PAD enjoys a resurgence

The People's Alliance for Democracy has claimed victory for foiling a government crackdown and its supporters have swelled after Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej threatened to disperse them on Saturday, PAD leader Chamlong Srimuang said yesterday.

"Many people from upcountry joined the protest after Samak threatened in a televised speech to disperse the gathering," Chamlong said.

Samak should not try to play with words in denying his intentions to force an end to a peaceful demonstration when everyone heard and understood his speech as an ultimatum for a crackdown, he said.

He said Samak tried to mislead the public into believing the PAD was uncooperative in relocating its rally site from Makawan Rangsan Bridge and that it blocked the main thoroughfare used for the royal motorcade.

Police had denied PAD's plan to march to Government House since last Sunday, hence forcing it to stay at the present location, he said, adding he was willing to negotiate with the government on the issue but would not make the first move.

He said police had the duty to facilitate and map out routing of the royal motorcade and that Samak had no justification to portray PAD as standing in the way of the royal motorcade.

A former lawmaker Paisal Puetmongkol, seen as a PAD ally, said Samak rushed to issue his threat because he was duped by flawed reports about the situation at the rally site that was supplied by a faction led by banned party executive Newin Chidchob.

Paisal was reacting to a claim by Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung who said the prime minister wanted to disperse the crowd after being informed about the congregation of thugs at a law office in Bang Pho to cause disturbances.

Paisal's office is located in Bang Pho.

Another PAD leader Somsak Kosaisuk said the government lost credibility in trying to portray PAD as preparing to use violence to overthrow it.

"Everyone can see through the nominee government and no one believes it any more," he said.

Samak went overboard to allege there was a stockpiling of sticks as weapons when the PAD only had flag poles for a march, he said.

The prime minister had unnecessarily inflamed the situation when the PAD made no plans to rally beyond June 17, he said.

PAD opponent Weng Tojirakan said PAD lost justification to continue rallying after it had elevated its demand to oust the elected government, tantamount to an obstruction of the country's administration.

Weng also called for the PAD to relocate its rally site so as not to block traffic.

Supreme Commander General Boonsrang Niumpradit said the government and the PAD should meet and forge a compromise so that the country can return to normalcy.

"For the country's sake, the two sides are duty-bound to compromise and reach an understanding in line with the Thai way," he said.