BANGKOK, Aug 31 (TNA) - The anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) have threatened to close seven airports and a key road leading through the southern region, and announced that Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej is "persona non grata" in the region.
Sunthorn Rakrong, a PAD southern region coordinator, said that as Mr. Samak had still refused to resign from his post and planned to move pro-government supporters from the North and the Northeast to clash with PAD protesters at Government House, his government has lost legitimacy to govern Thailand.
The occupation of Bangkok's Government House, now in its fifth consecutive day Sunday so that the prime minister could issue an emergency decree to cope with the political crisis, Mr. Sunthorn said, adding that his unit felt that the present government has lost legitimacy to run the country.
PAD's southern branch has therefore announced its plan to close seven airports in the South: Phuket, Hat Yai, Krabi, Surat Thani, Koh Samui, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Trang.
The protest alliance also threatens to close a major highway in Prachuap Khiri Khan linking with all provinces further south, cutting freight and bus traffic to the region.
According to the announcement, Mr. Samak who has refused to resign from his post, would be considered effective immediately as "persona non grata" to the South and is not welcome in the region.
For the sake of peace in the country, the PAD in South demanded Mr. Samak quit his post immediately, the announcement said. (TNA)
Political News : Last Update : 17:22:31 31 August 2008 (GMT+7:00)
|
