Hands off the Saturday rally

Hands off the Saturday rally

The best outcome for Saturday's planned rally by the Pitak Siam group is to call it off. There is no urgent reason for it; it is extremely poorly timed. Organisers are taking advantage of democratic rights to try to destroy democracy. The very notion of halting all democratic reforms to allow years of regressive government is not just impossible, but zany.

The second best outcome is to allow the misguided Pitak Siam "leaders" to have their say, without interference. Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit, better known in recent days as "Seh Ai", still claims to be a patriot. He has the same right as all Thais, to speak his mind in a peaceful manner. Authorities should stand well back, and let him have his say. If there is trouble, he must be held responsible. If he goes beyond free speech to call for violence, he must also be held responsible.

This is why it is encouraging to see wiser heads prevailing over those authorities calling for emergency rule of some sort around the Royal Plaza for Saturday's gathering. National police chief Pol Gen Adul Saengsingkaew has expressed concern, as has Pol Maj Gen Adul Narongsak, deputy Bangkok police chief. They expect a large crowd, perhaps 100,000 people, and fear that some "third hand" could infiltrate the crowd and cause violence.

For this reason, police appealed to the government to invoke the Internal Security Act (ISA) or a similar, restrictive law. That would allow the army to step in, at least as backup for regular police and riot squads. Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung made it clear the government would not approve such measures. Clear-thinking officials have realised the dual error of invoking the ISA.

The ISA, controversial in its own right, effectively allows the government and its security forces to suspend normal law enforcement. The call for a Saturday rally, however misguided and insupportable, hardly constitutes any emergency. Then there is the serious danger that the high profile of troops on full alert could, by itself, cause real fear and resentment among protesters. The threat of violent retaliation against the rally could, in short, cause rally members to call for violence.

As security forces already have demonstrated, it is impossible to predict the size of the crowd on Saturday. Pol Maj Gen Adul expects to see up to 100,000 protesters. The National Security Council expects half that number. Nor can the mood of the crowd be judged beforehand. It is hard to believe that serious people will support the crackpot call to suspend democracy for five years _ let alone the parallel call to appoint a council of dictators to run the country.

The government and its security apparatus are planning for Saturday in just the right way. Police will supply security at the rally _ but will not in any manner try to control or intimidate the protesters. Equally as clued-up is the decision by the leaders of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship to keep red shirts well away.

Seh Ai and his small group of Pitak Siam leaders have come dangerously close to law-breaking with calls for the violent overthrow of the government, including by the military. But there is no sign that serious people take them seriously. Pitak Siam should call off this Saturday rally. Otherwise, the group must be held firmly responsible for any violations.

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