Thousands of anti-government groups launched a rally Sunday to oppose deliberation of an amnesty bill and to wipe out the Thaksin regime.
Pol Gen Preecha Iamsupan, a core member of the People's Democratic Force to Overthrow Thaksinism (Pefot), rings the bell to kick off the anti-government rally organised at the statue of King Rama VI at Lumpini Park on Rama IV Road Sunday. (Photo by Apichit Jinakul)
The amnesty bill, proposed by Pheu Thai MP for Samut Prakan Worachai Hema, is set to be deliberated by the House of Representatives on Wednesday and Thursday.
Police said about 4,000 people joined a rally at Lumpini Park, many wearing white masks _ the symbol of the anti-government movement. The first day of the demonstration went off without any violence.
Core leader Admiral Chai Suwannaphap read statements by the group, which calls itself the People's Democratic Force to Overthrow Thaksinism (Pefot). Pefot comprises several anti-government groups including Pitak Siam and V for Thailand.
Thaikorn Polsuwan, Pefot coordinator and ally of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) in the Northeast, said more than 2,000 people volunteered to guard the demonstrators. The police should be attending the rally without weapons, he added. "The rally pulled in more people than we expected," he said.
He said his group would visit the United States and China embassies as well as other international organisations today to tell them about the group's objective and country's current situation.
Democrat MP Nipit Intarasombut also spoke on Pefot's stage last night.
Mr Thaikorn said all groups sharing the same goal of overthrowing the regime of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra were allowed to participate in the rally. He said the group's intentions are to root out Thaksin's system, oppose any amnesty bills which would benefit Thaksin and his people, to stage a peaceful rally, and encourage people to join at will.
Admiral Banawit Kengrian predicted drastic changes this week.
Meanwhile, Pol Maj Gen Piya Uthayo, spokesman of the police peace-keeping command, said at least two former police officers have denied they are part of the anti-government rally.
Pol Lt Gen Atithep Panjamanont, former chief of Narcotics Suppression Bureau, and Pol Gen Boontin Wongrakmit, former deputy national police chief, have denied any involvement, he said.
Pol Maj Gen Piya said the police chief has also instructed police to monitor the rally speeches for any offensive remarks against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
Meanwhile, Thaksin, through his tweets, Sunday slammed his opponents, most of whom are retired military officers, saying they held personal grudges against him after being bypassed in military reshuffles.