Jatuporn Promphan, a red-shirt leader, said yesterday he would not use his MP's right to immunity if prosecutors decide to indict him for heading a protest that surrounded the residence of Privy Council chief General Prem Tinsulanonda in 2007.
Jatuporn said he would not postpone a meeting with public prosecutors, even though he had immunity as an MP while the House was in session.
However, prosecutors must still seek House Speaker Chai Chidchob's approval if they want to prosecute him. Normally, Chai would call a vote on the matter.
Jatuporn said if government MPs were indicted, they should go through the same procedure.
He downplayed conflicting opinions with colleagues General Panlop Pinmanee, and Army specialist Maj-General Khattiya Sawasdipol, saying his group would wage an unarmed and peaceful campaign. The decision to take any action would be reached by a group of leaders, not an individual.
Thepthai Senpong, personal spokesman for the Democrat Party leader, said he also believed former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra would be able to control his supporters this month. Nevertheless, he said Thaksin wanted quantity and not quality, so a power struggle among red-shirt leaders was likely. But, Thaksin had downplayed conflict, saying any discord was "just a result of rally leaders' stress.'' Meanwhile, Pheu Thai Party deputy Plodprasop Suraswadi denied his party intended to instigate violence this month, saying the party had announced it was against the use of force, including coups.
