A political group, jointly led by the leader of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), Jatuporn Prompan, and Nititorn Lamlua, is planning to hold a rally this weekend, to press for the ouster of the so called “3-Ps”, at Ratchaprasong intersection in the heart of Bangkok’s commercial district.
The “3-Ps” are Acting Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, Defence Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, who was suspended from duty as prime minister by the Constitutional Court on August 24th, and Interior Minister Anupong Paochinda.
Jatuporn told a news conference today (Thursday) that, as long as these three individuals are still in the government, the next general election may not take place.
He alleged that this power clique will cling on as long as they can, while sending out misleading messages to the public claiming that they are not attached to their positions and are willing to leave at the “right” time.
Jatuporn pointed to the uncertain fates of two election-related bills, one regarding the election of MPs and the other being the Political Parties bill. Both have passed through parliament and are awaiting a decision by the Constitutional Court regarding their constitutionality.
“If they are both ruled unconstitutional, we have to restart the whole legislative process from zero,” said Jatuporn, as he also noted that parliament is due to go into recess this month until end of the year.
He said that there will then be about three months left in term of this parliament, which will end on March 24th next year.
The UDD leader said he expects many students to join the demonstration, but he offered an assurance that the protest will cause minimal inconvenience to commuters and road users, because the group will seek permission from the management of Central World shopping mall to use the building’s front plaza for the protest.
