17-6-2024 (BANGKOK) Supporters of the red-shirt movement are bracing themselves to converge at the Criminal Court on Tuesday morning, aiming to demonstrate their solidarity with former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is scheduled to hear the Office of the Attorney-General’s decision regarding a lese majeste case against him.
This plan persists despite reports suggesting that Thaksin might not be present at the court on Tuesday, as he has purportedly been admitted to a hospital once again.
Worachai Hema, the leader of the red-shirt movement and a former Pheu Thai MP for Samut Prakan, has denounced the lese majeste case against Thaksin as a “miscarriage of justice,” asserting that it stems from the coup orchestrated by the now-defunct National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).
“Red-shirt supporters will rally at the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road from 7am on Tuesday, to demonstrate their respect and support for Thaksin,” Mr Worachai declared. “They will also demand the dismissal of cases initiated by the NCPO, as the NCPO’s powers did not emanate from democratic processes.”
Amidst these plans, Warong Dechgitvigrom, the leader of the Thai Pakdee Party, has predicted that Thaksin will not appear at the court on Tuesday, citing a credible source who informed him that the former prime minister had been admitted to a hospital.
“Last time on May 29, he did not show up. This time the attorney-general made an appointment with him on June 18, but my source told me he was recently admitted to a hospital. That means he’s trying to buy time,” Dr Warong stated.
Former red-shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan concurred with Dr Warong’s assessment, adding that Thaksin would either claim to be sick again or simply flee the country.
Nevertheless, he urged Thaksin to appear before the Office of the Attorney-General.
“I want Thaksin to remember the protests in the past, where many people sacrificed their freedom and lives for him. Now that he’s back, he’s exploiting everyone who’s been fighting for him for a long time,” Jatuporn remarked.
