NCPO puts brake on Suthep’s caravan move
ARMY Commander-in-Chief Gen Chalermchai Sitthisart, who is secretary-general of National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), said today (Aug. 8, 2018) that a meeting has been held on a move by Suthep Thaugsuban to launch a caravan to meet the people but no conclusion has been reached, the Tha-language daily Matichon reported.
Suthep is a former street protest leader and co-founder of Ruamphalang Prachachart Thai Party or Action Coalition for Thailand (ACT).
Gen Chalermchai mentioned that the ban on political activities can be relaxed, and there are ways to do so, but details have not yet been discussed.
On whether Suthep would be allowed to launch his caravan if he should ask to do so, the Army Chief said if he were to be allowed then everyone else would also have to likewise be allowed.
He added that he understands a general election is coming up and all parties want to start campaigning, but everything has to be ready so that all sides can move forward together and not that any one side gets an advantage.
Gen Chalermchai also said that talks are still being held on whether to ease the ban on political activities in September, but that it won’t be long before this would be done.
He added that there are steps to be taken for this relaxation so that all parts can move forward with no one gaining or losing advantage.
He urged the public to be patient because the outcome will be known next month.
CAPTION:
Top: Gen Chalermchai, right, and ACT co-founder Suthep, left. The Thai-headline says ‘Want everything to be ready first.”Photo: Matichon
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