Lawyer rejects threat by Pitak Siam group
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Noppadon Pattama, a legal adviser for former-PM Thaksin Shinawatra, hit back yesterday at anti-government protesters who have threatened to oust the government if six demands are not met.
Pitak Siam group threatened to rally on August 4 and oust the government, if it did not comply with the six demands of the group’s ultimatum. The group also said that Admiral Chai Suwannapap would be its leader.
Noppadon said although the Yingluck government was voted into office by 15 million people, it welcomed constructive criticism and would not give in to threats.
“The anti-government groups have the same old accusations against us like the one related to the monarchy. The government and Thaksin certainly uphold the monarchy,’’ Noppadon said.
He said anti-government groups must not take the country hostage by creating internal conflicts or using violence because most of the people did not agree with use of force to bring down governments.
Pheu Thai Samut Prakan MP Worachai Hema dismissed concerns that the government may postpone deliberation of an amnesty bill proposed by him, as a result of Pitak Siam’s threat. “If the government fears anti-government protesters, they should leave. The protest is |not a suitable reason to postpone deliberation of the bill,’’ he said.
Multi-coloured shirt leader Tul Sithisomwong, said his group would call a rally if the government opted for a speedy passage of the amnesty bill in three readings. He said red-shirt protests led by Lek Bandon at Parliament were aimed at claiming specific areas to stop other groups staging rallies there.
He called on members of the public to demand that the Pheu Thai MPs announce a commitment to support the people’s amnesty bill and not ones proposed by political groups, which were only aimed at assisting former-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Meanwhile, Government whips will hold a meeting on Wednesday to discuss prioritising legislation for House deliberation, Pheu Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit said yesterday.
Pheu Thai MPs also plan to meet on July 30 to seek cooperation on voting for legislation, Prompong said, adding that the party was |also planning a reception for coalition partners to boost ties and to discuss its strategy on government policies.
