PM's backers call for speedy election
Pro-Thaksin groups yesterday held a seminar and called for a speedy election, saying the political crisis could only be resolved when the prime minister had a renewed mandate from the people.
About 1,000 people, many of them elderly, attended the seminar at the convention hall of The Mall Bang Kapi. Prayoon Krongyos, founder of the Khon Rak Chat (Patriots) Club and owner of FM 94.25 community radio station, organised the seminar, entitled "Analysing the Political Situation". Taking part were Chinawat Haboonphat, president of the Taxi Drivers' Association, Chupong Thithuan, secretary-general of the Thai People Centre, and Chucheep Chiwasuthi, chairman of the Constitution Protection Club. The participants said the current crisis would only be eased when the Election Commission could carry out its constitutional duty by holding another general election. They opposed the anti-Thaksin groups' calls for the EC and caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to resign, as this would cause a political vacuum at the heart of government. Chupong said the election should be held as soon as possi-ble regardless of whether Thai Rak Thai was dissolved regarding charges of election fraud. The group will hold rallies in protest if the election is delayed further, he added. Chucheep cast doubt on whether the Constitution and Administrative courts had the authority to annul the April 2 election because the power to hold the election belonged to the EC and 29 million voters had exercised their right to vote in the poll. Most of the people who attended the seminar also subscribed as members of the Khon Rak Chat Club. Kesinee Taengkhieo The Nation
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