The People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) is attempting to drum up support among foreign diplomats as part of its campaign to oust the government.
Anti-government protest leader and former DemocratMP Suthep Thaugsuban, talks to Matthew Wheeler, Southeast Asia analyst of the International Crisis Group, at the Democracy Monumentprotest venue.Heinvited representatives of international organisations and ambassadors to observe the protest yesterday. THITIWANNAMONTHA
The move comes in response to fierce international lobbying by the caretaker administration of Yingluck Shinawatra to back the election.
The committee invited Bangkok-based diplomats to observe its rally at the Democracy Monument last night, promising to provide them with tight security to give them a first-hand experience.
PDRC spokesman Akanat Promphan said at least five countries sent representatives, but he refused to identify the countries and name the officials taking part.
PDRC staff did not allow the media to observe the briefings and the tours arranged for the diplomats, which took about two hours.
A PDRC source said protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban explained the reasons behind the movement and why the Feb 2 election should be postponed.
The diplomats, meanwhile, asked the protest leaders why they prolonged the rally despite caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's decision to dissolve the House, the source said.
Russia and Switzerland were among those which sent representatives to visit the protests, he added.
An official from the Chinese embassy told the Bangkok Post they did not send anyone to the PDRC, while an official from the Japanese embassy said: "I'm afraid we sent no one."
The PDRC's attempt to garner international support follows an intensive campaign by caretaker Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, who has been calling on countries to back the election set for Feb 2 next year.
Mr Surapong said yesterday more than 50 countries had expressed concerns over the political situation since Ms Yingluck announced the House dissolution on Dec 9. Also joining the activity were representatives from international organisations such as Human Rights Watch, the International Crisis Group, and the International Committee of the Red Cross.