A meeting of the Centre for Maintaining Peace and Order on Wednesday set up a negotiating team to hold talks with the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) this Friday, CMPO secretary Tarit Pengdith said.
The team, led by assistant police chief Pol Lt Gen Chakthip Chaichinda, plans to begin discussions with PDRC secretary general Suthep Thuagsuban and other leaders from 2pm, and will ask them to refrain from blocking or obstructing voters from exercising their constitutional right in the Feb 2 election, he said.
Mr Tarit, also director general of Department of Special Investigation (DSI), said the CMPO will deploy police at all polling stations in Bangkok to prevent individuals or groups of people from violating the election law, to voters in the capital who want to cast their ballots confidence they will be well protected.
The CMPO meeting also agreed to set up a working team to take legal action against private companies providing financial support for the PDRC. The team, comprising representatives from the Royal Thai Police, the DSI and the Revenue Department, will be chaired by the secretary general of the Anti-Money Laundering Office, he said.
Asked about the rejection by the Criminal Court on Tuesday of the DSI’s request for arrest warrants for 16 core members of the PDRC for alleged violations of the emergency decree, Mr Tharit said the DSI will abide by the court’s suggestion and present sufficient and substantial evidence to support its case when it reapplies for warrants.
The 16 are Suthep Thaugsuban, Sathit Wongnoeytoey, Chumpol Julasai, Putthipong Punnakant, Issara Somchai, Withaya Kaewparadai, Thaworn Senneam, Nathapol Teepsuwan, Akanat Promphan, Anchalee Paireerak, Nitithorn Lamlua, Uthai Yodmanee, Samdin Lertbut, Gen Preecha Iamsuphan, Ratchayut Sirayothinpakdi or Amorn Amornrattananont and Kittichai Saisa-ard.