Gen. Somjed Boonthanom, former Secretary-General of the Council for National Security Office (ie the 2006 coup leaders head administrator) is quoted in Matichon as stating that the red’s petition is creating pressure on the institution as it doesn’t matter what happens it will create dissatisfaction with another group.

On August 17 [the day the reds will present the petition and also hold a rally] the government should be prepared for “end”. For petitions which aren’t correct then the punishment is the death penalty for lese majeste as it impacts the institution.

BP: Did the coup impact the institution? Was it an action that created dissatisfaction among one group of people? Actually, a petition which does not comply with the Criminal Procedure Code is not a crime. There is no punishment (well, of course anyone can throw around lese majeste charges). Actually, the penalty for lese majeste is even not the death penalty.