BANGKOK, Nov 28 (TNA) - Key protest leaders have refused to hold talks to end the siege of Bangkok's two main airports, after four parties including the police tried to bring them to the negotiating table on Saturday.
After a security meeting, regional police deputy commander Major General Piya Sorntrakoon claimed protesters had agreed to hold formal talks on Saturday with authorities.
People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) leader Somsak Kosaisuk however denied the police’s claim, saying no such contact had been made. He said more PAD guards had been called in to protect the protesters’ defence lines.
Meanwhile, Police Lieutenant General Suchart Muankaew, the metropolitan police bureau chief, issued an order telling protesters at Don Mueang airport to leave the premises immediately.
"All protesters must leave the protest site otherwise law enforcement officers will carry out necessary measures to handle the situation," said the senior police officer.
The order came a day after Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat declared a state of emergency at the two main airports and authorised police to end the protests.
The anti-government protesters have said they will not leave until Mr. Somchai, whom they accused of being a proxy of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, resigns.
The premier reiterated on Friday he had imposed the emergency decree with the intention of tackling the problem, which had caused serious damage to the nation. It was meant to restore order, not to cause violence.
“The handling of protesters will be carried out in accordance with international practices. The best way out is negotiation. First, we must end the airport seizure. Otherwise, it will cause negative consequences to all sides,” said the premier.
Interior Minister Kowit Wattana assured the public that the government would adopt a soft approach to handle with the protesters who have closed Bangkok's two main airports for days.
Meanwhile, the Administrative Court dropped an appeal filed by a PAD lawyer against the Civil Court’s injunctions ordering the PAD to leave Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports. (TNA)
Political News : Last Update : 20:52:34 28 November 2008 (GMT+7:00)
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