Abhisit explains why he wore red at rally
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Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva explained yesterday why he wore a red shirt to a rally on Sunday, saying it was a symbol that fights for righteousness were beyond political division.
To the surprise of many, Abhisit wore a red shirt when he appeared on stage at a Democrat rally at the Thai-Japanese Youth Centre.
Abhisit said he wanted to send a message to all Thais, including the red-shirt people – that it was not right to push for the enactment of national reconciliation bills.
Abhisit said the red shirts feel they have not received justice for violent incidents in mid-2010 but the main goal of reconciliation bills seeking to absolve all people was to benefit former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
The issue of reconciliation should be to appease squabbles between people of different political affiliations or different colours, he said. But reconciliation should based on right principles.
Abhisit said amnesty should be given after screening had been carried out for people qualified for such assistance.
Deputy Agriculture Minister Natthawut Saikua, a red-shirt leader, said the movement would not count Abhisit as one of them even though he wore a red shirt.
Natthawut said Abhisit might have developed some mental problems following a series of political rallies by the Democrats.
He said the colour of shirts was only a symbol of unity for people with the same ideology.
