Red Shirt protesters seek US embassy clarity over alleged sabotage claim

BANGKOK, March 17 (TNA) –  Red Shirt protesters on Wednesday submitted a letter to the US embassy in Bangkok, asking for the embassy to clarify Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban’s remark about foreign intelligence networks’ warning of possible sabotage.

Anti-government protesters led by Jatuporn Prompan moved from Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s home where they spattered their blood to the US embassy on Wireless Road.

Mr Jatuporn detailed the Red Shirt anger at alleged US complicity by loudspeaker from the top of a truck on the street outside the US embassy. At the same time the Red Shirt demonstrators wanted to submit a letter to the embassy to affirm their non-violent stance in moving for democracy.

The Red Shirt leader said the demonstrators demanded the government dissolve Parliament and call a snap election.

They also asked the embassy to present evidence to prove a claim by Deputy Prime Minister Suthep if it was true that the US authorities wiretapped telephone calls of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in which he ordering a sabotage in Thailand.

Mr Suthep said on Tuesday that security authorities had been warned of possible sabotage from foreign intelligence networks. However, he did not  name any country in particular.

If the claim is groundless, the protesters want the embassy to issue a statement to Thai people that Mr Suthep’s remark was a false statement, Mr Jatuporn said. If Mr Suthep’s claim is true, the embassy must clarify the matter.

Mr Jatuporn and a few Red Shirt representatives were allowed to enter the embassy and submit their letter.

The UDD leader later told journalists that the embassy said Mr Suthep himself must clarify his claim, and that there is no need for the US embassy to answer the question for the deputy prime minister.

The protesters then moved from the US embassy back to their main protest venue on Phan Fah Bridge, an important historic site where Ratchadamnoen Avenue crosses from Rattanakosin Island and continues to Parliament. (TNA)