Suthep Thaugsuban yesterday invited people in the Ramkhamhaeng area to don yellow shirts and head to Sanam Luang tomorrow for a warm-up gathering ahead of the "final battle" against the caretaker government.
Protest fatigue: A young girl rests at a People’s Democratic Reform Committee march through Ramkhamhaeng yesterday.
The secretary-general of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee made the call as he led PDRC supporters in a march along Ramkhamhaeng Road to The Mall, Bang Kapi, in his latest campaign to encourage people to join his rally tomorrow.
Tomorrow also marks Coronation Day, commemorating the 64th anniversary of the coronation of His Majesty the King. The anti-government group urged people to wear yellow-shirts because the colour represents Monday, the day the King was born on.
Mr Suthep said he will lead yellow-shirt participants to Sanam Luang to make a “solemn pledge” before a picture of the King to “retake power from the tyrant”.
The ex-Democrat MP was referring to the caretaker government of Yingluck Shinawatra, which is accused of serving the interests of her elder brother and former prime Thaksin Shinawatra instead of those of the country.
Mr Suthep spent yesterday afternoon telling people of the importance of the PDRC cause, especially his audience at Ramkhamhaeng University, where his group was welcomed by deputy rector Sommai Surachai.
The university has been in the spotlight since late last year when its students confronted supporters of the pro-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship. The incident escalated into violence, resulting in five people being shot dead.
The rally tomorrow is the first of three separate gatherings the PDRC said will lead to a last-ditch final battle against the government. A week after Coronation Day, the anti-government group will organise merit-making rites at Sanam Luang to mark Visakha Bucha Day on May 13. The next morning, protesters will hold a mass rally, claimed to be the last, to expel Ms Yingluck and her caretaker cabinet.
The PDRC chapter in Nakhon Ratchasima announced yesterday that it will hold rallies between May 13 and 15 for supporters who cannot travel to Bangkok.
During the lead-up to the so-called judgement day, people in each district are being asked to join the rallies, said Nakhon Ratchasima PDRC chairman Chakkarin Choetchai.
The UDD will hold its own rally on May 10 on Utthayan Road in Thawi Watthana district, UDD chairman Jatuporn Prompan confirmed yesterday, as the caretaker government prepares to face key court rulings.