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BANGKOK - OPPOSITION to proposals to amend Thailand's national charter has widened after a radical sect of Buddhist monks joined an anti-government protest, camping out in Bangkok's historic district in a scene reminiscent of demonstrations that led to a coup two years ago.
Hundreds of members of the 'Dharma Army' set up camps with protesters who began a demonstration on Sunday, calling on Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to drop his plans to amend the military-backed Constitution.
The 10,000 members of the Santi Asoke sect live in self-sufficient communes with strict monastic discipline, abstaining from sex and alcohol and eating just one vegetarian meal a day.
They are led by the austere 73-year-old Major-General Chamlong Srimuang, who played a key role in the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) movement that led to the coup against then-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in September 2006.
Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobumrung yesterday accused the PAD of harming the country's image, and said protesters had broken traffic laws by blocking the road.
'The PAD chose the site of their rally without taking the country's image into consideration,' said Mr Chalerm.
The protesters scuffled with government supporters on Sunday, throwing water bottles and rocks, but causing only minor injuries.
Meanwhile, the Thai Cabinet has approved a plan to hold a national referendum on charter rewrite, Prime Minister Samak said yesterday.
Bangkok Post website yesterday reported that Mr Samak will wait for the Council of State - the government's legal advisory body - to determine whether the 1998 referendum law could still be used. If not, he will ask the Election Commission (EC) to draft a new referendum law.
Mr Samak added that the EC promises to complete the work before the opening of the special parliamentary session next month.
He said the government will not meddle with the plan to amend the charter if the referendum shows that the majority of people disagree with the idea.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
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