Protesters demonstrating on Ratchadamnoen Avenue should send representatives to hold talks with ministers and review their ongoing rally since government has made clear that the amnesty bill will not be resurrected for reconsideration in the House, the chairman of the Pheu Thai Party said on Tuesday.
Mr Apiwan Wiriyachai said the ruling coalition had promised the public not to resurrect the bill after the 180-day mandatory suspension period required by the charter following the Senate's rejection of the legislation.
Senators shot down the controversial bill by 140-0 votes late Monday night, so Mr Apiwan argued that leaders of the rallies should review their position, if the demonstrations are in fact aimed at overthrowing government, rather than opposing the now defunct bill.
The Pheu Thai chairman meanwhile slammed former Democrat MP and rally leader Suthep Thaugsuban’s call for nationwide strikes and civil disobedience, saying that such action would be illegal and damage the country’s development.
He urged Mr Suthep and other leaders of anti-government groups to hold talks with government, instead of damaging the interests of the nation ahead of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) at the end of 2015. He insisted that the government would be willing to listen to the protesters’ demands.