The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) will kick off its anti-government movement on March 28 at Thammasat University to protest what it calls the government's attempt to revive a "police state" and interference in the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) and the justice system.
A political confrontation is expected as a group formed by People Power Party MPs will launch a protest against the PAD on the same day. Pracha Prasobdi, chairman of the Joint Public-Democracy Protection Group, will introduce his newly established group to the public.
Pracha said the Saturday People against Dictatorship and People who Love Thaksin Group would join him and gather at the Democracy Monument, but could move to Phra Arthit Road if the gathering caused traffic congestion on Rajdamnoen Road.
The PAD issued its third recent statement, saying its previous warnings for the government not to interfere in the justice system had failed. The government is becoming defiant and arrogant and is abusing its power, it said.
The government transferred Pol Maj-General Songtham Allapat, who was in charge of the investigation of the electoral-fraud case against House Speaker Yongyuth Tiyapairat, from his post as Chiang Rai provincial police chief on February 29. A high-ranking policeman who is close to Yongyuth will soon replace Songtham, the statement said.
Buri Ram provincial deputy police chief Pol Colonel Sangworn Poopaichitkul, who is also the Buri Ram Provincial Election Commission member, was transferred to an inactive post. A police officer who is close to the Chidchob family has replaced Sangworn, it said.
Police who are close to ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra will be transferred to positions newly created to the structure of the National Police Commission in order to revive a "police state", which will take the country back to a dark age in which human rights will be severely violated. The lives of political rivals in the Thaksin camp would be in danger, the statement alleged.
The AEC and the Office of Attorney-General and the Election Commission have been interfered with in favour of Thaksin, his family and cronies who are facing criminal and graft charges, it added.
The PAD will introduce five panels, which are tasked with checking the abuse of power by state agencies.
Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung yesterday showed his anger with the PAD, saying it should have set up a political party and contested the election.
"I curse any group that hires people to create political turmoil," he said.
He said there would be no plan to step up security at Thammasat University, saying he would be happy if a huge crowd turn ups.
Pracha said he was ready to quit his MP post to fully devote himself to the fight for democracy. He will have people file complaints with police stations across the capital if the PAD does anything libellous.
BP: They Yongyuth fraud case is in the hands of the Court now and not the investigator so how is that interference? It might be punishment, but the case has already moved beyond the police - anyway it is the EC which is responsible and can appoint their own investigators.
btw, Chalerm had this to say about the PAD in Thai:
ถ้าสนใจการเมืองมากนักก็ให้ตั้งพรรคการเมือง ประกาศนโยบายเป็นครม.เงาอีกคณะ ถ้ามีโอกาสก็ลงเลือกตั้งเพราะทำแบบนี้ไม่รู้เคลื่อนไหวในฐานะอะไรชื่อพันธมิตรฯ แต่ไม่เห็นจะเป็นมิตรกับใคร
[My own translation: If they are that interested in politics they should form a party, put out policies, form another shadow cabinet. If they have an opportunity they can contest the election because protesting like this who are they meant to be? They are called the People's Alliance for Democracy, but I don't see they have any allies]
BP: I think that Chalerm's statement will resonate even with the middle class. They seem to be protesting too early as there are very thin grounds to be protesting now.
The problem with PAD setting up a party is that they will be lucky to win more than a couple of seats. They are simply not popular on their own.
Nothing good will ever come out of Sonthi Limthongkul. He's the same spoilt-rich bratpack as Thaksin, Chalerm and Samak. These people monopolize and corrupt everything that moves and then have the balls to try to coerce ordinary citizens into becoming the cannon fodder in their childish scraps over capitalist troughspace. A new approach is needed here. Joining protest groups is just a waste of time here, as they will always be manipulated by these parasites.
I agree Anonymous (above) - well said.
Chalerm is saying PAD should form a political party, yet at the same time fellow PPP members are forming an anti PAD protest group.
T-I-T-