Deputy police chief Srivara Ransibrahmanakul insisted yesterday that police will pursue legal action against both supporters and critics of the government who gathered recently to make contrasting public political statements.
His remarks came after dozens of people from the provinces turned up at the Defence Ministry on Thursday in a show of moral support for Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon as tens of anti-government demonstrators face criminal charges for gathering near Pathumwan last Saturday to oppose any delay to the general election.
He said said Gen Prawit's supporters would be charged with violating the public assembly law, which prohibits protests within 150 metres of a royal palace, and defying the regime's ban on political assembly.
Pol Gen Srivara also said police had asked the Anti-Money Laundering Office (Amlo) to investigate sources of funding for the anti-government protesters.
Police are currently investigating a total of 66 people to determine if they should face charges in connection with the Jan 27 gathering.
Thirty-nine people were summonsed to answer charges of violating the public assembly law at Pathumwan police station yesterday. The group turned up but asked to postpone the meeting.
Pawinee Chumsri, the lawyer representing them, said the demonstrators sought the postponement because they needed more time to prepare their bail requests.
She said the group was informed that police would ask the Pathumwan district court to detain them for questioning and would oppose bail. The Pathumwan police agreed to reschedule the meeting to Feb 8.
As for the seven alleged ringleaders, three have requested a postponement of their meetings.
Rangsiman Rome and Sirawit Serithiwat have sought to meet investigators on Feb 17 while Nattha Mahatthana asked to meet the police on Feb 14. It was reported that the other four had not, so far, made contact with police.
Mr Rangsiman yesterday insisted he would proceed with a plan to hold a gathering at the Democracy Monument next Saturday, saying the legal action against himself and dozens of others was to discourage the public from taking part.
He called on the government to keep its promise to hold a general election this year, saying Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha should also stay clear of politics after the polls otherwise he would reignite political conflicts.
