Police Fire Tear Gas At Protesters In Front Of Parliament

[geriatrickid]

The question asked is where does it say that a Thai licensed physician is allowed to refuse treatment on the basis of political beliefs? The simple answer is; Because the Medical Council of (Thailand McoT) says so, that's why.

The MCoT is the licensing body for Thai medical doctors and it wrote the code of ethics. The position was stated in the MCoT press release of October 9 from Thai Red Cross Society secretary-general Dr. Phan Wannamethee and Chulalongkorn's Faculty of Medicine who issued a statement affirming their stance to treat patients regardless of political belief, race, nationality and religion. (FYI That's part of the Thai medical pledge, which conforms with the Geneva pledge.)

Now take a look at Dr. Suthep from Chulalongkorn. As per the report of Oct. 9 on the reliable TNA wire service, he has apologised for having announced a boycott of medical service to the police, and the emotional remarks he had made at a press conference and has said some may have misunderstood his intention as he only wanted to urge the authorities and other in responsible positions to understand that the measures government and police used against protesters were not appropriate. He added that in practice he did not deny medical treatment to any patient.

Is he backtracking because he know he violated the code? Or maybe, just maybe he got caught up in his emotions and didn't express himself clearly, allowing media in search of a flashy headline to have a field day. I'm willing to cut the guy some slack. We all say stupid things without thinking at some time in our lives. Some people get a disease named after them, but this guy will go down in medical journals as the namesake for doing a "Suthep". Notoriety sucks.

For those that still want to deny that there is an ethical code that forbids discrimination based upon political belief, here is why you are wrong, very wrong indeed; The MCoT is a member of the World Medical Council and is a signatory of the following agreements; World Medical Association International Code of Medical Ethics Adopted by the 3rd General Assembly of the World Medical Association, London, England, October 1949 and amended by the 22nd World Medical Assembly Sydney, Australia, August 1968 and the 35th World Medical Assembly Venice, Italy, October 1983 and the WMA General Assembly, Pilanesberg, South Africa, October 2006. As a signatory, there is a requirement to incorporate the principles agreed to into the MCoT code of ethics

One of the principles states; A PHYSICIAN SHALL not allow his/her judgment to be influenced by personal profit or unfair discrimination.

The Hippocratic oath is for show and has no impact upon the conduct of medical professionals. Many countries codes do not refer to it. What is relevant is the Geneva Declaration. This declaration is incorporated into each nation's respective Medical Council (College or Order) code of ethics. As per The Assembly of the World Medical Association, Geneva, Switzerland, September 1948 and amended by the 22nd World Medical Assembly, Sydney, Australia, August 1968 and the 35th World Medical Assembly, Venice, Italy, October 1983 and the 46th WMA General Assembly, Stockholm, Sweden, September 1994 and editorially revised at the 170th Council Session, Divonne-les-Bains, France, May 2005 and the 173rd Council Session, Divonne-les-Bains, France, May 2006;

AT THE TIME OF BEING ADMITTED AS A MEMBER OF THE MEDICAL PROFESSION: I SOLEMNLY PLEDGE ...........I WILL NOT PERMIT considerations of age, disease or disability, creed, ethnic origin, gender, nationality, political affiliation, race, sexual orientation, social standing or any other factor to intervene between my duty and my patient;

I trust that those still in denial will understand now why the MCoT was quick to condemn the remarks of Dr. Suthep, and why Dr. Suthep has clarified his statement.

Edited October 12, 2008 by geriatrickid

[Thai at Heart]

Thai@Heart did you miss out on September 2 and the SoE that followed immediately after?

What is happening now, in light of last week's events will probably be far in excess of anything that went on Sept 2nd. When I said "this", I was meaning on all sides.

Edited October 12, 2008 by Thai at Heart

[jdinasia]

Thai@Heart did you miss out on September 2 and the SoE that followed immediately after?

What is happening now, in light of last week's events will probably be far in excess of anything that went on Sept 2nd. When I said "this", I was meaning on all sides.

I guess that means 'yes' you missed it.The folks you were possibly lauding a moment ago attacked the PAD causing loss of life. In fact their leader that stepped away after that is now back. So really (sarcasm) there is nothing to worry about those 10k folks out there with their show of paramilitary bent of mind

[Thai at Heart]

Thai@Heart did you miss out on September 2 and the SoE that followed immediately after?

What is happening now, in light of last week's events will probably be far in excess of anything that went on Sept 2nd. When I said "this", I was meaning on all sides.

I guess that means 'yes' you missed it.The folks you were possibly lauding a moment ago attacked the PAD causing loss of life. In fact their leader that stepped away after that is now back. So really (sarcasm) there is nothing to worry about those 10k folks out there with their show of paramilitary bent of mind

I am not lauding anything. I would like nothing better than they all get around a table. This is a very fluid situation, and unless someone or some agency (there is only one left), there is (and I sincerely hope not) an enormous likelihood of violence which may make last week look like a walk in the park.

When this all started in the mists of time, I was shouted down that at the very beginning for saying it was verging on anarchy. Well here it is. The rule of law has crumbled in front of everyone's eyes and yet me saying that I wish someone would stop impending violence is seen as lauding one or other of the sides.

I am definitely not pro-PAD, but that doesn't mean I have to pro-PPP

Edited October 12, 2008 by Thai at Heart

[jdinasia]

I am not lauding anything. I would like nothing better than they all get around a table.

I beg forgiveness ----- it was ThaiGene that had obviously missed all current events ....

mea culpa

Thaigene2 's partial quote follows

The red-clad pro-democracy people are inside at a rally - very peaceful - not menacing anyone. If those people, in that number, (tens of thousands) had done that in the streets (like the PAD do at will) the army puppets (supported by their friends in higher places) would have moved on them in FORCE. In other words, if they had taken to the streets, they would have been run off or shot down like dogs and you know it.

again ... sorry too many "Thai" screennames and it is almost midnight

[sriracha john]

The question asked is where does it say that a Thai licensed physician is allowed to refuse treatment on the basis of political beliefs? The simple answer is; Because the Medical Council of (Thailand McoT) says so, that's why.

The MCoT is the licensing body for Thai medical doctors and it wrote the code of ethics. The position was stated in the MCoT press release of October 9 from Thai Red Cross Society secretary-general Dr. Phan Wannamethee and Chulalongkorn's Faculty of Medicine who issued a statement affirming their stance to treat patients regardless of political belief, race, nationality and religion. (FYI That's part of the Thai medical pledge, which conforms with the Geneva pledge.)

Now take a look at Dr. Suthep from Chulalongkorn. As per the report of Oct. 9 on the reliable TNA wire service, he has apologised for having announced a boycott of medical service to the police, and the emotional remarks he had made at a press conference and has said some may have misunderstood his intention as he only wanted to urge the authorities and other in responsible positions to understand that the measures government and police used against protesters were not appropriate. He added that in practice he did not deny medical treatment to any patient.

Is he backtracking because he know he violated the code? Or maybe, just maybe he got caught up in his emotions and didn't express himself clearly, allowing media in search of a flashy headline to have a field day. I'm willing to cut the guy some slack. We all say stupid things without thinking at some time in our lives. Some people get a disease named after them, but this guy will go down in medical journals as the namesake for doing a "Suthep". Notoriety sucks.

For those that still want to deny that there is an ethical code that forbids discrimination based upon political belief,

and that's where the difference lies in what actually happened. Dr. Suthep, the one and original "idea's man" for this heated issue didn't say anything about the political beliefs of his police patients, which I'm sure would reflect a wide variety running the gamut but on their, in his opinion, gross misconduct.

I'm with you that he and Dr. Phan both probably said things they regretted, under incredibly stressful situations (which yes, physicians must know how to handle things when things do get stressful). But I also fully acknowledge that they didn't actually ever let his words to occur in action by himself. I am also gaining the belief that he readily took reasonably good care of his police patients. With the passage of time if he hadn't, I'm sure we would of heard already of any policeman's complaint if there was even a hint of him rendering inadequate level of care. But not anything.... let alone some blog writer witnessing a policeman bleeding profusely from a stomach wound from a PAD supporter's explosive grenade... writhing on a gurney before being snickered at by Dr. Suthep as he walks by, ignoring him. (which, somehow, is the mental image some wish to portray it as).

[sriracha john]

A pro-government supporter in Chiang Mai shows "foot clapper" which is made to counter "hand clapper" of anti-government protesters.

The Nation

//Edit: deleted text that was not part of the publication in The Nation

Edited October 12, 2008 by Maestro

[sriracha john]

Incapable of original thought.....

Photo

Descriptive text from the Nation.

[AlKing]

Try going down to your local hospital without medical insurance or cash in your wallet. Will they treat you? Spare me the lectures about morality and the medical system!

Thanls to Thaksin, 30 Bahts is all it takes. Didn't you know it be now?

[AlKing]

Has anyone seen Chamlong talking about ahimsa, the Buddhist (also Hindu and Jain) concept of harmlessness and nonviolence during the current protests? He cited it frequently when he brought his "Dharma Army" to the 2006 protests. His role in the current campaign hardly seems like ahimsa to me - unless he thinks anything goes as long as he himself doesn't pull the trigger.

Any evidence of violence started from PAD.

(beside that on the 7th October he in jail and could not caused anything)

Any evidence of Thaksin started from PAD.

(beside that on the 7th October he in London and could not caused anything)

[sjaak327]

I just hope that the daad idiots don't make it any worse, please don't make it any more difficult than it alreay is.

Thank you.

[Ricardo]

You are in Chiang Mai ... turn on your TV, look at the news online etc

Sorry but obviously your knowledge of the world and the hippocratic oath are lacking

Tell us more about what color Tshirt I should wear tmw!

Oh boy, it seems that almost everyone that remotely disagrees with you is lacking in knowledge.

I wonder why you continue to be that arrogant. It surely doesn't enhance your arguments.

Plenty of people that disagree with me have knowledge and some even know how to apply it ... then there are those that try and make statements of fact with no supporting evidence.

When oh when will you quit ? "Then there are those who try " . Oh to have attained the ultimate pinacle of arrogance , so condescending "Some even know how to apply it " You sir are a baffoon in your own right , you have , in all honesty , achieved a level of inanity far beneath the mundane , the less educated , from your ivory tower perched high in a la-la land of your own creation .

jd, hope you're wearing flame-retardant underwear !

Wouldn't it be nice if, following the PM's appeal for more understanding and reconciliation, members of this forum could also have a little more respect, for each other ? But that would be less fun.

[Ricardo]

[

Government supporters take part in military-style drills Sunday Oct. 12, 2008 in Bangkok Thailand.

Associated Press

Can anybody confirm, is this a traditional Isaan folk-dance, performed to welcome visitors from Bangkok & the South, or do the government-supporters too feel it necessary to prepare for the arrival of the border-police ? And why not wearing the traditional red-shirts ??

Do they perhaps plan to visit their colleagues, the professional paid ex-military personal-bodyguards of the PAD-leadership, bearing fraternal greetings, and thus copy their hosts' style of clothing, the better to blend-in ???

[sriracha john]

A soldier fires a round of tear gas, which the National Police Office says the riot police uses, at the 11th Military Circle in Dusit district as part of a probe by the Central Institute of Forensic Science. The canister left a hole in a metal pipe.

Bangkok Post

Test result shows police tear gas can cause serious harm

Tests have confirmed that tear gas guns and tear gas grenades, used during the police crackdown on demonstrators on Oct 7 are powerful enough to cause severe injuries, according to a sub-committee on human rights protection under the National Human Rights Commission. Commissioner and sub-committee Chairman Surasi Kosolnawin revealed the test results yesterday after observing six types of tear gas being test-fired. The tear gas was made in China, the United States and Spain. The tests were carried out at a football field at the 11th Military Circle grounds. A Chinese-made tear gas canister fired from a shotgun left a crater eight centimetres wide and 3cm deep. A Chinese tear gas grenade was more powerful. One grenade explosion created a crater 16cm wide and 5-8cm deep. Both types of tear gas were used during the clash between police and supporters of the PAD on Oct 7. Traces were found at the scene of the clash, Mr Surasi said. Observing the teargas test yesterday was institute Director Khunying Pornthip Rojanasunan who was asked by police and the National Human Rights Commission to carry out the investigation. Former police forensic science chief Pol Lt-Gen Amporn Jarujinda said the Chinese tear gas grenades were powerful when they exploded. The impact could cause severe wounds and tear limbs off people. Scholars in Chiang Mai are preparing to ask the House committee on police affairs to investigate how police acquired the cheap, low-quality tear gas from China. They suspect irregularities behind the purchase and want to find out whether the weapons, which are dangerous, were tested before use, and why officials shot them directly at demonstrators. Because of the lack of progress in the government's plan to appoint two independent panels to look into the clash, some agencies have begun setting up their own investigation teams.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/131008_News/13Oct2008_news08.php

Edited October 13, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

In training. Calling themselves the King Taksin warriors, security guards for the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship trained with wooden staves at Sanam Luang yesterday.

Bangkok Post

Rally at police HQ postponed

PAD leaders to attend funerals of supporters

The PAD last night announced a last minute cancellation of today's mass rally in front of the Royal Police Office. The rally was called off because of the cremation ceremonies for two supporters killed in clashes with police last Tuesday. The decision calmed fears of another bloody clash. Police had called in reinforcements and had 1,350 officers guarding their headquarters and had sealed off the two entrances on Henri Dunant and Rama I roads. PAD supporters and pro-government supporters from the provinces were also heading for Bangkok. The PAD's rival, the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), was stationed at Sanam Luang yesterday where their security guards underwent training. A short while before the PAD announcement, PM Somchai made a 10-minute nation-wide announcement on television calling on anti-government demonstrators to end their protests, give up their occupation of Government House, and clear the streets and allow his government to fully function. PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul told demonstrators the planned rally would be postponed for a few days until the completion of the funeral rites for Angkhana Radappanyawut and Pol Lt-Col Methee Chartmontri. Angkhana, 28, who died while being taken from the site of the clash at the Royal Plaza to Ramathibodi hospital, will be cremated at Wat Sri Prawat in Bang Kruai district in Nonthaburi today. Pol Lt-Col Methee's cremation ceremony is set for tomorrow.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/131008_News/13Oct2008_news01.php

Edited October 13, 2008 by sriracha john

[Ricardo]

A pro-government supporter in Chiang Mai shows "foot clapper" which is made to counter "hand clapper" of anti-government protesters.

The Nation

These 'happy-clappy feet' look remarkably similar to the PAD's 'clappy-hands'. Might they perhaps come from the same Thai factory ? Do Dr T. or Temasek have any investments in plastics-companies ?? The young lady displaying hers, in the photo, looks very depressed, hope she didn't catch the clap off them !

I have however identified a commercial opportunity, for an upgraded De-Luxe product, to sell at an enhanced-price to the elite richer supporters, known by their cult-title of 'Chula graduates', of each side. This would incorporate a special secret magical device, created by myself in our back-kitchen thousands of years ago, to ward-off rubber-bullets & the effects of tear-gas or stun-grenades.

Another model, for use after midnight when normal people are asleep, would be made out of special hi-grade sound-deadening cardboard, which is unfortunately very expensive to import, hence the even-higher retail-price.

Perhaps the Minister of Tourism might support the selling of these to overseas visitors, as a traditional Thai folk-symbol, alongside super-sized phallic-objects or blessed-amulets ? And thus save the Thai economy, and millions of sickening water-buffalo, from the gathering economic storm-clouds.

... sigh ... where is Tony C when we need him ?

[younghusband]

>>>

YH, I didn't form my opinion on Nick on that article alone. Honestly, I don't see why everyone was so excited about it anyway. He has offered nothing new, imo.

OK noted.Personally I have no knowledge of his politics.Tend to agree there wasn't much new in his piece and also agree it has probably attracted more attention than it deserved on this forum.What set me off to be frank was the infuriating way people attack writers for poor journalism or bias when in fact what they dislike is the truth emerging.Orwell noted this trait long ago.

[Plus]

It's not so much Nick's article but the fact that this blog entry was presented as some sort of unbiased journalism that ticked people off.

[younghusband]

It's not so much Nick's article but the fact that this blog entry was presented as some sort of unbiased journalism that ticked people off.

At one level I don't think any piece of journalism can be unbiased.I don't think however Nick consciously was looking to impose his "bias" and certainly wasn't dishonest in reporting of facts as he saw them.

[animatic]

A pro-government supporter in Chiang Mai shows "foot clapper" which is made to counter "hand clapper" of anti-government protesters.

The Nation

//Edit: deleted text that was not part of the publication in The Nation

And so showing the bottom of a foot is not one of the greatest insults in Thailand still??

A red foot clap, soe the jackboots can stomp the muppets, eh?

A little better than the big red fist to western eyes,

but really worse to Thai eyes I suspect.

But this crew isn't exactly known for showing class are they?

[animatic]

Try going down to your local hospital without medical insurance or cash in your wallet. Will they treat you? Spare me the lectures about morality and the medical system!

Thanls to Thaksin, 30 Bahts is all it takes. Didn't you know it be now?

Ever seen that 30 baht hospital Al?

The veterinarian here is cleaner and more organized...

The 30 baht scheme has caused the hospitals to cut staff and or staff wages

and much staff bailed like rats of a sinking ship.

Also services across the board suffered.

Why?

Because Thaksin forgot to implement a way to cover the ACTUAL cost of a blanket 30 baht fee.

No money in, no services out, less bandages, less competent xray staff, on and on,

less of all but emergency servises and those poor sods stacked like cord wood.

In know I have been in there and seen it. 5 gravely injured patients on nurse and one dr.

between them all,

and 3 guys with minor knife wounds blasted on lao kow screaming to be taken care of fiist.

Yeah, they got their 30 baht and throw it on the desk.

[sriracha john]

National Police Chief Police General Phatcharawat Wongsuwan

Police Chief expresses regret on October 7th incident

Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police Police General Phatcharawat Wongsuwan expressed his regret about the loss of civilian lives from the dispersal of protesters on October 7th and encourages all Thai people to love one another.

The Police Chief gave an interview after a ceremony to pay homage in front of the monument of King Rama IV on the occasion of the National Police Day today (October, 13th).

Police General Phatcharawat called on protesters of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) to be united and wait for results of the investigation into the mob dispersal before suing the Royal Thai Police.

Scores of people from many provinces have traveled to the Royal Thai Police Headquarters since this morning to give moral support to police amidst tight security although the PAD postponed its rally at the headquarters.

As for ceremonies on the National Police Day this year, there are a paying of homage in front of King Rama IV Monument and a Buddhist ceremony to give merit to police officers died on duty and the deaths from the October 7th incident.

The Police Commissioner-General will then travel to the Royal Police Cadet Academy to present trophies to outstanding police officers.

He will also preside over the opening ceremony of an honorary hall exhibiting the biographies and achievements of Pol.Capt.Thoranit Srisuk and Pol.Sub-Lt.Krittikul Bunlue who passed away on duty in the Southern border provinces. Other ceremonies include a reciting of the oath of allegiance and a ceremonial parade.

- ThaiNews / 2008-10-13

[sriracha john]

Meanwhile at the Royal Thai Police Headquarters on Rama I Road, about 500 people led by former Police Department Director Salang Boonnag gathered at the main entrance to voice their support to the police. Police General Salang said he has not withdrawn the plan to take over Government House from the PAD and return it to the government. He insisted no matter what happened after the operation, he will take the full responsibility. Police General Salang said he could not bear to see Thailand losing its reputation.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=131375

[sriracha john]

A soldier fires a round of tear gas, which the National Police Office says the riot police uses, at the 11th Military Circle in Dusit district as part of a probe by the Central Institute of Forensic Science. The canister left a hole in a metal pipe.

Bangkok Post

Test result shows police tear gas can cause serious harm

Tests have confirmed that tear gas guns and tear gas grenades, used during the police crackdown on demonstrators on Oct 7 are powerful enough to cause severe injuries, according to a sub-committee on human rights protection under the National Human Rights Commission. Commissioner and sub-committee Chairman Surasi Kosolnawin revealed the test results yesterday after observing six types of tear gas being test-fired.

A Chinese tear gas grenade was more powerful. One grenade explosion created a crater 16cm wide and 5-8cm deep. Both types of tear gas were used during the clash between police and supporters of the PAD on Oct 7. Traces were found at the scene of the clash, Mr Surasi said.

Former police forensic science chief Pol Lt-Gen Amporn Jarujinda said the Chinese tear gas grenades were powerful when they exploded. The impact could cause severe wounds and tear limbs off people.

Forensic Expert Concludes Weapon-grade Teargas Used against Protesters

The Director of the Central Institute of Forensic Science concluded that weapon-grade teargas granades and bullets were used against the PAD protesters. She said the Chinese teargas is capable of inflicting the serious injuries suffered by PAD protesters.

Director of the Central Institute of Forensic Science Khunying Pornthip Rojanasunand explained that both Chinese and American teargas grenades and bullets were tested by representatives from the military.

It's been concluded that the grenades and bullets from China contain explosive chemicals that are capable of causing serious injuries to the target.

She added that the teargas which was used against the protesters were of weapon-grade and is not normally used in riot control.

- TOC / 2008-10-13

[sriracha john]

Angkhana Radappanyawut

Thai Queen to attend funeral for anti-government protester: palace

BANGKOK (AFP / 18 minutes ago) - Thailand's Queen Sirikit is expected to attend the funeral Monday of a female demonstrator who died last week in a clash between police and anti-government protesters, palace officials told AFP.

Thousands of anti-government protesters are also expected to attend the evening cremation of the 28-year-old woman at a temple on the outskirts of Bangkok.

The woman and a 39-year-old guard died while more than 400 people were injured in the confrontation last Tuesday.

[Samuian]

don't think however Nick consciously was looking to impose his "bias" and certainly wasn't dishonest in reporting of facts as he saw them.

Facts as "my friend who was an undercover xxx agent emerged from the building..." ?

And "biased facts" how can they tell the truth?

As in:

: "your run the red lights, sir!"

: "no, sir they were late green, when I approached the set of traffic lights I saw green!"

Is like with the half empty and half full glass - just a thought...

Now as evidence is emerging, some people will have to save face!

Pornthip comes up with her conclusion that a teargas canister killed Angkhana!

So, I wonder how the inhuman lies supposed to be arguments of defense, regarding the victims maimed or killed due to carrying their "own, homemade" devices, or ripped their legs and feet of on barbed wire... will be twisted once again?

Besides, as it was weekend, I have seen some friends and heard the local voices, well hardly anyone thinks that itwas "right" what happened and more and more people are talking about "the invisible or third hand"!

So who or what could that be?

Who could profit from it, who is really desperate, who needs to buy time, no matter what?

And after al who has the leverage to finance all this "counter action"?

Why there are now, after things went so baldy wrong, "government supporters allowed to train, paramilitary style, with heavy hardwood clubs?

Edited October 13, 2008 by Samuian

[sriracha john]

Angkhana Radappanyawut

Angkhana killed by tear gas canister explosion: Pornthip

Forensic expert Pornthip Rojjanasunant said Monday that Angkhana Radabpanyawoot was killed by impact and explosion of a tear gas canister.

Pornthip, Director of the Central Institute of Forensic Science, said the circular shape wound on Anghkhana's chest was caused by a cylinder shape tear gas canister which exploded one second after it hit her.

She said there was no need to conduct further investigations into the death and injuries of protesters because it became clear that they were caused by weapons of police.

- The Nation / 2008-10-13

[frodo]

Angkhana Radappanyawut

Angkhana killed by tear gas canister explosion: Pornthip

Forensic expert Pornthip Rojjanasunant said Monday that Angkhana Radabpanyawoot was killed by impact and explosion of a tear gas canister.

Pornthip, Director of the Central Institute of Forensic Science, said the circular shape wound on Anghkhana's chest was caused by a cylinder shape tear gas canister which exploded one second after it hit her.

She said there was no need to conduct further investigations into the death and injuries of protesters because it became clear that they were caused by weapons of police.

- The Nation / 2008-10-13

Such a sad thing to happen. But, I am not surprised at all with her findings.

[Samuian]

She said there was no need to conduct further investigations into the death and injuries of protesters because it became clear that they were caused by weapons of police.

- The Nation / 2008-10-13

oh,oh...."Tianmen Square type Crowd disperser bullets containing some tear gas", so now is the riddle who ordered the purchase and the use?

Usually it's well known, to the producer, what harm the product can inflict!

[AlKing]

In training. Calling themselves the King Taksin warriors, security guards for the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship trained with wooden staves at Sanam Luang yesterday.

Bangkok Post

If this is true, then PAD claims that Thaksin trying to turn Thailand into a republic (like in Republic of Singapore) is not true.