Pheu Thai claims all is well within ranks

Pheu Thai claims all is well within ranks

Pheu Thai's acting deputy spokesman Monday denied reports of major rifts within the party.

Anusorn Iamsa-ard was responding to media reports of ructions between key Pheu Thai Party members.

One such report was an alleged slanging match between Chalerm Ubumrung and Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan after she was supposed to have walked in on a party meeting Mr Chalerm was attending.

"The Pheu Thai Party has not had any party meeting as it cannot hold any political activities," Mr Anusorn said, referring to the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) chief's orders prohibiting political activities and also banning political gatherings of five people or more.

"When we want to exchange ideas, we use communication devices. If we want to have a small group meeting, only two or three of us will enjoy coffee or a meal together," he said.

He said the former prime minister has not been involved in any party activities for quite some time.

"It's the nature of politics that people will have different opinions, but in Pheu Thai, we never take personal views as a source of conflict within the party," Mr Anusorn said.

In a separate development, police Monday took Rangsiman Rome, a leader of the Democracy Restoration Group to court to request a first round of detention for allegedly leading political protests.

According to police, the 25-year-old mobilised protesters via Facebook posts on Feb 2, 6, 7 and 9 calling for people to gather for a mass protest on Ratchadamnoen Avenue on Feb 10 to call for an election to be held some time this year.

On Feb 10 he also criticised the government and incited people to unite and oust the NCPO, police said, adding that he faces charges of defying NCPO orders and sedition under Section 116 of the Criminal Code.

The court initially accepted the request which would have allowed police to detain Mr Rangsiman for 12 days until March 16.

However, the court later granted him bail with 50,000-baht surety, without setting any conditions.

Earlier, Mr Rangsiman also face charges in connection with another weekend demonstration at Pathumwan intersection in January to demand that the election be held this year.

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