More than two million had signed their names in opposition of the campaign to seek royal pardon for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat claimed on Saturday.
The ministry had earlier ordered provincial governors and district chiefs nationwide to arrange tables for people who want to sign to show disagreement with the royal pardon seeking campaign by leaders of the pro-Thaksin United front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).
Mr Boonjong said he expected that by late next week, his ministry would be able to announce official number of people who disagree with the red shirts’ move to seek royal pardon for Thaksin.
UDD leaders, Veera Musigkapong and Jatuoporn Promphan, had on Friday insisted that they will submit the petition to the Office of His Majesty’s Principal Secretary on August 17.
House Speaker Chai Chidchob said he was confidence that the Ministry of Interior’s order on the signatures collecting campaign against Thaksin pardon will not lead to a severe social division because Thai people have the same beloved father—HM the King.
“I will next week invite Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondej and his two deputies to discuss ways for national reconciliation creating”, Mr Chai said, adding that after that he will invite representatives from political parties for a similar discussion.
Representative from the government will be invited after the premier had study proposals on charter amendment recommended by the parliamentary Committee for Reconciliation, Political Reform and Constitutional Amendment, he said. (Bangkok Post)
