PM warns bureaucrats don't take sides

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday called on bureaucrats to keep a distance from political conflicts so such disputes only involve politicians.

He said that in recent years, the country's political conflicts had expanded to encompass such groups as permanent officials, members of the media and other elements of society.

"The conflicts have expanded to become a social rift. My intention is to limit any political differences, or conflicts, within political circles. The usual mechanisms should be allowed to function independently to reflect their professionalism and neutrality," Abhisit said.

However, he admitted he was unlikely to effect any substantial changes overnight. "I insist that I will start the [process of] changes. We have at least to start trying to change even though we may not succeed [within a short period]."

The PM spoke after efforts to harass figures from the ruling Democrat Party by "red shirts" who support the previous governments linked to ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Suspected lapses of duty by local authorities were blamed for those incidents, including the eggs that were thrown at Chuan Leekpai, the former PM and chief adviser to the ruling Democrat Party.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban advised police and provincial authorities yesterday to prevent a repeat of Tuesday's egg pelting incident, warning he would take disciplinary action for any further lapses of duty.

Suthep voiced regret that Democrat chief adviser Chuan Leekpai was attacked by red-shirt crowds during the campaign in Chiang Mai, Lamphun and Lampang, strongholds for supporters of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

"It is normal to have differing political views but it is unacceptable [for authorities] to allow unruly crowds to try and disrupt electoral campaigning," he said.

He pledged to raise awareness in order to ensure a free and fair balloting outcome, so rival camps could not interfere with campaign activities.

Electoral candidates from both the government and the opposition should be free to air their views and get access to their constituents, he said, adding that parties concerned should respect and abide by the voting outcome.

Suthep said the goal of red-shirt mobs was to pressure the government to call a snap election within four to five months. "There is no justification to dissolve the House and the government is expected to survive and carry on its work for more than six months," he said.

Although street protests by protest mobs were likely to persist, organisers were obligated to abide by the law, he said.

The disruption of campaigning activities was illegal and unconstitutional, he said, urging authorities to take legal action against unruly mobs.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Chaovarat Chanweerakul said he had ordered governors to prevent any repeats of problems such as those faced by Chuan.

A mob of 30 red-shirts threw eggs into Government House yesterday after seeing Niphon Prompan, secretary general to the PM, step out of his office to pay respects at a shrine within the compound. They dispersed after running out of eggs.

A source from Government House security said they had been told about 20 red shirts planned to protest at the compound every day.

Senators yesterday condemned the aggressive tactics.

Senator Prasan Marukapithak said the red shirts' attack on Chuan was an "unacceptable and senseless act by political thugs".

He said governors and police chiefs in the provinces involved should be held responsible. He suggested the government look at transferring local officials out of those provinces.

"I notice that the red shirts have acted in unison. They call for House dissolution and they throw things at people," he said.

Senator Warin Thiemjaras said actions by the red shirts were an infringement of people's rights. He also called for provincial governors to be held responsible.

Defence Ministry permanent secretary General Apichat Phenkitti said that if requested, the military would provide extra security to politicians against such attacks. "We won't allow such incidents to happen again," he said.