Govs' meeting 'not aimed at blocking protesters'
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The meeting of provincial governors from throughout the country being held by the Interior Ministry tomorrow is not aimed at preventing people from the provinces from protesting in Bangkok against an amnesty bill, Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan sa
He said the meeting would discuss government policies on different issues regarding the ministry, including how to “take care of” people who gather in the capital when Parliament convenes next month to discuss an amnesty bill proposed by MPs from the ruling Pheu Thai Party. The interior minister said other issues, such as flooding, would also be discussed.
Provincial governors will attend the meeting after taking part in a function to mark the birthday of HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn tomorrow, according to the interior minister.
Meanwhile, the Defence Ministry denied speculation that an amnesty bill was discussed during yesterday’s meeting of the Defence Council, which was presided over by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra in her capacity as defence minister. It was Yingluck’s first meeting with the council as defence minister.
The ministry’s spokesman, Colonel Thanathip Sawangsaeng, said the law had nothing to do with military affairs.
The speculation followed a conversation in a mysterious audio clip between two men whose voices sounded similar to those of Deputy Defence Minister General Yuthasak Sasiprapha and former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Senate Speaker Nikom Wairatpanij said he did not think an amnesty bill would lead to complete reconciliation, adding that critics of the proposed law should not attempt to link it to Thaksin.
In a related development, Metropolitan Police commissioner Pol Lt-General Camronwit Toopkrajank said police would prevent any incident during street demonstrations. He said he did not expect any serious problems or violence, adding that some 3,000 police reinforcements have been called to stand by during House deliberation of the bill.
