FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
nationthailand

Suthep denies holding anti-election rally

Suthep denies holding anti-election rally

Suthep Thaugsuban, leader of the now-defunct People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), has dismissed reports that his “whistleblower” group would hold an anti-election rally this Sunday.

The speculation followed Facebook posts by PDRC supporters calling for a counter-move against pro-democracy activists planning a march to Government House on Tuesday on the fourth anniversary of military rule.

Mass protests by the Suthep-led PDRC culminated in their successful obstruction of the 2014 election leading to the ouster of premier Yingluck Shinawatra and then her government.

“We support an election going ahead according to the Constitution,” Suthep said in a press conference on Monday, adding that recent reports the vote could occur next February were “fact-based” and acceptable.

“I think I will be able to stop any anti-election movement. I believe the PDRC people still trust me as a key man. They don’t want mob clashes that will bring conflict to the country,” he said.

The election will eventually happen, and political rallies were unnecessary threats to public peace that would only disrupt the vote, he added. Suthep denied however that he had ever declared his support for Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha continuing as premier after the election.

“It’s too soon to say whether Prayut should return to continue national reforms,” he said.

Suthep also dismissed speculation that the PDRC would join the fray as a political party.

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