The Democrats should stop street protests because the Pheu Thai Party has clearly shown its intention not to force the amnesty legislation through, Deputy Prime Minister Pracha Promnok said on Wednesday.
Pol Gen Pracha said he was curious about Democrat MP for Surat Thani Suthep Thaugsuban's announcement that he would continue the fight against the bill until 'victory' is gained.
"I would like to ask whether it is the demand of the people, or of the Democrat Party. If it is his party’s demand, the Democrats should wait until next general election.
"The Democrats should not use the people to pressure the government. The government has now stopped. Can the Democrats now also stop?” Pol Gen Pracha said.
The deputy premier for security affairs said that security units will continue to assess the situation, with several groups still protesting against the government and the amnesty bill. He warned he will not allow the protesters to lay siege to Government House.
Asked about former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's insistence that the Pheu Thai Party should push the amnesty bill through, because he wants to return home, Pol Gen Pracha said Thaksin knows whether or not he should return to Thailand at this time.
National Security Council secretary-general Paradon Pattanatabut said he believed the number of protesters would fall now government and Pheu Thai MPs had shown they will not push the bill through if the Senate rejects it.
Lt Gen Paradon suggested the government begin a campaign to create better understanding of the amnesty bill among the general public. He said politicians backing the rallies were trying to divert the amnesty bill protest towards other issues.
He admitted the Democrat-led protest is likely to continue, saying he expected they would await the ruling of the International Court of Justice on the disputed border area near Preah Vihear temple, due on Nov 11, and the consideration of the controversial amnesty bill by the Senate.
Security units were watching the protests to prevent "third-hand" inciting of any violence, Lt Gen Paradon said.