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Protesters threaten hunger strike

The Nation July 24, 2000

THE protesters encamped in front of Government House for more than a week yesterday threatened to go on a hunger strike if the government ignores their demands to do something about diminished fish supplies caused by Pak Mool dam.

Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Banyat Bantadtan pledged to consider the protesters' demands at tomorrow's Cabinet meeting, but stopped short of promising to meet all their demands.

However, there could be double compensation for those affected by the dam's construction, he added.

Protesters from the Assembly of the Poor yesterday said they were waiting for the government's response following the meeting. If their plight is ignored, they intend to use a hunger strike to force the government to address their concerns, they said.

Si Duangmong, 70, said he is prepared to fast. Plaeng Kaewsaeng, 64, of Ubon Ratchathani's Khongchiam district, said she is also ready.

Banyat said that the criticism of the government's handling of the protestors by pro-democracy organisations, trade unions and academics lacks nationwide support.

Farmers' organisations critical of the government yesterday denounced the Prime Minister's suit against the Khao Sot newspaper for calling him a tyrant. They also criticised special branch police commissioner and Deputy Prime Minister Trairong Suwankhiri for his off-the-cuff remarks about the matter.

The groups called on the government to use its fact-finding committee's report to solve the Pak Mool dam conflict.

The government should "stop creating confusion and distorting facts", they said.

The group urged Banyat not to prevent protesters from marching on the capital.

Meanwhile, a group of protesters gathered in Chiang Mai city's Pratu Thaphae neighbourhood. They distributed flyers attacking the government.

A group of southern farmers gathered in Surat Thani to show their moral support for their counterparts in Bangkok.

Religious activists led by Japanese Mahayana Buddhist monk Muratami and leader of international pacifists Yeashua Moser have expressed support for the protesters, saying the government should not consider them to be troublemakers.

 
 

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