Exerpt from Bangkok Post

Goverment denies budget earmarked to destroy UDD

By: Bangkok Post

Published: 9/02/2009 at 06:39 AM

The prime minister denies his government has set aside two billion baht to support army operations to break up protests by the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship.

Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday no funds from the government budget had been set aside for such activities.

Rumours of the army planning to spend two billion baht to prevent protests by the UDD have been aired by Natthawut Saikuea, a UDD leader.

Somchai Petprasert, a member of the opposition Puea Thai party and chairman of the House armed forces committee, said he wanted military leaders to clarify whether the reports of a secret government fund were true.