Protests force Thai PM to relocate maiden speech
Article from: Agence France-Presse
From correspondents in Bangkok
December 30, 2008 14:50pm Thai time
PROTESTERS have forced Thailand's new premier to relocate his maiden policy speech after blocking his entrance to parliament.
The country's new premier Abhisit Vejjajiva will deliver his maiden policy speech at the foreign ministry after riot police failed to clear protesters from outside parliament, a minister said.
Despite repeated efforts by hundreds of police officers armed with shields to push open the gates and create a path for lawmakers to enter the building, the red-shirted crowd calling for new elections refused to budge.
They are loyal to Thaksin Shinawatra, the premier ousted in a 2006 coup, and say Abhisit's government is not legitimate as he came to power after the Thaksin-linked former ruling party was dissolved by a court early this month.
"The government intended to deliver a policy statement but this was prevented by protesters," said Satit Wonghnongtaey, a minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office.
"So the government has decided to move the venue to the foreign ministry, which parliament has confirmed is legal. We have already informed coalition partners and the meeting will start as soon as we have a quorum."