Bangkok: Leaders of Thailand`s United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) has announced that they have gathered nearly six million names of its supporters loyal to ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra seeking a royal pardon for the former premier.
The latest tally of signatures collected by the so-called Red Shirts was announced by UDD key leaders Veera Musikapong, Jatuporn Prompan and Nattawut Saikua who jointly told a news conference of the progress of its royal pardon petition yesterday.
Veera said that names and documents are being verified, but the process is only half done due to massive number of signatures collected.
The key UDD leader however asserted that the group will submit the petition on August 17. About 1,500 representatives of the group will submit the petition, with 600 boxes of documents.
He added that UDD key leaders also agreed to organise gatherings in the provinces to allow those wanting to participate in the process to sign their names.
UDD leader Jatuporn noted that some prospective petitioners have been misled, being given the impression that signing the group`s petition is illegal and that they might be prosecuted.
Bureau Report
