Phuketwan was not at the rally but we watched his performance via live streaming YouTube - the new-technology solution being used by both sides of politics now that nearly all television broadcasters have been closed down or are being closely monitored.
Khun Suthep appears to be determined to defy the military by continuing with plans for a large protest in Bangkok in coming days, despite calls for all protests to cease.
Khun Suthep's People's Democratic Reform Committee was one of seven key groups represented in talks today with martial law chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha, who heads the new all-powerful Peace and Order Maintaining Command (POMC).
While the media was banished from the Army Club and participants in the talks were sworn to secrecy, Khun Suthep told a Bangkok rally tonight - broadcast via YouTube - that he was prepared to disclose what he told the meeting.
He said that the general had told the participants - from the PDRC, the National United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), the Pheu Thai Party, the Democrat Party, the Electoral Commission, the Senate and the caretaker government - that they ''had some homework to do.''
The talks, aimed at saving the future of Thailand, resume tomorrow. Khun Suthep told tonight's rally that he was prepared to pass on his comments at the meeting today:
''First, we want a prime minister who has full power, not someone in a caretaker role.
''Second, when we have a Prime Minister, we have to set up a Ministry, and all of the Ministers should not be politicians. For example, a professor should head Education, a doctor should head Public Health.
''Thirdly, the Prime Minister and the Cabinet have to reform the country to address the real needs of the people.
''Number Four, I invited the Red people and the UDD to join with our people to help the Army and the government officers to solve the problems of the country.
''Who is behind you guys? Go away. The political guys, go away. We need only the people, not the politicians.''
Tomorrow at 11am, Khun Suthep said, all the leaders of the PDRC were being invited to a meeting to plan their major protests for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Khun Suthep, who has been inviting people to join him in the streets for six months now, said Monday would be a key day: ''The people will have the power back.''
''We need millions of people to come,'' he said. ''If just a few people come, it will be difficult to change Thailand. We need better solutions.''
The five points made today at the Army Club meeting by General Prayuth have been reported by Wassana Nanuam, the highly-regarded military reporter with the Bangkok Post.
According to Khun Wassana, General Prayuth specified five items as part of the ''homework'' given to participants at the private meeting today:
1. Delegates to the Army Club summit have to discuss whether it's better to have reforms before elections or elections before reforms;
2. Should there be a referendum;
3. Should there be a fully empowered Prime Minister before a national election;
4. Can the Senate and the present senators be the peoples' representatives in the meantime;
5. The UDD and the PDRC have to stop protesting and let the people go home.
Suthep is right. We don't want politicians, so Suthep should **** off.
Posted by Smithy on May 22, 2014 00:14