Hundreds campaign against Phuket Red Shirt village
PHUKET: More than 500 people attended a protest against the Red Shirt Village Project in Phuket yesterday (May 10) morning at the Phuket Provincial Hall.
Sukunya Phoonpong
Friday 11 May 2012, 10:09AM
Supporters, many from the Raks Phuket Club (Save Phuket Club), held banners and waved flags in support of the Raks Phuket Club president Boonsuppa Tantai, who spoke out against the Government project of his fears it would cause disharmony in Phuket.
He submitted a signed petition to Phuket Vice Governor Somkiat Sangkaosuttirak.
“The Red Shirts are scheduled to open their village in Phuket on May 13, at Nai Yang Beach. We do not agree with this because this project will cause more disharmony in Phuket and Thailand.
“This project is at a cross purpose with the Government which wants to create more unity in the country.”
“We are trying to promote Phuket as a safe place for tourists after the earthquakes last month. But this project may cause people to fight with each other, which could affect Phuket’s safety,” Mr Boonsuppa told supporters.
He said the village would be to the advantage of only Red Shirt supporters, not for the whole community.
“It is believed that the Red Shirt village project will just be another way for the Government to gain votes for themselves, rather than advantages for the whole country. At the village, they have installed red flags instead of the Thailand flag, and they have also put an image of Thaksin Shinawatra on the wall, instead of one of His Majesty the King.”
“I want any Phuket people who support this village to think very carefully about it, and I want to ask the Red Shirt supporters to not launch the village in Phuket. But if the group still insist on having it, I think provincial officials should keep an eye on the village, to prevent any activities happening that will cause disharmony in Phuket, and Royal dishonesty.”
V/Gov Somkiat said the protest was a sign of democracy, allowing people to voice their opinion, so he planned to assign an official to help prevent any unwanted activities.
