Colour-coded politics appears to be resurfacing after red-shirt members called for Nov 1 to be red-shirt day to show support for former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
Messages have been circulated in the social media of United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship members, informing supporters that on Nov 1 they should wear red. It was confirmed on Thursday by Worachai Hema, a former Pheu Thai Party MP and red-shirt member.
Mr Worachai said the red-shirt day should not be interpreted as a political activity. It was not against the law. UDD members wanted to be in red to show their displeasure at the unfair treatment being meted out to the former prime minister over the rice-pledging scheme.
The move by Ms Yingluck's supporters came as Pheu Thai released a statement on Thursday to defend the benefits of the rice scheme and call for fairness for the former prime minister and her cabinet ministers who handled the policy.
Ms Yingluck is facing an administrative order to pay compensation for the losses of the rice scheme on grounds of negligence of duty, but she and the Pheu Thai Party are questioning whether the scope of the order should cover prime ministers as it was normally enforced for officials.
The former prime minister has said the rice scheme was a public policy declared in parliament.
Government spokesman Maj Gen Sansern Kaewkumnerd said the government was aware of the move by red-shirt members. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha wanted the public to use sound judgement before joining the campaign as a colour dress code could renew the political rift, he added.
Ms Yingluck was greeted by her supporters during a visit to Nong Khai province on Tuesday and Ratchaburi on Thursday. About 200 people showed up in Ratchaburi as she visited several temples in the province before attending a chanting for Heng Pongruangrong, the father of Arisman, a red-shirt member, at Wat Don Toom in Ban Pong district.