Bangkok - Thai police summoned leaders of the People's
Alliance for Democracy (PAD), including current Foreign Minister
Kasit Piromya, to face charges related to the closure of Bangkok's
two international airports last year, reports said Sunday.
On July 1, police issued charges against some 25 PAD leaders for
forcing the closures of Suvarnabhumi International Airport and Don
Mueang
on November 26 to December 3, and summoned them to face authorities
on July 16.
Among those charged was current Thai Foreign Minister Kasit, a
former PAD member who led the protest at Suvarnabhumi International
Airport.
Kasit, who is now in Qatar, said he would report to police on July
16 but would continue performing his duties as foreign minister, the
state-run Thai News Agency reported.
The PAD activists face various charges including terrorism and
obstructing aviation.
The airports closure 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, wearing yellow shirts to demonstrate their loyalty to
King Bhumibol Adulyadej, were dedicated to the overthrow of the
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.
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