Democrats take over

The Democrat Party and defectors from the government coalition have gained a majority in the House and will form a government with Abhisit Vejjajiva as prime minister, the party claimed on Saturday.

Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban said the influential Friends of Newin faction from the Northeast had agreed to join the coalition.

The defection of Buri Ram politician Newin tips the political scales and creates new possible scenarios.

Sakda Khongpetch, leader of the Isan Pattana faction that has remained loyal to Thaksin, said that the House could be dissolved and a new election called "as a tool to punish the (Newin) group".

Mr Newin made a dramatic announcement that he was abandoning fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawtra, who still is the icon of the former Thai Rak Thai (now Puea Thai) governing party.

"Time is up for a person with power to return to the country by holding the people hostage," he said.

He also refused to answer the phone calls of Khunying Potjaman, the ex-wife of Thaksin Shinawatra. "It's too late," he said.

Thaksin's ex-wife and long time political helper reportedly tried to mount a last-ditch effort to convince Mr Newin to keep his 37-MP faction in the ranks of Puea Thai - the new iteration of Thai Rak Thai and People Power party.

In the end she failed, although political insiders said her surprise arrival from Hong Kong on Friday evening delayed discussions into the early hours of Saturday.

Other defectors from the dysfunctional government - effectively dissolved last Tuesday by the Constitution Court - include members of the former Chart Thai and Matchimatipataya, as well as Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana and Puea Pandin.

The defections of the minor parties give the Democrats theoretical control of the 500-seat House of Representatives, and the right to try to name a prime minister when the House meets on Monday.

There is no guarantee of this, however. Control of the House is unclear, because the Constitution Court's decision to dissolve three parties and ban 109 politicians created more than 25 vacancies.

Mr Suthep and defectors held a press conference on Saturday evening.

The Democrats' main fund-raiser said the party will establish a new government and promote Mr Abhisit as the new prime minister.

In apparent reaction and disarray, the pro-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) called off its plans to rally in front of the parliament on Sunday and Monday, in order to see who will be the next prime minister.

Veera Musikapong, leader of the "red-shirt group," said on Saturday the UDD will still hold the mobile political talk show known as Kwam Jing Wan Nee (Truth Today) next Saturday at Supachalasai Stadium, the former national stadium in downtown Bangkok.

He said the UDD will not accept the government that is formed unconstitutionally, but it was unclear what he meant by that.

Another UDD leader Jatuporn Phrompan insisted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will make his phone-in address next Saturday.
(BangkokPost.com)

HM slightly ill, cancels speech

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn and Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn represent His Majesty the King in receiving people who gathered yesterday to wish him well on the eve of his 81st birthday at the Dusitdalai Pavilion. The picture was taken from the television broadcast.



Crown Prince, Princess receive well-wishers
His Majesty the King was unable to give his much-awaited traditional annual birthday address to
the public yesterday because of minor ailments.

It was the first time the King has missed his traditional public address on the eve of his birthday.

The King assigned His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn to represent him in receiving a gathering of cabinet ministers, dignitaries, high-ranking government officials and members of the public, who went to the Dusitdalai Pavilion inside the Chitralada Palace to wish the King well on the eve of his 81st birthday today.

The Crown Prince was accompanied by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and members of the royal family.

Acting Prime Minister Chaovarat Charnveerakul conveyed to His Majesty the best wishes of those attending the ceremony.

The Crown Prince said His Majesty the King was not present because he was a little unwell and assigned the Princess to explain his condition.

The Crown Prince said the King expressed his appreciation and thanks for the best wishes and loyalty shown by his subjects.

In return, the King expressed his best wishes to the people, the Crown Prince said.

"His Majesty wishes everyone happiness, prosperity, physical and inner strength and wisdom so they can perform their duty to the best of their ability for the good of the country and the people," said the Crown Prince.

The Princess then explained the King's condition.

She said when she visited the King on Wednesday at the Chitralada Palace, the King was well and could eat properly.

But yesterday, the King suffered an inflamed throat with a lot of phlegm and had difficulty eating, the Princess said.

The King was given a saline solution and medication.

His Majesty felt uncomfortable and exhausted, but did not have a fever and wanted to rest, the Princess said. The condition was not serious, but the King was too tired to get up.

Doctors will later issue a detailed explanation of the King's illness, the Princess said.

On Oct 13 last year, the King was admitted to Siriraj hospital after experiencing weakness on the right side of his body due to insufficient blood flow to the left cerebral cortex of the brain.

He was discharged from the hospital on Nov 7 last year after spending 25 days recuperating.

People who waited to see the King at the palace yesterday expressed concern for his health after learning that he was not well.

They wished the King a speedy recovery from the illness.

Many regretted missing the opportunity to hear the monarch's long-awaited birthday address.

Duangporn Jindakham, 40, came from Narathiwat province on Tuesday to join the King's birthday celebrations in Bangkok.

She came to the Chitralada Palace at noon to see the King but later learned he had not arrived. Other well-wishers waiting in the compound of the palace did not shout "Long Live the King" when the royal motorcade passed by, as they usually do.

Ms Duangporn said she was concerned to learn about the King's ill health and wished him a speedy recovery from his ailment.

"I saw His Majesty looking exhausted during the royal cremation ceremony for Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana.

"So I wanted to come here to wish him well," she said.

Rujana Kaenthirat, a well-wisher from Sakon Nakhon province, said when the royal motorcade passed by, he did not see Their Majesties the King and the Queen in the car.

He said: "I wish His Majesty a quick recovery.

"I learned that the King is very tired physically and mentally because there are a lot of problems [facing the country]."

Namkhang sae Bae, 55, from Phutthamonthon Sai 4 road in Thon Buri, said she came to the palace on the eve of the King's birthday every year and it was unfortunate the King was not present this year because of ill health.

According to the Royal Household Bureau, people can sign messages to wish the King well on his birthday today at the Sala Saha Thai Samakhom pavilion inside the Grand Palace.

King mildly ill

Bangkok Post breaking news team

His Majesty the King is "mildly" sick and cannot deliver his annual birthday-eve speech.

The monarch traditionally grants a royal audience on the eve of his Dec 5 birthday. This year, the nation was looking forward to hearing advice on the political crisis which has literally brought the nation to a halt at times.

His Royal Highness Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn said on national radio that the speech will not be delivered.

Also on the broadcast, given in lieu of the traditional audience by the king, Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn explained the problem.

"His Majesty the King is mildly sick," she said. His Majesty "has a blockage in his throat and has poor appetite." (BangkokPost.com, AFP)

Governments warn citizens against visits to Thailand

ACHARA ASHAYAGACHAT, AMORNRAT MAHITTHIROOK AND CHATRUDEE THEPARAT

Many countries have issued travel advisories to their citizens who are planning to visit Thailand following the storming of Suvarnabhumi airport.

Among them, China has advised its citizens to review travel plans to Thailand.

Singaporeans have been urged to postpone non-essential travel here.

The Australian embassy has highlighted caution in its advisory and advised its citizens to avoid protest areas..

The US embassy has also warned Americans to stay away from Suvarnabhumi airport.

The Presidency of the Council of the European Union has expressed serious concerns about the deteriorating political situation in Thailand, in particular with the siege of Suvarnabhumi airport, where air traffic has ground to a halt and thousands of passengers have been stranded or rerouted.

It reiterates that any anti-constitutional attempt to interfere in the democratic process would harm EU-Thailand relations.

The closure of Suvarnabhumi by the People's Alliance for Democracy since Tuesday has cost Thai Airways International (THAI) and Airports of Thailand (AoT) Co more than 500 million baht a day, with over 400 flights cancelled.

THAI operates 140 flights on average and serves over 30,000 passengers daily through the airport.

Its cargo service normally generates about 63 million baht a day for the airline.

The carrier is working to find accommodation for stranded passengers and provide them with meals and alternative transportation.

Since the airport's closure on Tuesday night, THAI has catered some 6,000 meals and paid for rooms at nearby hotels. The costs have yet to be calculated, said THAI vice president Parndit Chanaphai.

Transport Minister Santi Promphat has ordered the AoT to sue the PAD for the damage.

The Civil Court yesterday called an emergency session to look into a complaint filed by the AoT against 13 PAD leaders for directing the siege. The AoT accused Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang and 12 other PAD leaders of spearheading the move.

The AoT asked the court to order the PAD to leave Suvarnabhumi at once.

The court agreed to begin an emergency inquiry at 5.30pm yesterday.

Passengers were also stranded at other regional airports as no aircraft arrived from Bangkok to pick them up, except a special THAI flight from Suvarnabhumi which arrived at Hat Yai airport to collect Haj pilgrims heading for Saudi Arabia.

About 5,000 passengers are stuck at Phuket airport and about 800 at Samui.

According to Aeronautical Radio of Thailand Co, some arriving international flights were rerouted to Don Mueang and U-tapao airports as well as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Penang.

PAD demonstrators also ensured no air traffic controllers remained at work.

The government approved an urgent budget of 10 million baht to help stranded travellers..

Immigration police have been asked to exempt fines for those whose visas have expired while stranded.

From bangkokpost.com

PAD, Somchai say no to Anupong's compromise

Stranded passengers take a rest near airline check-in counters at Suvarnabhumi airport. Alldepartures were cancelled yesterday and most airlines redirected arriving flights. SAROT MEKSOPHAWANNAKUL

Protesters settle in at airport, PM won't quit

POST REPORTERS

Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat and the People's Alliance for Democracy yesterday rejected a call by army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda for compromise with a new election and an end to anti-government protests in the wake of Suvarnabhumi airport's shutdown.

The airport was closed from Tuesday for security reasons after PAD demonstrators stormed its passenger terminal.

Core PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul said the anti-government group would stay there for a few days to bring down the government of Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat.

But the Civil Court last night ordered them to leave after a request by Airports of Thailand Plc (AoT), which controls all international airports in the country.

Plans to end the PAD rally at the airport will be high on the agenda at a cabinet meeting to be held in Chiang Mai today.

Hours before Mr Somchai returned from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Peru to Chiang Mai, Gen Anupong advised that he dissolve the House and urged the PAD to vacate Suvarnabhumi.

The call was made at a meeting of a panel monitoring the political situation with high-level government officials, academics and security officials chaired by the army leader.

But the prime minister last night rejected it, saying he would neither order a dissolution of the House nor resign from his post.

"This government has legitimacy. It came through the election process by voters across the country," he said in an address to the nation and stressed the need for him to stay in power to protect democracy and maintain the rule of law.

He demanded the PAD leave Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, along with Government House as the seizures were damaging the country.

A government source said Mr Somchai had consulted other coalition parties immediately after arriving in Chiang Mai and all of them agreed with the prime minister's stance.

PAD core member Pibhop Dhongchai said the PAD remained firm in its stand that Mr Somchai must step down unconditionally. According to the PAD, negotiations would be made possible only by Mr Somchai's departure.

Upset by the army chief's proposal, members of the People Power party (PPP) threatened to petition Mr Somchai, also the defence minister, to sack Gen Anupong from his post.

Acting PPP spokesman Kudep Saikrachang lashed out at the army chief's proposal, saying it was "silly, naive, irrational and improper."

He said that Gen Anupong should have taken action against the PAD demonstrators who had clearly violated the law by storming the airport.

But the prime minister refused to take action against the army chief, despite speculation that he was not satisfied with Gen Anupong due to his failure to keep control of the country.

An army source said Mr Somchai and Gen Anupong would talk by phone today to patch up their differences.

In a press conference, Gen Anupong said those attending the meeting agreed that both the coalition government and the PAD shared a prominent role in getting the political unrest resolved.

"We are not pressuring the government, but suggesting a solution. The people should get a chance to decide the future in fresh elections," he said.

He stressed that he was not staging a coup as he believed it would not end the political unrest.

He also shrugged off speculation that the suggestion could cost him his job.

"The government still has full power. If I was afraid of being sacked, I would not have made this suggestion. I would have staged a coup and I would have the full authority. I chose not to because it will not solve the problem," he said.

A source close to the meeting said certain representatives from the private sector suggested use of "necessary" force to take back Suvarnabhumi airport.

Their proposal was opposed by Gen Anupong who also disagreed with Mr Somchai's resignation out of fear that he would be seen to be taking sides with the PAD.

After meeting for two hours, the army chief concluded that a House dissolution was the best option, said the source. Other military leaders held back from expressing their opinions.