PDRC Statement Number: 1 Civil Movement for Democracy (CMD) Statement 4

Issued: 30 NOV 2013

Statement for Immediate Release People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC)

Rejecting the divisive, color-coded politics of recent years, the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) was set up comprising of leaders from various organizations participating in the Civil Movement for Democracy (CMD), a broad-based peoples movement committed to rooting out Thaksins regime and to build and inclusive Thai society based upon sustainable democratic principles. At present, the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) encompasses organizational and citizens involvement which includes the State Enterprises Workers' Relations Confederation, officially representing 45 State Enterprises nation-wide, The Business Club for Democracy, a coalition of business leaders advocating good governance, leading academics such as former President of the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA), 5 former Ministers and senior bureaucrats as well as well-known civil society leaders and activists. Mr. Suthep Thaugsuban, as Secretary-General of PDRC, said in his announcement stressing not PDRCs strict adherence to the use of non-violence. The symbolic peaceful sit-ins, protesting the constitutional violations, corruption and abuse of power of the Yingluck government is gaining wide-spread support across regions, with state employees waving national flags and cheering upon arrival of the civil participants. This followed the mass rally last week, in which more than a million Thais from all walks of life joined, showing they no longer trust a government which puts the interests of serving the Thaksin regime before the publics interest. PDRC today announced plans for more sit-ins at other government buildings tomorrow from 10 AM onwards to encourage civil servants to join the peaceful demonstrations. Mr. Akanat Promphan PDRC Spokesman condemned the governments mobilization of the Red Shirts which resulted in todays clashes with a student rally at Ramkhamhaeng University, with at least one student shot and several injured, as a clear sign of the governments intention to induce violence indiscriminately against its citizens.