A FORMER Pheu Thai MP and one of the leaders of the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship said today (Oct. 9) that the majority of red-shirt supporters will be joining a demonstration called by students on October 14 despite the government saying otherwise, Siam Rath newspaper reported.
Mr. Worachai Hema, a former Pheu Thai MP from Samut Prakan province, dismissed a statement by Vice Minister Suporn Atthawong, who is a former red-shirt leader, that most of the movement’s followers will be staying away from the upcoming rally.
He pointed that the students’ call for democracy and constitution amendment matched the ideology of the red-shirt movement which had previously staged demonstrations on these very grounds, and that is why red-shirt supporters and those leaders who have not betrayed their cause would join in.
He added that some yellow-shirt followers too will be joining the demonstration on October 14 because they likewise want a democratic constitution and a competent administrator.
This is especially important right now when meeting people’s basic needs is the most serious issue and this then will draw a lot of people to the rally, he pointed out.
One of the most important political incidents in Thai history took place on October 14, 1973 when a popular uprising led by the students succeeded in overthrowing of the military dictatorship of Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn.
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Top: Red-shirt supporters stage anti-government protests in Bangkok on April 3, 2010. Photo: CNN
