Chiang Mai trio begins march against court housing on Doi Suthep

Krit Yiammetha, Direk Chantharadilok and Saruth Srithaworn plan to present a petition to Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha asking him to use Article 44 of the interim charter to halt construction of Appeals Court buildings and 45 residences at the foot of Doi Suthep in the northern province.
The 147-rai site is close to Doi Suthep-Pui National Park.
Departing from the Three Kings Monument in downtown Chiang Mai, Krit estimated it would take them about 20 days to reach the capital, though they could arrive as early as April 20.
He insisted the network had no political agenda and there was no hidden “mastermind” manipulating it.
A truck carrying supplies will accompany the trio on their trek.
At the end of the first day, they expect to stay overnight in Lamphun’s Mae Tha district.
The network’s petition at Change.org urging the Appeals Court Region 5 to abandon the construction project had by Wednesday gained the support of 37,434 people. The target is 50,000.
Response has also been good to its appeal for Chiang Mai residents and supporters to post pictures of themselves wearing green ribbons on social media.
Among those posing with a ribbon are jazz musician Pharadon Phonamnuai, who owns the restaurant North Gate and offered other supporters free ribbons.
Army chief General Chalermchai Sittisart said last week the construction project, financed with Bt1 billion in state funds, was 95-per-cent complete – too advanced to stop.
A source at Government House said Prayut had assigned officials to resolve the issue.