A party hosted by a leading member of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) has been roundly criticised after photos and a video clip from the event were shared on social media.
Core members of the People’s Democratic Reform Committee led by Suthep Thaugsuban, standing, second from right, pose for a photo at the birthday of Natthapol Teepsuwan, a co-leader of the group, in Bangkok. PHOTO FROM CHITPAS FACEBOOK
PDRC supporters also spoke out against the party.
The party to celebrate the 48th birthday of Nataphol Teepsuwan and his 15th wedding anniversary was held on Thursday night at 4 Garcons, a well-known French restaurant on Thong Lor Road.
Chitpas Kridakorn shared photos of a number of party-goers in camouflage outfits similar to a soldier’s uniform — Ms Chitpas wore a T-shirt bearing the message “Burapha Phayak’’ on the back — on her Facebook and Instagram accounts.
Burapha Phayak, or Tigers of the East, is the name used by present and former soldiers of the 2nd Infantry Regiment (Queen’s Guard) based in Prachin Buri. They include army chief and coup leader Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha.
“Although I am a PDRC fan club member, I don’t like the clip,” Krukaisuay Dekvangeejingjing wrote on Ms Chitpas’ Facebook wall.
“Please think of other families who lost their loved ones during the demonstrations to demand political reform for Thailand over the past seven months,” she wrote.
Jarin Wimarnamonman slammed the party. “Why didn’t they invite brothers and sisters sleeping on the streets for months to join their celebration?” the message read.
However, not all the comments were negative.
Payap Mok wrote on Mr Nataphol’s Facebook wall that the people at the party deserved to have a good time after what they had been through.
“We, the great mass of the people, shared the past and will share the future. We will never leave each other. You are tired. Take a break to stay with loved ones to make up for your lost time,” Payap Mok added.
Mr Nataphol posted a message on Facebook yesterday to thank his wife Thaya and to defend the party.
“We are sincere and try to do our best in everything we do,” he wrote. “Unfortunately there are opportunists who try to distort the facts to make others hate and misunderstand us.”