Corrupt govt should be ousted, Pitak Siam leader says

“If I had soldiers under my command, I would have ousted the government a long time ago,” he said, voicing hope that the top brass would eventually help to evict the government.

 

Boonlert, a retired Army general who spearheads a mass movement seen as an offshoot of the yellow and multicoloured shirts, reminded government leaders about growing disaffection that might lead many to view another power seizure as an option. He was speaking ahead of a rally on Sunday at the Royal Turf Club to expose flaws in the government and its policies.

 

“The upcoming rally will aim at saving the country, which is on the brink of ruin,” he said.

 

Pitak Siam supporters, he noted, would not be identified by the colour of their shirt but by patriotism and loyalty to their King.

 

At the rally, the government will be taken to task for three shortcomings – neglecting to prosecute offences against the monarchy, insulting the people by propping up Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra as a puppet of her brother Thaksin, and being plagued by corruption, he said.

 

Boonlert says the government is turning a blind eye to graft on an unprecedented scale, such as the irregularities in connection with the rice-pledging scheme.

 

Meanwhile, Pheu Thai MP Korkaew Pikulthong said he had been told some organisers tried to lure red shirts from the Northeast to join the rally. They offered to pay Bt300-Bt500 each for transport costs, he said. 

 

He believes no more than 2,000 people will show up at the rally, which would be backed by Santi Asok supporters, people from the People’s Alliance for Democracy and “pseudo-communist” activists.

 

He reminded Boonlert that it was inappropriate to rally at the racetrack, seen as a place of vice, if the purpose was to safeguard the monarchy.

 

Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit said he detected a five-step plan designed to undermine the government. Under the plan, the rally organised by Boonlert was a curtain-raiser to pave way for the opposition to censure the government, he said.

 

But Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said he was unaware of any five steps to bring the government down.

 

“The government’s fate will not hinge on opponents or critics but on its own misjudgement by refusing to be held accountable for corruption.”

 

He said the main opposition party would file a motion of no confidence in Parliament before the end of the month. 

 

Abhisit said the government should spell out clear measures it plans to take in order to implement its policy on reconciliation, as well as comply with the final report of the Truth for Reconciliation Commission. The holding of public forums on its reconciliation bill were not part of Pheu Thai’s policy outlined in Parliament last year, nor were they recommended by the TRCT, he said.

 

He reminded the prime minister that political conflict could resume if she was vague on how to bring about reconciliation.