Authorities pull plug on Pheu Thai MPs’ book launch
Security officers and police on Saturday morning cut short a book launch by Pheu Thai MPs at Suan Rot Fai Park, claiming it was a political event and that the book might contain issues that could instigate unrest.
The 434-page book was written by former agriculture minister’s assistant Yutthapong Jarassathian and other Pheu Thai MPs. They planned the launch at the park ahead of the upcoming national book fair.
The officers posted the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) ban on political gatherings as well as park regulations prohibiting political activities there. They also asked the MPs to drop the book launch.
The writers said the book is about the benefits farmers gained from the Yingluck government’s rice subsidy scheme.
Yutthapong said the book is also about the plight of Thai farmers after rice prices plummeted.
He said he wanted to sell the book and donate some of the proceeds to the farmers.
Yutthapong said he had no idea which parts of the book were political as alleged.