Human rights activist Ticha Na Nakorn has launched a campaign calling on Gen Prawit Wongsuwon to resign following his remarks about the recent death of cadet Pakapong "Moei" Tanyakan at the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School (Afaps).
"As a deputy prime minister, and as the highest leader of the armed forces, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit gave interviews after the death of cadet Moei without caring about the grief afflicting his parents and sister, who have lost a loved one," Ms Ticha wrote in Sunday's petition letter.
"More importantly, the autopsy results clearly showed Moei died because he was assaulted, not because he was ill or suffering from ill health."
Ms Ticha is the director of Kanjanapisek Juvenile Vocational Training Centre for Boys, which is overseen by the Department of Juvenile Observation and Protection under the Justice Ministry.
As of late afternoon yesterday, the motion had received more than 1,250 signatures of support.
Gen Prawit suggested earlier Mr Pakapong had health problems which caused him to have a fatal heart attack but sceptics suspect he died as a result of being beaten up by his seniors. An autopsy found he had internal bruising.
During the autopsy process a number of his organs had been removed and kept, which also upset the family. The deputy premier later apologised to the family for his remarks.
"Gen Prawit must show responsibility by resigning," wrote Ms Ticha, a former National Reform Committee and Constitution Drafting Committee member.
The committee investigating the death will meet today to discuss whether they can conclude the investigation quickly or need more time.
Meanwhile, it was unclear if Gen Prawit would report to the National Anti-Corruption Commission today to submit an explanation about whether he included a luxury watch and diamond ring said to be worth US$500,000 in his declared assets. The NACC declined to comment.
