[arreskslarlig]

SE Asia
Home > Breaking News > SE Asia > Story
Jan 11, 2010

Protest over forest land

Target of today's rally is ex-premier for illegal land ownership

By Nirmal Ghosh, Thailand Correspondent



The anti-government 'red shirts' plan to demonstrate against former army chief and premier General Surayud Chulanont for illegally owning land in a forest reserve. -- PHOTO: AFP

BANGKOK - HUNDREDS of anti-government 'red shirts' from the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) streamed last night to a site near Khao Yai National Park, some 180km north-east of Bangkok, for a protest rally on Monday. They plan to demonstrate against former army chief and premier General Surayud Chulanont for illegally owning land in a forest reserve. Some 5,000 troops and policemen were being deployed last night at the site to maintain security. UDD leaders are due to decide by late next week the schedule for more protests in Bangkok aimed at forcing the government to quit and call elections. Despite two calls for unity and reconciliation by the ailing King Bhumibol Adulyadej last month, analysts remain gloomy on the prospects for political stability. The UDD has beefed up its 'security guards' with paramilitaries, and counts several serving and former military men among its sympathisers. Former senior army officers have also been joining the opposition Puea Thai party in recent weeks.

Read the full story in Monday's edition of The Straits Times.
nirmal@sph.com.sg