Top leaders of the red-shirt movement gathered on Saturday at a heavily secured Suvarnabhumi Airport to receive the body of Apiwan Wiriyachai who died recently while on the run in the Philippines.
Red shirt supporters wait for the body of Col Apiwan Wiriyachai to arrive at Suvarnabhumi airport on Saturday.
Among them were United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) chairman Jatuporn Prompan, secretary-general Natthawut Saikuar, Veerakan Musikapong, Dr Weng Tojirakarn and former UDD chair Tida Tawornseth.
They waited in front of the Free Zone in the airport terminal as hundreds of police and soldiers manned all entrances. Thai Airways International flight TG 621 from Manila arrived with the body at 3.20pm.
Mr Jatuporn said he told the national police chief that the gathering was non-political and the latter agreed to facilitate traffic for the reception and transport of the body.
Col Apiwan, a former deputy House speaker, died on Monday at age 65 from a lung infection. An outspoken supporter of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the UDD movement, he reportedly fled Thailand after the May 22 coup and was wanted for lese majeste.
Mr Jatuporn also said that crowds of red-shirt supporters were likely to attend funeral rites for Col Apiwan as he had fought together with the. He assured that the gatherings would proceed smoothly.
Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon warned on Tuesday that the funeral rites for the former Pheu Thai MP must be kept free of politics so that family and friends can pay their respects properly.
The funeral rites begin on Sunday and run until Oct 18. Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra was expected to attend on Sunday, said Mr Jatuporn.
Col Apiwan's body will be placed at Wat Bang Phai in Bang Bua Thong district of Nonthaburi, his home province. The royally sponsored cremation will be held on Oct 19.
Red shirt people fill walkways at Suvarnabhumi airport on Saturday. (Photo by Thiti Wannamontha)