Thai PAD considers to organize street protests again
www.chinaview.cn 2009-05-04

BANGKOK, May 4 (Xinhua) -- The Thailand's People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) will meet on May 24-25 to decide whether to resume its street protests after its leaders voiced opposition to proposed constitutional amendments and an amnesty to banned politicians, Thai media reported on Monday.

According to Bangkok Post, the leaders of the PAD, also known as "yellow-shirts", said on Sunday's news conference that they would convene a meeting on May 24 and 25 to map out their strategy.

PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila said that the gathering has already been under preparation.

Key members of the PAD came together Sunday as Sondhi Limthongkul, one of the group's core leaders, made a public address on the attempt to assassinate him on April 17.

The members clarified the PAD's political stance and declared their opposition to the proposed charter amendment, particularly the idea of granting amnesty to banned politicians, saying any move to add an amnesty clause to the charter to clear the names of politicians who commit political wrongdoing is unacceptable.

Parliament has set up two committees to study constitutional amendments and to investigate the "red-shirts" riots caused by the anti-government group United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD). The panels will set the scene for the entire process of political reform and reconciliation, as suggested by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

PAD core leader Somsak Kosaisuk said that the alliance disagreed to amend the Constitution, which was endorsed by 14.7 million people across the country in a referendum in 2007.

Peerapan Palusuk, MP from the main opposition party Puea Thai party, brushed aside the PAD's opposition to the charter changes, saying such a stand would not affect the process to review the constitution.

Peerapan said if the charter amendment led to political tensions, the issue should be put to a referendum and PAD must accept the outcome.

"PAD is only a minority and (their view) is not always correct. They will know what the majority of people think," Peerapan said.

On the other hand, Natthawut Saikua, a leader of UDD or the "red-shirts", said they backed calls for changes to the charter, which would help the country return to democracy.

Prime Minister Abhisit earlier stressed the charter amendment process must be open and participatory, saying "It's important that we find ways to ease political tensions based on righteousness."
Editor: Deng Shasha