Democrats cancel rally plan


Democrat Party spokesman Ong-art Klampaiboon announces the cancellation of a rally his party had planned to hold at the Royal Plaza on Saturday. The rally was reportedly called off to avoid a confrontation between pro- and anti-government camps, who will
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The Democrat Party yesterday cancelled its plan to hold a mass rally at the Royal Plaza on Saturday in order to avoid inflaming political tensions.
"The prevailing political situation is very volatile and the Democrat rally, if held, might be exploited to serve the government," said party spokesman Ong-art Klampaiboon. The Democrats had scheduled the rally to explain their decision to boycott the snap election before the Thai Rak Thai Party said this week it would hold a rally tomorrow at Sanam Luang. The People's Alliance for Democracy also plans to repeat its Sanam Luang rally on Sunday. Ong-art said the close timing of opposing rallies might result in unforeseen events, which the government might use to its advantage. He also said reports that embattled Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra wanted to meet with Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajeva were a publicity stunt to mislead the public. The government had not approached the opposition, he said. Chat Thai Party leader Banharn Silapa-archa dismissed speculation he had asked Privy Council president General Prem Tinsulan-onda to mediate between the TRT Party and the alliance of three main opposition parties.
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