Samak himself has been busy with fighting rumors about an imminent military coup to topple his government, which have been running wild recently in the capital, to install public confidence for the coalition government's stability.
The PAD had launched the new round of street rallies last Sunday to protest the Samak government's move to amend the post-coup 2007 Constitution. After the charter rewrite motion went aborted before entering parliamentary session, lacking enough endorsement by lawmakers on Friday, the PAD vowed to continue their rally.
The PAD leaders, including media mogul and consistent Thaksin critic Sonthi Limthongkul, and former Bangkok governor and veteran political activist Chamlong Srimuang, have called on supporters to continue rally with a goal to oust the Samak government, which took office after the Samak-led People Power Party (PPP) won the post-coup general election last December.
They have claimed the resignation of Prime Minister's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair on Friday as a victory. Jakrapob had faced pressure from the opposition Democrat Party and the PAD who demanded his step-down over a lese majeste charge regarding an English speech he made last August at the Foreign Correspondents' Club in Thailand in Bangkok.
Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva on Saturday warned that violence might occur if the government forcefully disperse the PAD protest. He urged the government to recruit a moderator to talk to PAD leaders to ease conflicts.
The PAD had played a significant role in the downfall of the Thaksin administration by organizing a series of mass protests in central Bangkok against Thaksin, which climaxed in the military top brass' step-in to finally oust Thaksin with the Sept. 19 coup in 2006, citing heightened social rifts between anti and pro- Thaksin groups.
The group, led by a group of anti-Thaksin political activists, academics and businessmen, ceased operation after the coup ousted Thaksin, but declared resurrection after PPP, seen as the new banner for Thaksin and the former ruling Thai Rak Thai Party, formed a coalition government with another five political parties early this year.
The political tension is expected to continue as the PAD seemed unswayed in its calls to topple the Samak government.
(Xinhua News Agency June 1, 2008)
