19.04.09 PM: Government will listen to charges that protesters were killed by military weapons
Source: TNA
BANGKOK, April 19 (TNA) -- Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva
said Sunday that his government would listen to charges that protesters
or innocent residents died from military weaponry, meaning gunfire from
government forces, during the operation to disperse anti-government
protesters on April 13.
Speaking during his weekly television address, Mr. Abhisit insisted
that the authorities would be lenient to protesters from the United
Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) and that no one was
killed or wounded by military weapons during the operation.
However, if there is a solid proof that military weapons were used on that day, the government is ready to consider the charges.
Monday’s violent clashes left two residents shot and killed by the
protesters while a combined casualty toll of 123 persons wounded or
otherwise injured among both government security forces and protesters.
The main opposition Puea Thai Party is expected to grill the
government during a joint session of Parliament in the middle of this
week, charging that that several protesters were shot dead by
government forces and their bodies carried away during the
confrontation. The party claims it has evidence to back the charges.
Mr. Abhisit said his government would offer rehabilitation measures to those who were affected from the clashes.
The Cabinet on Tuesday will discuss providing additional measures
intended to boost tourism which has now become a national agenda
priority, he said.
Several foreign governments have issued warnings to their citizens
to avoid travel to Thailand due to security concerns. Last Sunday a
state of emergency was imposed by Mr. Abhisit in Bangkok and five
neighbouring provinces and remains in effect.
Tourism operators understand the government fully well that it wants to see a sustainable peace in the country, he said.
Mr. Abhisit said the state of emergency would continue for a period
and it is still necessary following an attack on a core leader of
People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), his driver and close aide early
Friday.
The three are being treated at a government hospital in Bangkok, and the gunmen are still at large.
Mr. Abhisit urged PAD supporters to remain calm while the
authorities try to conclude their investigation as soon as possible.
(TNA)
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