By Michael E. Sanchez
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia
Bangkok, Thailand- On Thursday anti-government demonstrators said they will defy the state of emergency declared by the government of the Thai prime minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva. They defiantly dared the government to break up their escalating protests, vowing to stage a rally in the capital despite the state of emergency which allows the military to move against large gatherings.
The prime minister declared the state of emergency Wednesday night after protesters briefly broke into Parliament, capping weeks of protests that have paralyzed the government and cost businesses tens of millions of dollars. Abhisit said on Wednesday that the emergency would help authorities arrest leaders of the anti-government movement, which has been staging protests in the capital for over three weeks.
Jatuporn Prompan, a red shirt leader said “If you have the guts to do it, do it now. But I warn you that our red shirt brothers and sister would flood into Bangkok in greater numbers, if you crack down on us.”
The state of emergency allows security officials to detain suspects without charge for up to 30 days, and gives them the option of imposing curfews, banning public gathering and censoring media.
The protesters camped in the city have ignored court orders and a large security presence. Al Jazeera’s Wayne Hay, reporting from Bangkok said “they have completely disregarded the state of emergency that is now in place and have vowed to hold more rallies.” Since 2008, this is the fourth time that emergency law has been declared in the capital because of political turmoil.
Prime Minister Abisit has faced criticism for failing to take stronger measures to end the demonstrations. Previously he had entered into negotiations with the red shirts and ordered security forces to pull back from possible confrontations. Because of the volatile situation, he called off a planned visit to Vietnam for a meeting of southeast Asian leaders. Investors fear this could derail the country’s high-performing economy.
Thai authorities have also shut down a television channel run by the red shirts. Satit Wonghnongtaey, the minister attached to the premier’s office said the station had been taken off the air for inciting unrest.
The Red Shirts support ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and view Abhisit as a puppet controlled by the unelected establishment and the military.
The Red Shirts say the prime minister,who came to power in a 2008 parliamentary vote after the courts dissolved a pro-Thaksin party in government at the time – should call an election and let the people choose their government.
For more information, please see:
Aljazeera.net- Red Shirts Vow to Defy Emergency– 8 April 2010
Associated Press- Protesters Defy State of Emergency in Bangkok– 8 April 2010
RTT News- Thai Protesters Vow to Defy Emergency-8 April 2010
