Sukumpol urges restraint from Pitak Siam

Sukumpol urges restraint from Pitak Siam

Defence Minister Sukumpol Suwanatat yesterday called on the Pitak Siam group to exercise restraint with its anti-government campaign.

Sukumpol: Makes an appeal for calm.

The comment followed Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit's remark which was considered a call for the military to stage a coup against the Yingluck administration.

There are several ways Pitak Siam can scrutinise the government and apply pressure to it, including a peaceful political rally, ACM Sukumpol said.

"Don't say things because it's fun to do so. We should be responsible for what we say," he said, appealing for calm.

Gen Boonlert has repeatedly said he would stage a coup if he had the power. He said a coup is the only way to bring down the government.

ACM Sukumpol said the anti-government movement should file a complaint with the authorities if it suspects government corruption.

The defence minister said there was no need for him to identify who engineered the anti-government campaign. "You can tell when you see the faces," he said.

ACM Sukumpol declined to comment on the Pitak Siam group's plan to take their protests to the streets.

The defence minister said he agreed with the stance of army commander Prayuth Chan-ocha, who advised soldiers against taking part in political rallies.

The military should keep its discipline and maintain political neutrality, the minister said.

Meanwhile, the Crime Suppression Division postponed summoning Gen Boonlert and yellow-shirt co-leader Sondhi Limthongkul to acknowledge treason charges.

CSD deputy chief Pol Col Prasopchoke Prommul said the CSD investigators have more urgent tasks and had asked for a postponement.

He said Gen Boonlert is due to appear before the CSD on Nov 15 and Mr Sondhi on Nov 22. Both were originally scheduled to report to the CSD next Wednesday.

The summons was in response to a complaint lodged by red-shirt lawyer Kharom Polthaklang.

Mr Kharom said both men had made comments aimed at inciting a rebellion and a coup.

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