Members of the anti-coup group Resistant Citizen were forced to call off a demonstration against the draft constitution outside the Election Commission on Wednesday after they were confronted by a large group of charter-supporters.
About 100 members of the group and supporters planned to dance and sing a song called "Let’s Knee This (Vote No and Drop It)" — adapted from the original performed by Tom Dundee who has been jailed on lese majeste charges — near the EC office in the Government Complex on Chaeng Watthana Road at 4pm.
The song’s lyrics were aimed at persuading people to vote no to the draft constitution in the referendum on Aug 7. The song also accused the governing regime of wanting to hold on to power once the new charter comes into effect. About 200 policemen were deployed at the complex to maintain order.
Police escort Resistant Citizen leader Pansak Srithep, wearing a dancer’s decorations, out of the government complex after the group stopped its demonstrqation. (Photo by Seksan Rojanametakul)
At 3pm, about 300 people from a previously unknown group called “Thais with 100% Heart” gathered at B Building near the EC office to show their support for the election commissioners and give them flowers. The group’s leader, Wattanapon Arunoros, called on police not to allow Resistant Citizen to proceed with their activity.
Some EC supporters approached Sirawith "Ja New" Seritiwat, the leader of the New Democracy Movement, who went to the Government Complex to support the demonstration, and abused him. Police stepped in to separate the two groups and escorted Mr Sirawith into the EC office.
The anti-coup activists danced and sang for about two minutes before police switched off their loud speakers. Officials then ordered both sides to stop all activities and leave the premises to avoid confrontation.
Police escorted Mr Sirawith and Pansak Srithep, leader of Resistant Citizen, out of the government complex in their vans for safety reasons. Mr Pansak was later taken to Thung Song Hong for his role in organising the demonstration.