The leader of the “red-shirt” movement has warned student activists not to cross a line, by infringing upon the Monarchy, or they will meet the same fate that befell the red-shirt protesters in 2010 and the student activists involved in the “October 6” events of 1976.
Jatuporn Promphan, chairman of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), otherwise known as the “red-shirt” movement, said today that the Student Union of Thailand and the Free Youth group, which launched anti-government protests last week, should stick to their three demands, namely the dissolution of parliament, a new Constitution and an end to official harassment of those who oppose the Government.
These demands, said Jatuporn, are acceptable to the public “but they must leave the Monarchy untouched, otherwise their strong points will be weakened and may lead to loss of lives, as it did among UDD protesters in 2010 and student activists in 1976.”
The UDD leader made clear that he is not issuing the warning to strike fear among student activists “but because I believe that they are not afraid, and I am concerned that how they fight will determine the consequences.”
Without naming individuals, he warned against those who want to push the students to move beyond their three clear demands.
Jatuporn also called on Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to listen to the voices of student activists, especially the demand for the dissolution of parliament and the rewriting of the Constitution.
