BANGKOK - Admiral Phajun Tamprateep, a former chief of the office of the chairman of the Privy Council and statesman Prem Tinsulanonda, admitted he joined the Pitak Siam group's anti-government rally on Oct 28 and will do it again on Nov 24.
He said on Monday that he did so out of his love for Thailand and the monarchy.
Adm Phajun Tamprateep (file photo)
"Thaksin accused me of taking part in a meeting of Pitak Siam to plan for a rally. That's not true. I did not take part in a meeting of the group, but I joined the rally on Oct 28 and will do it again on Nov 24," Adm Phajun said, referring to fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Thaksin on Sunday mentioned Adm Phajun joining Seh Ai's rally when phoned in to a rally of the red shirts in Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan province. He questioned why Gen Prem did not stop Adm Phajun from doing so.
"I am already retired. As an old soldier and a citizen, I can do that," he said.
Adm Phajun said his participation in the rally led by Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit, or Seh Ai, had nothing to do with Gen Prem because he no longer works for the Privy Council chairman.
He also said he did not know Seh Ai personally, nor did he had anything to do with the multi-colour group of Dr Tul Sitthisomwong.
Adm Phajun was a Class 12 graduate of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School, so was Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, the national army chief, and Gen Thanasak Patimaprakorn, the supreme commander.
He worked as an aide of Gen Prem for 31 years.