The association of kamnans and village heads of Thailand has called on anti-government protesters to terminate their five-month blockade at the Interior Ministry to allow officials to resume work.
At Saran Rom Palace yesterday, Yongyos Kaewkhiew, president of the Association of Village and Tambon Chiefs of Thailand, said his group will first use peaceful means to communicate with protesters.
He said association members will gather again this Monday if its call to protesters — led by the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) anti-government group and by the State Enterprises Workers’ Relation Confederation — to stop occupying the ministry compound falls on deaf ears.
About 50,000 village head and kamnans will take to the streets near the palace and, if necessary, “we may need to reclaim the area back”, he said.
The protesters have occupied the Interior Ministry since Nov 25 last year as part of a plan to “shut down” state agencies and ask officials to join the anti-government movement.
Their blockade, Mr Yongyos said, has disrupted many ministerial jobs, its service to people and, especially, his plan to help kamnans and village heads in Surat Thani and Chumphon who have been “dismissed” by provincial governors after they openly showed their support for the PDRC.
Their stances were made public when they earlier appeared on the former PDRC stage at the Democracy Monument.
Meanwhile, PDRC leader Suthep Thaugsuban yesterday led a rally at Thai Airways International headquarters on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road to seek support from THAI staff for its movement.
Mr Suthep told the crowd the PDRC would support the union's move to protest against the expected re-appointment of cabinet secretary-general Ampon Kittiampon as THAI chairman of the board.
The union accused Mr Ampon — who resigned from the chairmanship on March 10 after he completed two terms of tenure, but still serves as a THAI director — of being a sycophant to politicians and the government.
Mr Suthep said if Mr Ampon was re-appointed, the PDRC would come out to expel him.