Anti-government protesters declared this afternoon they will boycott the proposed reconciliation committee being set up to resolve the current political crisis and reiterated their demand for a reform of the monarchy.
Speaking at a press conference at Sanam Luang, protest leaders acting under the name “Rasadorn (People’s) Group” dismissed the committee as nothing more than “a political show” that would not bring about any meaningful result.
They said Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is the biggest obstacle to any solution to the current crisis. “As long as he remains in power, there can be no solution,” said the statement read out in unison by a group of protest leaders.
“The committee is only a political show to buy time for Prime Minister Prayut,” it said.
Parliament President Chuan Leekpai said Monday that he had approached three former prime ministers – Anand Panyarachun, Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyuth and Abhisit Vejjajiva – to join the proposed reconciliation committee. Chuan proposed the setting up of the committee after a House session to debate the current political conflict late last month in an attempt to find a way out for the crisis.
The statement also reiterated the group’s three demands, which include Prime Minister Prayut’s resignation, a new constitution and a reform of the monarchy.
The Rasadorn Group, an alliance of various protest groups, has been spearheading a series of anti-government protesters over the past several weeks. The protest leaders declined to answer questions about their next course of action.
