DTV invites Abhisit to air his views

DTV president Adisorn Piengket said Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his deputy Suthep Thaugsuban were welcome to air their views on the station's programmes.

"Khun Abhisit, if he has time, can call in anytime or Khun Suthep might want to recount how he faced the red-shirt protesters in the North," Adisorn said.

The station would ensure equal airtime for the Democrats, he said after the phone-in by ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra did not run into any interference from the government.

"I am relieved there was no attempt to block the telephone call as had been feared," he said. Today, the station plans to launch its Internet broadcast at www.dstation.tv.

In regard to Saturday's red-shirt demonstration against Suthep in Chiang Mai, Abhisit said police were obliged to ensure peace.

"All sides should abide by the law when exercising their rights and police are under strict instructions not to allow violence to break out," he said.

The government would not let political rallies degenerate into violence, he said.

Suthep said he was not worried by the presence of about 300 red shirts making a raucous protest when he arrived at a party to mark the 45th anniversary of Chiang Mai University.

Red-shirt leader Natthawut Saikua claimed that police fired shots at a vehicle belonging to a protester. No injuries were reported.

Natthawut cast suspicion that the police might have acted under orders.

The red shirts would hold a rally at Sanam Luang on Saturday to demand justice, he said.

In an Abac Poll released yesterday, 86 per cent of the 1,056 respondents expressed confidence in Abhisit's leadership. The survey was conducted right after the prime minister's weekly TV show on NBT.