Law will deal with any red-shirt rally on Sunday: Prawit

He said if a rally is held on that day, the red shirts leading the protest would be held responsible. “Everyone can wear red but there is no use wearing red and rallying. It is not allowed,” he said. “We are not afraid of any groups expressing their opinions. We will take action according to the law.”

The red-shirt rally threat came after the government moved to make Yingluck pay for civil liability incurred from her government’s rice-pledging scheme; the amount will be determined by the Finance and Commerce ministries.

Yingluck and her Pheu Thai Party say the move is unjust because the criminal trial against her over the scheme has only just begun. However, the government said it would be charged with negligence if it did not act before the case’s statue of limitations expires.

Interior Minister General Anupong Paochinda warned red-shirt leaders not to exploit people’s sentiments in relation to Yingluck’s case. “I do not ban rallies. I want everyone to exercise sound judgement over whether the country should be divided over this,” he said. “The national divide must end. Don’t incite mass supporters over justice. Right or wrong, it should go by the law.

“Don’t cite any reasons [to rally] such as democracy … as it is not worth wrecking the country’s unity. If I have to go to court one day, no one needs to display their support for me because we can walk within the framework of the rule of law,” he said.

Meanwhile, United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) core leader Nuttawut Saikuar wondered why the authorities have “overreacted” about the prospect of people rallying on Sunday. He said Yingluck was concerned the matter has been “blown out of proportion”. 

“We are worried that when the time comes, there may be other groups intentionally wearing red and staging rallies to create conditions that the government can cite to fully exercise its power so the red shirts become culprits,” he said. “I hope every sector has honour and does not use this disgraceful method.’’ 

Prawit dismissed UDD chief Jatuporn Prompan’s claim that there is widespread graft in the Bt5-million tambon fund project. He said he had officials explain the implementation of the project in detail and Jatuporn must substantiate his allegations with evidence. “It is not good to make unfounded allegations. Show me who has got the money. I will bring all culprits to judgement,’’ he said.

He said the National Council for Peace and Order had military personnel check the project’s progress and transparency.

Kwanchai Sarakham (formerly Praipana), chairman of the red-shirt Rak Udorn Group of Udon Thani, said he would not urge his members to wear red shirts on Sunday. He said his group had toed the line for more than a year and did not want to cause any problem. He urged red shirts in the 20 Isan provinces to keep their faith and love Yingluck in their minds.

“Don’t do anything that will cause trouble for her or for the government, otherwise we will be blamed for being troublemakers,’’ he said. He called on the red shirts to maintain a low-profile until democracy blossoms. “I believe Udon people have good judgement,’’ he said.