Reds vow response to Suthep

The red shirts and Pheu Thai Party politicians have come out strongly against last week’s launch of a new foundation by their arch-rivals, the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC).

Red-shirt leader Nuttawut Saikuar yesterday launched a verbal attack against the People’s Democratic Reform Foundation (PDRF) and its press conference, which he accused of being political in nature and aimed at prolonging military rule. 

Nuttawut said he would hold a press conference as well and ask red shirts to wear red in response.

Nuttawut, a co-leader of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictator-ship (UDD), posted on his Facebook yesterday that the press conference 

held by the newly established PDRF, 

led by former PDRC chief Suthep Thaugsuban, was political in nature and yet it was permitted by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO). 

Nuttawut said the country must be in a pathetic state because the foundation claimed that it would take care of Thailand, adding pressure on the government of Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha. The junta-backed government, which has committed itself to a roadmap to return power to the people, has been urged by Suthep to stay on in power to push through what Nattawut described as a “vague reform”.

The red-shirt leader asked where was Suthep for the past year when the National Reform Council was doing its job. He said the permission by the NCPO for the foundation to hold a press conference sets a new standard and red shirts will likewise hold a press conference this week, details of which will be announced later. He added that if the PDRC could wear their national-flag shirts, then red shirts should be able to wear their red shirts as well.

NCPO spokesperson Colonel Winthai Suvari said the military junta has yet to receive a request from Nuttawut to hold a press conference and it will take the request into consideration if a request is made. He added that if any organisation wants to hold a constructive press conference that is not against peace and order, then it would be allowed. He urged people to look at the content of the press conference held by Suthep and not the man himself.

Pheu Thai Party caretaker deputy spokesperson Anusorn Iamsa-ard, meanwhile, warned that the latest move by the PDRC under the banner of a foundation was clearly a political act, which is supposedly banned by the NCPO. Anusorn added the move could only intensify the situation, as people can see that one side can do anything while the other side is always accused of being wrong.

He accused the PDRC of seeking an extension for the NCPO and the Prayut government and called it a “world-class deception”. Anusorn urged the NCPO to clarify itself and keep a distance from the PDRC, adding that they have nothing to gain from it.

Former energy minister Pichai Narithaphan, meanwhile, warned that the move by the PDRC is dragging the already bad economic situation further down because it would add to the uncertainty of both Thai and foreign investors, with GDP growth rate already cut to under 3 per cent.

Meanwhile, Panthongtae Shina-watra, posted on Facebook saying the foundation established by the PDRC is purely political and has been established to create political chaos. He challenged those involved with the foundation to declare that they would never run for elections. 

In reply, the foundation spokesperson Akanat Promphan defended the PDRF saying it was established to protect national interests and act as a centre to collect nation reform proposals. He said critics have distorted the intention of the foundation and was spearheaded by movements that claim to fight for freedom and democracy but are demanding the curbing of others’ rights.