KhmerTimes/BangkokPost-Nov 28, 2024
On Monday, the government expressed confidence that the 2001 memorandum of understanding on joint development in the Gulf of Thailand, signed by Thailand and Cambodia, would not trigger mass protests. This was in response to former yellow-shirt movement leader and media firebrand Sondhi Limthongkul’s threat to hold regular activities next year, which some observers have warned could escalate into mass demonstrations against the Pheu Thai-led government. At a forum on Sunday at Thammasat University’s ThaPrachan campus, Sondhi, the former leader of the now-defunct People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), criticized Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra for her lack of knowledge and accused the government of disregarding the law. Sondhi suggested that now is the time to arm people with knowledge and hold a monthly public forum starting next year. His remarks were seen as a threatening move to oust the Paetongtarn government. Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai brushed aside the prospect of street protests on Monday and said Sondhi has the constitutional right to hold rallies. He said the government is ready to face scrutiny and pointed out that there are already channels in place to keep the government in check. Phumtham, the defence minister and a heavyweight in the Pheu Thai Party, also urged the former PAD leader to consider the possible impacts that street protests could have on the economy.
Read more at: https://www.khmertimeskh.com/501599378/govt-keen-to-downplay-thai-cambodian-sea-spat/
