Authorities have pledged to go after those who are financially supporting pro-election activists, who are ramping up pressure on the regime to hold an election this year.
“Security officers are keeping an eye on those who might be involved with the activities,” National Security Council (NSC) secretary-general Wallop Raksanoh said Monday, referring to efforts to hunt down those who are backing the protestors.
The activists’ would not pose such a major problem if they didnt have financial support, he said.
In efforts to mobilise pro-election campaigns, activists said in a briefing on Saturday that big events are planned for March 10 and 14. In May, the group aims to gather every Saturday and will hold a non-stop rally from May 19-22.
Civil rights activists under the name of the “People Go Network” also pledged to expand their campaign, including taking to the streets of Bangkok. The group completed a month-long walk from Thammasat University’s Rangsit campus in Pathum Thani to Khon Kaen on Friday, after which they repeated their demands for the election to be held as quickly as possible.
Gen Wallop said that authorities are keeping an eye on the situation and that no violence has taken place so far.
Asked whether the number of the demonstrators was increasing, the general claimed that people were paying little attention to the protests. As long as authorities remained vigilant, he didn't expect much trouble.
Gen Wallop said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had emphasised that officials must ensure no third party would exploit the group’s activities by causing violence.
The pro-democracy group on Saturday asked politicians to join the anti-government movement, but they declined, saying this might send the wrong message.
Army chief Gen Chalermchai Sitthisad insisted authorities will not employ extreme measures against the campaigners and they will use only existing laws to deal with them.
“I am confident the situation will remain under control,” said Gen Chalermchai, adding the past political crisis should serve as a lesson to people and no one wants such a political quagmire to happen again.
Responding to the activists’ call for the military to stand by the people, the army chief asked: “Do you think the people think in the same way these groups do? I think most Thais want to see an election but they understand the reason and necessity of the required legal process.”
Reports have been swirling that politicians are travelling to meet former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra overseas. Thaksin and his sister Yingluck Shinawatra were seen in a photo online on Feb 10 amid suggestions they were in Beijing. The photo emerged the same day as an anti-coup protest was staged at the Democracy Monument.
Gen Chalermchai said it is common for people to feel weary of those in power for a long time. “[The people] want something better, but do not know what it should be. Wanting change is normal,” said the army chief.
