Thanathorn warned he must seek police permission for public rally on Saturday

Police have warned Future Forward party leader Thanathorn Juangroongruangkit that he may be held accountable for inciting unrest, if he goes ahead with a public rally at the Pathumwan skywalk on Saturday without seeking prior permission from the police.

Deputy spokesman of the Royal Thai Police, Pol Col Krisana Pattanacharoen said today (Friday) that although Thanathorn, like other people, has the right to free expression in public, he must make sure that he does not affect the rights of other people or cause a breach of the peace.

Commenting on the planned protest tomorrow, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha asked whether it was appropriate for Thanathorn to urge other people to rally against a party issue.

Asked whether the rally could spread out of control, he shot back “If you are worried, you should warn them. Is it appropriate? We are approaching the New Year and it is time for everyone to celebrate,” adding, however, that it was a matter for the police and nothing to do with him.

Speaking during a panel discussion at the Ratchabhat University’s Sakhon Nakhon campus today, Thanathorn said that, in order to change the Constitution, the Government must be changed.

The current Constitution, said the Future Forward party, was crafted to prolong the power of the junta and to give the decision-making powers on all important issues to the central government, without the participation of the people.

“Without the charter being amended, the power will remain concentrated in the Government. Without a change of Government, the charter will never be amended,” said Thanathorn, citing the government’s success in thwarting Opposition efforts to examine junta orders and executive orders issued under Section 44 of the interim charter.