Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha needs to sit down and talk to young protesters if he wants to end the anti-government rallies, according to former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.
Thaksin said violence would not solve the country’s political problems. Holding talks with the young demonstrations could bring about a solution.
“Violence will not help (improve the situation),” he told an online political forum hosted by Care.
Thaksin is a regular speaker on the political group formed by his supporters, identifying himself as Tony Woodsome.
He said Gen Prayut should open his mind to their ideas and tell them what he could and could not do in finding a solution to the issues raised.
There are several groups protesting against the government. They include the United Front of Thammasat and Demonstration, Thalufah, Thalugaz and the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship. Their demands include the resignation of Gen Prayut.
There have been rallies in Din Daeng almost every evening by Thalugaz supporters, ending in violent confrontation with riot police when the young protesters try to move closer to the prime minister’s residence inside the nearby 1st Infantry Regiment barracks.
Thaksin said firing water cannons, tear gas and coloured water at the protesters would only worsen the situation and damage the reputation of the police force.
“Riot police are destroying the image of the Royal Thai Police as a whole,” he said.
Thaksin’s red-shirt followers have called a major rally against Gen Prayut on Sunday, the 15th anniversary of the military coup on Sept 19, 2006 that removed Thaksin from office.
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