CHIANG MAI - Several thousand red-shirt members gathered here on Saturday to hear their leader promise them that an even bigger gathering was in the works.
Red-shirt supporters cheer on their leaders on the stage in Chiang Mai on Saturday. (Photo by Cheewin Sattha)
But Tida Tawornseth also moved to calm fears that the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) was spoiling for a fight with anti-government forces or advocating splitting up the country.
Addressing members from all 17 northern provinces at the Chiang Mai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, the UDD chairwoman told them to get ready for a bigger rally but offered no other details.
"But people should not panic or be concerned that the UDD and those red-shirt guardians of democracy will go to war with anybody," she said. "We want to show our force to support democracy."
She expressed satisfaction with the large and enthusiastic turnout, following similar rallies in Udon Thani and Khon Kaen last weekend as campaign to counter anti-government protesters gained momentum.
The Chiang Mai meeting came in the wake of growing impatience among the armed forces over some red-shirt members spreading the divisive message in banners calling for separatism.
The latest such message was unfurled in Don Muang district in Bangkok and the armed forces wasted no time taking action against UDD hardman Wutthipong Kachathamkhun on Friday.
The move by Defence Ministry legal experts came after Mr Wutthipong, known as "Ko Tee", admitted his responsibility in posting the banner over a pedestrian bridge in Don Muang on Wednesday.
The red-shirt leader from Pathum Thani said the banner was aimed only at attacking army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha for allegedly siding with the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC).
The first banner to advocate separatism was found in Phayao on Jan 28, followed by similar sightings in Phitsanulok and Chiang Mai. The northern and northeastern regions are the stronghold of the UDD and the power base of the Pheu Thai Party.
Mrs Tida said on Saturday that the red shirts had no intention to split the country but the issue had been twisted by the PDRC to paint the UDD as a separatist movement.
She also slammed the armed forces for their decision to press authorities to take action against Mr Wutthipong as he was only "a kid". There are several thousand members like "Ko Tee" in the group, she added.
The "war drum" campaign, which the UDD kicked off on Feb 23 in Nakhon Ratchasima, was joined by other red-shirt leaders, including Nattawut Saikuar and Jatuporn Prompan.