NSC chief expects fewer Yingluck followers to show up this time

Because they were disappointed at Yingluck’s no-show at the court on August 25, not so many people would turn up to give their moral support this time, General Thawip Netniyom predicted.
Security forces, however, remain vigilant and are assessing how the court’s verdict is likely to impact the country, he stressed.
“[We] have to think of all the aspects of the verdict and try to come up with scenarios of what would happen consequently,” he said. “However, we believe it will not spill over into violence as everyone will respect the court’s ruling.”
In a related development regarding Yingluck’s flight from Bangkok ahead of last month’s scheduled reading of the verdict in the case, Metropolitan Police deputy commissioner Pol Maj-General Panurat Lakboon said on Tuesday that the deputy commander of Metropolitan Police Bureau 5, Pol Colonel Chairit Anusit, could be summoned for interrogation over his alleged involvement in her flight.
However, the fact-finding committee must first consider all evidence, including any explanation by Chairit, he said.
Panurat also explained that he was now heading up the committee, and that this would help complete the case file.
He had already received the case file from the deputy national police chief, Srivara Ransibrahmanakul, regarding Chairit’s suspected involvement in Yingluck’s flight, and would now work to complete the file, he said.
The two other police officers suspected of involvement in the ex-PM’s flight would be interrogated further as witnesses in the case, Panurat said.
Whether or not they received any disciplinary punishment would be up to their affliliated bureau, namely Metropolitan Police Bureau 5, he added.