Thai Anti-Government Protesters Rally Amid No Confidence Debate

Amid the ongoing no confidence debate, a group of Thai anti Government protesters staged a rally at the Democrat Party's headquarters in Bangkok Thursday afternoon demanding Abhisit Vejjajiva, who is the Party head, to resign as the country's Prime Minister.

Some thirty protesters are from the group representing middle classes for democracy, development for institutional politic, and the red-shirted people, Thai language news agency INN reported.

They handed in an open letter to the Party's official, demanding that the Prime Minister resign, the Government not to borrow both domestic and foreign loans and the People's Alliance for Democracy's (PAD) leaders be prosecuted for shutting down two Bangkok airports late last year.

The mini rally at the Party's headquarters is seen to dampen the political situation of the Democrat led coalition, which has been grilled by the opposition's no confidence debate starting from Thursday to Friday.

Abhisit and his five cabinet members have been attacked by the opposition partners, led by the Puea Thai Party on charges of malfeasance, corruption and the Constitution's violations.

Among the strong allegations launched by the opposition include the Democrat Party's concealing several millions worth of Thai baht donations from the Party members and a listed company in the Thai stock market.

During the debate, the opposition also claimed that about two decades ago Prime Minister Abhisit dodged conscription. A Thai man is legally required to register for the military conscription as he is at twenty year old, but Abhisit dodged the draft, according to the opposition allegation.

They also attacked a decision by the Government of lessening a penalty for protesters, who occupied Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports late last year from a death sentence to a fine between 500 baht (14 U.S. dollars) and 10,000 baht (280 U.S. dollars).

The opposition said this would benefit the People's Alliance for Democracy's leaders, who led the protesters to shut down Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports late last year in the climax of their protests to topple the previous Government.

But, Prime Minister Abhisit denied all of the opposition charges against his Party, the coalition Government, and himself.

Concerning the allegation that Abhisit dodged the conscription, Abhisit said he did serve the military service for one year in line with the legal requirement for a university graduate.

It has remained uncertain when the debate will end for Thursday. The no confidence vote is to take place on Saturday.
 
Source - China View