PAD rally to support EC will see streets closed

Pol Maj-General Chamlong Srimuang said four PAD leaders would lead the rally but would avoid causing turmoil. Chamlong said he would stay back at the Makkhawan Bridge to prevent police from dispersing the PAD from the protest site.

They have yet to decide whether to rally to other places besides the EC office, he said.

The PAD planned to mobilise supporters at the Supachalasai Stadium at 8am before marching to the Office of the Election Commission at 10pm.

Metropolitan Police Bureau deputy commissioner Pol Maj General Panu Kerdlappol said police would facilitate the PAD by blocking some lanes on certain roads for them to reach the EC office.

If they want to rally at Siam Paragon and the National Police Commission head quarters, police would also block some roads for them. He said if the PAD used loud speakers and made too much noise, the speakers would be removed.

"If they really want to go to Siam Paragon, they will face a negative reaction as the public, especially motorists, will be upset with them for causing traffic jams,'' he said.

EC member Prapan Naikowit said the EC should within this month complete the probe on the complaint against Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej for violating the Constitution by working for a private company to produce a cooking show for television.

The EC probe on the fabrication of evidence in the electoral fraud case against former house speaker Yongyuth Tiyapairat will be completed in seven days, Prapan said.

Meanwhile, Auditor-General Khunying Jaruwan Maintaka denied she had built a Bt50-million house, saying she had land documents that prove her husband bought the land for Bt10,000 per rai more than 40 years ago to build the house.