Showing posts with label Thai Politic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Thai Politic. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Thai Protesters Take to Streets to Express Wide-Ranging Grievances
VOA News 24/03/2010
Thailand is again gripped by political unrest. But unlike some previous demonstrations, which were mainly seen as part of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's struggle against those who deposed him, political analysts say the new rallies have become a forum for people who feel marginalized and want broad political change.
Thailand is again gripped by political unrest. But unlike some previous demonstrations, which were mainly seen as part of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's struggle against those who deposed him, political analysts say the new rallies have become a forum for people who feel marginalized and want broad political change.
The red-shirted protesters are usually associated with former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted in a coup in 2006.
But many do not care about Mr. Thaksin. They want elections because they think the government does not serve the poor.
PROTESTER: "If we have election, and I have the government be mine, be ours, it's good, better than now."
After court cases forced out an elected government in 2008, parliament selected Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, under rules set up by the military government that ousted Mr. Thaksin.
Pan, a maid, is one of the thousands of people who cheered as the demonstrators paraded in Bangkok. She wants a new election because she thinks Mr. Abhisit is insensitive to the needs of the poor.
Heading for a stalemate that could last till Songkran
Bangkok Post 25/03/2010
Picture: PM Abhisit Vejjajiva reacts during yesterday’s meeting in Parliament, which the opposition Puea Thai Party boycotted.
With both the red shirt protesters and government proclaiming they are going in the right direction, an extended stalemate that could last close to the Songkran holidays is becoming a likely scenario.
PM Abhisit Vejjajiva reacts during yesterday’s meeting in Parliament, which the opposition Puea Thai Party boycotted. With the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) keeping the protest peaceful and orderly, and the government holding its stance of not dissolving the House or cracking down forcefully on the demonstrators, the confrontation simply has to carry on.
Although the "Three Buddies" leaders of the red shirts may have wanted to wrap up the protest within a week as they initially declared, they had no choice but to keep the show going because the real commander of the red shirt movement, former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, is still holding on to his dream. Thaksin remains as committed as ever to his aspiration of returning to power, claiming back all his interests and toppling the amataya who, as he tells the protesters every day, are the real liability of the country. For Thaksin, the bureaucratic elite are holding back Thailand from opening up to new things because that could affect its superior position which allows it to be above everyone and "suck everything" from ordinary citizens to enrich itself and its network.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Grenades hit Health Ministry
Grenade blasts at the Public Health Ministry just half an hour after a cabinet meeting adjourned have sparked a war of words between the government and army on one side and the red shirts on the other.
The two grenade explosions yesterday afternoon prompted the army to add another 13,000 troops to the force securing the capital, with another 17,000 more put on standby.
Acting government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said the explosions in the parking lot of the ministry's Emergency Medical Institute were an attempt to expose lapses in the state's security measures.
The parking lot is 700 metres from a building where Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and his cabinet were holding talks up until about 30 minutes before the explosions.
The army and police have deployed more than 34,500 officers to maintain law and order in Bangkok since March 12, when the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship launched its rally in support of calls for the government to dissolve the lower house and call new elections.
Sansern Kaewkamnerd, the spokesman for the army and the peace-keeping command, the Centre for the Administration of Peace and Order (CAPO), said the grenade attack was aimed at discrediting the government.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Suthep: We'll talk, if Thaksin okays it
The government is ready for talks with the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, particularly its core leader Veera Musikhapong, on the condition that he must first get the green light from former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said on Wednesday.
Mr Suthep made the offer as the UDD continued to mount pressure on the government for an early general election. The UDD's latest action was an attack on Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's house with what the leaders claimed was blood drawn from red-shirt donors.
"We are ready for talks, but, most important of all, Mr Thaksin must first show a clear stance. If Mr Thaksin orders it, we can talk with his men.
"We want to see peace and order in the country. With Mr Veera, for one, we would not need an interpreter. Whenever he is ready, he can call me on the phone.. or send a signal. I'm easy going," said Mr Suthep.
Mr Abhisit also mentioned earlier that he would be be happy to talk with Mr Veera.
He said Pracharaj Party leader Sanoh Thienthong's suggestion that a national government be set up would be difficult to implement. Thaksin's real objectives in his fight were to take back his assets and be exempted from legal action.
Moreover, a national government could not include UDD core leaders.
The deputy prime minister said one possible way of resolving the ongoing political conflict was for all parties to come to see one another, and joint;y agree on how to amend the constitution.
If the constitution was not acceptable to all concerned, then problems would again emerge when an election was held.
In addition to this, all parties must firmly agree they would no longer organise protests. They should enter a social contract that while an election is being held they must not obstruct or harm one another in any way, Mr Suthep said.
Mr Suthep, who is in charge of security affairs, said the government was concerned about reports of possible sabotage.
He could not say whether the saboteurs would take orders from Thaksin. All he could say was that there were still some people who wanted to stir up unrest and hurt the country.
Mr Suthep said the government would continue to take stringent measures until it was sure that there would not be any violence. The government would definitely not allow the seizure of important installations, including Suvarnabhumi airport, he added.
The deputy prime minister admitted he was unhappy with Thaksin. The former prime minister had continued to phone-in and further widen the division between the Thai people. He said this tactic of Thaksin was used by the communists 20 or 30 years ago and should be no longer used.
He felt pity seeing the red-shirts resort to their blood-spilling tactic, because this would only cause the world to believe that some Thai people were still superstitious and followers of black magic.
The blood ritual the red-shirts performed at the Democrat Party head office had hurt the feelings of the Democrats and Government House officials, Mr Suthep said.
He warned UDD leaders to adhere to peaceful means, because violence was not acceptable to the majority of the people.
On his reported remark during a press interview that intelligence units of foreign countries had warned the government of possible sabotage, after bugging Thaksin's telephone conversations, Mr Suthep said he had not named any countries.
He rejected Thaksin's call that he produce proof of the allegation, saying it would be unethical to reveal the sources.
PM's house splattered with blood
Red-shirts of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship poured blood in front of the gate of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's residence in Sukhumvit Soi 31 and threw bags of blood and other objects over the fence into the grounds on Wednesday.
The protesters managed to get to the house and perform their ritual in steady rain about noon, despite police efforts to keep them at least 5 metres from the fence.
Red-shirts gather around the prime minister's house before pouring blood. (Photo by Kitja Apichornrojarek)
After completing their mission, the red-shirts withdrew and their leaders said they would head for the United States embassy on Witthayu road.
They wanted clarification from the embassy of Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban's remark that the US and some other countries had warned the Thai government of possible sabotage after they tapped the telephone conversations of convicted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
The red-shirts started moving from Phan Fa bridge shortly after 9am past Siam Paragon, Central World and Ratchaprasong intersection, causing heavy traffic congestion on the outbound lanes of Sukhumvit road.
On arriving at the mouth of Sukhumvit Soi 31, they were barred from entering the soi, where police lined up in cordons to prevent them from getting close to the fence of the prime minister's house.
Police officers are deployed around the prime minister's house. (Photo by Kitja Apichornrojarek)
Following negotations with Pol Maj-Gen Wichai Sangprapai, the Metropolitan Police Division 1 chief, UDD leaders Jatuporn Prompan and Arisman Pongruangrong and a number of red-shirts were allowed to get closer to the fence with bottles of blood.
They spilled the blood in front of the gate and splashed it into the house grounds. Some red shirts threw bags of blood and other objects across the fence onto the roof of the house, despite being warned not to do so by UDD leader Natthawut Saikua.
While the red-shirts were gathering near his house, Mr Abhisit was in Songkhla's Hat Yai district to attend the funeral of Pol Col Sompien Eksomya, the Bannang Sata district police chief who was killed in an ambush by separatist insurgents last week
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
White Campaign: Let you calls for pece be heard
The Nation 10/03/2010
We invite our friends to send in your comments, photos or graphics - whatever represents your idea to promote peace ahead of the red-shirted rally.
Shinawatras flee country before rally
Bangkok Post 10/-3/2010
Members of Thaksin Shinawatra's immediate family have left or are leaving the country ahead of this weekend's rally by supporters of the fugitive former prime minister
Thaksin's former wife Potjaman na Pombejra and their son Panthongtae Shinawatra left for Hong Kong on Monday while their two daughters Ms Pinthongta and Ms Paethongtan fly out today for Berlin.
A source from the Puea Thai Party said yesterday the trips were organised in the expectation that there could be unrest at the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship protest at the weekend. There were also concerns they might be taken hostage if the situation turned violent.
The UDD is hoping to attract one million red shirts to the demonstration but security authorities say they may be over-estimating.
Army chief Anupong Paojinda is confident the Internal Security Act, which was endorsed by the government yesterday and transfers the role of maintaining law and order from the police to the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc), will be adequate to deal with the rally without recourse to emergency rule.
Gen Anupong said there was no need at this stage to fall back on the Executive Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situations, which gives officers more sweeping powers to deal with protesters.
The internal security law will cover all areas of Bangkok, all districts of Nonthaburi and 21 other districts in Ayutthaya, Chachoengsao, Nakhon Pathom, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan and Samut Sakhon from tomorrow until March 23.
Isoc, chaired by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, will meet today to find ways to coordinate efforts to handle the rally.
The prime minister said the government would not use force to quell the demonstration. But he ruled out dissolving parliament, saying this option would not put an end to the problem.
Mr Abhisit urged supporters of Thaksin to rethink their ideas now that Khunying Potjaman and her children would not be in the country during the rally. He said red shirt supporters should now realise that while they are fighting hard for the interests of the Shinawatra family, the Shinawatras were living in the lap of luxury. It was irresponsible to leave their supporters in the lurch.
In addition to the ISA, the cabinet has also decided to place 17 other laws under the authority of Isoc instead of the usual agencies. They include laws on disaster prevention, medical emergencies, road traffic, water transport and radio operations.
Puea Thai MP for Samut Prakan Pracha Prasopdee said the government plan to impose the ISA would not discourage pro-Thaksin supporters upcountry who have vowed to go ahead with their demonstration in the capital.
At least 100,000 people will travel to Bangkok from the Northeast, according to UDD co-leader Nisit Sinthuprai, a former MP for Roi Et.
The People's Alliance for Democracy stressed yesterday that its members would not counter the UDD rally. But the PAD would stay alert and wait for orders from its leaders for future moves, it said in a statement.
Deputy chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau Piya Uthayo said at least 8,000 city police, including 41 crowd control units, would be on standby to support security operations.
Ayutthaya police chief Jaruwat Waisaya said he had received reports that the UDD planned to use at least 120 boats to carry red shirt supporters from Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, and Nonthaburi provinces along the Chao Phraya River to Bangkok. They would disembark at the Tha Phra Chan pier, Pol Maj Gen Jaruwat said.
He said boat skippers could face legal action if the boats carried too many passengers.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Fresh Political Uncertainties Lie on Thai Political Horizon
A Thai Supreme Court verdict last week against former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, accused of abuse of power and concealing his wealth, has eased the political uncertainty that had gripped the country in recent months. But, new uncertainties have emerged as pro-Thaksin supporters vow to mobilize against the government to force new elections, as a way to bring Thaksin back to power.
The long-awaited Supreme Court verdict concerning telecom tycoon and former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra ended months of political uncertainties, amid fears of fresh protests after the verdict's outcome.
Initial reaction by pro-Thaksin supporters has been muted. But threats of protests this month against Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's government adds new concerns to an already troubled political landscape.
In a verdict broadcast Friday on television and radio, the panel of nine judges found Thaksin guilty of concealment of wealth and abuse of power by using his position to benefit family-linked telecommunications business.
The court called for seizure of $1.4 billion, about 60 percent of the more than $2.3 billion of family assets frozen by the state after Thaksin, who was ousted in a coup in 2006.
Thaksin faces a new round of legal cases against him and family members on charges ranging from tax avoidance to perjury.
Chulalongkorn University political scientist Pasuk Pongpaichit says the verdict ended months of uncertainty surrounding Thailland.
"Things are clearer now about what is going to happen to Mr. Thaksin. It would be very difficult for him to return to fight through his supporters here. I suspect that he will not be able to recoup any of these back," she said.
While in power for five years, Thaksin drew his support from urban and rural poor and working class people who benefited from his populist policies of low-cost health care and rural development programs.
But the urban middle and upper class accuse him of abuse of power, attacks on the media and human rights abuses. He has been in exile since 2008 to avoid a corruption verdict in absentia that sentenced him to two years jail.
Party throws weight behind UDD protest
The Puea Thai Party plans to work more closely with the red shirt movement in preparations for a major rally planned for March 14 in Bangkok.
Puea Thai MP for Chiang Mai Surapong Towijakchaikul said the demonstration by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) was expected to be huge and would need more coordinated management.
Mr Surapong said Puea Thai MPs felt it was their duty to help the UDD organise and manage the rally.
Between 40,000 and 50,000 people from the North are expected to travel to Bangkok to participate, he said.
The rally would begin on March 12 and would reach its peak on March 14, the UDD said last week.
Mr Surapong said anti-government activities both inside and outside parliament would now intensify.
The UDD gatherings would be better organised than in the past through the support of Puea Thai MPs who will provide all provisions and facilities, he added.
Each party MP had been asked to distribute 1,000 red T-shirts that feature the image of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to constituents.
UDD leader Jatuporn Prompan said yesterday the UDD was planning to collect 20,000 signatures this week in an effort to impeach the nine Supreme Court judges who ordered the seizure last week of 46.37 billion baht in assets from Thaksin's family.
Mr Jatuporn has accused the judges of violating the constitution by disregarding the Constitution Court ruling that said the Thaksin government's conversion of mobile phone operators' concession fees into an excise tax was legal. He said the rulings were binding on other government bodies.
Office of the Judiciary secretary-general Virat Chinvinijkul warned that anyone who signed the petition could face a countersuit if it was proved the judges had not done anything wrong.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
PM links faeces attack to assets
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva says the throwing of faeces into his house compound could be linked to the assets seizure trial involving the Shinawatra family.
Four bags filled with excrement and fermented fish (pla ra) were thrown into the prime minister's house in Soi Sukhumvit 31 at noon yesterday. Three landed in the front yard and the other on the roof.
Mr Abhisit said he had spoken about attempts to instigate chaos in the lead up to the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions' verdict on Feb 26 on whether Thaksin Shinawatra accumulated 76 billion baht in assets illegally while he was prime minister from 2001 to 2006.
"But the government will not fall prey to intimidation and it will not allow any mayhem like last April to take place," he said, referring to the pro-Thaksin Songkran riots that led to the cancellation of the Asean summit in Pattaya.
The prime minister said he and his family were neither perturbed nor intimidated by yesterday's attack.
"No, they [his family] are not intimidated. I haven't talked to them but I know they are not," he said.
"As for myself, I have seen worse since assuming the post."
Security has been stepped up and barricades have been erected around Mr Abhisit's house after the incident.
Police are reviewing footage from a closed-circuit television system installed at the house to identify the suspects.
An initial investigation indicates the bags were thrown by a man riding a blue motorcycle. The attacker wearing a helmet parked his vehicle and hurled the bags in less than a minute.
Police investigators also suspect another blue motorcycle and a bronze pickup truck which followed the vehicle could be part of the team.
Pol Lt Gen Asawin Kwanmuang, assistant police chief, said yesterday he would call a meeting today with police investigators to discuss the development.
He said the attack took place when a police officer stationed in front of the prime minister's house took a toilet break.
Meanwhile, Wirat Chinwinitkul, the secretary-general of the Courts of Justice, yesterday dismissed a report that a safe house had been arranged for judges sitting on the panel ruling on the Thaksin assets case.
Mr Wirat said none of the nine judges had asked for protection.
Authorities have been alarmed by the remarks by Maj Gen Khattiya Sawasdipol that people were plotting the assassination of the judges.
Military coup no solution to political impasse
Despite all the known disadvantages of a coup and the certainty that another unlawful usurpation of power would be roundly condemned everywhere, there are, regrettably, still elements in our military establishment who believe the army is the cure for our worst political crisis.
The coup rumours that swept across Bangkok last week were largely fuelled by the unannounced appearance of a dozen or rmore armoured personnel carriers on the city’s streets, the unusual nationwide “show of force” by army soldiers in support of Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Anupong Paojinda -- and by red-shirt leaders
Despite strong denials by the army chief himself, the rumour refuses to go away and remains a subject of topical debate.
Is the rumour founded? Or is it completely baseless?
Prominent academic Chai-anan Samudvanich, a member of the Royal Academy, believes he has the answer.
Writing in his column in The Manager newspaper and website yesterday, Mr Chai-anan said that he had sought the opinions of a veteran political analyst whose views were regularly sought by politicians of different colours and shades.
According to the analyst, the idea of a coup came from four sources:
- First, the “old soldiers who never die”. These retired soldiers, whom he did not identify, are unhappy with the current top brass for their deemed failure to deal with the criticism made against them.
- Second, the current top brass and their predecessors who have turned politician, and who are worried that they may be exposed for their alleged involvement in the attempt on the life of media proprietor and political loudmouth Sondhi Limthongkul.
- Third, supporters of deposed former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra who have been trying to woo some military men to stage a coup.
- And, lastly, young army officers who are staunchly royalist and who are disturbed by the brazen challenge to the army chief’s authority which, in their view, does not only hurt the army chief’s reputation but also the honour of the army as an institution.
Mr Chai-anan said the army believes that a dissolution and general election would usher in a new government but would not end the political impasse, and the country would lose any opportunity to compete with other countries in the region.
A coup, if it does take place, would not only change the political rules of the game, but would allow the army to make adjustments and allow a strong leader to the reins.
In such a scenario, Mr Chai-anan expressed grave concern and predicted that the situation would turn violent.
The red shirts, meanwhile, have been trumpeting the possibility of a coup some time around the end of this month or early March, when Gen Anupong will be overseas and his shoes will be temporarily filled by Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, the army chief-of-staff who has been very vocal in his criticism of Thaksin and his supporters
A red-shirt leader, Arisman Pongruangrong, was reported to have urged the red-shirts to descend on Bangkok during this period, and that each was told to carry a one-litre container of petrol, without specifying its purpose.
Although no one seems to have the an answer to the political impasse which is acceptable to all parties in the conflict, a military dictatorship is not the solution either.
Worse still, this primitive method of settling differences would only plunge the country deeper into the politiical abyss -- a hole it would take many years to emerge from.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Election Commission buying time: Pheu Thai
Pheu Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit called on the public yesterday to judge whether Election Commission chairman Apichart Sukhagganond should continue in his post after "choosing to buy time" and postpone a decision on whether the Democratic Party should be dissolved over donations charges. Prompong said Apichart had said he could not make a decision during February, even though the EC and the Department of Special Investigation had taken almost a year investigating allegations the Democrat Party illegally accepted Bt258 million in donations from TPI Polene.
"Apichart can no longer cite time constraints and keep deferring the decision as he has been doing every month, because it shows his intention to prolong the case and wait for the right timing before giving the same recommendation he had earlier suggested - that the case be dropped,'' he said.
"We are not going to make any demands on Apichart but we want society to see his true colours and real self - and to judge whether he carries out his duty with objectivity and justice, comparing the party dissolution case with the People Power Party, Chart Thai Party and Matchima Thipataya Party [cases]. Thai society should decide on whether Apichart should continue in his post and receive taxpayers' money as his salary,'' he said.
Thepthai Senpong, a personal spokesman of the Democrat Party leader, defended Apichart saying the EC chairman postponed the decision because of additional evidence and he needed to ensure fairness to all parties.
"Pheu Thai's accusation that Apichart is buying time is politically motivated. They have been making false accusations of double standards against the EC. They have been plotting a rally outside the EC office.
"The EC, however, should not feel intimidated. If the Democrat Party is wrong, then so be it, otherwise the case should be dropped,'' he said.
He said Pheu Thai had made a claim the Democrats would not be dissolved because the party belongs to the bureaucratic polity; the Opposition party wants to link its movements to bring down the institution with the Democrat Party - even though it was not true. "We have belonged to the people for the 63 years since we were founded."
I'm not PM's image-maker, says Satit
PM's Office Minister Satit Wongnongtoey is sincere and logical about what his ruling party should fear most. Curiously, it is not a coup or Thaksin Shinawatra's red shirts. Of all the issues facing the Democrat Party, he said, there was only one it had no control over whatsoever. The biggest potential timebomb is none other than the campaign contribution scandal, which could ultimately see the party punished by dissolution.
"When this case is concerned, we can't control anything and we can't predict anything," he told The Nation in an exclusive interview on Friday.
Critics may argue he overlooked the gossip about good relations between the Election Commission chairman and his party.
Election Commission chief Apichart Sukhagganond has been criticised by some for what they claim is a lack of significant progress. Only a few days ago he said a review of the case, in which the Democrat Party was accused of having unlawfully received a donation of Bt258 million from TPI Polene, could not be concluded before the end of February.
Apichart, the political party registrar, said the working committee he assigned to review the case had yet to find enough evidence so it would not able to resolve the matter next month.
Observers believe coup still possible
THE NATION 01/02/ 2010
To many observers, a military coup still looms on the horizon, and the question tilts toward when it would happen rather than if it would occur.They believe the military was about to stage a coup last Friday but, for unknown reasons, decided to walk away from it at the last minute.
The timing was tantalizing. "Then Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva was on his way to Switzerland, while General Anupong Paochinda, the Army chief, was making a trip to the South," one source said.
Activities and comments coming from the the red-shirt movement helped fuel coup speculation. Natthawut Saikua, one of their leaders, kept warning that the public should keep an eye on the period between February 4 and 14 when Army Chief Gen Anupong will make an overseas trip. He said that within that 10-day period a military coup could take place.
The red shirts are particularly wary of Gen Prayuth Chan-Ocha, the deputy Army chief who has become a focus of serious speculation. Despite his denials last week, Prayuth has remained hounded by rumours that a coup leader has been designated, with preparatory measures ready to be introduced before, during and after the coup.
"If the coup were to happen, the National United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship will create an uprising to ward off the coup," he said.
Giving rise to this talk is the question how Thailand will cope with the spectre of bitter conflict and violence in the run-up to the Supreme Court's ruling on the Bt76 billion asset seizure case against former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra on February 26. Thaksin is expected to fight to his death to protect his last fortune.
In September 2006, the military rolled out the tanks to remove Thak-sin and to prevent clashes between the Yellow Shirt protesters and Thaksin's supporters. The military was said to be far from enjoying unity then, almost shooting at each other.
This time around, the military is said to be firmly united around the brainy Gen Prayuth, the new Army chief-designated. Proclaimed confidence in Prayuth has to do with the delicate consequences linked to the ruling on Thaksin's asset seizure case, and a belief that the Abhisit government is no longer in total charge of the situation, particularly with a desperate Thaksin on the loose.
Last Monday His Majesty the King granted an audience for new judges and called on them to exercise their duty with bravery, righteousness and justice. This followed rumours of alleged attempts to lobby the Su-preme Court on the asset seizure case.
Thaksin has completely lost his support from the military, as seen by last week's gatherings of mid-level commanders and their troops to demonstrate unequivocal backing for Army chief Gen Anupong.
Virtually all the mid-level military commanders, including rangers from Pak Thongchai, Nakhon Ratchasima, have signalled that they would support Gen Anupong and boycott Maj Gen Khattiya Sawasdiphol, one of the outspoken leaders of the Thaksin's red shirts. Maj Gen Khattiya has made veiled threats against Anupong, members of the Asset Examination Committee and judges involved in the asset seizure case.
A desperate Thaksin may resort to a red shirt uprising to create social upheaval to the extent that His Majesty the King is obliged to intervene for a truce. He also might launch last-minute lobbying efforts targetting the Supreme Court.
In addition to that, Thaksin could try to embarrass Thailand by taking the asset seizure case to the World Court. He claimed people everywhere knew that his family had been rich before he entered politics.
Friday, January 29, 2010
PM confident government will survive
There is no reason to dissolve parliament now and the Democrat Party and its coalition partners will continue working together to move the country forward, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Thursday.
Asked if he thought the Democrat-let administration would last beyond March because of the split over constitutional amendment, Democrat leader Abhisit said he was confident it would survive that long and that it could last a lot longer than that.
Mr Abhisit insisted that his party had not defaulted on the agreement made with its coalition partners and had never promised it would support changes to the charter.
Finance Minister and Democrat key member Korn Chatikavanij said the government was still stable, even though the Democrats decided not to join their coalition partners in a parliamentary motion to amend the charter.
Mr Korn said the government will not call a snap general election, as some people speculate, because it has several important tasks to complete, especially the injection of money into the system to stimulate the country’s economy.
The minister was confident there would not be another coup, as it would be unacceptable to the international community.
However, Chart Thai Pattana Party adviser Somsak Prissanananthakul accused Mr Abhisit of ignoring the agreement made with the coalition partners before the formation of the Democrat-led government.
Mr Somsak said his party would not clear up anything with the prime minister and that the coalition partners had been deceived.
Mr Somsak on Wednesday submitted an open-letter to the premier stating that the Democrat Party had, before forming a coalition administration, promised to support changes to the 2007 constitution.
The veteran politician insisted that his open-letter was not a threat to the prime minister or the Democrats.
“I just wanted to point out that Mr Abhisit is ignoring the agreement made with the coalition partners.
“The premier had asked the parliament and the parliamentary committee for reconciliation, political reform and constitutional amendments to make a study on charter changes, but now he has decided against it.
“If the premier does not want to change the charter, he should have informed his coalition partners of this in the first place,” Mr Somsak said.
Asked about Mr Abhisit's assigning Natural Resources and Environment Minister Suwit Khunkitti to mediate talks to clear up the rift with the coalition partners, Mr Somsak said he personally thinks it is not necessary to clear up anything.
“But If Mr Abhisit wants to meet me, I will go to meet him,” he said.
Mr Somsak did not say whether his party would allow its MPs a free vote at the conclusion of the parliamentary debate on the opposition's motion of no-confidence in the prime minister.
Newin Chidchob, leader of the Friends of Newin faction inside the Bhumjaithai Party, refused to comment about the Democrat decision not to support the charter amendment motion.
He told reporters to ask Interior Minister and party leader Chavarat Charnvirakul.
Reds to rally at army HQ
Red-shirt protesters are free to rally in front of army headquarters on Friday, but they must abide by the law, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said on Thursday.
Members of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) say they will gather tomorrow to demand the army to publicly clarify the rumours of a pending coup.
Mr Suthep said security forces had made preparations to handle the coming anti-government rallies. Police would be in charge of maintaining peace and order, but soldiers would be deployed if the situation gets out of control.
The protests would be allowed, provided they remained within the law.
Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon said the anti-government movement's plans to protest at the army headquarters, and later at air force headquarters, and demand clarification of coup rumours was unnecessary. The army had already made it clear there would be no coup at this time and people should not be disturbed by the rumours.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Torn between two colours
Forget the economy or Thailand's image overseas. They are, in the eyes of Attorney General Julasing Wasantasing, only collateral damage of the on-going political divide. The real victim is far more important, and although it is yet to fall, it's in great danger of collapsing.
In an exclusive interview with The Nation on Friday, Julasing warned that the yellow and red shirts are making it increasingly difficult for Thailand's justice system to function. Political prejudices are interfering with legal matters like never before, although in some cases more than the others. This, he said, is a real problem that has to be stopped.
"I have been told I have to listen to the people. But when the people are divided into two camps, which side should I listen to?" Julasing asked, reflecting on pressure that has been mounting on a justice system trapped in the middle of the political crisis.
He half-jokingly called himself an "orange shirt", someone who loathed both the seizure of the Suvarnabhumi Airport and last year's Songkran mayhem. "I can't live with either incident. The airport blockade brought tears to my eyes and I can't tolerate the Songkran riots either," the attorney-general said.
When justice is obstructed or, in other words, merits of decisions by police, prosecutors and judges are defined by colours, the end can be near, he warned. "We should stop and start anew. If every case is influenced by the yellow or red colours, Thailand's problem is never going to end," he said.
One of the cases in point is Thaksin Shinawatra's assets trial. The yellow shirts have their own perspective on how "justice" should be served, and likewise for the red shirts. Few people are looking at the case with truly neutral eyes.
Heading an agency that represents the state in the Thaksin assets case, Julasing would not comment much on it, only observing that only a verdict acceptable to both sides will bring the political crisis closer to the end or at least will not amplify it. That is easier said than done, he admitted, as a bilaterally acceptable ruling would require seizing some of Thaksin assets and unfreezing the rest.
"The best I can do is instruct prosecutors not to be influenced by colours in their works. And I have also told them justice means fairness and compassion. Under these circumstances it's important not to be too rigid, and national interests and unity must be taken into account every time," he said.
Democrats approach decision on charter changes
The Democrat Party will decide its position on the proposed constitutional amendments tomorrow, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva says.
The Democrats failed to vote on the changes at a two-day seminar in Krabi at the weekend.
The party agreed that views for and against the changes should be presented to the executive committee, and it would be left to it to make a final decision tomorrow whether to support the changes.
Mr Abhisit yesterday said there were both proponents and opponents of the proposed changes. It was normal to have differences of opinion within the party, he said.
The prime minister said the Democrats will hold talks with their coalition partners after tomorrow to try and find common ground.
Observers say the Democrats might have to yield to their coalition partners' demands to change two sections of the constitution if they are to maintain unity.
Govt rejects chaos threat
Govt-in-exile, coup plot has PM unmoved
The government has dismissed claims by ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra that he plans to set up a government-in-exile.
United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship supporters pack their tents after ending their rally at a Khao Soi Dao golf course and resort in Chanthaburi yesterday. THITI WANNAMONTHA
It also played down rumours that the anti-government red shirts plan to sow political chaos ahead of a key court decision.
The anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship is ratcheting up pressure on the government ahead of Feb 26, when the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions is scheduled to deliver its verdict on whether the state should seize 76 billion baht in frozen assets belonging to Thaksin.
The UDD also says it is planning to rally at the army headquarters to ask the military if it plans to stage a coup.
And Thaksin's supporters plan to issue documents which they claim explain how he acquired his assets.
Speaking via video link to a red-shirt protest at the Khao Soi Dao golf course and resort in Chanthaburi, where UDD members gathered at the weekend, Mr Thaksin on Saturday said he would set up a government-in-exile soon.Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday brushed aside such a plan.
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