Protesters delay new Thai PMs policy address

Updated December 30, 2008 11:11:08

The new Thai government under Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is facing its first major test since coming to power a fortnight ago, with street protests hoping to undermine Mr. Abhisit's efforts to deliver the government's key policy statement as well as pressing the new administration to call for fresh general elections.

Presenter: Ron Corben
Jakrapob Penkair, anti-government spokesman and senior member of the Thaksin government; Suthep Thaugsuban, Thai deputy prime minister; Sirichok Sopha, Democrat Party member

CORBEN: Almost 10,000 protestors surrounded the Thai Parliament building cutting off the main access roads and preventing Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva from delivering his maiden policy statement since coming to power earlier this month.
The protestors, wearing red and with signs bearing the image of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra denouncing the new government, numbered some 9,000 - smaller than the more than 50,000 who attended an anti-government rally on Sunday. Jakrapob Penkair, an anti-government spokesman was also a senior member of the Thaksin government. He says the protestors charge the government, that came to power after a split in the pro-Thaksin ruling party together with coalition partners joining the Democrats, was not legitimate.

JAKRAPOB: The message is we don't want the Abhisit government completely installed as government without really knowing what the majority of the people are feeling. And the red shirt rally today is meant to convey a direct message to him that we see him as an illegitimate government - has been formed from factions and defections of politicians - that is not the way you form a majority government. So we asked Khun Abhisit if he wants to go into the parliament and continue with the process he needs to get out of his car walk through the red short people hearing what they have to say to him and we guarantee his safety.

CORBEN: Several attempts were made by the Speaker of the House to convene parliament throughout the day, but all were thwarted as talks broke down between the protestors and the government. At the Democrat Party headquarters senior government members remained huddled in meetings from the early hours looking at ways to end the deadlock. Deputy Prime Minister, Suthep Thaugsuban, clearly worried, said the government was clearly concerned about safety.

SUTHEP: We are concerned about the safety of the member of the parliament first and also the safety of the people.

CORBEN: Sirichok Sopha, a member of the Democrat Party, said negotiations would remain the main means of ending the standoff.

SIRICHOK: I think they want to bloc our entrance so that we cannot deliver the policy statement and now we are negotiating with them. They want us to walk - they don't want us to go in with our cars. I am not sure whether they can guarantee us any safe passage or not so we are negotiating right now.

CORBEN: But the talks Monday clearly failed. Mr. Abhisit is now expected to attempt to make his policy speech on Tuesday. Mr. Sirchok says Prime Minister is looking to promote national unity and the economy.

SIRICHOK: It's about unity; that' the most important thing, to get the people of Thailand to unite and to understand that Khun Abhisit is the Prime Minister of every Thai person whether its anti-government or pro-government - they all belong to our government. And secondly, we will try to deliver or economic stimulus package telling Thai people what we will do in the coming three months and they will help Thai people going through this economic crisis.

CORBEN: The government wants to avoid bloodshed at all cost. In October, during protests outside parliament against the previous government, up to 400 people were injured when police opened fire with tear gas and stun grenades. The violence undermined the then government's credibility. Member of parliament Sirichok again:

SIRICHOK: We will have to negotiate - there is nothing else we can do because we don't use violence and we want to open a dialogue with them - and we will wait - we have time so that's no problem.