Thread: Reds ready to counter Pitak Siam: Korkaew says anti-govt rally has Democrat links

^ I can foresee technology enabling a far more participatory democracy in the future - e.g. Imagine if all important parliamentary bills were subject to a vote which every citizen could participate in electronically?

Originally Posted by Gerbil

all important parliamentary bills

thought there were no pollies .................................

Originally Posted by Gerbil

^ I can foresee technology enabling a far more participatory democracy in the future - e.g. Imagine if all important parliamentary bills were subject to a vote which every citizen could participate in electronically?

I agree, what a great idea.

It's a thought that will scare the shit out of a lot of politicians ( and voters ), they may be forced to think and account for their actions..

Originally Posted by sabang

Well, that says it all. He's barking mad.

I'll second that one.

one side protests and calls for elections. Admittedly, knowing they will most likely win.

the other side protests and calls for a coup.... would have even already done it if ...

TBH, from the vantage point that most of us share, is this government really doing that bad of a job? Democratically elected. Functional. Not killing its own citizens in any large numbers...

Even from the perspective of the Thai people, as a group, the polling consistently shows the government coming out ahead of the opposition. Everything points to the Thai people getting what they voted for and still wanting what they got...

Originally Posted by philw

Originally Posted by Gerbil

^ I can foresee technology enabling a far more participatory democracy in the future - e.g. Imagine if all important parliamentary bills were subject to a vote which every citizen could participate in electronically?

I agree, what a great idea.

It's a thought that will scare the shit out of a lot of politicians ( and voters ), they may be forced to think and account for their actions..

well, now...

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

"If the people turn out in large numbers, we will go right to see the government and apply pressure on it. I want to know whether soldiers or police would dare to shoot the people, whether the red-shirts will come out, whether Thais will kill each other because of [fugitive former prime minister] Thaksin Shinawatra," he said.

We already know the answer to that.

Originally Posted by Tom Sawyer

I'll bet the mood in the pro-Thaksin camp is 'bring him back soonest

Has been for a long time .

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Bhichai opposes anti-govt rallies | Bangkok Post: breakingnews

Bhichai opposes anti-govt rallies

• Published: 3/11/2012 at 07:59 PM
• Online news:

The Pitak Siam Group should use the parliamentary system to move against the government, not street rallies, says former Democrat leader Bhichai Rattakul.

He was responding to news of another planned mass gathering to protest against the Yingluck Shinawatra government within this month by the group, led by Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit.

The first rally, at the Royal Turf Club last Sunday, drew an estimated 20,000 people, more than most observers or the government had expected.

Gen Boonlert has said the rallies are intended to draw attention to the Pheu Thai government's three main failings: allowing the monarchy to be insulted; being a puppet of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra; and corruption.

Mr Bhichai said the allegations against the Pheu Thai-led administration had no grounds.

"If I were Gen Boonlert, I would not have moved against the government in such a way," the veteran politician added.

Mr Bhichai also said he didn't understand why Prasong Soonsiri, the high-profile former head of the National Security Council, had joined the rally.

The parliamentary mechanism should be used and allowed to work in order to avoid violent confrontation between different political groups, he said.

If Gen Boonlert had substantial information to back his group’s allegations, he should forward it to the Democrat Party so that it can use the material against the government in a censure debate, he added.

Mr Bhichai said he had no idea whether there would be another military coup if clashes between political rival groups intensified.

Gen Boonlert has said he would welcome a coup, a stance that has rauised eyebrows even among some people who dislike the current government.

Mr Bhichai praised the response of army chief Prayuth Chan-ocha that a coup is out of the question. Gen Prayuth has also warned all soldiers they would face severe consequences if they got involved with political pressure groups.

Thanks : this was interesting to read
"Mr Bhichai said the allegations against the Pheu Thai-led administration had no grounds."

btw, I see the post and nation continue to use an inflated figure for the attendance. They must know it is not right but still use it anyway. The Nation is particularly aggressive this way stating in one article that the protesters "surged" in to fill the club.

The Special Branch estimate as provided by this quote was half of that figure.

The number of protesters surprised all observers. Initially 2000 to 3000 protesters were expected, but in the end about 10,000 showed up. Estimates of 20,000 are exaggerated — the stadium was not almost full, the center, opposite the stage was full, but towards the upper ranks and the side wings the crowd ranged from thin to non-existent. Also police estimates of 6000 were too low. As usual, I go with Special Branch estimates, which I have found over the last years the most reliable, and mostly correspond with my own impressions as well.

Protect Siam: What

It is hardly important whether 10 or 10,000 people showed up. It just seems a bit stupid for these "journalists" to keep using a number they know is wrong.

Surayud claims no connection to pitak siam | Bangkok Post: news

Surayud claims no connection to pitak siam

• Published: 4/11/2012 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

Privy councillor Surayud Chulanont has denied he is involved with the Pitak Siam group, which is mobilising supporters to try to bring down the Yingluck Shinawatra government.


FRIENDS ONLY: Privy councillor Surayud Chulanont

He has been linked to the group partly because he and retired military officer Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit, who organised the group's rally on Oct 28, were classmates in Class 1 of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School.

"We're friends, so I'm being seen as having some connection with the group," said Gen Surayud while out hiking with children in Khao Yai National Park, during an excursion to promote environmental awareness among youths. "But I'm not worried because the truth is I only work for Thai society and children."

Earlier Gen Boonlert also insisted last Sunday's rally had nothing to do with Gen Surayud. The rally drew many anti-government groups, including former members of the now defunct Communist Party of Thailand (CPT), who gathered at the Royal Turf Club in Nang Loeng to show their dissatisfaction with the Yingluck administration's alleged corruption and incompetence.

A source said Gen Surayud has known and financially supported some former communist supporters who were subordinates of late Lt-Col Payom, a former CPT leader and Gen Surayud's father.

Gen Surayud is also the president of the Royal Turf Club's council where Gen Boonlert serves as the secretary-general.

Meanwhile, the pro-Thaksin United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) has told its red shirt supporters to closely monitor the movements of the Pitak Siam group as it believes the group is using planned rallies to urge soldiers to stage a new coup.

"Be aware of the situation," UDD chair Tida Tawornseth told UDD supporters at press conference held recently.

Red shirt supporters have been told to join UDD gatherings countrywide to stay informed on the situation.

On its schedule is a gathering today in Chon Buri to mark the opening of a branch of the UDD school of politics, aimed at educating supporters on its efforts and to seek out and nurture new UDD local leaders.

Yingluck, Yinglove one and all | Bangkok Post: opinion

COMMENTARY

Yingluck, Yinglove one and all

• Published: 4/11/2012 at 12:00 AM
• Newspaper section: News

Yingluck Shinawatra has yet to succeed, but she's inching ever closer. The Pitak Siam rally last Sunday and talk of a coup show just how nervous the other side is getting.

Bias and prejudice can cloud judgement. She's the sister of Thaksin Shinawatra, and from the beginning the anti-Thaksin brigade dismissed her.

They mocked her usage of English, and even her Thai. They called her a nominee. They laughed at her intellect. The lady has her flaws and failings, no doubt, but Prime Minister Yingluck is succeeding - though not yet a success, the jury is still out on that - in something no one else has been able to do: bringing about reconciliation. This is the exact reason why it was deemed necessary to organise a rally against the Pheu Thai government last Sunday, before it's too late.

Of the 20,000 who showed up at the Royal Turf Club, some went because they love the King. Some went because they despise corruption. Some went because they hate all things Shinawatra. For most, it was a combination of all of the above, and then some.

But the reasons why they spent their Sunday at a horse track when there were no races are perhaps different from the reason the rally was called. A show of force was needed because the Thaksin political machine is winning, thanks to the sister that people mock and underestimate.

Everyone has a role. Everyone serves a purpose. Ms Yingluck was not chosen by her brother to make stirring speeches, debate intellectually or formulate strategic takeover plans. Thaksin already has people who can do those things. Expressing a political vision? Displaying leadership acumen? Thaksin himself performs those tasks.

Ms Yingluck does two things no one else can do. First, she gives the Pheu Thai Party and the red shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship and other supporters a symbol to unify around. A symbol at home can produce effects that a symbol in Dubai can't.

Proximity is important. Remember how the Thaksin political machine was in much disarray, lacking in leadership, before she was chosen? Most people acknowledge this.

Second, she convinces the other side to accept defeat and make the best of things _ we call this reconciliation. This is what people tend to overlook.

At this juncture in the Kingdom of Thailand, these two things are more important than the correct usage of language or intellectual discourse.

Reconciliation is much debated and controversial. At the superficial level, reconciliation is where two opposing forces make peace and get along on equal terms. A deeper understanding reveals that in actuality somebody will have to form the government of Thailand, and somebody else the opposition.

This basic fact of political science dictates that there must be winners and losers. After all, one country cannot have two governments. There might be a shadow government or a puppet government, but not two official governments in tandem.

Given this basic fact, reconciliation can only be had if the losing side accepts defeat and works out the best deal that they can, bargaining for a peace treaty using whatever power they have left, but never on equal terms. This is what Ms Yingluck is inching ever closer to.

With the threats of tanks and automatic assault rifles, Thailand's traditional elites in September 2006 won a battle, but not the war. Through the five years until the Democrat party lost the July 2011 general elections, they failed to bring about reconciliation. They failed to get the other side to accept defeat and make the best of the situation.

As we approach the end of 2012, Ms Yingluck is doing what no tanks, no Democrats nor even her brother could do.

Standing against total victory for the Thaksin political machine are instruments of the traditional elites - the anti-Thaksin populace, the Democrat Party, the anti-Thaksin media and the military. But the Democrats and the anti-Thaksin populace can be handled in parliament and in the voting booths every four years. The Thaksin political machine can match them vote for vote, and then some.

As for the anti-Thaksin media, the pro-Thaksin media can match them word for word, broadcast for broadcast, blog for blog, and then some. He's got the numbers on his side - and his allies, the merchant elites, can match the other side sponsor for sponsor, advertiser for advertiser, and then some.

Following key appointments, the Royal Thai Police and the Defence Ministry are now instruments of Thaksin, along with, of course, the UDD, and a good chunk of the merchant elites are his allies (as described last week).

The X factor is the military, as in a possible coup.

But as Bangkok Post military analyst Wassana Nanuam wrote on Oct 18, Ms Yingluck uses her female charm effectively when dealing with the armed forces and, if I may add, perhaps some of the traditional elites themselves.

The generals have both good and terrible qualities, but to think that they would fall for female charm is to underestimate them, though one should never discount the power of female charm. But along with female charm, Ms Yingluck possesses negotiation skills which depend on intelligence and ingenuity - give credit where it's due.

Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda and army chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha would never give any of Thaksin's nominees a second look, but they are willing to deal with Ms Yingluck. Witness the many photographs of smiling faces and the events attended, not to mention the hush-hush, behind-the-scene talks.

This does not mean that the military will become an instrument of Thaksin. Ms Yingluck only has to get them to accept defeat by staying in the barracks.

This is why the most important words from the Pitak Siam group were not ''protect the institution'' or ''fight corruption'', but ''I would love to see a coup'', as core organiser General Boonlert Kaewprasit announced.

To show the military that he is not the only one who would love to see a coup, Gen Boonlert brought some 20,000 people with him as support - whether they realised or agreed with what they were supporting.

For you see, there are only three ways to defeat the Thaksin political machine - democratically, militarily or if the economy tanks majestically. We know the first two are unlikely. As for the economic factor, it remains to be seen.

If Ms Yingluck doesn't involve herself in parliamentary debates, it's because debating is not her forte. If she can't answer tough questions from journalists, it's because she's unseasoned and inexperienced.

But these things are not needed for the Thaksin political machine to achieve victory.

What her brother needs is for the military to stay in the barracks and for key political power brokers and the majority of the voting populace to stay die-hard fans of the Shinawatra clan.

So while people complain that she's always gallivanting about around the country, it's simply because as a unifying symbol, she needs to stay in touch with the people.

A deeper analysis would also reveal that she must keep the people loyal to her and her brother, and not be swayed by the different agendas of the many ideological factions within the UDD. No one else can do this but Yingluck Shinawatra.

So mock, criticise and dismiss her. But know that the generals are receiving her. Understand that the average UDD member wears the red shirt with - to paraphrase - ''YINGLUCK, YINGLIKE, YINGLOVE'' emblazoned on the back. They love her. They adore her.

She might be just what Thaksin needs to win this war, to get the other side to accept defeat and thereby bring about reconciliation. And if he's truly wise and doesn't let vanity get the better of him, he would do well to keep her as prime minister, rather than take the job back for himself.

But that's a possible future scenario. For now, she's inching ever closer. The rally last Sunday and talk of a coup simply show just how nervous the other side is getting.

Voranai Vanijaka

Seh Ai: No rally if fewer than one million | Bangkok Post: news

Seh Ai: No rally if fewer than one million

• Published: 4/11/2012 at 04:48 PM
• Online news: Local News

The next anti-government rally will be called off if the number of people it draws is likely to be fewer than the target of one million, Pitak Siam Group leader Boonlert Kaewprasit said on Sunday.

Gen Boonlert had earlier planned to hold another rally late this month, aiming to attract up to one million protesters to oust the government he says is "plagued with corruption". The first rally on Oct 28 drew about 20,000 participants.

Before the rally is held, he said, the number of people taking part will be closely watched. If it was likely to be fewer than the target of one million, the rally would be called off.

However, the Pitak Siam group is firm in its stand to seek the government's ouster, Gen Boonlert said.

Gen Boonlert, alias Seh Ai, dismissed as untrue speculation that his group was backed by Gen Surayud Chulanont, the privy councillor and former prime minister.

"I am not happy to see people trying to link Gen Surayud with the group.

"I don't want him to be implicated although he and I are from the same class at the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School," he said.


Sqd Ldr Prasong Soonsiri (left) and Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit (Photo by Thiti Wannamontha)

Gen Boonlert stressed that if the people did not join the rally in large numbers it will be called off.

On the red shirts' plan to hold an anti-Pitak Siam Group rally on Oct 18, Seh Ai said he did not think it would turn violent because his group adheres to law and order.

Meanwhile, former senator Ruangkrai Leekijwattana said a petition will be filed with the Constitution Court against Gen Boonlert and Sqd Ldr Prasong Soonsiri for rebellion in connection with the Pitak Siam's anti-government rally last month.

Mr Ruangkrai said he would file the petition directly with the Constitution Court on Monday.

Gen Boonlert's speech made to the rally he organised at the Royal Turf Club last Sunday clearly instigated the toppling of an administration in a democracy under the monarchy in violation of Article 113 of the Criminal Code.

Sqd Ldr Prasong, a former chief of the National Security Council, in joining the rally after being invited by Gen Boonlert, had also violated Article 83 in addition to Article 113 of the Criminal Code.

The former senator said Gen Boonlert's announcement to call another major rally with the aim of ousting the government was also an infringement of a democratic administration and the monarchy.

The petition to be filed will ask the Constitution Court to immediately order Gen Boonlert, Sqd Ldr Prasong, and others concerned to call off the plan to hold another rally late this month.

^ So I guess it is safe to say that their rally will be called off then?

No way are they going to get anywhere near that figure.

Complete basket cases.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

^ So I guess it is safe to say that their rally will be called off then?

you would think so however don't forget who we are dealing with , I'm sure there are plenty more twists and turns left

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

^ So I guess it is safe to say that their rally will be called off then?

No way are they going to get anywhere near that figure.

Complete basket cases.

"No rally if fewer than one million"

That's a relief.

Ruling sought on coup call - The Nation

Ruling sought on coup call

The Nation November 6, 2012 1:00 am

Former senator Ruangkrai Leekitwattana yesterday petitioned the Constitution Court to rule on whether an anti-government protest can call for a military coup.

If not, the court should order an end to more unconstitutional protests and protest leaders arrested by the DSI for committing treason under Article 113 of the Criminal Code, he said. The move was aimed at retired Gen Boonlert Kaewprasert, leader of the Siam Pitak group, who personally urged the military to topple the Yingluck Shinawatra administration, which Boonlert claimed had become corrupt and antithetical to the monarchy.

Former intelligence chief Prasong Soonsiri, who also spoke at the group's anti-government rally, was also accused by Ruangkrai of acting against the charter.

Since the group was seeking to stage another demonstration later month, the court must consider the case quickly, as according to his understanding, demanding a coup is tantamount to pressing for the overthrow of the democratic system and committing treason and is punishable by death or life imprisonment, he said.

The court should once and for all set a standard for future anti-government protests, he said. Parts of speeches by two men on stage quoted by the media were submitted.

Tight security at Seh Ai

Tight security at Seh Ai’s residence

• Published: 6/11/2012 at 12:06 PM
• Online news:

Security officials have been deployed outside the Phra Khanong residence of Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit, alias Seh Ai, leader of the Pitak Siam group, secretary-general of the National Security Council Lt-Gen Paradon Pattanathabut said on Tuesday.

Stringent security measures were put in place after a report that a giant firecracker was thrown at Seh Ai’s house on Nov 4, Lt-Gen Paradon said.

The cause of the attack was unknown but it could stem from Gen Boonlert’s leading a mass anti-government rally at Nang Loerng Race Course late last month, he added.

Gen Boonlert said the giant firecracker was thrown at his house by two men on a passing by motorcycle. He had reported the incident to Phra Khanong police, who inspected the scene but found no evidence.

He was not sure whether his house was the target of the attack, but insisted that he would not be intimidated and would continue with his plan to organise another mass rally against the government this month.

Gen Boonlert had earlier said he expected to attract up to one million protesters to the next rally to oust the government, which he says is "plagued with corruption".

The first rally on Oct 28 drew about 20,000 participants.

He said on Sunday that the next anti-government rally would be called off if the number of people it draws was likely to be fewer than the target of one million.

Army denies Pheu Thai MP's claim | Bangkok Post: news

Army denies Pheu Thai MP's claim

• Published: 7/11/2012 at 04:13 PM
• Online news: Local News

The army on Wednesday dismissed as untrue Pheu Thai MP Worachai Hema's claim that soldiers from Kanchanaburi and Prachin Buri would join a planned rally in Bangkok by the Pitak Siam Group under Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit late this month.

Col Winthai Suwari, the army spokesman, said the MP's claim was groundless.

Col Winthai Suwari said if there were to be a movement of a large numbers of troops, their commanders would surely know about it.

"It is not known when another rally of the [Pitak Siam] group will take place. Moreover, the army has no policy that allows its troops to join a rally, no matter which group.

"Soldiers must uphold discipline or face punitive action," he said.

Mr Worachai said at a press interview earlier Wednesday that he heard from a military source that no fewer than 2,000 troops from Chakrapongphuwanart Camp in Prachin Buri and more from Kanchanaburi had been deployed around Bangkok, some of them in Min Buri area.

These soldiers might be preparing to join Gen Boonlert's planned rally and some of might be assigned to follow core members of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, he said.

The MP also claimed that there really was a plot to assassinate former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra during his planned visit to Tachilek on Nov 10, which is now cancelled.

He also claimed that businessmen in the liquor industry had contributed six billion baht and two politicians, whose names begin with initials "S" and "N" another two billion baht to fund the assassination of Thaksin.

Military officers oppose Pitak Siam | Bangkok Post: breakingnews

Military officers oppose Pitak Siam

• Published: 8/11/2012 at 09:22 PM
• Online news:

Alumni from Class 5 and 10 of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School (AFAPS) will hold a peaceful rally at a Bangkok hotel on Friday morning in protest at the leader of the Pitak Siam group, Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit, and his supporters.

The Class 5 and 10 members will meet at the Miracle Grand Convention Hotel at 10am to announce their opposition to Gen Boonlert, a member of Class 1 of the AFAPS, and his group which is mobilising supporters to try to bring down the Yingluck Shinawatra government.

The general has called for a military coup to overthrow the Pheu Thai-led administration. "I'd love to see a coup,'' he told the press while heading up an Oct 28 anti-government rally at the Royal Turf Club in the Nang Loeng area of Bangkok.

The planned rally was revealed on Thursday by Gen Chaisit Shinawatra, Thaksin Shinawatra's cousin and a former supreme commander.

Gen Chaisit, a member of Class 5, said he would not join the gathering because it will merely announce the political position of his fellow classmates but he would attend a mass rally if one is held in the future.

Asked if he was disappointed with Gen Boonlert, who is his senior schoolmate, Gen Chaisit said the Pitak Siam group leader likes the planning and execution of a coup d'etat as it runs in his blood.

Pitak Siam plans a second rally later this month. However, Gen Boonlert said the rally will be called off if it attracts less than 1 million supporters.

Defence Minister ACM Sukumpol Suwanatat said Friday’s gathering of the Class 5 and 10 alumni should be seen as a personal affair and an expression of individual opinion, and that it has nothing to do with the bonds of brotherhood among soldiers.

He said none of his fellow classmates in Class 10 had discussed the planned rally with him. Both Gen Boonlert and those of the Class 10 alumni had the right to hold a peaceful rally. This was not a collision of mobs, he said, adding each group was just exercising their constitutional rights.


-----
Thaksin's ex-classmate to show force against Pithak Siam group - The Nation

Thaksin's ex-classmate to show force against Pithak Siam group

The Nation November 9, 2012 1:00 am

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's former classmate at Pre-Cadet Academy would show force on Friday against the Pithak Siam group, former army chief Chaisith Shinawatra said.

Alumni of class 10th at the Pre-Cadet Academy would gather at a Bangkok hotel to show their support to the government under Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and their former classmate Thaksin, said Chaisith who study in the class fifth at the military academy and also a cousin of Thaksin.

"I do not organise the gathering but our brothers want to express their view. Many of my classmate and I will join them to show our stance," he said.

"It's not the right thing to call a protest to topple the elected government," Chaisith said referring to the anti-government protest. "If the government did anything wrong we should allow the parliament to scrutinise in accordance with democratic way."

Retire General Boonlert Kaewprasit, the leader of Pithak Siam (Protecting Siam) movement, said the next rally against the government would be held on November 24 or 25 and he expected that the number of demonstrators would be 20 times higher than the last rally.

Boonlert's movement held a rally at the Royal Turf Club on October 28, drawing more than 10,000 demonstrators.

He said he would hold a press conference tomorrow to announce more details of the next rally. He said he expected more than 100 groups of activists to join the press conference.

He said he believed the yellow shirted People's Alliance for Democracy would join the next rally although PAD leaders have announced they would not participate in the protest.

Boonlert said the protest would be held on the same causes and he would lay down his "thump card" to try to topple the government if the rally failed to bring it down.

"If the next rally fails, everything will be over and I will not hold another rally. I'll stop my role because I'll regard that the people do not support me," Boonlert said.

"But if a lot of people join the rally and we still fail to oust the government, I'll unveil my thump card."

Originally Posted by Mid

so it's a good idea to eradicate all pollies even though you haven't an alternative ...............

Maybe I am quite wrong here and I stand corrected ,but in reality there is only one Politician in this Government, and that is Thaksin ,as his word is law and all the Phue Thai are so far up his nether regions that only the soles of their feet are showing ,as stated previously "Thaksin thinks Phue Thai does" IMHO this situation we have now could never in a million years be called true democracy ,how can it be when a convicted runaway fugitive from justice is running the Country ,maybe some member could inform all of us as to just how many other charges of corruption and abuse of power in laid against him ,in closing I am in no way saying who is right or wrong here ,just trying to get to the Unbiased truth .

^^
It's getting interesting, isn't it..

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

I'll unveil my thump card.

Is is meant to be trump or will it really be a thump?

Chaisit tells Pitak Siam to desist from anti-govt rally - The Nation

Chaisit tells Pitak Siam to desist from anti-govt rally

The Nation November 10, 2012 1:00 am

Chaisit Shinawatra, an adviser to the prime minister, led some 40 Pre-Cadet Academy graduates yesterday to protest against Pitak Siam or the protect Siam group, which is scheduled to hold an anti-government rally on November 25.

The Pre-Cadet Class 5, 7, 8, 10, 11 and 13 graduates called on rally organiser Boonlert Kaewprasit, a Class 1 graduate, to stop harming democracy by pushing for a power seizure.

"Boonlert must stop driving a wedge in society by inviting the military to stage a coup and freeze democratic rule for five years," they said in a statement.

In his attempt to mobilise the masses, Boonlert said the political system should be frozen for five years to pave the way for reforms so the government could no longer cite popular votes to plunder the country.

Chaisit and the graduates countered that if there was another coup, it would inflict untold damage to the economy and it would regress in comparison with other Asean countries.

If this government fails to perform satisfactorily, then the next administration should be installed democratically, they said. The Pre-Cadet graduates also said that they would never condone power seizure or allow Boonlert to overthrow the government using undemocratic means.

Chaisit, who is also a cousin of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, said he was not worried about Boonlert using the masses to pressure the government because he believes the ruling Pheu Thai Party can attract bigger crowds.

"I want to remind Boonlert to come to his senses," he said, adding that Boonlert could not expect his group of protesters to outpace government supporters. He also said that he did not want to see Boonlert being used as a frontman for the elite.

Boonlert's former English-language teacher, Atchara Saengprateep, said she was sad to see her pupil being led astray. "I want the country to stay on the path of democracy and hope that people with wrong ideas will change," she said.