'People's Army' to go ahead with rally
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One anti-government group yesterday decided it would go ahead with its street rally next week against an amnesty bill, despite the imposition of the Internal Security Act.
Leaders of the People’s Army to Overthrow the Thaksin Regime, previously known as Pitak Siam, said there had been no changes in its plans for a mass demonstration.
Another anti-government group, Thammatipatai, left its protest site at Sanam Luang, also covered by the emergency powers, after camping out there for months.
A “mini-Cabinet” meeting of a third of all members on Wednesday imposed the ISA in three Bangkok districts – Dusit, Phra Nakhon and Pom Prab Sattru Phrai – from yesterday to August 10.
The House of Representatives is poised to take up the amnesty bill proposed by a group of MPs from the ruling Pheu Thai Party next Wednesday. Critics say it is aimed at helping to whitewash the lawbreakers from the political confrontations of 2010, as well as fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Admiral Chai Suwannaphap, a leader of the People’s Army, said the rally for Sunday was still on schedule even though some leaders had said the plan might be reviewed.
AVM Watchara Ritthakanee, another leader, said the group would disclose the rally venue tomorrow. The group would petition the National Human Rights Commission and the Ombudsman to knock down the government’s “premature” invocation of the ISA.
“We campaign under the Constitution, but the government tries to limit our right to public assembly although there is no protest yet,” he said.
Thaikorn Polsuwan, another leader, said the group was not afraid of the ISA.
“It’s because we will gather under the democratic framework. But this government’s true colours are showing,” he said, adding that it was a dictatorship posing as democracy.
No more than 20,000 protesters are estimated to rise up against the bill this week but their numbers will increase on Sunday, said Pol Maj-General Adul Narongdej, spokesman for the Metropolitan Police.
Pheu Thai MP Worachai Hema, a key sponsor of the bill, said the government should dissolve the House and call a snap election if the debate is marred by political unrest.
