Salang's assault plan rejected

Pro-government figures yesterday rejected the use of force to seize back Government House from the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

The idea was floated by former deputy national police chief Pol General Salang Bunnag, who proposed mobilising former policemen for the operation.

Kwanchai Praipana, chairman of the Udon Lovers Club and a leading supporter of ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra, yesterday denied that he would bring 10,000 club members to join Salang in dislodging the PAD from Government House.

He said he did not want to be blamed for leading people to their deaths as police had yet to clear Government House of weaponry.

Agriculture Minister Theerachai Saenkaew, a People Power Party MP for Udon Thani, said he did not believe anyone from Udon Thani would go along with Salang because that would only aggravate the situation. He said he respected Salang and refused to comment on his announcement that he would force the PAD out of Government House.

Salang yesterday confirmed the report that he would mobilise a force but refused to elaborate. He said earlier reports had misquoted him as saying the mission would take just five days.

Academics in the South said the government would show lamentable weakness if it let Salang incite a third party to seize control of Government House.

Academic Hormad Sombunbua-luang said the government had to stop the confrontation, which would inevitably lead to bloodshed.

Dr Chantana Suthijaree, a lecturer in Chiang Mai University's Faculty of Political Science, expressed concern that the move would lead to a repeat of the violence of October 6, 1976. She said the PM would stand accused if he failed to stop Salang.

Songkhla Provincial Chamber of Commerce chairman Dr Surachai Jitpakdibordin said there was no light at the end of the tunnel after police dispersed the PAD on Tuesday and Salang had only rubbed salt into the wound with his threat. He feared the country was doomed to further losses.

The three hosts of the programme 'The Truth Today", led by Veera Musikapong, yesterday mobilised Thaksin supporters to rally at Muang Thong Thani in a show of force and to map out a plan against the PAD. They called on the Democratic Alliance for Democracy to converge on Sanam Luang today and tomorrow. Veera said the DAD would hold a peaceful protest against the PAD and the move had nothing to do with Salang's plan. The DAD will not join Salang because it does not believe in any move that would bring confrontation with the PAD, he said.