Three groups set to rally at Govt House

Three groups are preparing to rally at Government House on Monday to press the government to cut fuel prices by 10 baht a litre, tackle drug trafficking and address local grievances.

The largest convoy, led by Mano Khrueakaew, a village headman from tambon Krabi Noi in Krabi province, has travelled from Nakhon Si Thammarat towards Bangkok.

The group, the People's Revolutionary Alliance for the Protection of the Land, entered Prachuap Khiri Khan on Saturday and held a mobile rally along the way, stopping at Wat Nam Tok Khao Pho Thong in Bang Saphan Noi district before continuing to the capital.

Its main demands are a 10-baht reduction in fuel prices and tougher action against drug trafficking. The rally aims to gather 1,000 vehicles and has received more than 1.6 million baht in donations.

Supporters in Chumphon and Prachuap Khiri Khan have welcomed the convoy along its route.

Two other groups are due to join the protest on Monday.

A network opposing a reservoir construction project was to depart from the Chanthaburi Provincial Administrative Organisation's Wang Tanot site at 8.09pm on Sunday.

Led by Wanna Boonchan, it plans to reach Government House by Monday.

The Rak Chan group, led by Pacharadanai Chaitiang, will also travel to Bangkok on Monday morning, but plans to return home the same day.

Although the three groups have different objectives, they are expected to submit their demands to the government on Monday.

The Metropolitan Police Bureau has banned public gatherings within 50 metres of Government House from Thursday until Nov 20.

Police are preparing traffic measures, including closing roads around Chamai Maruchet Bridge from midnight on Saturday.