Leader: Thai anti-gov’t mass rally to be held on March 26

The Thai anti-government group --United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) will hold a mass rally on March 26, UDD core leader Veera Musikapong announced Thursday.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva listens to debate on a vote of no confidence in the House of Representatives in Bangkok, Thailand, March 19, 2009. The debate on a vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his five cabinet ministers started on Thursday morning, as opposition Puea Thai Party MP Chalerm Yubamrung is leading the attack on the Democrat Party-led government.(Xinhua/Thana Nuntavoranut)

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday in Bangkok, Veera disclosed that the UDD-led protesters will gather at Sanam Luang in central Bangkok in the morning on March 26 and will later march to the Government House.

The latest plan of holding the mass rally on March 26 has been changed from the group's earlier plan of holding the mass rally on March 29.

The change on the rally day was in line with the change in the country's political situation, said Veera.

The earlier plan of holding the mass rally on March 29 was planned in line with the earlier plan of the House debate, which was scheduled on March 26 to 27.

As the government moved forward the House debate to March 19 to20, hence the UDD has also moved forward its planned mass rally to March 26.

The UDD-led mass rally is aimed to topple the ruling government, which has been attacked by the opposition's no confidence debate led by the Puea Thai Party, Veera said.

The number of the UDD-led supporters during the planned mass rally on March 26 will be much higher than its previous anti-government rallies, he said.

"And, it will be the prolonged rally," said Veera.

The UDD group, who is also known as the red-shirted people, has demanded the government to dismiss Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, prosecute People's Alliance for Democracy leaders for occupying the Government House and Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports, amend the 2007 Constitution and dissolve the House of Representatives.

Also, ahead of the planned mass rally in Bangkok on March 26, on March 21 and 22 the UDD-led protesters will rally in the city of Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai province, respectively in the North of Thailand.

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet