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Published on March 18, 2008

Pracha Prasopdee, a PPP MP from Samut Prakan who heads the newly formed Public Group for the Protection of Democracy, said yesterday that its gatherings would take place every Friday at venues close to those of the PAD. This will begin with its first gathering on March 28 at the Royal Hotel, he said.

The PAD has scheduled its meeting on the same day at Thammasat University, on the opposite side of Sanam Luang. The group recently renewed its campaign against what it called the "Thaksin regime", which it accuses the current government of trying to revive.

Pracha yesterday said his group was not aimed at opposing any group in particular.

"The goal is to inform people about the PAD's abuses of legal loopholes in its attempt to bring down the government," he said.

He said the group was not involved with the PPP even though a number of party MPs had joined its ranks.

PM's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair, a PPP member, said he saw nothing wrong with the party's MPs forming an anti-PAD group. For him, this was an exercise of freedom of expression.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said the party did not oppose one of its MPs, Somkiate Pongpaiboon, a former PAD leader, campaigning with the PAD.

The Nation