Government critic Kaewsun Atibodhi speaks during a panel discussion on
Anti- and pro-government groups plan separate demonstrations today in Bangkok's business district, as the Guy Falkes white mask campaign gains more support from people opposed to the so-called Thaksin regime.
The white mask group planned its gathering at the Central World shopping complex this afternoon against the Yingluck Shinawatra government, which opponents say is a "puppet" regime controlled by Yingluck's brother, fugitive former premier Thaksin.
The anti-government group, which started its campaign in the social media, said it would begin its protest at 1pm. Participants were asked to bring Guy Falkes white masks and placards containing messages "describing the evils of the Thaksin regime", according to organisers.
Supporters of the government, meanwhile, called a gathering at the BTS Siam station, which is not far from Central World.
Groups that call themselves Ultra Red and Daeng Sayiew planned their demonstration at 5pm. Participants have been asked to wear red masks or any other style other than the white Guy Fawkes mask of their rivals.
According to the organisers, participants should hold placards with the message "Protect the monarchy". They accused the white mask group of using a symbol of an "anti-monarchy" plotter in their campaign.
Meanwhile, Thaksin's legal adviser and spokesman Noppadon Pattama said yesterday that certain groups of people were attempting to destabilise the government via "legal mechanisms".
He said ruling politicians would have to be careful about such moves and should avoid any conditions that could be employed in those attempts.
Noppadon, who is part of the ruling Pheu Thai Party, said he had noticed "unusual movements of news" in the social media lately. He added that many rumours were spread through the Internet, including hoaxes about possible explosions or a military coup.
He called on its opponents and detractors to wait for the government to complete its four-year term - in two years time.
In a related development, a group of about 50 red shirts gathered outside the house of Constitutional Court president Wasant Soypisut in Nonthaburi yesterday.
They called on the court's judges to investigate their colleague Jaran Pukditanakul about his remark that the court's verdict in the case against late former prime minister Samak Sundaravej was not sufficiently careful. Samak was dismissed for being employed by a private company while serving as prime minister.
The red shirts wanted the top court to set up an investigative committee against Jaran within seven days or said they would file a police complaint against the judges for alleged malfeasance.
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Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2013/06/02/rival-masked-rallies-planned-in-city-today/
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