Thai junta urges other countries not to aid dissidents

The Thai junta has asked other countries not to facilitate any overseas Thai dissident movement, warning that it would be considered an unwarranted intervention in the internal affairs of Thailand.

The Thai National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) told foreign military attaches at a weekly briefing on Wednesday that giving support to overseas movement against the ruling NCPO, especially the group organized by former Pheu Thai party leader Charupong Ruangsuwan, would be viewed as an intervention in the internal affairs of Thailand.

Maj Gen Panot Saengtien, director of army intelligence, said the NCPO had adequate evidence linking former PM's office minister Jakrapob Penkair to illegal possession of weapons.

The junta has decided to revoke the passports of and seek arrest warrants for some "red-shirt" movement leaders.

Jakrapob is a key figure in the anti-NCPO Seri Thai movement headed by Charupong. Both men are believed to have fled and living abroad.

The military attaches were told that a provisional constitution would be finished this month and a new permanent charter would be ready by July next year and be promulgated the following month. Then a general election would be called next year to restore democracy in the Southeast Asian country.

Representatives of 25 countries attended the briefing.