Pheu Thai chief sorry for claims about student parades

By The Nation

 

Pheu Thai’s secretary-general Phumtham Wechayachai on Monday apologised for incidents that may have hurt the feelings of pro-democracy supporters after one of the party’s members called on the government to take legal action against the university students who paraded on Saturday.
 

Chulalongkorn and Thammasat Universities students held their 72nd football match with traditional satire parades under the theme “Our Rise” – a message calling on people to fight against injustice in society, including corruption, authoritarian rule and the widening income gap.

 

During the pre-game parade, students followed their tradition of serious fun, using political satire and papier-mache puppets to reference controversial issues, including the scandal over Deputy Prime Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan’s large collection of luxury watches and the new charter.

 

Ruangkrai leekijwattana, from Pheu Thai’s lawyer team, called on the government to take legal action against those involved in the parades, saying their activities may have violated the political gathering ban.

 

Phumtham offered a public apology over the statement, saying Ruangkrai’s opinion was a personal one that contradicted to the party’s ideology. The party would talk to Ruangkrai and create an understanding, he said.

 

Phumtham said the parades reflected the students’ views about the country, and they should be supported as an example so citizens will be more aware of political issues and learn how to exercise their rights and freedom.

 

Any attempts to interfere in the students’ affairs, as reported in the news, violated their rights and freedom, Phumtham said.

 

Phumtham also called on the government to hold the election this year, as previously announced, and stop suppressing people who exercised their rights and freedom, which were protected under the charter.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/politics/30338000

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-02-05

The election hasn't even been called yet and Pheu Thai is already shooting itself in the head. Lucky its not somewhere with a vital organ. Perhaps during the 90 day delay they can get together and make sure they're all on the same page.

 

On 2/5/2018 at 10:40 AM, webfact said:

Phumtham offered a public apology over the statement, saying Ruangkrai’s opinion was a personal one that contradicted to the party’s ideology. The party would talk to Ruangkrai and create an understanding, he said.

Not just the govt in favour of attitude adjustment, it seems.

Edited February 6, 20188 yr by Bluespunk

I 

12 minutes ago, Yme said:

The election hasn't even been called yet and Pheu Thai is already shooting itself in the head. Lucky its not somewhere with a vital organ. Perhaps during the 90 day delay they can get together and make sure they're all on the same page.

 

I think you're wrong. Ruangkrai clearly wanted the government to take action against the Thammasart and Chula  students,  for such a prosecution or persecution would likely galvanize students generally to oppose the government. But it seems the government saw through his plan and have left the students alone for now.

Phumtham is just protecting his party- 'Sorry junta, our man Ruangkrai was out of line, we will reprimand him.' (a slap on the wrist with a few pats on the back at the same time).

19 minutes ago, Siripon said:

I 

I think you're wrong. Ruangkrai clearly wanted the government to take action against the Thammasart and Chula  students,  for such a prosecution or persecution would likely galvanize students generally to oppose the government. But it seems the government saw through his plan and have left the students alone for now.

Phumtham is just protecting his party- 'Sorry junta, our man Ruangkrai was out of line, we will reprimand him.' (a slap on the wrist with a few pats on the back at the same time).

i bet you are correct;  i have a world famous journalist good friend who now lives in my part of thailand and has lived in 3 Countries in SE Asia for almost 20 years; 

and in  causal conversation, aside from corruption, i asked him what thais were good at;

his response; 'trying to hold on to power'

On 2/5/2018 at 2:40 PM, webfact said:

Pheu Thai’s secretary-general Phumtham Wechayachai on Monday apologised for incidents that may have hurt the feelings of pro-democracy supporters after one of the party’s members called on the government to take legal action against the university students who paraded on Saturday.

these are the dimwits that are going to win the next election ?

This guy is a thorn and a regular critic of the junta that got him 5 days of attitude adjustment and 3 days incommunicado. He is mocking the junta. Still careless in his words construction. He should know better as a lawyer.