Led by Tul Sitthisomwong of Chulalongkorn University, the group gathered at Suan Luang Rama IX Park and condemned anti-government protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) for their rally in central Bangkok since March 12.
Expressing the group's intention to protect the institution of the monarchy, Dr Tul attacked UDD protesters and fugitive, ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra for their "wicked plan on sowing divisiveness among Thais".
He urged the so-called ‘Red Shirt’ protesters to follow the model of the self-sufficiency economy, initiated by King Bhumibol Adulyadej, and urged more Bangkokians to come out of their homes and join his group.
Dr Tul said he was warned by Chulalongkorn hospital guards that UDD supporter Maj-Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol came seeking him but he said is unafraid of the army officer. Red Shirt protesters appeared outside a hospital building on Friday and demanded to see him, he said.
The ‘Multi-Coloured Group’ plans to rally at Bangkok’s Chatuchak Park Saturday evening, hold prayers at the Emerald Buddha Temple Sunday morning and gather at the Victory Monument in the evening.
No violence was reported during the rally early Saturday as about 100 anti-riot police provided security around the park.
The group is composed of middle-class Bangkok residents, academics, the business community and members of the social network Facebook.
Since Songkran they have gathered in various locations every evening to show their powerful support for the prime minister and against the dissolution of Parliament.
The Chulalongkorn Hospital activist also slammed a demand proposed by UDD leader Charun Ditha-apichai to Prime Minister Abhisit to dissolve the House in five months, saying that it is unacceptable no matter how many months the UDD proposed because it could create a bad example in society.
What Mr Charun said was not based on the rights of people in the country while it is uncertain that the UDD wanted to “find a way out for the Red Shirt leaders", said Dr Tul.
UDD leaders proposed to Mr Abhisit during talks on March 28 and 29 that he dissolve the House in 15 days without condition but changed the stance to immediate House dissolution after the April 10 clash on Bangkok’s Ratchadamnoen Avenue.
Their latest change came after a group of Bangkok-based foreign diplomats held talks with UDD leaders and visited the rally site at Ratchaprasong intersection on Friday. They have proposed the House dissolution in 30 days.
“The ‘Multi-Coloured Group’ people aren’t fighting for the survival of the government and Mr Abhisit. They’re fighting to enable the government and state officials to perform their duty. When peace is restored in the country, the government and the prime minister must display their responsibilities by either dissolving the House or resign,” said Dr Tul.
He vowed that his group would continue fighting until normalcy returns or until the UDD protesters cease demonstrating.
By: mcot
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