Red-shirts rally at court to support Thaksin amid lese majeste case

Supporters of the red-shirt movement are set to gather at the Criminal Court tomorrow morning to show their support for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is due to hear the Office of the Attorney-General’s (OAG) decision on a lese majeste case against him.

Despite reports indicating that the 74 year old Thaksin will not be present at the court, as he has been admitted to hospital again, the plan for the rally remains in place.

Leader of the red-shirt movement and a former Pheu Thai MP for Samut Prakan, Worachai Hema labelled the lese majeste case against Thaksin a miscarriage of justice. He attributed the case to the actions of the now-defunct National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO), which he argued came to power through undemocratic means.

Worachai announced that red-shirt supporters would gather at the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road from 7am tomorrow to show their respect and support for Thaksin. They will also call for the dismissal of cases initiated by the NCPO, as the council’s authority lacked democratic legitimacy.

As the rally plans were revealed, Thai Pakdee Party leader Warong Dechgitvigrom predicted Thaksin would not appear at the court, citing information from a credible source that Thaksin had been hospitalised. Warong did not specify how long Thaksin might remain in the hospital but suggested the hospitalisation was linked to the OAG appointment scheduled for tomorrow.

“Last time on May 29, he did not show up. This time the attorney-general made an appointment with him on June 18 but my source told me he was recently admitted to a hospital. That means he’s trying to buy time.”

Former red-shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan echoed Warong’s perspective, suggesting Thaksin would either claim illness again or flee the country. Nonetheless, Jatuporn urged Thaksin to face the OAG.

“I want Thaksin to remember the protests in the past, where many people sacrificed their freedom and lives for him. Now that he’s back, he’s exploiting everyone who’s been fighting for him for a long time.”

The upcoming rally underscores the ongoing political tensions and deep divisions within Thailand, as supporters of Thaksin continue to challenge the legitimacy of the charges against him and the actions of the former NCPO, reported Bangkok Post.