NCPO downplays threat from overseas anti-coup movements

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BANGKOK, June 12 — Thailand’s National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) has shrugged off anti-coup movements abroad, as well as rumoured activities of any exile organization.

NCPO deputy spokesman Col Winthai Suvaree expressed the Peace and Order Council stance as some persons overseas in defiance of orders to surrender reportedly will form an exile organization to oppose its actions and role.

They include Jakrapob Penkair, prime minister’s office minister under the former Thaksin Shinawatra government.

Col Winthai said that the NCPO through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs continued to ask other countries not to support such movements.

Meanwhile, the Peace and Order Council believed that such movements would not have a significant impact and should be aimed only at seeking foreign allies. The NCPO would like other countries to focus more on situations in Thailand, Col Winthai said.

He also insisted that the NCPO was exercising martial law properly and mainly against those who violated security and computer laws. He denied the rumour that the NCPO was seeking those who insulted the royal institution.

The NCPO focused on convincing those people to cooperate, Col Winthai said.

Sek Wannamethee, spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Thai embassy staff in each place would seek the whereabouts of persons whom the NCPO called in.

Ms Chatrawadee Amornpat, charged with lese majeste, had British nationality so that Thai authorities must use international law, not a Thai law, to bring her to prosecution.