Rift threatens to widen as govt backers plan rallies

Thailand is heading towards further rifts with pro-government crowds planning to rally in 50 provinces to demand an end to the siege of Government House by anti-government protesters.

People Power Party MP Chuvit Pitakpornpallop said pro-government crowds would rally in 50 provinces in four regions to counter the People's Alliance for Democracy by demanding an end to the PAD's capture of Government House.

The pro-government rallies were scheduled to take place at provincial halls from last night until the anti-government protesters moved out of the seat of the government.

Chuvit said pro-government crowds might even lay siege to religious sanctuaries run by Santi Asoke in Ubon Ratchathani and other provinces. Santi Asoke is seen as closely linked to PAD leader Chamlong Srimuang.

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej is scheduled to hold his Cabinet meeting in Udon Thani tomorrow. He is in the same shoes as Thaksin, who in 2006 was also forced to hold Cabinet meetings in the provinces because the PAD had sealed Government House.

Udon Thani is the province where PAD members were recently assaulted by pro-government supporters, an incident that made headlines.

Prakasit Rubsung, a PAD leader in the Northeast, said Khwanchai Praipana, the leader of the pro-government Udon Lovers' Club, is planning to organise rallies against the PAD by paying Bt150,000 to any district which brings in people to support the rallies.

He said that Khwanchai will be mobilising some 2,000 supporters to greet Samak and his Cabinet on Monday at the airport and to prevent the PAD protesters from getting close to the prime minister.

Meanwhile, the People Power Party yesterday ruled out all scenarios for it to relinquish power - either by the prime minister resigning or a House dissolution - arguing the turmoil would persist regardless of its course of action.

"Protesters want to introduce the idea of so-called 'new politics' even though many people have no idea what that is," party spokesman Kudep Saikrajang said.

Kudep said political normalcy could not be restored as long as the opposition movement led by the PAD was determined to use illegal means to oust the government and revamp the political system.

He said none of the problems would be solved by Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's resignation or by calling a snap election. If the government bows to demands made through illegal means, this would set a dangerous precedent for the Thai political system, he said.

He dismissed speculation that the main coalition party was at odds with Army chief General Anupong Paochinda relating to the enforcement of emergency measures.

Kudep said his party was in favour of negotiations as a way to overcome the deadlock. The problem is not the government but the opposition, which refuses to negotiate, he said.