Saturday, 4 December 2010

Thai PM seeks PAD meeting before big rally

via CAAI

BANGKOK, Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Thailand's leader said Thursday he hoped to meet with People's Alliance for Democracy leaders to talk about constitutional reforms before a planned mass rally.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejajiva said he would like to meet with PAD coordinator Tul Sitthisamanwong ahead of the group's planned rally at Bangkok's Makkawan Rangsan Bridge Dec. 11.

"I cannot say yet when the meeting will take place, but hopefully before Dec 11," the Bangkok Post quoted Abhisit as saying.

The group -- a chief player in Thailand's 2005-2006 political crisis, its 2008 crisis and the Cambodian-Thai border standoff -- wants to stop Thailand's Parliament from endorsing three reports emerging from meetings of the Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission.

The reports may result in loss of Thai territory adjacent to the 11th-century Preah Vihear Temple located on land jointly claimed by Thailand and Cambodia.

PAD co-leader retired Maj. Gen. Chamlong Srimuang, a former mayor of Bangkok and leader of an ascetic Buddhist sect, said the protest would continue until his group's demands are met.

Abhisit gave protesters permission to rally, provided the demonstration remains peaceful and lawful.

The border standoff between Thailand and Cambodia erupted into violence in October 2008 and April 2009 as troops from both nations exchanged fire over ownership of the temple and surrounding land.

Forces exchanged fire most recently for about 15 minutes April 16, with no reports of casualties.

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