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BANGKOK, March 29 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's caretaker Deputy PrimeMinister
Chidchai Vanasatidya expressed his regret on Wednesday atanti-government
demonstrators' insistence to go on their mass rally in the heart of Bangkok on
March 29-30.
Chidchai, who oversees national security, was quoted by the Thai News
Agency as saying that security officers would exercise restraint to the utmost
in dealing with the anti-government demonstrators led by the People's Alliance
for Democracy (PAD).
"It's regretful that the campaigners did not review their plan to rally in
front of Siam Paragon despite warnings that it could cause a traffic chaos in
the capital's prime business area and violate other people's rights.
Additionally, Sa Pathum Palace, where Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn resides,
is in the vicinity of the area. It's inappropriate to demonstrate in the area,"
he told journalists.
"I'll closely monitor the situation and have instructed security forces to
exercise restraint to the utmost. They won't disperse the demonstrators if it's
not necessary," he noted.
On Tuesday, the caretaker deputy premier said the security forces might
have to disperse the mass rally if it caused great difficulties to people
earning living in the area.
However, he said the government would take such action as the last resort
because the government still adheres to negotiations and a peaceful resolution
to cope with the demonstrators.
He conceded that the planned move by the PAD-led demonstrators to stay put
at Siam Paragon on March 29-30 would cause difficulties to people earning living
there and there are concernsamong store owners that a lot of rally-goers would
use their toilets.
The caretaker deputy premier said the government would
take legal action against PAD core members after the April 2 general election,
including a charge against Sondhi Limthongkul, a local media mogul turned arch
critic against caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra over his recent
remarks on stage before the campaigners. Enditem
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