Plodprasop refuses to apologise over 'garbage' comment

“The word is not rude. I mean, these people are useless,” Plodprasop said.
The event, which started on Tuesday in Chiang Mai, runs until next Monday.
Plodprasop’s comments have sparked an outcry, with the Campaign for Popular Democracy (CPD) calling for him to issue an apology.

PUBLIC REPRIMAND DEMANDED
Accusing Plodprasop of violating human dignity and threatening people who exercise their right to assemble, the CPD also pressed for Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to publicly reprimand Plodprasop.
“If she does not do that, she can be considered his accomplice,” the CPD said in a statement.
Plodprasop was quoted as saying last Sunday that, “If they [protesters] come, they will get arrested. What will you protest against? Don’t come. If you violate laws, I will order your arrest. Chiang Mai people should not allow such garbage [protesters] to be around.”
According to the CPD, Plodprasop’s words reflect his prejudices against people’s right to assemble. The CPD also described Plodprasop as, “dictatorial, power-crazed and paying no attention to people”.
Responding to the CPD’s statements, Plodprasop hit back, saying many protesters used rude words against him and had never apologised.
“You have thrown verbal abuses at others. But when someone throws some at you, you can’t bear it,” he said.
An informed source said the Living River Network, the Foundation for Ecological Recovery and people adversely affected by the government’s policies on water management would hold a press conference in Chiang Mai this Sunday.
A number of NGOs who are against the government’s water-management plans are expected to show up.
Plodprasop is the chairman of the Water and Flood Management Commission, which is overseeing the bidding by four private firms on the massive Bt350-million water-management and flood-prevention scheme.