Phumtham Unfazed by Sonthi’s Rally Announcement, Urges Focus on Problem-Solving.

Bangkok: Phumtham Vejjayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, expressed his lack of concern regarding the announcement by Mr. Sonthi Limthongkul, founder of Manager Media Group, about potentially organizing a street rally. Phumtham emphasized that Sonthi is entitled to exercise his constitutional rights, but he urged citizens to reflect on the past decade's city closures that have adversely affected the nation. He believes that the general populace is more interested in resolving issues rather than engaging in political demonstrations, and he highlighted the importance of using the justice system if the government errs. According to Thai News Agency, Phumtham remarked on the government's preparedness to address Sonthi's rally plans, reiterating that while Sonthi has the constitutional right to protest, it is crucial for everyone to consider historical impacts and avoid repeating past mistakes. He stressed that the government is transparent, willing to be scrutinized, and committed to fulfilli ng its responsibilities. Should any errors occur, the established legal processes are in place to address them. Phumtham called for public consideration of the potential repercussions of protests, noting the significant suffering endured by the people due to past demonstrations, regardless of their outcomes. When questioned about whether there would be efforts to foster mutual understanding to prevent street protests, Phumtham affirmed that it is within the rights of individuals to demonstrate, and the government continues to perform its duties diligently. In response to inquiries about delivering a message to the public, given Sonthi's strategy to organize ongoing activities that could encourage more participation, Phumtham reiterated that citizens have the right to protest. However, he believes that people are more inclined to seek solutions to their problems rather than engage in political actions. Addressing concerns about the government's potential anxiety over Sonthi's plans as a recurring issue, Phu mtham assured that he is not worried. He conveyed confidence that the government's intention to enact positive change and its performance would ultimately be decisive factors.