BANGKOK, Dec 20 – Anti-government protesters marched across the Thai capital on the second day to invite Bangkokians to join forces with the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) mass rally on Sunday.
Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban led the protesters marching from the Democracy Monument on Rajdamnoen Avenue passing through several key points including Phan Fa Lilat Bridge and Hua Lampong railway station.
They stopped for lunch at the BTS Skytrain Silom station before returning to the Democracy Monument, their main rally site, through Chinatown’s Yaowaraj and Suthat Temple route.
Mr Suthep and other protest leaders have been greeted by the public and passerby along the route who welcomed them with whistle blowing, the PDRC signature, as well as donating money for the group following reports that more protest leaders’ banking accounts will be frozen by the authorities.
The PDRC held rallies yesterday and today to invite the public to join another mass gathering on Sunday to pressure Ms Yingluck Shinawatra to resign as caretaker prime minister. During the march, the protest leaders emphasised the group’s stance that political reform must be carried out before the general election.
Meanwhile, the Democrat Party today announced that it agreed with postponing the general election earlier set for Feb 2 as it could not reduce the conflict.
Party spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut also referred to the latest stance of the Election Commission (EC) that there are legal possibilities for postponing the election but that all political parties must agree with the move.
Mr Chavanond urged the political parties to express their intention to support the delayed election. He said the newly-elected Democrat secretary-general Chuti Krairiksh today will go to the headquarters of the Pheu Thai, Chartpattana, Chartthai Pattana and Palangchon parties to present letters urging them to think about the national interest before party and personal benefit.
He reiterated that the Democrat Party is ready to talk with all political parties to end the country’s conflict.
