Organized Opposition to Thailand Coup Emerges | WPN World People News

The first organized opposition to Thailand's military coup has emerged, with an exiled leader vowing to work with fellow dissidents to restore "democratic principles."

The formation of the Organization of Free Thais for Human Rights and Democracy was announced Tuesday in an open letter by Jarupong Ruangsuwan.

Jarupong was the head of the Pheu Thai party of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who was ousted by a Constitutional Court ruling just before the military takeover in May.

He said the new campaign will "oppose the military dictatorship," which he slammed as anti-democratic and aimed at entrenching the army's role in politics.

It is not clear where the group will be based or how it will oppose the junta, which has cracked down harshly on any sign of protest against its takeover.

Recent reports have suggested that a movement was being formed in an unspecified country outside Thailand to help organize resistance against the military.

The group is made up of a coalition of ex-lawmakers, academics and other leaders belonging to the so-called Red Shirt movement.

The Red Shirts are generally supporters of Yingluck's brother, ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a 2006 military coup.

Thaksin, who is living in self-imposed exile, is not believed to have joined the anti-coup movement announced Tuesday.

Opponents of Thaksin took to the streets beginning last November to protest Yingluck's rule, saying she was hopelessly corrupt and a puppet of her brother.

Thaksin and his allies have won every election since 2001, but his critics say he has done so by buying votes from the country's rural poor.

About 30 people died during the six months of anti-government protests, leading Army General Prayuth Chan-ocha to seize power on May 22.

The general, which heads a military that has attempted or carried out 19 coups in the last 82 years, says he has no intention of staying in power permanently.

However, he has said that cannot allow civilian rule until there is no risk of violence and Thailand's political opponents are reconciled.

The military has detained or summoned hundreds of politicians, academics, activists and journalists from both sides of the political spectrum.

Most were released within a week or two, but only after they promised to not leave the country or engage in political activity.

Under a sweeping martial law, the junta has also imposed sweeping restrictions on the media and banned gatherings of more than five people.

On Monday, Thailand's police force offered a reward of $15 to anyone providing pictures of those thought to be displaying opposition to the coup.

Source: Voice of America