| Topic: |
Politics > Politics-USA |
| User: |
"Tuttles Almanac" |
| Date: |
14 Mar 2006 08:38:41 AM |
| Object: |
100,000 Protest Tax-Free "Port Sale" |
Thailand Leader Vows to Declare Emergency
http://www.forbes.com/infoimaging/feeds/ap/2006/03/13/ap2591698.html
Thailand's prime minister vowed Tuesday to declare an emergency if
anti-government protests turned violent, as tens of thousands marched
on his office to demand his resignation for alleged corruption.
"I am ready to sign the decree if the situation becomes violent,"
Thaksin told reporters during a campaign stop in Ubon.
Thaksin, who has repeatedly said he will not bow to the protesters,
said cameras and other high-tech equipment have been put in place to
monitor the protests and record any violations.
Thousands of demonstrators seeking Thaksin's resignation marched in
Bangkok on Tuesday, vowing to continue peaceful protests until he
steps down.
The demonstrators made their way from the Grand Palace, the former
royal residence, down a broad boulevard toward Government House,
a few miles away, carrying placards and shouting "Thaksin, Get Out!"
The crowd appeared to number about 100,000, according to an
Associated Press reporter, but an accurate estimate was difficult.
Police spokesman Col. Pinit Maneerat put the number at 30,000 to
40,000 while organizers said more than 200,000 participated.
Thousands of protesters have been demanding Thaksin's resignation in
regular weekend rallies, accusing the tycoon-turned-politician of
corruption, mishandling a Muslim insurgency in southern Thailand,
stifling the media, and allowing cronies to reap gains from state
policies.
"I'm one of the 19 million people who voted for the wrong person.
I have to correct what I did wrong," said Ratanaporn Rattanawongsarot,
a 39-year-old housewife taking part in the protest. "I can't stand
Thaksin cheating the country."
On the eve of the march, farmers, teachers and state employees
opposed to Thaksin's rule convened on a vast field in front of the
Grand Palace and listened to anti-Thaksin speeches, musical
performances and political satire skits. Between performances, the
crowd chanted, "Thaksin get out!"
Police increased security in the Thai capital, putting 20,000 officers on
standby and stationing about 2,000 officers at the protest site. Police
Gen. Chumpol Manmai, chief of the National Intelligence Agency,
however, told The Associated Press he didn't expect violence
especially since a planned rally by pro-Thaksin groups had been
canceled.
Thaksin dissolved parliament last month and called for early elections
on April 2 in hopes of renewing his mandate and defusing the street
protests.
He would be virtually assured of winning because of his strong support
among Thailand's rural majority, who have benefited from his populist
policies. Opposition parties have vowed to boycott the elections.
The anti-Thaksin campaign swelled last month after the prime minister's
family sold its controlling stake in telecom giant Shin Corp. to a
Singapore state-owned investment company for $1.9 billion.
_______________________________________________________
Still think the Dubai/UAE U.S. port sale was about racism?
100,000 descend on billionaire leader to seek his resignation
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,25689-2084236,00.html
But the simmering discontent came to the boil in
January when he announced the sale of
Shin Corporation to the investment arm of the
Singaporean Government for 77.3 billion bhat
(£1.14 billion). Not only was a strategic industry
being sold to a foreign power, it also emerged that
Mr Thaksin’s family had managed to avoid paying
any tax on the sale.
.
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