BANGKOK, Feb 28 – A pro-government red shirt leader has rejected the formation of an armed force, nor an idea of separating Thailand to resolve the political conflict.
Thida Thavornseth, chairwoman of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), said red shirt demonstrators have only set up security forces to protect themselves from rival protesters led by Peoples Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) secretary general Suthep Thaugsuban.
She warned several UDD factions which have independently organised their rallies to be careful in their verbal statements and avoid any activities that could damage the UDD as a whole.
Apparently, she was referring to an earlier statement by a red shirt group which threatened to separate Thailand’s North and Northeast from the kingdom.
Nisit Sinthuprai, a key UDD leader, said red shirt supporters in the Northeast would launch a rally at Thung Si Muang in Udon Thani province on the weekend to stress the group’s determination to protect democracy.
The People’s Radio Media Group, another pro-government faction, publicly announced that it would strengthen its demonstration and pressure independent agencies in Thailand.
Group spokesman Sornrak Malaithong said Vicha Mahakhun, a member of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), would be an arrest target, and that the group would follow NACC members wherever they meet after their office in Nonthaburi was sealed off.
Independent agencies must be reformed, he said, and the Election Commission is the next target after which Civil Court judges must be removed.
Red shirt protesters have completely blockaded the NACC main entrance with cement, and put up a stage and tents in front of the compound.
