Military will not step in to control protesters: Sukampol

The minister said he spoke to police chief General Adul Saengsingkaew about the matter when the Pitak Siam or Protect Siam group, led by Boonlert Kaewprasit, held its first rally last Sunday. 

At the rally last weekend, the group announced that it would hold another protest against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s government and might even gather in front of her office. 

Sukampol said people had the right to protest provided they did it under the legal framework. 

“Don’t violate the law and do everything rationally. Be responsible for what you say. Since all [leaders of the protest] are over 60, please take it easy. Our country needs to move forward, otherwise we will be wasting time resolving unnecessary problems all the time,” he warned. 

The minister said he agrees with Army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha, who has told the military it should remain neutral and stay away from the protest. 

“The military has to be disciplined and the commanders have been instructed not to do anything,” Sukampol said. 

Meanwhile, media tycoon Sondhi Limthongkul said he would not go see the police officer from the Crime Suppression Bureau who has summoned him over allegations of supporting a military coup against a democratic government on television in January. Sondhi, a leader of the yellow-shirt People’s Alliance for Democracy, has been summoned for questioning on November 7. 

“It’s a political move. Why would the police call me 10 months later?” he asked. 

Police have summoned both Sondhi and Boonlert for questioning on the same allegation made by lawyer Karom Ponthaklang, who accuses them of wanting to call a military coup against a democratic government. 

Separately, opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said officials had the authority to take action against those who commit wrongs, but they should be able to enforce the law justly otherwise it would only ignite more conflicts in an already divided country.