The Prime Minister was concerned about the Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situation’s ban on rally merchandise.  It should be made clear that prosecution will proceed in the case of any materials which offend the monarchy, but the CRES must not get involved in cases of offences against individuals, Abhisit Vejjajiva told a seminar.

‘Those who want to put their feet on my face just go ahead.  That’s an offence against an individual, against me.  I will not sue.  I will take it.  It has to be dealt with in this way to bring society back to normal law enforcement as far as possible,’ he said during his speech at a seminar on the Thai economy at the Imperial Queen’s Park Hotel on 24 Nov.

The CRES discussed this issue in its meeting on 23 Nov after the PM had raised his concern about the ban.  It then clarified that the order was not meant to curtail the public’s rights and freedoms, but only aimed at those who distributed materials offensive to the monarchy.

An injured person can pursue a lawsuit on his own for any offence against his individual rights.  The authorities can only take photographs of rallies, CRES spokesperson Col Sansern Kaewkmnerd said.