JUST AS the National Security Council came out today (July 22) to clearly state that the extension of the state of emergency by another month till end of August is not aimed at political gain nor control students, a group of students called for another rally on Friday, Sanook.com reported this afternoon.
Gen. Somsak Rungsita the secretary-general of the National Security Council, said after the daily briefing by the Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) that the full committee had agreed to extend the emergency degree by another month but as this was not intended to gain politically nor control students and other groups from rallying politically, Article 9 of this decree, that allows for controlling gatherings, will not be exercised.
While stating that the main aim of extending the emergency degree is the protection of people’s heath and sustaining the national economy, Gen. Somsak said even though Article 9 is being withheld other related laws would be in effect.
Two of them are Public Assembly Act and the Communicable Disease Control Act, and Gen. Somsak stressed that those holding and attending rallies much comply with disease prevention.
Meanwhile on this same day the KU Daily Facebook page, which is suspected to be run by a group of students at Kasetsart University, invited the public and other students to show the power of the people at a large gathering on Friday July 24, 2020 at 4.30 p.m. onward in front of the main hall at this university.
The call to attend this rally comes after some members of the Student Union of Thailand and the Free Youth group held a rally at the Democracy Monument on July 18. This was attended by around 2,000 people and ended at midnight.
The next day rallies also took place at downtown Chiang Mai and Ubon Ratchathani and they also attracted many participants.
Since then a number of rallies and meetings were arranged both on and off campus all over the country.
CAPTION:
Top: Gen. Somsak addressing the press briefing today. Thai headline says, “can rally, not forbidden.” Photo: Sanook.com
