Yellow Shirts postpone Dec 11 rally to next month

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BANGKOK, Dec 3 - Thailand's yellow-clad movement, the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), on Friday postponed its protest planned for next week against the Thai Constitution amendment regarding the requirement of Parliamentary approval for international treaties to next month, citing it's close the king's birthday celebrations.

The PAD earlier announced the group's rally on December to oppose the charter amendment on Article 190 regarding the requirement for parliamentary approval on any treaty made with other countries, saying the move may favour Parliament's endorsement of the Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Committee (JBC) meeting reports, which they claim will make Thailand lose territory to the neighbouring country.

Yellow Shirt leader retired Gen Chamlong Srimuang however said on Friday that movement resolved that they will postpone their Dec 11 rally to Jan 25, starting from 10am on Ratchadamnoen Avenue.

As the celebrations to mark His Majesty the King's 84th birthday on Dec 5 will take place between Dec 1-9, Gen Chamlong said the planned rally on Dec 11 is quite close to the festive events. The PAD wants December to be the month of happiness, at the same time, the southern region is also facing flood situation, so the group's mass protest will be delayed until Jan 25.

Gen Chamlong added the group will travel across the country to give correct information on the protest to the public.

The protest leader however raised their demands that the government must withdraw Thailand from the World Heritage Convention, and revoke the Memorandum of Understanding signed with Cambodia in 2000 as well as its supporting documents.

"If the government fails to respond our demands, we need to stage a mass protest, as in our lifetime, nothing is worse than Thailand losing its territory to Cambodia." said Gen Chamlong.

The PAD leader also pledged to prolong the Jan 25 demonstration to pressure the government to respond their requests.

Informed of the PAD demand, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva asserted on Friday that the government cannot withdraw from the World Heritage Convention.

He reasoned that the World Heritage committee has listened to Thailand’s stance during the past wo years, while the kingdom needs to use this forum to communicate with the world community.

As he earlier said he was seeking to talk with the PAD leaders before next week's rally, Mr Abhisit said he still wants to discuss with the protest leaders but the talk is yet set, as concerned officials of both sides are still discussing whether it will be held or not, with who and how. (MCOT online news)