Thailand’s opposition Democratic Party on October 30 called for a mass
protest against a controversial amnesty bill that critics fear will
clear the way for the return of former Prime Minister Thaksin
Shinawatra.
The protest is slated for October 31 at Samsen
railway station as it is outside the area subjected to the Internal
Security Act (ISA).
DP leader Suthep Thaugusuban said his
party wants supporters nationwide to join in the protest. He accused
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and the ruling Party Puea Thai of
exploiting the Party’s parliamentary majority to pass the bill to
whitewash charges against former ousted PM Thaksin and other political
criminals.
As Yingluck’s brother, Thaksin is living in exile abroad.
The same day, Deputy PM Pracha Promnok called on groups opposing the
bill to stage peaceful and lawful rallies, adding that the
administration is considering the extension of enforcing the ISA in some
areas taking into account the real situation.-VNA