Chamlong, Sondhi urge Thais to reject ICJ verdict

Former People’s Alliance for Democracy leaders Chamlong Srimuang and Sondhi Limthongkul yesterday called on Thais to reject the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice in the Preah Vihear land dispute between Thailand and Cambodia. 

Speaking at a press conference before the court announced its verdict yesterday, Chamlong said he would play a leading role in a planned rally by the People’s Army to Overthrow the Thaksin Regime that would be held to protest against the ICJ ruling, no matter which way it went. 

He said that for tactical reasons, Sondhi would not join the rally, but the media outlets under his Manager Group would fully support the rally.

Chamlong also called for a national reform effort to end the country’s political problems. “We hope for a national reform that will cover all aspects. It should end all problems and lead to a sustainable solution,” he said.

Under his leadership, the People’s Army to Overthrow the Thaksin Regime will also campaign against the proposed amendment of Article 190 of the Constitution, Chamlong said.

He added that the amendment would allow the government to sign contracts with foreign countries without seeking prior approval from Parliament. “I’ve asked Sondhi not to join the fight now, but to wait and become my substitute later,” Chamlong said. “If anything happens to me, Sondhi will become the last arrow against the government.”

Sondhi told the press that a House dissolution would not be a sustainable solution, adding that Thailand should not be run by politicians for a few years.

The People’s Army yesterday marched to the Defence Ministry, Army headquarters and the United Nations headquarters to submit letters disputing the ICJ’s jurisdiction in the Preah Vihear case.

The group has been protesting at Phan Fa Lilat Bridge, calling for the ouster of the government. Meanwhile, Utai Yodmanee, leader of the Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand (STR) – another anti-government group – said members would gather to protest against the government at the Makkhawan Bridge.

Another rally, led by the Democrats, is ongoing at Democracy Monument.

The Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order has put in place 61 companies of security personnel to maintain order in case protests intensify.  Pol Maj-General Piya Uthayo, spokesman for the Peacekeeping Operations Centre, told the media there were 7,900 protesters at Democracy Monument, 2,500 at the Makkhawan Bridge and 4,500 to 5,000 at Silom, Asoke, Ratchada-phisek and Saphan Khwai. The latter groups were scheduled to join the protesters at Democracy Monument yesterday evening. They were mobilised via social media.

The protest group at Silom yesterday announced its goal of forcing the Shinawatra family out of Thailand, saying a proposed amendment of the Constitution’s Article 190 would allow the family’s businesses to benefit from exploiting natural resources in the Gulf of Thailand with Cambodia and a petroleum company.

Thaksin’s legal adviser Noppadon Pattama, however, posted on Facebook yesterday a denial that Thaksin had an interest in the energy business.

The Peacekeeping Operations Centre has called on security officials to closely monitor the situation, following talks that the protests might escalate and even involve weapons. Security officials have been deployed to protect important locations such as Government House, the Foreign Ministry and the Cambodian Embassy.

The royalist Rak Raj Group yesterday called on the National Human Rights Commission to look into the enforcement of the Internal Security Act. The group said the government’s invoking of the ISA to control anti-amnesty protesters was not justified.

It also voiced suspicion that the government had backed Sunday’s red-shirt rally organised to counter the amnesty opponents.

The NHRC should also check if the government violated protesters’ right to peaceful assembly as enshrined in the charter, the group said.