Authorities stop AOP members going on Bangkok rally
Military and local officials prevented about 1,000 Assembly of the Poor (AOP) members from boarding buses in their home provinces yesterday to rally in Bangkok in a bid to pressure the prime minister to help solve their problems.
"We didn't expect it to be this way. They should have let villagers come, as the AOP has no hidden political agenda," AOP coordinator Baramee Chaiyarat claimed. "They shouldn't have done this. It's too much of a violation of human rights." Villagers from four provinces - Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket, Surin and Roi Et - were stopped just before boarding buses by the military and district chiefs. Authorities said that they lacked permits, which are still required under martial law in more than 30 provinces since the coup on September 19 last year. Meanwhile, Assembly members from the South managed to board buses, but there were fears they may be stopped en route to Bangkok, Baramee said. "We will go to see the National Human Rights Commission [today] before heading to Government House."
Pravit Rojanaphruk The Nation
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