MPs brawl in unity bill chaos

[Muthukali]

MPs scuffled in parliament Wednesday after House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont was accused of serving ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra's interests.


Chaos erupted in parliament Wednesday as opposition Democrat Party MPs protesting the reconciliation bill encircled House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont to demand that he leave the chamber.

The House of Representatives erupted into chaos when Mr Somsak cut short the opposition's protest and called for a vote to decide if reconciliation bills should be moved to the top of the agenda.

Democrat MP Thana Chirawinit approached Mr Somsak's bench and criticised him for serving Thaksin.

"Is there a Dubai stamp on the hammer [you're holding]? Are you serving someone? What is the rush about? We MPs serve the people and do our job. Who are you to block us?" he said, referring to Thaksin, who lives in self-exile in Dubai.

A group of Democrat MPs then joined him. Some went up to Mr Somsak's bench to demand that he relieve himself from duty. Pheu Thai MPs rushed to block the opposition as about 40 parliament police officers surrounded Mr Somsak.

The stand-off went on for 10 minutes before Mr Somsak called for a short recess and left the chamber under tight protection.

During the recess, scuffling broke out between female Democrat and Pheu Thai MPs.

Democrat MPs Rangsima Rodrassami and Kantawan Tantian tried to remove the House speaker's chair. Pheu Thai MPs Prengmanee Rengsomboonsuk and Khattiya Sawatdiphol blocked them.

Rumours spread that Ms Khattiya was slapped by Ms Rangsima, but both women denied that.

Tension eased when Wisut Chai-arun chaired the meeting after the recess. The meeting was adjourned without a vote. If the House agrees Thursday to move up the bills, their first reading is expected to be held on Tuesday.

Mr Somsak was the target of boos and jeers throughout the tense three-hour debate.

The Democrat Party will petition the Senate Thursday to seek Mr Somsak's impeachment.

Tension started when Democrat Jurin Laksanavisit questioned the status of the bills, which were marked as urgent. He was concerned that the bills could be classified as money-related, citing a possibility that seized assets worth 46 billion baht could be returned to Thaksin if his wrongdoings were later absolved.

"At least General Sonthi [Boonyaratglin], who proposed the bill, must be asked if assets will be returned to anyone," Mr Jurin said.

Mr Somsak ruled that the bills were of urgency and he had the power to make decisions on the issue. This triggered the chaotic scenes.

"This is not complicated at all. What Mr Speaker did will not be affected. The motion to shift it will not be either. You just need to complete the procedures first," opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said of the process in having the House verify the status of the unity bills. The House speaker, trying to restore order, asked MPs to show respect for each other.

Shouts and screams filled the chamber. An opposition member raised a written message in the chamber: "Stop the bogus reconciliation and No to whitewashing the cheats."

Government chief whip Udomdej Rattanasathien earlier said the government decided to have the bills moved up because it was in the public interest.

"If there is a law that can foster reconciliation, we should support it," he said.

He said the government whip was concerned about street protests against the bills but believed that differences could be sorted out when the bills are up for parliament scrutiny.

The uproar in the chamber overshadowed street rallies outside by the anti-Thaksin People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and the so-called multi-colour group to demand that the reconciliation bills be dropped. Police estimated about 5,000 people joined the rallies, which ended about 10pm and will resume Thursday.

PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul told the yellow shirts that the bills, which seek to annul court verdicts in political cases delivered after the 2006 coup, are an infringement on the monarchy's power.

"When there is a move to pass an amnesty law, they will see me. Annulling a court verdict is tantamount to infringing on the King's power," he said.

PAD leader Pibhop Dhongchai lashed out at Gen Sonthi for proposing the reconciliation bill and criticised it as Thaksin's attempt to seize judicial power.

Sathit Wongnongtoey, Democrat MP for Trang, said Mr Somsak had failed to act impartially as House speaker by trying to move the reconciliation bill up on the agenda without paying heed to the Democrats' protest.

The bill, he insisted, had to be stopped because it would deepen social conflict, which threatens to spill onto the streets.

Atthawit Suwannapakdi, Democrat MP for Bangkok, said if Mr Somsak wanted to have his way, the prime minister must give a written guarantee or the House committees must give a resolution that the bill was non-financial.

Queries surrounding the status of the bill must be settled by the Constitution Court, he said.

 

[Muthukali]

Unity bills given urgency

Somsak calls vote, chaos erupts in House again

The stage is set for fiery scenes today after House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont pushed forward discussion of the reconciliation bills onto today's agenda in parliament.


Parliament’s security guards band together to protect House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont, seen leaving the parliament chamber. Chaos reignited yesterday after the government voted to move the reconciliation bills to the top of the agenda at today’s meeting. Opposition MPs vented their anger by shouting tirades and throwing papers at Mr Somsak.

Yellow shirts opposing the bills have called their supporters back to protest at the House again today, telling them to bring gas masks for protection as they expect to be tear-gassed by security forces.

Dramatic scenes unfolded in parliament, as Democrats staged a walkout after failing to stop Mr Somsak, who was heavily guarded by police, from moving the bills up the agenda for debate today. The opposition attempted to stall debate on the bills by saying they were financially related, as their passage could lead to seized assets worth 46 billion baht being returned to deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

If found to be financially related, the House could not discuss the bills without endorsement from the prime minister.

Before parliament voted on the agenda in the afternoon, a meeting of 35 House committee chairmen ruled 22 to 1 that the reconciliation bills were not financially related.

Brushing off boos and jeers from Democrat MPs, Mr Somsak asked the chamber to vote on whether the bills should be discussed today. Some Democrats confronted him at the bench.

Mr Somsak scheduled today's session at 9.30am after the chamber, without the Democrats who had walked out, voted 272 to 2 in favour of accelerating deliberation of the bills. He then adjourned the meeting promptly.

Some Democrats hurled stacks of paper in frustration at the speaker, who was whisked away by security officials.

A small commotion ensued as Pheu Thai MP Jirayu Huangsap and Democrat MP Thani Thaugsuban traded a few heated words.

Suriyasai Katasila, a coordinator of the Green Politics group who has joined the PAD in the fight against the unity bills, said the government's rush to move the measures up the agenda has revealed the hand of Thaksin.

He said Thaksin, who is expected to be among the beneficiaries of the bills if they pass, underestimates the power of the people who oppose him.

He said the Democrats will find one way or another to foil the bills.

Mr Suriyasai said a key sticking point in the reconciliation bills for the opposition is that they will whitewash Thaksin and in the process deal a blow to the justice system.

"Annulling court verdicts is far worse than a coup," he said, he said, referring to the 2008 court verdict which found Thaksin had abused his power.

Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday the party would fight against the bills. He insisted the bills were financially related.

Mr Abhisit said the opposition would continue working with the speaker, but he believes Mr Somsak needs to change his attitude to avoid further problems.

Mr Abhisit also said the party had not intended to disrupt parliament meetings over the last two days.

"I know people may be unhappy with what has happened over the last two days. We did not want it to happen," he said.

"But I want to stress that if damage to the party's reputation which results means the party is able to block legislation that would destroy the nation, I can accept that.

"I want to apologise to people for only one thing _ for not being able to stop the abuse of power in parliament."

Red shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan said the protests were about more than the bills, and accused their critics of trying to topple the Pheu Thai administration. He said he does not expect opponents of the unity bills, led by the yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and the multi-coloured group, to stop their protests after today.

"The Democrat Party wants to clear the board," said Mr Jatuporn.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra distanced herself from the bills, saying the issue should be settled in parliament.

 

[Muthukali]

Protesters surround parliament

The multi-colour protesters, led by Tul Sitthisomwong, on Friday morning closed the Karn Ruan intersection on Ratchawithee road, blocking the way to the parliament’s Prasartthevarat gate, the only gate open for entry and exit, reports said.

This has blocked MPs of the Pheu Thai Party from entering the House of Representatives to attend the parliamentary session to deliberate the four proposed reconciliation bills.

The reports said that only Democrat MPs were allowed access to the parliament.

Police have closed other gates of the parliament due to the ongoing rally by the yellow-shirt supporters of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

It was reported that Pheu Thai MPs were ordered to gather at the House No 111 Foundation to discuss what to do next.

Government chief whip Udomdej Rattanasathian said if MPs could not enter parliament to attend the meeting, the meeting venue might be changed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs instead.

 

[Muthukali]

PAD protesters claim victory

The People's Alliance for Democracy has declared victory after foiling a House meeting to debate the contentious reconciliation bills at parliament yesterday.

As a result, House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont decided to adjourn deliberation of the bills indefinitely.

PAD demonstrators and protesters from the multi-coloured group sealed off all routes leading to parliament, blocking MPs from getting to the House for the debate yesterday.

The demonstrators gathered in front of parliament early in the morning and divided into several groups to block the entrances.

At 9am, some MPs arrived at parliament but could not get in. The lack of a quorum prompted the House to delay the meeting to 1.30pm. The number of protesters grew to about 5,000 in the afternoon. Tensions erupted when protesters blocked Sukhothai Road to prevent MPs from getting into parliament.


People’s Alliance for Democracy protesters confront police on Phichai Road as they try to block Pheu Thai MPs from entering parliament to attend the deliberation of the controversial national reconciliation bills yesterday. The protesters managed to push their way past the police barrier only to learn the session for the bills had been postponed until next week. The protesters dispersed and said they will regroup on Tuesday.

Police formed a line to stop the yellow shirts from moving closer to the parliament's entrance gates to block arriving MPs. The protesters, however, allowed a few Democrat MPs to get inside.

The stand-off between protesters and police later developed into a minor scuffle when protesters tried to break the police barricade to block one of the entrance gates.

A policeman from Ratchaburi reportedly sustained minor head injuries during the fracas.

The tension eased after the House speaker put off the debate.

PAD spokesman Parnthep Pourpongpan read out a statement that the rally had successfully forced a postponement of the debate. This was another victory for PAD protesters, he said.

Mr Parnthep said the PAD's core leaders had resolved that the group will halt its protest temporarily and the rally will resume on Tuesday at 3pm at Makkhawan Rangsan Bridge on Ratchadamnoen Avenue.

Mr Somsak said the House will meet again on Wednesday and Thursday but he hinted that the meeting would probably give priority to other pending legislation bills over the four proposed reconciliation bills, which had been moved to the top of the agenda by a majority on Thursday.

The House speaker said he had not yet determined when the House would resume deliberation of the bills.

Democrat Party deputy leader Jurin Laksanavisit urged the government to withdraw the bills from parliament. The bills would only deepen visions in society rather than create unity, he said.

United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship co-leader Jatuporn Prompan yesterday accused the PAD and the Democrats of trying to incite violence to pave the way for another coup to topple the Pheu Thai-led government.

At a press conference to explain the stance of the UDD held at Imperial Lat Phrao shopping centre, Mr Jatuporn claimed that the yellow shirts and the Democrats planned to create conditions for a coup, as happened in 2006.

Mr Jatuporn called on the red shirts to stay cool, stay put and closely follow the political situation.

In the event of a coup, red shirts in all provinces must travel to Bangkok and join forces at the Democracy Monument, which would be the centre for the fight against the coup, said Mr Jatuporn.

He told the red shirts to wait for a signal from UDD chairwoman Tida Tawornseth, co-leader Nattawut Saikuar or himself before moving to the capital. Without an order from one of these three leaders, the red shirts must stay put in their provinces.

However, Mr Jatuporn urged red-shirt supporters to avoid confrontation with PAD protesters opposing the reconciliation bills.

 

[Muthukali]

PAD protesters claim victory


A PAD protester wears a long earring with dangling miniature hand-clappers, a symbol of the movement.


A demonstrator covers his head with a plastic bag as he sits on the road at Karn Ruan intersection.


Information and Communication Technology Minister Anudith Nakornthap slips through an opening in the fence to avoid confronting People’s Alliance for Democracy demonstrators as he and other Pheu Thai Party MPs leave parliament. The yellow shirts had blocked the route leading to the main gate of parliament.


Some Democrat Party MPs and parliament officials slipped past yellow shirts blocking parliament’s entrance into the chamber, but only 58 MPs registered for the House meeting yesterday.


Yellow shirts erupt in joy when learning the planned House deliberation of the bills has been put off.

 

[Muthukali]

PAD protesters claim victory


A television journalist interviews yellow shirts staging a rally against the reconciliation bills outside parliament.


Democrat Party MP for Surat Thani Suthep Thaugsuban is greeted by yellowshirt demonstrators as he leaves parliament.


Riot police in full uniform and gear take a nap as they wait to change shift outside parliament yesterday.

 

[Muthukali]

Reds urged to fight for stalled bill

THAKSIN CLAIMS POWER GRAB HAS BEGUN

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra heightened political tensions Saturday by urging his red shirt supporters not to accept what he referred to as another attempt to usurp power from the people.


TRUTH SATURDAY: Thousands of red shirt supporters cheer as they listen to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra address them via a video link at Muang Thong Thani in Nonthaburi. The red shirts celebrated the fifth anniversary of their television programme Truth Today Saturday.

In a fiery speech to red shirts gathered at the Thunder Dome, Impact Muang Thong Thani in Nonthaburi, Thaksin said the Constitution Court's suspension of the charter amendment bill debate was an attempt to destroy the government.

"Are you going to let them steal our power again?" he said via a video link from an undisclosed location. "We cannot trust the situation now since they still won't play by the rules.

"I had earlier thought reconciliation would happen soon, but it won't."

The red shirts were attending an event to mark the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship's fifth anniversary of their television programme Truth Today.

UDD leaders took the stage to attack the charter court's order and the opposition to the reconciliation bills led by the Democrat Party and the yellow shirt People's Alliance for Democracy.

Thaksin said the Constitution Court's order for the House to suspend vetting of the charter amendment bill marked a new effort to take power back from the people after the 2006 coup that toppled his government.

The charter court on Friday resolved to review complaints over whether the bill was constitutional.

The judges ordered parliament to suspend the deliberation of the bill, scheduled for a third and final reading on Tuesday.

"It now depends on the House speaker [Somsak Kiatsuranont] whether he will follow or defy the court's order," Thaksin said.

He said some people were trying to destroy the Pheu Thai-led government, which had been working hard for the people.

"They should know that hurting Pheu Thai means hurting the Thai people who chose us," Thaksin said. He insisted the 46 billion baht seized from him after the coup had been legally obtained.

The coup-appointed Assets Scrutiny Committee's investigation led to the Supreme Court ruling in 2010 to seize the money after finding the former premier had abused his power to benefit his family's telecom business.

"I had 86 billion baht worth of assets before I entered politics, but they stole 46 billion from me," Thaksin said.

The delay in considering the bill was confirmed by Deputy House Speaker Charoen Chankomon and House of Representatives secretary-general Pitoon Phumhiran Saturday.

On Friday a large number of the bill's opponents rallied outside the parliament, claiming it was intended purely to help Thaksin return home a free man and recoup the 46 billion baht in seized assets.

Government chief whip Udomdej Rattanasathien denied Pheu Thai was trying to push the bill through in haste.

Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit Saturday said postponing this week's House session showed the ruling party was willing to take its time.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra reiterated in her weekly talk programme Saturday that national reconciliation procedures should be ironed out in parliament.

However, she maintained the people's opinions must be considered. "No one wants to go with what society can't accept," Ms Yingluck said.

The PAD Saturday announced it had cancelled a protest set for Tuesday, but told its yellow shirt supporters to be on standby. The multi-coloured shirts group also put off a Tuesday gathering but vowed to regroup immediately if the bill is put beore the House.

 

[Muthukali]

Reds urged to fight for stalled bill

Poll: Bill delay backed

A majority of people agree with House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranot for postponing the deliberation of the reconciliation bill indefinitely, Suan Dusit Poll revealed on Sunday.

The poll was conducted on 1,134 people in Bangkok and nearby provinces between June 1-2 to gauge their opinion on what happened in the House of Representatives on Thursday and Friday.

On the melee in the House chamber, 53.57 per cent of the respondents said they became tired of and lost faith in MPs, 35.71 per cent thought what happened had severely affected the image and reputation of the country, and 10.72 per cent said MPs who misbehaved should be punished and measures should be taken to prevent a recurrence of it.

On the protests by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) outside parliament, 43.24 per cent of the respondents said they disturbed peace and order and tarnished the country's image, 38.74 per cent wanted the protesters to base their actions on reasons rather than on emotions, and 18.02 per cent thought the protests had caused inconvenience to residents and road users.

On the postponement of the deliberation of the reconciliation bill, the majority or 71.43 per cent agreed with it, while the rest thought otherwise, saying that it had delayed the reconciliation process.

 

[Muthukali]

Poll: Solve economic problems first

Most people want the government to give more priority to solving economic problems than pushing for the passage of a reconciliation law, according to the results of an Abac Poll revealed on Sunday.

The poll was conducted on 2,258 people aged 18 and up between May 25-June 2 in Bangkok, Chanthaburi, Lop Buri, Pathum Thani, Chon Buri, Lampang, Uttaradit, Chiang Mai, Mukdahan, Nong Khai, Nong Bua Lamphu, Surin, Udon Thani, Khon Kaen, Phuket, Surat Thani and Songkhla.

The survey found that most of the people polled said they did not know the details of the four drafts of the reconciliation bill proposed separately by Niyom Worapanya, Samart Kaewmeechai, Nathawut Saikua and Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin.

The huge majority, or 88.9 per cent, of the respondents wanted the government to concentrate more on solving economic problems than on pushing for the passage of a reconciliation law, while 11.1 per cent wanted the reconciliation law to be passed first.

The majority, or 80.0 per cent, thought the reconciliation law would benefit the political sector, while the rest said it was for the people as a whole.

Most, or 79.8 per cent, of the respondents said the state of chaos in the House indicated that MPs are backward and lack quality.

 

[Muthukali]

Govt considers delay in key bills

Deliberation of the reconciliation bills may be postponed until the next parliament session, the government chief whip says.

Nonthaburi Pheu Thai Party MP Udomdej Rattanasathien said the joint House-Senate meeting scheduled for Friday will consider a bill on anti-money laundering while debate on the four reconciliation bills may have to be put off until the next parliamentary session in August due to fierce opposition both in and outside parliament.

Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit said a House committee should be set up to investigate and punish the Democrats who created chaos in parliament last week.

Their actions were irresponsible and disrespectful to the people, Mr Prompong said.

He said the party would also submit a petition to the Ombudsman to impeach five Democrat MPs who created chaos in parliament. They are Warong Dechkitwikrom, Thani Thaugsuban, Apichart Supapaeng, Phongvej Vejjajiva, and Rangsima Rodrassami.

Meanwhile, a group of senators will today submit a petition to the Ombudsman to impeach the same five Democrat MPs.

The People's Alliance for Democracy and the multi-coloured group have denounced the reconciliation bills as vehicles aimed at benefitting ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

The street protests and resistance in parliament by Democrat MPs last week forced the House speaker to delay debate on the bills indefinitely.

Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said there is a danger the bills could go before the House in this session anyway, which will renew political tensions.

The Democrat Party yesterday launched a campaign to protest against the reconciliation bills by putting up posters opposing the bills around the capital.

Min Buri Pheu Thai MP Vicharn Meechainan filed a complaint with Min Buri police yesterday against the Democrats.

He said the posters would widen social division, and called on the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to enforce its Public Cleansing Law, which bans posting notices in public areas without permission, and to take down the posters.

Piyabutr Saengkanokkul, a law lecturer at Thammasat University who is a member of the Nitirat group, said confusion ensued after a campaign for national reconciliation was lumped together with the drive for an amnesty for Thaksin, resulting in a proposed blanket amnesty measure. This was not in line with the proper law-making process, which spurred resistance from anti-Thaksin elements, Mr Piyabutr said.

He said he disagreed with a proposed blanket amnesty and suggested instead a selective amnesty to pardon average protesters who had participated in political demonstrations and those who had been charged with political offences after the Sept 19, 2006 coup.

A screening committee should be set up to determine which cases are politically motivated and political prisoners should be released pending the committee's inquiry, Mr Piyabutr said.

 

[Muthukali]

Court to explain its decision 3pm

Constitution Court president Wasan Soypisuth will hold a press conference at 3pm today to explain why the court accepted petitions against the charter amendment bill and ordered parliament to delay the voting on the bill in the third reading, court deputy spokesman Somrit Chaiwong said on Wednesday.

All Constitution Court judges were present to perform their duties at the court's office this morning.

Police from Thung Song Hong were deployed at the court to maintain law and order.

About 10 members of the Democracy Network Working Group led by Chainarin Kularb-am gathered in front of the court and submitted a letter calling for the Constitution Court to review its order for parliament to suspend voting on the charter amendment bill.

At parliament, Pithoon Poomhiran, secretary-general of the House of Representatives, held a press conference on the result of the meeting of a committee for providing Parliament President Somsak Kiatsuranont with legal advice concerning the Constitution Court's order.

Mr Pithoon said the committee had forwarded its conclusion to Mr Somsak -- that the Constitution Court's order was not binding on parliament.

 

[Muthukali]

Court reaffirms its authority in charter bills case

The Constitution Court on Wednesday reaffirmed it has not overstepped its authority in accepting petitions against the charter amendment bill and in ordering parliament to temporarily suspend the third reading of the controversial legislation

Vocal criticism of its injunction by the government's supporters prompted the court to call a press conference today, at which all the court's judges were present, to explain its decision.

Court spokesman Pimol Thampithakpong cited Sections 60 and 69 of the constitution to support the court's acceptance of the petitions for examination.

Mr Pimol said under the two sections anyone who knows of an act to exercise the rights and liberties prescribed in the constitution to overthrow the government under the constitutional monarchy, or to acquire the power to rule the country by any means not allowed by the constitution, can submit a petition through two channels - the Office of the Attorney General and the Constitution Court.

Court president Wasan Soypisuth said the court had only accepted the petitions for examination. A month's delay in the deliberation of the bill would not cause any damage, he said.

On the claims the court might have acted beyond its authority, Mr Wasan said the entire bench of judges were well aware they cannot do anything more than is allowed by the constitution.



Deputy court spokesman Somrit Chaiwong said although the court's suspension order would temporarily halt the parliament's handling of the bill, it could also serve to convince the Thai people, and the world community, that the sovereign powers in Thailand are properly balanced.

The court had accepted the petitions for examination. If no ulterior motives were found in the charter amendment motion, the petition would be dismissed and the parliament process could resume, Mr Somrit said.

Government chief whip Udomdej Rattanasathien said earlier on Wednesday that whether the charter amendment bill will be put to the vote in the third reading on Friday is a matter for Parliament President Somsak Kiatsuranont and members of the two chambers to decide.

Mr Udomdej said this after government whips discussed the Constitution Court's order to delay the third reading of the charter amendment bill. A representative of the Council of State was invited to explain whether the order was binding.

He said Parliament President Somsak had already scheduled a joint sitting of parliament for June 8, but the charter amendment bill was not on the meeting agenda.

Members of the two houses would be informed of the charter court's order. The meeting would then debate only proposed frameworks for negotiations with foreign countries under Section 190 of the constitution.

 

[Muthukali]

Pheu Thai plans charter vote

Pheu Thai plans to seek a parliamentary vote Friday on whether to go ahead with the third reading of the charter amendment bill.

A joint parliament session will be held Friday to consider the international cooperation framework under Section 190 of the constitution requiring parliamentary approval prior to signing any international treaties and agreements.

However, Parliament President Somsak Kiatsuranond has put the Constitution Court's order, which suspends the parliament's third reading of the charter amendment bill, on the agenda for discussion.

A Pheu Thai source said the party will rebuke judges for suspending parliament's reading of the bill.

The party has assigned a team of 20 MPs led by Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung to argue against the ruling, which they consider to have overstepped the court's authority by interfering with parliament's legislative authority, said the source.

After the debate, the party will request a vote against the court's order to suspend readings of the charter bill, the source said.

Meanwhile, the red shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) Wednesday decided to scale back its plan to gather outside parliament Thursday and Friday to shield MPs on their way to the House from possible protest action.

UDD spokesman Worawut Wichaidit said red shirt leaders had resolved instead to stage a symbolic rally only from the morning until noon today.

The demonstration was aimed at expressing the UDD's opposition to the court. The red shirts did not want to cause any confrontation that could lead to a new wave of violence, he said. The shorter rally would also give less cause for yellow shirts to stir up unrest to put pressure on the military to stage a new coup.

The UDD will also ask supporters to join its signature campaign to demand the ouster of Constitution Court judges who supported the decision to suspend the debate.

The UDD decision came after its political rival the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) Wednesday vowed not to protest just yet, saying legal mechanisms were still functioning well enough to prevent any attempts to overthrow the constitution.

PAD spokesman Parnthep Pourpongpan said the PAD would consider staging a new protest only if further attempts were mounted to pass into law measures that would compromise the King's power, whitewash ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra or reform the country in the way the government had previously announced.

The third reading of the charter amendment legislation is not considered a significant enough factor for the PAD to resume its protest, unless the reconciliation bills are also inserted into parliament's agenda, PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul said.

Meanwhile, national police chief Priewpan Damapong ordered every police precinct to prepare for a possible crowd control operation, said police spokesman Pol Maj Gen Piya Uthayo.

 

[saratogas]

Re: Pheu Thai plans charter vote

The Parliament may be called a House but a female, wife, mother or sister not necessary has the talent to keep it in order...

 

[Cruxx]

Re: Pheu Thai plans charter vote

Nothing like civilised Singaporeans who surrender elegantly without a fight.

 

[Muthukali]

Red-shirts rallying at parliament

About 300 red-shirt supporters of the United front for Democracy against Dictatorship on Thursday morning gathered in front of parliament to launch signatures collection campaign to seek impeachment of the 8 judges of the charter court, reports said.

UDD said it targets to seek 20,000 signatures and will immediately submit the petition seeking impeachment of the Constitution Court judges to Senate Speaker once the target is met.

The red-shirts accused the 8 judges of the court of violating the charter for ordering parliament to suspend its vetting of the charter amendment bill, pending a review of its constitutionality.

The gathering forced police to close for traffic the Uthong road in front of the parliament compound.

Metropolitan police deputy commander Pol Maj Gen Methee Kusolsang said four companies of police were deployed inside and around parliament to maintain peace and order.