[Thai] PM undeterred by threats [Good luck Abhisit]

PM to visit Chiang Mai next weekend

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has reaffirmed his intention to visit Chiang Mai on Nov 29 to attend the Thai Chamber of Commerce meeting, despite threats made to his safety.

The confirmation came after a community radio station reportedly claimed that a bomb would take the life of the prime minister during his visit to the northern province, which is hometown of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Mr Abhisit is due to address members of the Thai Chambers of Commerce on the economy and has said previously the issues are too important to cancel the meeting.

He insisted on Friday there would be no change of plans. He believed local security officials could keep the situation under control.

Asked if he was intimidated by the threat, Mr Abhisit replied that he had no right to be frightened. It was his duty to attend the meeting.

It was not the first time he had heard about a threat to his life, but this time it was stated publicly, he said.

Prime Minister's Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey said the government would take legal action against any community radio station that tries to incite people to break the law or obstruct Mr Abhisit's visit to Chiang Mai.

The station operators would face charges and the radio stations could be closed, he said. The government was not abusing its authority to interfere in the stations' right to express opinions, but they must not break the law.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said he was worried by the theat made against Mr Abhisit's life and had instructed local authorities to step up security measures.

Mr Suthep, who is in charge of security affairs, also said that the Internal Security Act might be invoked to ensure peace and order during the mass anti-government rally by the red-shirts planned for Nov 28 to Dec 2 in Bangkok. He would recommend its use to the cabinet.

“The government will closely monitor the situation. I will propose the use of the security law to the cabinet meeting for consideration next Tuesday,” Mr Suthep said.

The red-shirts have the right to assemble to pressure the government to call a general election, but if the House were to be dissolved the procedure must be constitutional, he added.

The anti-government protest was aimed at paving the way for Thaksin to return to power and to regain his frozen 76 billion baht in assets, he said.

Bangkok Post

Posted in Polical , Thai