voyager1970 » 26 авг 2008, 22:36
Our tolerance is limited: Samak
Published on August 27, 2008
Samak said he would starve out the PAD protestors occupying the Government House's compound and insisted that he would employ "soft and gentle" tactics in dealing with the demonstrators.
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej yesterday warned protesters his government's tolerance was drying up, but he fell short of saying what action authorities would take to end the street protests.
Samak assigned Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Kowit Watana to handle security and oversee police efforts.
"I was granted an audience with His Majesty the King. His Majesty asked me to enforce the law with extreme caution, to be soft and gentle. I beg all of you to understand and sympathise with me," Samak was quoted by an official source as telling the Cabinet.
Samak accused the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) of going too far with its mass protest in Bangkok yesterday, including the seizure of state-run National Broadcasting Television and some ministries.
Speaking to foreign reporters early yesterday evening, Samak said he would starve out the PAD protesters occupying the Government House's compound and insisted that he would employ "soft and gentle" tactics in dealing with the demonstrators.
He said no food would be permitted to enter the compound and that more officers from outer provinces would be deployed to Bangkok to help with maintaining security.
Samak said other options, such as the Emergency Law, could be used but expressed concern that such approaches could tarnish Thailand's international standing.
He told foreign correspondents at the press conference that the protestors wanted the government to "spark" violence so the military could stage a coup.
"They want bloodshed in the country. They want the military to come out to stage a coup," Samak said.
He said the mass protest, which drew tens of thousands of people to street, were the work of about five of six leaders from the PAD who also succeeded in luring people form upcountry to part in the demonstration.
Samak said the PAD leaders had grievances with ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra who he said had "returned a little too early" because the sentiment against him has yet to subside.
According to him, the leftover anti-Thaksin sentiment, as well as the government's decision to amend the Constitution, was the reason behind the PAD's continuing with the street protest.
Samak said he was on good terms with everybody, including the military and the monarchy and insisted that he was not a proxy of Thaksin or receiving funding and instruction from the ousted premier - a claim that has long been dismissed by the PAD and his critics.
He confirmed that the "From National Mother's Day to National Father's Day - 116 days to Built Unity" celebration, which HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn will preside over on August 30, will go ahead as scheduled.
Concern over his personal safety has the police from Lat Phrao station boosted the number of guards at Samak's home in Soi Navamin 81 amid rumours the PAD might go to the PM's house.
Cabinet ministers were forced to shift their weekly meeting place from Government House to the Supreme Command headquarters on Chaeng Wattana Road, at 10.30am. However, it took about two and a half hours for Samak to make that decision.
Carpe Diem
"He who controls the present, controls the past. He who controls the past, controls the future."
-- George Orwell
