Bangkokians told to be patient, saying situation has eased up to a level
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva went on TV Sunday morning, urging the red-shirt protesters to stop blocking roads and return to rally at the Phan Fa Bridge.
Abhisit said the order of the Peacekeeping Operations Command for the protesters to vacate the Rajprasong Intersection to remain intact but the government would use lenient measures to try to ease the situation.
The prime minister also told Bangkokians, who were dissatisfied by the protests, to be patient as the government was trying to ease the situation through negotiations.
He said all are Thais so the government would try to solve the problem without causing bloodshed.
The prime minister said the issuance of the POC orders did not mean the government would use force to break up the rally but the government simply wanted to tell the protesters that it was illegal for them to cause hardship to others.
"The POC issued clear orders for the demonstrators to leave the area but it did not mean what we will use force to break up the demonstration," the prime minister spoke during a special TV address at 9 am.
"Senior police officers in the level of deputy commissioner-general were assigned to negotiate and explain the orders to the protest leaders."
The prime minister said the situation has eased up to a point after protesters stopped blocking Sukhumvit Road leading to the Rajprasong as motorists could make a left turn and motorists could travel on Rajdamri Road and make a left turn to the Royal Thai Police headquarters.
Abhisit said his government always respected the constitutional right of the protesters and had already held twice talk with their leaders to try to reach a compromise with their demand.
But a lot more other people disagreed with the demand of the protesters, Abhsit said, adding that the number of those who were opposed to the protesters might be not less than the number of the red-shirt people.
He insisted that his government came to office in line with the parliamentary rules of international standard and he did not try to remain in office until completing the term in 1 year and nine months.
Abhsit said his government was willing to shorten his term if doing so would solve the political problems but it was clear that immediate House dissolution as demanded by the protesters would not end the political conflicts.
He said the protest leaders and representatives of all sectors should join the government in trying to find a solution acceptable to all sides for ending the political crisis and preventing more political violence.
With cooperation from all sides, such solution could be reached in less than a year and he would dissolve the House.
"The POC's orders for the protesters to leave the area are still being enforced. So, the protesters should return to Phan Fa. The government has the duty to enforce the laws and keep security. We expect that a number of people want the government to take harsh actions but we will follow international practice. We will use lighter measures before using harsher ones. I would like to seek cooperation from the people to be patient. The government will rush to ease the situation and will lead the country back to normality without loss of life," Abhisit said.
