PAD opens party headquarter with little fanfare

The Nation 20/01/2010

A bright sea of yellow did not dominate the opening of the New Politics Party's headquarters yesterday - instead it was light green, the party's new symbolic colour.

However, transforming the yellow-shirt movement into a formal political figure started off rather sluggishly. Even the celebrations were subdued.

Sondhi Limthongkul, clad in a light green jacket, did not wear the confident look of a fearless political warrior. Instead he was seen pacing around a small room in the building on Phra Sumeru Road - headquarters of the New Politics Party, hoping to become a reactionary force in politics.

He accepted flowers and a palm-sized Buddha statue from well-wishers, as monks had their breakfast in another room.

It was not 9.06am yet - the time deemed auspicious for opening the headquarters. Yet the low-key opening looked all but auspicious and the first evidence was that Sondhi's charm had lost its shininess. Instead, he looked worried about the tough game of politics and the rough road ahead, especially with his yellow-shirted supporters having such high expectations.

Suthep: Respect the court

Bangkok Post 13/01/2010

People should have faith in the justice system and not worry about violence on Feb 26, when the Supreme Court is due to give its verdict on the Thaksin Shinawatra's 76.6 billion baht assets seizure case, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who oversees security, said on Wednesday.

"I'm not worried about it," he said. "We should not think that the verdict for one person would be more important than any other. We must have faith in the judicial process."

The court examined two additional witnesses on Tuesday - former information and communication technology minister Sithichai Pookaiyaudom and Thailand Research Development Institute academic Somkiat Tangkitwanich. It later announced a verdict could be expected n Feb 26

When asked if the approaching verdict could lead to an increase in political activities by the pro-Thaksin group, Mr Suthep said the country belongs to the people, and no one could go against the majority.

"When everything goes according to the rule of law, which is accepted by Thais, then everyone will have to accept it," he said.

Army chief Anupong Paojinda said the army is ready to maintain order if the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) intensifies its anti-government activities.