Protesters on the Move

Schools on Rajdamnoen remain closed

The three schools near Democracy Monument will remain closed until tomorrow. The schools in question are Bowornnives, Satriwitt and Mathayom Wat Makutkasat. Anther school, the La-orutis Demonstration School, which is further away from the rally site, will also remain closed today and reopen tomorrow. 

 

Campaign for peace

A group of social activists is collecting signatures in a campaign to call for a peaceful solution to the political impasse and the immediate release of inmates imprisoned over lese majeste charges. 

A statement, backed by 400 signatures as of press time, called for the power of mass rallies to be turned into an inspection of state authorities, making this a constructive democracy. As for the lese majeste law, they say it has been exploited unfairly by political rivals. 

They are also calling for a conditional pardon of people taking part in political rallies, but no pardon for civilian and military officials behind violent crackdowns. 

 

‘Protest an act of rebellion’

Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan said yesterday that he would speak to relevant agencies on whether legal action should be taken against protesters at Democracy Monument. 

He said the Democrat Party-led rally could be seen as an act of rebellion because its leaders had failed to keep their word. The minister said the protest leaders had initially announced that they would stop protesting if the controversial amnesty bill were withdrawn, but in fact the protest has been intensified to try to oust the government. 

 

Ex-senator files case against Abhisit, Suthep

Former senator Ruangkrai Leekitwattana has called on the Constitutional Court issue a verdict against Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and MP Suthep Thaugsuban for their role in the street protests. 

In his petition, Ruangkrai contends that the two violated the Constitution’s Article 68 by using unconstitutional means to try to overthrow the political system. 

He cited Suthep’s rally speech on Friday to back his case. On Friday, the Democrat MP called on the formation of a “people’s court” to issue a judgement on the government. 

 

Protesters urged to disperse 

Justice Minister Chaikasem Nitisiri has called on people protesting against the amnesty bill to disperse voluntarily, as the government had already met their demand and dropped the bill. 

He also reminded the protesters that any attempt to unseat this government would be a serious criminal offence. 

He said that under legislative procedures, the bill could not be removed from the House agenda before the 180-day waiting period is over.

He added that demanding it be removed before the deadline was unreasonable. 

 

‘What do they want?’

A red-shirt leader has called on the Democrats to sign a memorandum of understanding acknowledging the government’s pledge not to rekindle the amnesty bill. 

Sangiam Samranrat said the government was sincere in dropping the bill, though he voiced suspicions about the Democrats’ intentions behind the protests – asking if they were pushing for the collapse of government, a snap election or a power seizure.