PM won’t be drawn on rumour that protest leaders are seeking asylum in the US

Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has refused to be drawn on speculation that 4 prominent protest leaders have applied for political asylum in the US. As rumours circulate that Panupong Jadnok, Parit Chiwarak, Panusaya Sithijirawattanakul, and Chonthicha Jaengraew have all applied for asylum in the US, the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Saravuth Petpanomporn, says officials are “looking into the matter”.

Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Bangkok denies being involved, pointing out that the Citizenship and Immigration Service, part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, is the only agency that handles political asylum requests.

The PM has repeated his stance on the importance of dialogue in resolving the conflict, saying he’s willing to listen to all opinions. He denies dictating how the political impasse should be dealt with, adding that if all sides are willing to work together, within the confines of the law, it should be possible to resolve the issues.

“Problems must be resolved through legal means. Without laws, a country cannot exist. In a democracy, there must be laws and rules, which must be followed, and this is the way that is acceptable to the majority of the people.”

SOURCE: Thai PBS World