Military will not step in to control protesters: Sukampol

The government will not need to seek help from the military to suppress the anti-government rally led by the Pitak Siam group because the police was capable enough to handle the situation.

Defence Minister Sukampol Suwannathat said Thursday that he spoke to police chief Gen Adul Saengsingkaew about the matter when the Pitak Siam or Protect Siam group, led by Boonlert Kaewprasit, held its first rally last Sunday.

At the rally last weekend, the group announced that it would hold another protest against Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's government and might even gather in front of her office.

Sukampol said people had the right to protest provided they did it under the legal framework.

"Don't violate the law and do everything rationally. Be responsible for what you say. Since all [leaders of the protest] are over 60, please take it easy. Our country needs to move forward, otherwise we will be wasting time resolving unnecessary problems all the time," he warned.