Prawit threatens to prosecute activists for violating assembly law

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan said he believed that the group’s latest demonstration last Saturday broke the law, as protest leaders verbally attacked the government and the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).
“If police complaints are filed, authorities may enforce the Public Assembly Act,” said Prawit, who is in charge of the government’s security affairs.
Deputy national police chief Pol General Srivara Ransibhramanakul said yesterday police would enforce the law against anyone who staged a public assembly without seeking permission from relevant authorities.
Srivara said he had instructed police with jurisdiction over the protest area last Saturday to submit a report on the event to the Royal Thai Police. “Legal action will be taken against lawbreakers,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Democracy Restoration Group (DRG) yesterday responded to Prawit’s refusal of its demands for an early election, the dissolution of the ruling NCPO and the military’s cessation of support for the junta.
“As Prawit said, the military belongs to the NCPO. This reflects that the junta views the military, including minor officers, as their mere tools to seek power and advantages of their own,” the DRG stated on its Facebook page.
The dissolution of the NCPO and ending the military’s support for the NCPO would not affect the already-delayed election plan, the DRG stated, as the acting government and governmental agencies would be able to carry out the election in a timely manner.
“The problem is not how we will manage it, but rather whether the NCPO is honest [about its pledge] to hold an election and not prolong its power,” the page stated. “Our movements are not threats to national security and the people. However, we are certainly threatening the NCPO’s security.”