would likely do.
