Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is undeterred by whistle-blowing, saying people have the right to do so to express their political opinion.
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra launches the ‘‘People Against Violence’’ campaign, organised by the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, at Thupatemee Stadium in Pathum Thani’s Lam Luk Ka district yesterday. The project is carried out to promote the end of violence against children and women in society. PATTANAPONG HIRANARD
''[Whistle blowing] is a means which people employ to express their views, and [the government] cannot intervene,'' Ms Yingluck said after presiding over the launch of the ''People Against Violence'' campaign at Thupatemee Stadium in Pathum Thani's Lam Luk Ka district yesterday.
''However, I would like to ask for protesters to cooperate by refraining from blowing whistles at official functions.
''There are several other ways to make their voices heard and there are many other platforms for the government to listen to the people's opinion,'' she said.
Ms Yingluck also reiterated that authorities would not use harsh measures against the protesters because her government respected the people's right to stage a peaceful demonstration.
''But we would like to see a good atmosphere in society, so, I beg [the protesters] to resume their normal duties,'' she said.
Blowing whistles at cabinet ministers and those with a link to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is one of the measures Suthep Thaugsuban, ex-Democrat MP and anti-government demonstration leader, announced as a way to uproot the Thaksin regime from society.
Some Pheu Thai politicians already have fallen victim to whistle blowers. These include an assistant to a public health minister in Songkhla and an Amnat Charoen MP who became the victim of whistle blowers in the northeastern province on Saturday.
Education Minister Chaturon Chaisaeng was the latest to be hit by a throng of whistle blowers in Nakhon Si Thammarat yesterday. The minister presided over an education seminar at the Twin Lotus hotel where about 100 anti-government protesters showed up at the hotel's compound with whistles and anti-amnesty bill placards. Protesters also called him ''Thaksin's servant''.