FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
nationthailand

Three arrest warrants sought for ‘instigating unrest’

Three arrest warrants sought for ‘instigating unrest’

ARREST WARRANTS have been sought for three people suspected of instigation ahead of the August 25 court verdict in a negligence case against former Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Deputy national police chief Pol General Srivara Ransibrahmanakul said yesterday that the request was made on Wednesday but he declined to elaborate or identify the suspects.
“We are waiting for a decision by the court as to whether to issue the requested arrest warrants,” Srivara said.
He said the three were among a group of people who were being monitored by police.
Srivara chaired a meeting on Wednesday to prepare for the day of the verdict. 
Yingluck’s case stems from her government’s controversial rice-pledging scheme. She is charged with criminal negligence for failing to end the corruption-plagued project, which is estimated to have caused Bt500 billion in damages.
A large number of Yingluck supporters are expected to gather at the court when the verdict is read. Authorities have warned against people mobilising and possibly causing trouble.
Srivara said yesterday that the “Korakot 52” crowd-control plan, used during the 2008 political protests, would be adapted to cope with large groups of Yingluck supporters.
In the northeastern province of Sakon Nakhon, local residents voiced their objection to authorities’ efforts to stop Yingluck’s supporters from offering moral support in Bangkok. 
Sakon Nakhon, like other provinces in the region, are a stronghold of support for the ex-PM and her Pheu Thai Party.
The situation in the Northeast was tense yesterday, with reports of a military presence attempting to prevent Yingluck supporters from travelling to Bangkok. 
Second Lieutenant Theerapong Wongtapha, from a local military camp, met with a group of Sakon Nakhon residents on Wednesday and asked them not to go to the capital to hear the verdict.
Local villager Rassamee Thammawong, 45, from Wanon Niwat district, said she felt sorry for Yingluck and she viewed the case as “political bullying”. She said she was even sadder that the current administration is trying to stop people from showing their support to the ex-PM.
“I am not happy the soldiers tried to stop us from showing support to Yingluck. I will not go to Bangkok but I still support Yingluck over this case,” Rassamee said.
Somjit Phantula, 54, from the same village, said it was the people’s right to show support to any person they like and the authorities have no right to take that away.
“I feel sorry for Yingluck for being sued in this case. She was a very good prime minister and should not face a fate like this. I have no plan to travel to Bangkok to show my support for her, but it is not right that the Army is trying to stop people from doing so,” Somjit said.
“I only hope that the court will give her justice.”
 

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