Red shirts expected to cause chaos in January
Red shirts expected to cause chaos in January
The red shirts could be expected to create an environment of fear and cause turmoil in January because the Pheu Thai Party is making plans to bring down the government through mass rallies and a no-confidence motion, a Cabinet source said yesterday.
In his report to the Cabinet, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said he did not expect any incidents between December 1 and 14 because that’s the period when royal ceremonies would be held, though small protests can be expected from December 15 to 31.
He added that a mass rally is probably planned after New Year’s Day celebrations to January 21.
“Pheu Thai will definitely be holding mass rallies to incite hatred before it resorts to parliamentary means to oust the administration,” Suthep said.
He added that the political situation from now until New Year’s Day did not look worrisome, though the authorities should watch out for sabotage in public places similar to the incidents in 2006. Police have been instructed to boost security during the period.
Deputy government spokesman Watchara Kannikar said Suthep also believed that the red shirts would be unable to mobilise enough of a crowd before New Year’s Day. However, the government does expect small rallies to be held in January when the Parliament will be reconvening and the Opposition is planning to launch a no-confidence motion against the premier.
National Security Council secretary-general Thawil Pliansi said it was believed that the red shirts would avoid staging rallies in December because not only would it be disrespectful to His Majesty, it would also offend the public. Besides, he said, they were probably discouraged because they thought the government was far too well prepared to handle the situation.
The Cabinet yesterday approved the lifting of the Internal Security Act that was enforced in the capital since November 28. However, the police have been given the job of maintaining security, and the military would only be deployed if things get worse.
The government deemed it appropriate to lift the security law because the red shirts have called off their planned rallies and have not rescheduled them so far.
