Thai Patriots Network [PAD] To Hold 'Mass' Protest To Demand Abhisit's Resignation

Bangkok 12 January 2011 -- Bangkok Post

The Thai Patriots Network (TPN) will hold a mass rally in front of Government House this Thursday, demanding that the government to comply with its demand for resignations, the network said in a statement read by its core member Chaiwat Sinsuwong on Wednesday.

The statement called for the resignation of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, and Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and his secretary Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, saying they were negligent in not helping the seven Thais arrested by Cambodian soldiers.

It said they instead admitted the Thais had trespassed on Cambodian soil in the hope they would get a royal pardon from the Cambodian king.

The network also demanded the government submit a letter to the United Nations asking that it "oppose" the Cambodian court's jurisdiction in the matter. The network claims the Cambodian court does not have the authority to consider the case against the arrested Thais.

In the statement, the Thai and Cambodian governments were asked to comply with the 4th Geneva Convention, to which both countries are signatories, which prohibits the arrest and trial of civilians in a disputed area.

Mr Chaiwat said the Thai Patriots Network would hold a mass rally in front of Government House on Jan 13 to press the government to comply with its demand.

If the government did not do so, the network would hold a rally at Aranyaprathet in Sa Kaeo province to press for the closure of the border checkpoint, he said.

The network would submit a letter to the UN and the office of the International Red Cross in Thailand to ask them to look into the plight of the seven Thais to make sure their rights are protected while being detained at Prey Sar prison in Phnom Penh.