Thailand: opposition group set up against junta

Jarupong Ruangsuwan, former President of the Puea Thai Party, on June 24 announced the establishment of the first official opposition group against the coup-making junta.
Jarupong Ruangsuwan, former President of the Puea Thai Party, on June 24announced the establishment of the first official opposition groupagainst the coup-making junta.

Declaring the founding of theOrganisation of Free Thais for Human Rights and Democracy, Jarupong, whowas also a former senior minister, criticised the junta for violatingthe rules of law, abusing democratic principles and destroying locals’rights, liberties and human dignity.

He added the group will fight to restore democracy and resist any move by the junta to damage the political system.

The organisation has gathered many former lawmakers, scholars,red-shirt figures and other opponents of the May 22 army power grab.

The group’s spokesman Jakrapob Penkair said his group will provideassistance and encouragement to all demonstrators against the coup, butno violent act.

On May 22, the Thai army carried out acontroversial coup, saying that it was necessary to restore public orderfollowing several months of deadly street protests in Bangkok.-VNA

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