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Thai Ex-lawmakers Vow Fight back against Coup

Thai Ex-lawmakers Vow Fight back against Coup
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The former leader of the toppled Thai ruling party on Tuesday launched the first official opposition group to the nation's new military regime, bidding to draw together dissidents within the country and outside its borders.

Thai Ex-lawmakers Vow Fight back against CoupJarupong Ruangsuwan, an ex-minister and wanted man in Thailand, said the newly-minted "Organization of Free Thais for Human Rights and Democracy" will press for the restoration of democratic rule.

Since grabbing power from the elected government in a coup on May 22, Thailand's junta has muzzled dissent across the nation and effectively stifled any attempt to co-ordinate widespread anti-coup actions.

It has imposed strict media controls, shuttered opposition radio stations, and summoned and detained hundreds of people, the majority linked with the deposed Puea Thai government of ex-premier Yingluck Shinawatra and her administration's "Red Shirt" supporters.

The anti-coup group, which will operate from an unnamed country, will resist any moves by the establishment-backed junta to rig the political system in its favor, Jarupong said in the group's founding statement.

Jarupong, who resigned as Puea Thai party leader last week, decried the coup as "grand larceny" and accused the junta of violating "the rule of law, abusing democratic principles" and destroying "rights, liberties, and human dignity."
The organization is backed by a coalition of former lawmakers, academics, Red Shirt figures and other opponents of the army power grab.

The junta's foreign affairs ministry batted away their announcement.
"There is only one legitimate government, that is this administration," permanent secretary Sihasak Phuangketkeow told reporters.

Thailand's army has faced a barrage of international condemnation since claiming power.
On Monday, the European Union halted all official visits to Thailand and suspended the signing of a partnership and cooperation accord with Bangkok.

Thailand has suffered a deep political rupture since Thaksin Shinawatra - Yingluck's older brother -swept onto the political center-stage in 2001 on a wave of support from the northern portion of the country.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team


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