Whenever the subject of political rallies in Thailand comes up, one of the key images in people's minds is sure to be that of Maj Gen Chamlong Srimuang. He has been a colourful player in Thai politics since his days as an army general when he formed the ''Young Turks'' faction loyal to Prem Tinsulanonda, who became prime minister in 1980. After leaving the military he founded the Palang Dham Party and later the Santi Asoke Buddhist sect which played a prominent role in the early anti-Thaksin Shinawatra movement and also became closely allied with the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).
But although Maj Gen Chamlong still holds tremendous influence with many in the yellow-shirt camp, on Aug 23 of this year he along with other leaders of the PAD officially announced they would play no active role in any demonstrations, including the present anti-amnesty protests.
This is in line with a Criminal Court ruling on April 2 this year regarding PAD leaders charged with criminal offences connected with closure of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports in December, 2008. The ruling says that as a condition of bail: ''The defendants shall not commit any activity which has manner to provoke or to incite people causing unrest in the country or may cause damage or danger to public order or good morals of the people or take any other actions making people infringing the state and the defendants are not allowed to leave the Kingdom except holding a permitted issued by the court.''
Maj Gen Chamlong said his Gongtub Dharm Foundation is still supporting people gathering against the government-backed amnesty bill at Phan Fah Leelat Bridge, who recently moved their demonstration site from Lumpini Park.
''We initially supported the group at Lumpini Park with first aid services and food,'' Maj Gen Chamlong said.
''I made some speeches from the Lumpini Park stage on Sunday afternoon,'' he said, but added that he is no longer doing so.
The former PAD leader also says he has had no discussions with demonstration leaders at the Democracy monument.
''I have not talked to them as I am still under the court judgement and also because I've announced that I have quit my leadership role,'' said Maj Gen Chamlong. He also said he hadn't spoken recently with other former PAD leaders who are subject to the same court-imposed conditions, including Sondhi Limthongkul.
''We have to respect the order of the court and we also think that this is the duty of all Thais,'' he said, and implied that it might be a good thing for the former PAD leaders to be on the sidelines.
''If we were to keep sticking together as PAD leaders, there would not be other groups joining in the activities. This decision has already proved, as we expected, that there are other groups of people ready to gather together against this amnesty bill.''
However, Maj Gen Chamlong said he might be willing to play a more active role and perhaps even take the stage again in spite of the court order if the time is right.
''I have to respect the court's decision that we PAD leaders are not allowed to engage in any activity that would possibly incite people to cause confusion or break the law. However, we [former PAD leaders] have talked about this previously and if we consider that an activity would be worth the risk _ that means to the benefit of the country and not to us _ we will probably do it again.''
Asked if past conflicts with the Democrat Party when it was in power under Abhisit Vejjajiva would be an issue if the time to take action does come, Maj Gen Chamlong said this is the time to forget the past and cooperate to fight together.
''We do not have any feud. Anything that happened could be pardoned,'' said Maj Gen Chamlong. ''We only need to keep in mind our common goal of opposing 'Thaksinomics.'''
