Army officers told not to join anti-government rally

PAD tells supporters to make their own decision

Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha Monday reiterated that active Army officers are prohibited from joining an anti-government rally later this month.

Prayuth said he had instructed his subordinates to stay away from the rally and said police would serve as the officers in charge of ensuring security during the rally.

Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit, a retired Army officer and the leader of the Pitak Sayam (Protecting Thailand) movement, plans a massive demonstration against the government at the Royal Plaza on November 24.

"I've told my subordinates that it's not time for us to do anything. This is the affair of the people and they will campaign as it their right under a democratic system," Prayuth said.

Prayuth said active Army officers are not allowed to join the rally because their participation might lead to trouble later.

The People's Alliance for Democracy, meanwhile, issued a formal statement, reaffirming its stand that the PAD leaders would not join the Boonlert-led rally on November 24.

PAD co-leader Chamlong Srimuang told a press conference at Ban Phra Arthit that the PAD resolved to provide moral support for Boonlert and said it would allow its supporters to use their individual judgement as to whether to join the rally.

Chamlong said Boonlert had clearly demonstrated his intention to push for changes with the rally on November 24 so the PAD leaders unanimously resolved to cancel its seminars in Kanchanaburi and Phetchaburi on November 24 and 25 respectively so that the PAD supporters could decide their own whether to join the rally.

Also Monday, Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung said the government had no policy to block a democratic rally that would not affect other people's rights.

Chalerm said he had instructed police not to use violence to deal with demonstrators but told them to adhere to international standard of practice in handling the protest.

Chalerm said representatives of the National Anti-Corruption Commission and the National Human Rights Commission would be invited to monitor how police would deal with the protesters.

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Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2012/11/13/army-officers-told-not-to-join-anti-government-rally/