BANGKOK, March 23 — Anti-government leader Suthep Thaugsuban on Saturday night called for a fresh major rally on March 29 to demand political reforms before the country holds a new general election.
The move came after a Constitutional Court ruling on Friday, which nullified the February 2 general election.
Mr Suthep, secretary-general of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), told supporters at the stage in Lumpini Park that apart from Bangkok, the PDRC in provinces nationwide would hold rallies at their home provinces.
In Bangkok, he said, the demonstration would be the biggest ever rally and would start at 9.30am on March 29. The rally would be only one group, starting from Lumpini Park to Sukhumvit, Pathumwan, PhayaThai and Royal Plaza.
The rally was aimed to called for the political reform before the general election.
Mr Suthep reiterated that the rally would be a peaceful gathering and urged supporters to prepare only their whistles.
He said that as a warm-up and rehersal, there would be marches on Bangkok streets everyday from Monday to Friday to promote the Saturday rally. The route for each day would be later be announced.
Meanwhile, in the eastern province of Chon Buri, the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) or red shirt group held a rally on Saturday to denounce the Constitutional Court ruling that declared the February 2 general election invalid.
UDD chairman Jatuporn Prompan said that red shirt supporters would wear black from Monday to Sunday to mourn the decisions of independent organisations.
He said the UDD has planned events at three locations on March 29 but he would keep them secret for now.
Mr Jatuporn said that the UDD would also hold mass rallies nationwide on April 5. Whether they would move to Bangkok or any other locations would later be disclosed.
He said the red shirt would fight with their bare hands for democracy and would not give up.
