At least seven activists will face charges in relation to their weekend gathering at Pathumwan intersection demanding the election be held this year, police said yesterday.
Around 100 people converged at the skywalk near the Bangkok Art & Culture Centre late on Saturday afternoon to express their disapproval over the possible 90-day delay of the poll caused by the National Legislative Assembly's (NLA) decision on Thursday to pass a bill on MP elections that may push back the election, earlier promised for November by the premier, to February.
The group has announced that it intends to hold rallies every Saturday until a general election is held.
Deputy national police chief Srivara Ransibrahmanakul said yesterday the National Council for Peace and Order's (NCPO) representatives had lodged a police complaint with Pathumwan police against seven leaders of the demonstration.
Police also plan to investigate who is behind the movement and where any financial support has come from, Pol Gen Srivara said.
The seven summonsed individuals are Rangsiman Rome, Sirawit Serithiwat, Nattha Mahatthana, Anon Nampha, Ekachai Hongkangwan, Sukrit Piansuwan and Netiwit Chotiphatphaisal. They are accused of breaking the NCPO's order banning political gatherings of more than five people.
Speaking about the pro-election movement, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said laws and the NCPO's orders must be upheld. "We are a sovereign power. What would you do?" said Gen Prawit.
The chief of the National Security Council, Wanlop Rugsanoh, said a further investigation will be carried out after Gen Prawit's adviser, Paisal Puechmongkol, indicated the movement against the government is receiving support from overseas.
Meanwhile, the US ambassador to Thailand, Glyn T Davies, paid a courtesy call on NLA president Pornpetch Wichitcholchai last week, who gave an explanation for the decision to delay the enforcement of the bill relating to MP elections, said Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai.
