ELECTION TRAIL
PM won't be bothered by next protest rally
He'll be in the provinces campaigning, even though he faces no opponents
Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will be away from Bangkok on Tuesday when the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) plans to stage a protest against him outside Government House, a Thai Rak Thai Party source said yesterday. Thaksin, who is on the campaign trail, met thousands of supporters in Trat province yesterday. He told them he would never give in to pressure from his opponents. The caretaker premier will speak at campaign rallies in three northeastern provinces from Monday to Wednesday, the source said. On Monday evening, Thaksin will address party supporters at a stadium in Ubon Ratchathani. He will spend the night in the province and preside over a Cabinet meeting at Government House the next morning via a video link. It is likely that a roving Cabinet meeting involving all government ministers will be held in Buri Ram on Tuesday, according to an unconfirmed report from Government House. On Tuesday evening, Thaksin is scheduled to address a rally in Buri Ram. On Wednesday, he will speak at a rally in Nakhon Ratchasima. Leaders of the PAD, which has been staging daily rallies at Sanam Luang demanding Thaksin's resignation, threatened to move their protest to Government House on Monday and remain there until the next morning when members of the caretaker Cabinet gather for their weekly meeting. Thaksin told supporters in Trat yesterday he "will never give up or step back" in the face of pressure from "a small group of people". He travelled to Trat by helicopter from Chanthaburi, where he spent Tuesday night at a hotel. About 1,000 residents were on hand to welcome him when he visited the immigration office in Trat's Klong Yai district. Thaksin thanked his supporters and urged them to vote on April 2. "It will be a red-letter day for democracy. You will not only select your prime minister but also show that political power belongs to you," he said. Later he travelled to Trat's Muang district where he addressed about 10,000 people. Thaksin told them he was trying to preserve the democratic system and the Constitution. "On April 2, voters will choose whether they want an elected leader or mob rule," he said. Thaksin addressed supporters in heavy rain yesterday evening at a rally outside Chon Buri's provincial hall.
Piyanart Srivalo, Hassaya Chartmontri The Nation
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