Reds stage counter-rallies to back govt
Play
THE RED-SHIRT Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DAAD) yesterday held three rallies to counter anti-government protests, with the demonstration in the evening attracting tens of thousands of supporters.
The DAAD held its first rally at Don Muang Technical School at 9am, and then held its “Over 10,000” rally at the Ratchaprasong intersection.
The “DAAD-Pheu Thai Defending Democracy” evening rally was held at SCG Football Stadium Muang Thong Thani at 4pm, with several red-shirt leaders and Pheu Thai MPs attending.
The leaders who spoke on stage at the Muang Thong Thani rally included DAAD chairwoman Thida Thawornset, Deputy Commerce Minister Nuttawut Saikuar and Pheu Thai MP Weng Tojirakarn.
Weng told the Muang Thong rally that the government’s opponents – including the Democrat Party – were holding protests against the amnesty bill with the intent to topple the elected government. The red shirts were, therefore, left with no choice but to turn out and defend the administration they had elected, Weng said.
Sombat Boonngarmanong, editor of Laijud magazine, who is the leader of the Red Sunday Group, led thousands of red shirts to demonstrate at the Ratchaprasong intersection.
The red shirts gathered in front of McDonalds fast-food restaurant at Amarin Plaza and walked to the intersection to tie up pieces of red cloth.
Sombat said his group was opposed to the amnesty bill because it would absolve former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and former deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban for their alleged roles in the killings of red-shirt demonstrators in 2010.
Education Minister Chaturon Chaisang, DAAD leader Jatuporn Promphan, former DAAD leader Veerakarn Musigapong and Weng, also joined the Ratchaprasong rally.
Jatuporn told the red shirts at Ratchaprasong the government would bring Abhisit and Suthep to justice.
