Launch of controversial book cancelled

The launch of a book on the controversial rice-pledging scheme by Pheu Thai Party politicians has been suspended at the request of the military and the police.

Winthai Suvaree, spokesman of the National Council for Peace and Order, said the authorities had asked the launch of the book titled Destruction of Rice-Pledging Scheme, The Demise of Farmers be cancelled and Pheu Thai politicians have cooperated.

The authorities felt the event held in Bangkok, if it had gone ahead, could potentially run counter to public peace and order and break the law. The content of the book and the presence of the politicians at the event could touch off political sensitivity.

The politicians who planned to join the launch include former deputy agriculture minister Yutthapong Charasatien, former Sing Buri MP Surasarn Phasuk, former Ubon Ratchathani MP Somkid Chuakong and former Lop Buri MP Suchart Lainamngern.

Meanwhile, Wirat Kalayasiri, head of the Democrat Party's legal team, accused Pheu Thai of trying to organise the event to destabilise the government.

Pheu Thai was allegedly using the event to twist the truth about the rice-pledging scheme, which had been criticised for plundering the country's coffers and deceiving people, he said.