Rally to seek removal of PM
The Assembly of Isaan People will hold a rally in Roi Et before the end of the month in the hope that the junta will eventually agree to its demand to dismiss Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, protest leader Chaiwat Sinsuwong said yesterday.
"The assembly has reached a consensus that Surayud must go, although members have differing opinions on ways to drive him out office," Chaiwat said. He said some assembly members did not want to rally, although the majority deemed it necessary to back up their demand. He voiced optimism that junta leader General Sonthi Boonyaratglin might agree to remove Surayud, despite his rejection of the demand on Tuesday. "Just as Sonthi repeatedly denied that he was preparing to stage a coup before September 19, a change of prime minister might happen any day," he said. Chaiwat added after the dismissal of Surayud, he was ready to name five candidates as possible replacements. He dismissed the allegation that his assembly was a puppet of the People's Alliance for Democracy, the leading anti-Thaksin group which soon became disillusioned with Surayud's leadership. Commenting on the appointment of retired General Pallop Pinmanee to take charge of preventing street protests, he said he knew the general well. "I believe Pallop could effectively handle various mobs," he said, arguing that Pallop was to focus on supporters of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra. Campaign for Popular Democracy secretary-general Suriyasai Katasila said he was concerned that Pallop's appointment could trigger a violent confrontation with pro-Thaksin protesters. He said he disagreed with Pallop's idea to mobilise 700,000 people organised by the Internal Security Operation Command to counter Thaksin's supporters. "Pallop's confrontational style is similar to the tactics implemented by Thaksin," he added. Meanwhile, three PTV rallies - organised in support of Thaksin - have been scheduled for today, next Sunday and on May 31, organiser Jatuporn Phromphan said. The first two will take place at Sanam Luang and the final rally is to be at the Royal Plaza, he said. Jatuporn said he would release an open letter after next Sunday's rally demanding Sonthi prove that he could mobilise the crowds to counter Thaksin's supporters. In a separate development, yesterday's anti-coup rally organised by the Saturday Anti-coup Group switched from Sanam Luang to a shopping mall in Samut Prakan to spread the message to more people.
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