Red shirts up campaign to fire FM Kasit

Thailand will host the summit in the seaside resort of Hua Hin in late February.

Meanwhile, the red-shirt movement said members would soon begin a campaign to amend the 2007 Constitution. The campaign would also press the government to expedite legal action against leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) for laying siege to Government House and Bangkok's two airports.

About 100 representatives of the red-shirt movement, known as the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DAAD), from 15 provinces met at Mido Hotel yesterday to discuss the group's next moves.

A group leader, Vipoothalaeng Pattanaphumthai, said the DAAD wanted Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to dismiss Kasit as the foreign minister was partly responsible for the airport seizure.

Kasit had joined PAD rallies, including ones held after the airport takeover, before being appointed to the Abhisit Cabinet.

Vipoothalaeng said the DAAD was campaigning against Kasit, and not against the Asean summit.

Thailand is scheduled to host the meeting of 10 leaders of Asean members in Hua Hin between February 28 and March 1.

Somyos Pheuksakasemsuk, a DAAD leader, said the government would be given one month to remove Kasit from office.

"If Kasit is removed, we will cancel our rally during the Asean summit," he said, adding Kasit, given his role in previous demonstrations and the airport siege, had no legitimacy to welcome summit participants.

"We would hold a parallel meeting [to mock the event]," he added.

However, there was no plan to hold rallies in Hua Hin out of respect for His Majesty the King, who often retreats to this seaside resort.

Regarding a charter amendment, he said a proposal will be tabled for deliberation when the House reconvenes on January 21 as the 2007 post-coup constitution is blamed for the ongoing political problems.

The group also demanded that the government take legal action against the PAD leaders as soon as possible or the DAAD would hold a rally to pressure the government to do so.