An army official alleged Monday that five Khon Kaen University students were paid by a local politician to protest at Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s speech in the northeastern province last month.
"Intelligence found that the group of students was hired to compete for media coverage against the prime minister," claimed 1st Army chief Kampanat Ruddit. "They were hired for 50,000 baht by a local politician." He did not identify the politician.
Lt Gen Kampanat was referring to students belonging to Khon Kaen University's Dao Din group. They surprised Prime Minister Prayut with an anti-coup demonstration during the general's first visit to the Northeast on Nov 19.
Wasan Seksit, Jetsathit Namkot, Jatupat Boonpatraksa, Phayu Boonsophon and Wichakorn Anuchon wore anti-coup T-shirts with the slogan "We don't want the coup". They also managed to sneak past tight security to flash the three-finger salute taken from the movie The Hunger Games.
The protest took place as the prime minister was delivering a speech on ways to tackle water shortage on a podium in front of Khon Kaen provincial hall.
The 1st Army chief also insisted that the imposition of martial law remained necessary to facilitate military operations. The government was exercising mainly normal laws and the police were taking most actions. Soldiers handled only urgent issues, he said.
"Martial law does no harm to the good," Lt Gen Kampanat said. "Now the country is not in its normal situation. Today we must talk with those with different opinions. There must not be any political issues."