Yingluck Shinawatra and red-shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan have put the brakes on a campaign to wear red in support of the former prime minister, who is facing a possible asset seizure involving the rice-pledging scheme.
The embattled former prime minister sent the message through her aide on Friday, expressing concern the red-shirt day planned for Nov 1 could worsen the situation she was encountering.
The former prime minister was aware of the campaign, said Wim Rungwattanajinda, one of her advisers. "Ms Yingluck and her team realise she has the people's support. But the campaign to show it by wearing red shirts on Nov 1 is not necessary. There is no need to call a meeting or mobilise people," he said.
"Ms Yingluck is impressed with the warm welcome she got when she went upcountry, but not with the mobilisation call," he added.
"One day people will come out anyway if they see she receives no justice in the case," he went on.
The former prime minister visited Nong Khai province on Tuesday, followed by Ratchaburi on Thursday.
The government is planning to use an administrative order to demand financial compensation for the huge losses of the rice policy from Ms Yingluck, possibly by seizing her assets. She has argued that it is unfair and that the scheme benefited farmers.
It is unclear who started the campaign for United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) members to dress in red on Nov 1, but the news has spread in their social media websites over the past few days.
Red-shirt member and former Pheu Thai Party MP Worachai Hemma also voiced his support for the activity on Thursday.
But in a YouTube clip on Friday, red-shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan gave the campaign the cold shoulder, saying the UDD was not behind the planned event. He said any call from the UDD would come from him.
The Nov 1 activity was groundless aimed at discrediting the UDD, added Mr Jatuporn.
National Council for Peace and Order spokesman Winthai Surawee reacted cautiously to the campaign as he said he had no detail on it.
The spokesman called for cooperation with the council to avoid political gatherings and said authorities could act if the activity spoiled the political situation.
"If the campaign is considered an attempt to mobilise people, authorities will have to use measures laid out by the NCPO," he said.