THAILAND: "Yellow shirts" urge government to do more to protect Thailand following border clash

Record ID: 212653

  • Title: THAILAND: "Yellow shirts" urge government to do more to protect Thailand following border clash
  • Date: 6th February 2011
  • Summary: BANGKOK, THAILAND (FEBRUARY 5, 2011) (REUTERS) YELLOW SHIRT PROTESTERS OUTSIDE GOVERNMENT HOUSE PROTESTERS SHAKING CLAPPERS SPEAKERS ON STAGE ADDRESSING PROTESTERS MORE VARIOUS PROTESTERS PROTESTERS ON STAGE SPEAKERS ON STAGE VARIOUS OF YELLOW SHIRT SENIOR OFFICIAL, SOMSAK KOSAISUK, SPEAKING ON STAGE ADDRESSING PROTESTERS PROTESTERS CLAPPING (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) YELLOW SHIRT SENIOR OFFICIAL SOMSAK KOSAISUK SAYING: "It is direct responsibility of the Thai soldiers to protect our territory and sovereignty, and we fully support the action taken by the Thai military to the best of their job." POLICE LINE BEHIND BARBWIRE FENCE POLICE GUARDING OUTSIDE THE GOVERNMENT HOUSE
  • Embargoed: 21st February 2011 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Thailand, Thailand
  • Country: Thailand
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVACAEE7RCWM53SY072FZKN3KJ5W
  • Story Text: Thailand's nationalist People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) rallied in support of the military Saturday (February 5) and demanded the government take a tougher stance on Cambodia after the two sides clashed at the border.
    Hundreds of protesters gathered outside Government House. They said they believed the Cambodian soldiers provoked and initiated the gunbattle.
    Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged fire on Friday (February 4) and Saturday morning in brief but deadly clashes that have killed four, including a Thai villager. It is the latest flare-up in a long-running feud over disputed land around an 11-century temple.
    "It is direct responsibility of the Thai soldiers to protect our territory and sovereignty, and we fully support the action taken by the Thai military to the best of their job," said Somsak Kosaisuk, one of PAD leader.
    The PAD says they will keep pressure on Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva until their demands regarding the border are met, including a request to revoke the Memorandum of Understanding signed with Cambodia in 2000 meant to settle the border dispute.
    The yellow shirts say the treaty is unfavourable to Thailand.
    The yellow shirts are critical of Abhisit, saying he is too weak to handle Cambodia's "aggression" and has no clear policy in using military force to protect the country's sovereignty.
    Abhisit, so far, has refused the demand to revoke the treaty
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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