Prime Minister Prayut Chan-ocha, who came to power in 2014 after deposing of a democratically elected government in a military coup and proceeded to rip up the constitution, said on Thursday that anti-government protesters must respect the rule of law and be appropriate during their demonstrations.
Student-led protests have gripped the country over the past two months with students calling for a rewrite of the military-drafted constitution (which forgives Prayut and his military clique for breaking the law and committing treason against the previous constitution) and for Prayut to step down.
A large rally is planned for this weekend with the student leaders saying that they will take more drastic steps if the government does not heed their demands.
Prayut told reporters on Thursday morning that students must operate within legal limits and not break the law.
“I am not threatening anyone but a country is governed by the rule of law and if you do not respect the law other people might find that unacceptable,” he said.
The prime minister also said protesters know what is appropriate and not appropriate in the Thai context and that they should respect the boundaries of Thai society.
The premier ended by saying that Thailand’s economy is suffering and the protesters should understand that their rallies may hurt other people.
Investor confidence in Thailand has stumbled with the prime minister imploring the media not to report on negative sentiment. (Read more here)