Caretaker Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and government supporters have called on the army to respond to plans by anti-government protesters to "reclaim sovereign power".
Parading the cannons: Soldiers parade past an ancient cannon at the Defence Ministry during a ceremony to mark Tuesday's 127th anniversary of the ministry’s founding. Caretaker Prime Minister and Defence Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, as well as the armed forces commanders attended. (Photo by Pattarachai Preechapanich)
Suthep Thaugsuban, self-appointed leader of the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC), declared on Saturday that "the people" would regain sovereign power and he would personally seek endorsement from His Majesty the King for a new prime minister.
The move would follow pending rulings by the National Anti-Corruption Commission and Constitutional Court which threaten to strip the caretaker government of its powers.
But Ms Yingluck on Tuesday stressed the need for the PDRC to obey the law.
"If no one obeys the law and anyone can establish a cabinet or a legislative assembly as they please, the country will not gain international recognition," she said.
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Mr Yingluck also spoke about the political stance of army chief Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha.
"I believe the army chief should have his own position. Actually, he should be aware of how he should comply with his duty. Those involved in security operations must treat people equally," she said.
"There is no need to ask. I think he already has an answer in mind."
It is understood the caretaker premier was referring to a case in which the army had previously decided to pursue legal action against key red-shirt leader Wuthipong "Ko Tee" Kachathamkhun for allegedly inciting separatism.
Mr Wuthipong, who admitted to hanging a banner in Don Mueang district which some construed as promoting separatism, said he hung it in jest to highlight military "bias" in favour of anti-government demonstrators.
An army source said armed forces leaders would be reluctant to respond to Mr Suthep's plan, seeing as it was merely an announcement and there are no concrete signs at this stage that he will follow through.
When several red shirts had expressed a desire to separate the country, the army also took no action since the comments were only made on a rally stage, the source noted.
Authorities were compelled to take action against Mr Wuthipong, however, because his actions were tangible and the army is duty-bound to file police complaints against those allegedly involved in separatism, the source added.
Caretaker Deputy Commerce Minister and UDD co-leader Nattawut Saikuar said Tuesday he believed the public would reject Mr Suthep's sovereign power declaration.
It is important that the armed forces leaders clarify whether Mr Suthep has the backing of the military when he makes such a declaration, Mr Nattawut said.
The answer by the military leaders will have a significant impact on the country's political climate, he added.
"Will the army chief agree to Mr Suthep establishing himself as the sovereign power as announced, and will he then report to Mr Suthep?" Mr Nattawut asked.
The Pheu Thai Party yesterday issued a statement condemning the PDRC's plan to reclaim sovereign power.
Pokin Polakul, a member of the party's strategic committee, read the statement, saying Mr Suthep's attempt to seize power violates the constitution because he is not part of the legislative, executive or judicial branches.
The move to claim sovereign power is tantamount to treason and "tearing up the constitution", Mr Pokin said, adding that the public has the right and the duty to oppose such a move and to safeguard the democratic system.
Mr Pokin called on the public, state officials and agencies to oppose Mr Suthep's plan and to pursue legal action against the PDRC leader and his supporters, rather than becoming their tools.
He said independent organisations and the Constitutional Court must not cooperate with or support the PDRC leader, adding that the only way to exercise sovereign power legally is through an election.
The Election Commission and the caretaker government must discuss the issuing of a new royal decree to stage a fresh general election as soon as possible, Mr Pokin said. The Feb 2 poll was voided last month by the Constitutional Court for violating the charter.
Pheu Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit said on Monday the party would file a complaint with the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) against anti-government leader Suthep for treason.
Mr Prompong said the protest leader's comments had violated Section 113 of the Criminal Code, which relates to insurrection.
He said he planned to lodge the complaint with the DSI yesterday, arguing the issue is a threat to national security.
Some of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra's former classmates in Class 10 at the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School also yesterday issued a statement calling on armed forces commanders to clarify their positions on Mr Suthep's remarks.
Gen Traisak Intarassamee read the statement, saying armed forces leaders should make clear their stance and comply with the law so as to allay public doubts about their positions.
Mr Suthep had previously accepted the role of the Senate in appointing a neutral prime minister under Section 7 of the constitution, but his statement on Saturday recanted that position in favour of him making the selection personally.
He is now pursuing a "people's revolution" approach, whereby the PDRC lays claim to sovereign power to initiate a process to establish a new government and a "people's council" by itself.
The protest leader last night reiterated that he, as the nominee of "the people", would declare ownership of sovereign power on behalf of the people.
That is because the PDRC would not allow Ms Yingluck or the government to defy the court's ruling to keep themselves in office or the UDD to declare that it owns the sovereign power of the people.
If the court rules against Ms Yingluck and the caretaker government, Mr Suthep said that means sovereignty would return to the people and he would declare ownership of sovereign power and then do what the people wanted him to do.