Officials to testify on compliance

Senior Bangkok police and the operator of the capital's public buses have been summoned to testify on Monday on whether the People's Alliance for Democracy has followed a court order to stop obstructing traffic and using loudspeakers during school hours.

Methee Jaisamut, the lawyer for the 10 teachers and parents from Rajavinit Mathayom School who had filed for the court order, said yesterday that the Civil Court also required photos and maps of the PAD's rally site near Government House.

Metropolitan Police commissioner Lt-General Aswin Kwanmuang, Maj-General Phanu Kerdlapphol, the deputy Metropolitan Police chief responsible for traffic, police deputy spokesman Maj-General Surapol Thuanthong, Metropolitan Police Bureau 1 commander Maj-General Amnuay Nimmano, and Bangkok Mass Transit Authority director Pinet Puapattanakul were called as witnesses, he said.

On Monday, the court ordered the PAD leaders to end their blockade of Rama V and Phitsanulok roads.

They also ordered the PAD to go easy on using amplified speakers from 4.30am to 7.30pm.

On Wednesday, the plaintiffs went back to the court, protesting that the defendants had yet to obey the court order.

The plaintiffs said the PAD leaders, though exercising their constitutional right to a public gathering, had also infringed on their rights by blocking roads and making loud noises near their school.

Suwat Aphaipak, the attorney for the PAD leaders, said he would on Monday appeal the order with the Civil Court.

The PAD's motion for the court to lift its order had been rejected on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the Democrat MP for Krabi, Sakorn Kiewkhong, insisted he had nothing to do with the noisy protest on Tuesday night in the southern province by PAD supporters that forced Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung to cut short his official visit there.

Sakorn rejected allegations by Nattawut Saikua and Jatuporn Phromphan, politicians from the ruling People Power Party, that he was the mastermind.

He said he was about to board a flight for Bangkok when Chalerm arrived at Krabi's airport on Tuesday night.

Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva also dismissed the People Power Party claim that his party was behind the rally in Krabi and another PAD protest against Chalerm in Phuket.

He called on both the opposition and the government to help prevent any social rift resulting from the matter.