Injured protester seeks UN help

A man who was injured in last week's clash between pro- and anti-government protesters in Udon Thani will seek United Nations help in investigating the incident, People's Alliance for Democracy co-leader Suriyasai Katasila said yesterday.

Thanyanan Jarunjirawongse will appear at a press conference today to tell what really happened.

He will then submit a petition to the UN, asking the agency to intervene and investigate the incident and take action against the government for allowing pro-government protesters to attack anti-government demonstrators.

Since the clash, the government had done nothing to investigate and take legal action against the culprits, Suriyasai said.

Meanwhile, the Senate committee on human rights will today demand the government be accountable for its lapse of duty relating to the clash in Udon Thani.

"The prime minister, the interior minister, the national police chief and the provincial police chief should take turns at the hearing and tell what each has done in response to the violent incident," Senator Naruemol Siriwat said yesterday.

Naruemol said the prime minister should hold a press conference to acknowledge his failure to safeguard human rights as sanctioned by the Constitution with the same fanfare as when he announced six relief measures to cope with economic woes.

The PAD meanwhile criticised the PM for neglecting to resolve many violent clashes.

Many leading figures voiced concern that the clashes might spiral out of control, deepening the political polarisation. PAD-led protesters were attacked by their opponents in Udon Thani, Maha Sarakham and Chiang Rai.

PAD leader Somsak Kosaisuk said he was disappointed that Samak Sundaravej skirted the issue during his weekly programme "Talking Samak Style".

"Samak failed to mention the horrible violent incident in Udon Thani where so many people sustained serious injuries. This is like he is tacitly condoning the thugs," Somsak said.

Another PAD leader, Pipop Thongchai, said the thugs who attacked PAD-led protesters were politically motivated and organised by MPs from the People Power Party.

"The government should assume responsibility for the eruption of violence, but Samak maintains his silence as if he is trying to encourage a perception that the majority of the people oppose the PAD," he said.

He said he suspected certain soldiers were involved in the Udon Thani incident and he called on the Army chief to look into the matter.

Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung said he would carry on with his work even though his critics called for his resignation on grounds of failing to prevent violent clashes.

Chalerm said he instructed every provincial governor and law enforcement authorities to remain vigilant.

Democrat Party assistant secretary-general Thepthai Senpong said the prime minister was risking an increase in instability if his elected government failed to be an anchor to safeguard peace.

People Power Party spokesman Kudhep Saikrachang said his party was not a root cause of the present political predicament.

Kudep said Thammasat University lecturer Thirayuth Boonmi had a lopsided view to blame his party for the unstable situation.

He said Thirayuth had gone overboard by predicting a civil war. Political normalcy can be restored should the PAD review its stance, he added.

"Street protests should not be a problem if there is no ulterior motive to move into areas filled with opponents," he said, hinting that the PAD might try to provoke violence.

He said Democrat Party secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban brought up a groundless allegation that the PPP paid up to Bt30 million per incident to instigate the attacks against the PAD.

He said the PPP did not condone violence, adding there was no link between the party and local politician Uthai Saenkaew, who is a younger brother of Deputy Agriculture Minister Thirachai Saenkaew.

Uthai was seen at the Udon Thani incident.

Kudep called for the PAD to stop its plans to spread street protests.

Former coup leader General Sonthi Boonyaratglin said politics would be back on course once politicians put the public before vested interests.

Sonthi called on parties concerned to abide by the Constitution instead of trying to revamp the political system.

He said he remained optimistic that the political conflict would not split the country apart.

He said he did not expect the military to get involved in politics despite prodding by the PAD to sway the armed forces to its side.

He also dismissed the allegation that the junta had propped up independent organisations to undermine and oust the elected government.

"Even when the junta was in power, it was impossible to wield influence over the independent organisations," he said.