Bangkok - Thai police have summoned 16 leaders of the
People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), also known as the 'yellow
shirts,' to face charges related to the closure of Bangkok's two
international airports last year, media reports said Sunday.
On July 1, police issued charges against the PAD leaders and
summoned them to face authorities on July 16, the Bangkok Post
reported.
Among those charged was current Thai Foreign Minister Kasit
Piromya, a former PAD member who led the protest at Suvarnabhumi
International Airport.
The protestors closed both Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang Airport on
for 10 days in November and December.
The closures caused billions of dollars in damages to the
country's tourism and export sectors, and led to the eventual
downfall of the government under former Prime Minister Somchai
Wongsawat, the brother-in-law of fugitive politician Thaksin
Shinawatra.
Thailand's current government, under Prime Minister Abhisit
Vejjajiva, has been criticized for not bringing the PAD leaders to
justice and for seemingly condoning their destructive acts by
appointing Kasit as foreign minister.
Others facing charges include media tycoon Sondhi Limthongkul,
protest strategist Chamlong Srimuang and Somsak Kosaisuk, the leader
of the newly set up New Politics Party.
The PAD, who wore yellow shirts to demonstrate their loyalty to
King Bhumibol Adulyadej, were dedicated to the overthrow of
Thailand's previous government which they deemed a proxy for Thaksin,
a billionaire former telecommunications tycoon who was prime minister
between 2001-06 before he was toppled by a coup.
USA
Your Talkback on this Story