THE red shirt protesters rallying at Santiporn Park on Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue for the fourth day today (April 7) to pressure Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha to step down decided to disband and meet again at a later date amid a new flare up of coronavirus, Siam Rath newspaper said this evening.
Mr. Jatuporn Prompan, head of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), announced the temporary suspension of the rally as he was afraid that the third wave of coronavirus outbreak could spread to this gathering.
Despite the Covid fear, the atmosphere at the rally was normal with there being musical performances to entertain the demonstrators.
Metropolitan Police had set up a tent near the rally area to test those assembled there for infection having brought 200 rapid test kits along with them, that yield a result in 20 minutes. First to undergo a test was another UDD leader, Mr. Yossavaris Chuklom (Jeng Dokchik), with Jatuporn next tested.
Yossavaris praised the police for setting up this testing station, but pointed out that stringent measures were already in place from the first day with temperature being taken, alcohol gel dispensed and face masks distributed.
Jatuporn said he has instructed his lawyer to retaliate against Mr Sontiya Sawasdee, an adviser to the House’s law, justice and human rights committee, by similarly filing a compliant for prosecution after the latter had taken this step over allegations that he violated Section 112 of the Criminal Code, also known as the lese majeste law, on stage the first day of the rally, Sunday April 4.
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Top and Home Page: Jatuporn and other red shirt leaders on stage this evening. Photos: Siam Rath
