PM warns against mobilising Yingluck's supporters

Prayut said anyone who planned to mobilise in Bangkok should be aware that it was illegal.
“Such an act is against the law. You may not face legal action immediately but you can’t escape it eventually. The law is still the law,” he said.
“You may like or love anyone as you please. But you don’t need to cause trouble for other people while doing so,” Prayut added.
The Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders is scheduled to read on August 25 its verdict in the case against Yingluck, who is charged with criminal negligence for allegedly failing to stop irregularities stemming from her government’s rice-pledging scheme.
His remarks came amid concerns there had been an attempt to mobilise large numbers of people from the provinces to gather at the court ahead of the verdict.
Army chief General Chalermchai Sitthisart, in his capacity as secretary-general of the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), added yesterday that the junta had not prohibited any gathering to show moral support “if that happened naturally”.
The general said what was worrying was that people would be mobilised in large numbers, which could lead to “problems”. He urged Yingluck’s supporters to follow news about the court verdict at home instead of travelling to Bangkok.
“It’s against the law to mobilise people for street demonstrations. Individuals should think for themselves if they want to travel and help to pressure the court. Regardless of the people’s numbers, you cannot change a court verdict,” he said.
Meanwhile, Democrat Party leader and former prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday voiced concern that certain politicians in Yingluck’s Pheu Thai Party seemed to be warning that she had many people supporting her.
“I am worried about remarks by some Pheu Thai politicians that there are not nine judges in the case [against Yingluck]. They have said 10 million people will also judge. This is not a way to give moral support. It seems to be a threat that they have the masses behind them,” Abhisit said.
He added that such remarks appeared to be intended to pressure the court ahead of the verdict.
However, Pheu Thai politicians yesterday allayed fears of possible unrest by Yingluck’s supporters, adding that people would gather peacefully and not violate the law.
Yuthapong Charassathien, who served as deputy agriculture minister in Yingluck’s government, said it was normal for the former premier to have so many supporters, as she had been elected by an overwhelming majority. “I believe that her supporters will abide by the rules and will not cause any disturbances. So don’t worry,” he said.
In a related development, security authorities have been monitoring movements at border areas for possible smuggling of weapons into the country, a source said yesterday. 
They were also following communications between certain groups who may be plotting unrest before and after the court verdict, the source added.