RAYONG : The opposition Democrat Party is pressing ahead with its campaign against the government-sponsored constitutional amendment.
Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva told a gathering of about 3,000 Democrat supporters in Rayong city yesterday that the government was at risk of creating another political crisis by stirring up conflicts.
The government was attempting to rewrite the charter to help whitewash ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and pave the way for his return to power, he said.
Witthaya Kaewparadai, Democrat MP for Nakhon Si Thammarat, accused the ruling Pheu Thai Party of attempting to overthrow the court system.
"The ultimate goal of the rewrite is to control the courts. They've already drafted that the Constitution and Administrative Courts must go because they are uncontrollable," he said.
"As for the other courts that cannot be dissolved, they are aiming to grant parliament the power to appoint the chief of the Courts of Justice. This would be even worse than a military coup."
Democrat Party spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut condemned red shirts who tried to disrupt the Democrats' gathering in Pathum Thani on Friday.
About 300 red shirts gathered at Chumchon Prachathipat Witthayakhan School in Rangsit and attempted to break into the school's compound where Mr Abhisit was delivering a speech on stage.
Led by Wutthipong Kochthamakhun, the group shouted insults at the opposition leader and yelled for him to leave. Some tossed bottles of water onto the stage, prompting police to escort Mr Abhisit out of the venue through the back of the school.
Mr Chavanond accused Pheu Thai of mobilising red shirts to disrupt the rally.