BANGKOK, Feb 13 – Thailand’s Deputy Defence Minister/Army Chief Gen Udomdej Sitabutr has ordered First Army Region Commander Lt Gen Kampanart Ruddit to closely monitor activities of the United Front For Demoocracy against Dictatorship (UDD) after several of its leaders have frequently expressed political comments recently.
Gen Udomdej told journalists that most UDD leaders understood the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and the government better after being “invited for discussions” with military officers.
But many of them still did not gain enough understanding, he said, adding that it is the responsibility of the NCPO to try to make them to adjuist their attitudes.
Gen Udomdej said he had assigned Lt Gen Kampanart in his capacity as commander of NCPO’s Peacekeeping Force to take charge of the key Red Shirt leaders.
In another development, Chaturon Chaisang, ex-education minister and a key member of the Pheu Thai Party, which was the core of the previous government toppled by the NCPO last May 22, arrived at the Military Court to attend a session ruling on the scope of the court’s power before the court proceeds with the trial on his case.
The Military Court earlier charged that Mr Chaturon violated the NCPO orders by not reporting to the agency, inciting unrest in the country and violating the computer law.
A large crowd including Mr Chaturon’s younger sister turned up at the court and presented him with bouquets amid tight security.
