Labour Government’s Bold Claim to “honesty with voters” Has Unraveled Quickly

[Moonrakers]

Below are some photographs from the demonstration prior to Thaksin's phone call that didn't make it into the press...

Beautiful photos, Jai Dee, of real, natural, happy people..........so different from those club-wielding thugs that pepper PAD's crowd!

Cue SJ with his post comparing the yellows with the reds.

[sriracha john]

Beautiful photos, Jai Dee, of real, natural, happy people..........so different from those club-wielding thugs that pepper PAD's crowd!

Cue SJ with his post comparing the yellows with the reds.

just an abbreviated sample this time....

PAD woman

versus UDD woman

[plachon]

I can say for certain that Thailand is no more or less corrupt this past 8 years than in the 10 years prior to Thaksin's emergence on the scent.

The trouble with loyal Thaksin supporters like you is your only defence for all the illegal activity and corruption that occured during Thaksin's reign is that it was no more or less corrupt than other periods - and that he is no more or less corrupt than other politicians.

Rather than supporting someone who you seem to be saying is the lesser of two evils, why don't you raise the bar out of the gutter and find someone to support who actually has a shread of honour, decency and integrity?

The only problem with your point Rixalex, is that PAD doesn't have a single leader who has a shred of of honour, decency or integrity.

Crooked businessmen, religious maniacs, cold-blooded killers? You name it, PAD has them!

In fairness if you were to change the PAD in your last sentence to TRT or PPP or UDD it would also hold true. There are no good guys in this vicious little power struggle.

You've suddenly changed your tune haven't you Hammered?

In a thread a week or two ago (I'm sure SRJ can locate the post), you claimed there were good and bad guys on both sides and I specifically asked you to name the good guys on the TRT/PPP side.

I never saw a response, so guess you were stymied. But now you claim there are no good guys on the PAD side. Nothing like consistency......

There are rarely angels in politics wherever, granted, but to compare the PAD leadership with the corrupt bunch of tossers who make up PPP is to have lost a sense of perspective in this power struggle, IMHO.

[marshbags]

BREAKING NEWS >> Tuesday November 04, 2008 16:53

Thaksin to receive award from Bolivian President

(BangkokPost.com) - Bolivia’s President Evo Morales was considering giving Thailand’s deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra the Order of Simon Bolivar after he aided Thai people in the grass-root level, improved their living conditions, and settled the International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan.

Mr Thaksin was scheduled to receive the award at Plaza Murillo in Bolivia’s La Paz.

In addition, President Morales was expected to approach former premier Thaksin to become his adviser to overcome the economic problems in Bolivia.

The award was named after Simon Bolivar, a historical figure who freed many South American countries from Spanish rule.

Unquote

<deleted> is this all about.

Then again, Bolivia ???? they should be able to take corruption and self interest to a new level, should it be confirmed and activated.

Talk about extracting the urine.

On the bright side it may perhaps keep his lust for yet more money and idolization busy enough to leave his exiled country alone long enough to find a peaceful solution to the polarisation he / is has caused !!!!!!

marshbags

Edited November 4, 2008 by marshbags

[Samuian]

\...........edited.....

On the bright side it may perhaps keep his lust for yet more money and idolization busy enough to leave his exiled country alone long enough to find a peaceful solution to the polarisation he / is has caused !!!!!!

marshbags

He won't, guess he will be collecting "awards" and "honorary citizenship's", turn back and say: "See all love me and honor me with these rewards, but you don't, whats wrong with you?"

Wasn't there the rumor that he wanted to turn all his decorations in?

and then...

Edited November 4, 2008 by Samuian

[Plus]

What does Economist think of Bolivia and Morales there?

They are great fans of Thaksin because he was such a reformer. Are they great fans of Morales, too?

[Hermano Lobo]

ISOC - probably set up with help from the C.I.A

The Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) (Thai: กองอำนวยการรักษาความมั่นคงภายใน abbrev. กอ.รมน.) is a unit of the Thai military devoted to national security issues. It was responsible for suppression of leftist groups during the 1970s and 1980s during which it was implicated in numerous atrocities against activists and civilians. The modern ISOC was implicated in a plot to assassinate Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. After Thaksin was deposed in a military coup, the junta transformed the ISOC into a "government within a government", giving it wide-reaching authority over the National Counter Corruption Committee, the Department of Special Investigation, and the Anti-Money Laundering Office. The junta also authorized it to help provincial authorities in marketing OTOP products. In June 2007, the junta approved a draft national security bill which would give ISOC sweeping powers to handle "new forms of threats" to the country. The ISOC revamp modelled it after the US Department of Homeland Security, and would give ISOC sweeping new powers and allow the ISOC chief to implement security measures such as searches without seeking approval from the prime minister. As of June 2007, ISOC was headed by Army Commander-in-Chief and junta head General Sonthi Boonyaratglin.

Communist Suppression Operations Command

The CSOC was established in 1966 with the assistance of the United States to coordinate nation-wide anti-Communist operations.

Following the 17 November 1971 coup by military dictators Thanom Kittikachorn and Prapas Charusathian, Praphas appointed himself Interior Minister, Chief of Police, and head of the CSOC.

The CSOC was implicated in several atrocities in its 1970s war against leftist groups. This included the murder of southern Thai activists by putting them into drums of boiling oil.

Student leader Thirayut Boonmee showed evidence that the destruction of Ban Na Sai village in the Northeast of Thailand was the handiwork of the CSOC. The military had earlier claimed that the Communist Party of Thailand had been behind the villages destruction.

The ISOC succeeded the CSOC after the overthrow of Thanom and Prapas.

Operations during the 1970s

The ISOC conducted operations in cities and the Thai countryside to subvert leftist groups through propaganda and violence. In 1973, the ISOC commenced a bombing campaign against hill tribe villages in the North of Thailand.

Future Prime Minister Prem Tinsulanonda was a senior officer of the ISOC.

The ISOC's role declined starting in the early 1980s after the downfall of the CPT. However, its still had great influence. In 1 April 1987, after Prime Minister Kukrit Pramoj claimed that the ISOC had been brainwashed by communists, over 200 Thai Army Rangers attacked the Prime Minister's residence.

Plot to assassinate Thaksin Shinawatra

ISOC Deputy Director Pallop Pinmanee was sacked from his position after Lieutenant Thawatchai Klinchana, his driver, was found driving a car containing 67 kilograms of explosives around the residence of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Pallop denied all involvement, noting that "If I was behind it, I would not have missed." Metropolitan Police Bureau commissioner Lt-General Wiroj Jantharangsee noted that the explosives in the car were completely assembled, equipped with a remote unit sensor and ready to be detonated, and would have a blast radius of around one kilometre.

Post 2006-coup ISOC

Thaksin planned a major restructuring of the ISOC prior to the coup which overthrew him in September 2006. Soon after the coup, the junta released three of the Army suspects in the car bomb plot. Junta leader and Army Commander-in-Chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin appointed himself head of the ISOC (its previous head had been the Prime Minister) and transformed the ISOC into a "government within a government", described as being equivalent to the US Department of Homeland Security. The ISOC was given wide-reaching authority over the National Counter Corruption Committee, the Department of Special Investigation, and the Anti-Money Laundering Office. The new ISOC was criticized as being a shadowy puppet master pulling strings among existing agencies, answerable to no one but its leader.

To protect people in the south of Thailand from insurgency-related violence, the ISOC produced Jatukham Rammathep amulets for distribution to the Buddhist minority. The renowned animist amulets were believed by some to have magical powers to protect there holders from violence and large sums are paid for them. The plan was developed by Colonel Manas Khongpan, deputy director of the ISOC in Yala province.

The Cabinet of General Surayud Chulanont gave the ISOC staff a 84.3 million baht "reward". The ISOC had originally requested the reward in 2003, but was turned down by the Thaksin government.

Source Wikipedia

ISOC

[Mosha]

Innocent victims killed in war on drugs, request Thaksin's forgiveness. Oops too late.

[TAWP]

Plot to assassinate Thaksin Shinawatra

ISOC Deputy Director Pallop Pinmanee was sacked from his position after Lieutenant Thawatchai Klinchana, his driver, was found driving a car containing 67 kilograms of explosives around the residence of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Pallop denied all involvement, noting that "If I was behind it, I would not have missed." Metropolitan Police Bureau commissioner Lt-General Wiroj Jantharangsee noted that the explosives in the car were completely assembled, equipped with a remote unit sensor and ready to be detonated, and would have a blast radius of around one kilometre.

Whoever wrote that has no idea what the effects of explosives are. That is just laughable. Was he driving around with some form of super-RDX?

[jdinasia]

Quoting Wiki is almost always silly unless you read it!

[sriracha john]

PM Denies Involvement in Campaign to Seek Royal Pardon for Thaksin

The prime minister has insisted the People Power Party is not behind its MPs' campaign to seek a royal pardon for ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Prime Minister and Defence Minister Somchai Wongsawat said before today's Cabinet meeting at Don Muang Airport that the main ruling People Power Party has no involvement in the campaign to collect signatures of its MPs to seek a royal pardon from His Majesty the King for ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Somchai regarded the campaign as a personal move by the MPs but he insisted the matter must be brought under the legal process anyway.

The prime minister also said he is not worried about the military leaders' disapproval of Thaksin's recent speech during the special episode of the “Today's Truth” program.

He reiterated that the formation of the new Constitution drafting assembly will be pushed ahead and said the government continues to welcome all suggestions, but the final decision rests with the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Meanwhile, Leader of the Matchima Thipataya Party, Anongwan Thepsuthin, said her party has resolved to support the formation of a new CDA, as the problems stemmed from the current Constitution should not be passed on to the new generation of politicians. She urged that all parties accept the majority rule so the ongoing conflicts can be resolved.

Key member of Chart Thai Party, Weerasak Kowsurat, insisted that his party agrees with the People Power Party's motion to revise article 291 of the charter.

Meanwhile, former Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama visited Don Muang Airport today to deliver his book entitled "I'm Not a Traitor" to the prime minister.

Noppadon said the prime minister agreed with his writing the book, as it will help provide accurate information to the public. Noppadon added that the current border tension between Thailand and Cambodia was instigated by a particular group of people aiming to exploit the matter for their political gain.

His target is to distribute 100,000 copies of his book.

The former Foreign Minister also said he recently had a chance to talk with Thaksin but he declined to comment on speculation that the former prime minister held a meeting with his younger sister and Somchai's wife, Yaowapa Wongsawat, in Hong Kong.

Noppadon said Thaksin is unhappy with his situation as he devoted himself to serving the country for years.

- TOC / 2008-11-04

[Plus]

Quoting Wiki is almost always silly unless you read it!

Must be:

Quoting Wiki is almost always silly unless you wrote it!

[jdinasia]

Quoting Wiki is almost always silly unless you read it!

Must be:

Quoting Wiki is almost always silly unless you wrote it!

Well there are a few wiki articles that do not have glaring errors ... but if you don't read them before you post them, you are gonna get awful results

[ratcatcher]

PM Denies Involvement in Campaign to Seek Royal Pardon for Thaksin

The prime minister has insisted the People Power Party is not behind its MPs' campaign to seek a royal pardon for ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The former Foreign Minister also said he recently had a chance to talk with Thaksin but he declined to comment on speculation that the former prime minister held a meeting with his younger sister and Somchai's wife, Yaowapa Wongsawat, in Hong Kong.

Noppadon said Thaksin is unhappy with his situation as he devoted himself to SELFserving the country for years.

- TOC / 2008-11-04

I refuse to believe that Thaksin put the good of the country ahead of his desire for the acquisition of wealth.

[Hermano Lobo]

" By introducing the Internal Security Act, the military-installed government will leave Thailand in an environment prone to abuses and the arbitrary use of power. "

Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch

(New York, November 5, 2007) – Thailand’s draft Internal Security Act (ISA) would allow the military unprecedented powers even after scheduled elections in December, Human Rights Watch said today.

Human Rights Watch has obtained a full text of the draft “Act on the Maintenance of National Security in the Kingdom,” along with comments and explanations submitted by Deputy Prime Minister Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratglin, the former army chief who led the September 2006 coup against then Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The ISA would establish an Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) under the control of the prime minister to implement the law. ISOC would be given exceptional powers to respond to alleged threats to national security by restricting fundamental rights and overriding civilian administration and due process of law in parts of Thailand or the whole country at any time. No declaration of a state of emergency would be required for the ISOC to exercise its powers. The parliament and the courts are given no role in debating, reviewing or approving the use of these emergency-style powers.

“By introducing the Internal Security Act, the military-installed government will leave Thailand in an environment prone to abuses and the arbitrary use of power,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch.

The draft ISA was originally approved by the interim government of Gen. Surayud Chulanont on June 19, 2007. But it was widely criticized as the most blatant attempt by the military to retain greater powers and influence than it had under previous elected governments. The government adopted a revised draft on October 16.

Human Rights Watch expressed deep concern that the ISA would establish the army chief as the ISOC deputy director, while regional army commanders would be made directors of Regional Internal Security Operations Commands. This would place the military at the heart of a future civilian government at all levels.

“The Internal Security Act appears to be aimed at perpetuating military rule after upcoming elections,” said Adams. “The next government is likely to be weak and depend on the military for support, so the military is taking advantage and attempting to install itself at the heart of future governments.”

Human Rights Watch expressed concern about other provisions in the draft ISA, including:

Article 17, allowing the ISOC director to take command of state agencies by “issuing a notification commanding state officials not to perform any act or to perform any act” to the extent that this is necessary for preventing, suppressing, stopping, and rectifying any situation that affects internal security. This is a blank check to override all laws and human rights protections.

Article 18, allowing the ISOC director and designated officials to undertake criminal investigators without providing any safeguards or judicial oversight of summons, arrests and detentions. Among other due process concerns, this heightens the risk of torture and other mistreatment of individuals in custody or while under interrogation.

Article 19, allowing the ISOC director and designated officials to act as criminal investigation officials and have powers similar to those of public prosecutors and judges. They are given the authority to sentence any person found involved in a threat to internal security to attend re-education camps for up to six months. The draft does not state where such camps will be set up or under whose authority (civilian or military). This provision will allow for arbitrary incommunicado detention in undisclosed or inaccessible places where independent monitoring is impossible. It also sidesteps the protections in Thailand’s criminal justice system.

Article 22, an attempt to legislate impunity for human rights violations by removing the jurisdiction of the Administrative Court and its procedures to address human rights violations committed by state officials. The Administrative Court is currently the most important forum to address human rights violations in Thailand.

Article 23, which similarly places unnecessary limitations on the ability of victims of human rights violations to use civil, criminal, or administrative remedies to gain redress.

Article 17, allowing unnecessary restrictions, without a definite timeframe, on the fundamental rights to freedom of expression, assembly, association, and movement.

“Provisions of the draft ISA are a broad and shocking assertion of unchecked governmental powers that are more reminiscent of totalitarian regimes than a democracy,” said Adams. “Prime Minister Surayud should consider carefully whether this is the legacy he wants to leave to future generations. If he is the reformer he claims to be, he should withdraw this legislation immediately.”

Source

[Hermano Lobo]

Thailand’s revised Internal Security Act

October 19th, 2007 by Andrew Walker · 4 Comments

Chris Baker has prepared a translation of the revised Internal Security Act and has provided the following comments. Thanks very much Chris! (His comments on the previous version are here.) [uPDATE 23 October 2007: the link to the translation above is an updated translation kindly provided by Chris.]

The Council of State has revised the Internal Security Act. The draft bill passed the Cabinet on 16 October and will soon be submitted to the National Legislative Assembly.

The attached translation is incomplete (because I have not yet got the full Thai text) but probably has all the important stuff.

This is not an amended version of the old bill but a completely different piece of legislation.

Only a couple of the boilerplate clauses are the same. As a quick guide to the key points, read these Sections: 5, 14, 15, 17, 23.

The drafting is a professional job, not the cut-and-paste botch-job of the previous draft.

The Prime Minister and Cabinet are clearly placed in the position of authority under the Act.

The earlier draft had a very wide definition of ‘internal security’ and a very long and threatening list of powers allotted to ISOC.

This draft has a low-key and possibly sneakier approach.

It does not define ‘internal security’ or a ‘threat to internal security’ at all. It simply sets out a procedure whereby ISOC can submit a plan to Cabinet for combating a threat to internal security, and be authorized to implement the plan. In other words, what constitutes a threat to internal security and merits invocation of this Act depends on the Cabinet’s decision on a proposal from ISOC, with no guidelines.

The list of ISOC’s powers to combat any threat does not include detention or interference with the media.

However the Act does include a blanket clause granting ISOC power “to have relevant government officials implement any action, or withhold the implementation of any action.”

It also has a very strange clause granting ISOC power “to order persons to undertake or cease any action in connection with electronic equipment to guard against danger to life, limb, or property.”

The amnesty clause (23) is still there.

thailandinternalsecurityactdraftof16oct2007inenglish.pdf

Tags: Surayud regime · Thailand

4 responses so far ↓

1 Andrew Walker // Oct 23, 2007 at 1:54 pm

I have provided Chris Baker’s latest translation of the revised Internal Security Act.

2 Andrew Walker // Oct 23, 2007 at 2:17 pm

From today’s Bangkok Post:

National Legislative Assembly member and former National Security Council chief Prasong Soonsiri yesterday pledged to oppose the National Security Bill if it were again submitted to the NLA for consideration.

Sqn Ldr Prasong said the serious flaw of the bill was a provision seeking to exempt state officials assigned to work under the bill from civil, criminal and disciplinary punishment. It was inappropriate to enact legislation which took the judicial system for granted. “If it is submitted to the NLA for debate, I will oppose it. We must follow the justice system,” he said. The bill also sought to suspend basic civil rights and liberties such as the right to protest and express opinions. As a former charter writer, he said, he must see to it than any draft law which was unconstitutional was not passed into law.

3 Andrew Walker // Oct 23, 2007 at 2:20 pm

And here is the Bangkok Post’s editorial on the issue:

It is difficult to know why the Surayud Chulanont government has struggled so hard to pass a new internal security act when it has been rejected by legal experts, politicians, civil rights groups and the man in the street.

Yet after the military’s own hand-picked legislators gave still another thumbs-down to this ill-considered and unwanted law, there was Prime Minister Surayud spending some weekend time trying to convince the nation how badly it needs the law. The only reasonable explanation for this extraordinary stubbornness over the proposed law is that a tiny group of people close to the premier want this law for their own purposes. What a splendid argument this is for the opposition to continue to fight until this interim government either gives up or ends its term in office.

Gen Surayud’s insistence on having his way with the internal security bill is doubly puzzling. In the first place, the establishment of a powerful security apparatus is a serious matter that requires popular inspection and democratic debate. Since Gen Surayud is promising to hold elections and turn over the government to an elected regime by next January, there is no need for the bill for now. Three months hardly seems an unreasonable wait for a law that almost no one can justify anyhow.

Just as baffling is the premier’s doublespeak on his government’s priorities. As recently as his Saturday morning appearance on the weekly government information show, Gen Surayud said his remaining time in office he planned no new programmes. A new government, elected by popular vote, would be taking over by late January, he said, and there was neither time nor justification in trying to launch any new laws or projects. Hours later, after the government whips sent the internal security bill back to his desk for a second time, the prime minister spoke rather passionately about how necessary the law was. He indicated he will, indeed, try to push it back to the legislators once again.

The whips at the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) deserve credit for their reasoned stand. The legislature was the first body to take the initiative last July and reject an even more radical form of the internal security bill. NLA members noted, as had many members of the public, that the proposed law essentially made it legal for the army chief or head of the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) to take over the governing of the country on little more than a whim. Anyone he designated would automatically become non-accountable for any actions, no matter how violent or anti-democratic.

After the first rejection, Gen Surayud wisely chose to receive advice from the Council of State, which suggested toning down the worst excesses. The next rewrite put the prime minister in nominal charge of declaring a national emergency and dictatorial rule _ but infamously allowed the premier to delegate power to the Isoc or army chief, just as before. As a result, the NLA whips have properly sent it back.

New Deputy Prime Minister Sonthi Boonyaratkalin argued that the bill is necessary immediately. After all, he said, a national security emergency could pop up any day now. That sounded just a little too much for some people like a warning that the Dec 23 election to return the country to democracy might go all wrong. Because of that and other reasons, 14 non-governmental organisations dealing with civil rights decided on Sunday to join forces to fight to kill this bill.

The cabinet is to meet today as usual, and may take up the internal security bill yet again. Prime Minister Surayud appears determined to try to ram through a law that everyone can see is as unpopular and unwanted as it is unnecessary. For that reason, citizens’ groups and NLA members should continue to oppose the bill and force it off the agenda at the legislature.

If an internal security act is deemed essential, the new and elected government can take up the issue as a matter of priority early next year. Thailand has survived as a united nation for hundreds of years without this bill, and a few more months will not cause its collapse.

4 Thailand imperilled by masculinity, not pregnancy « Rule of Lords // Nov 30, 2007 at 8:23 pm

[...] why the National Assembly is considering the latest draft of an internal security law which will heap enormous powers on the command that Sonthi currently [...]

Source

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL

Public Statement

AI Index: ASA 39/010/2007 (Public)

News Service No: 155

10 August 2007

Thailand's Internal Security Bill -- sweeping powers for the military with little accountability

Amnesty International is concerned that the "Draft Act on the Maintenance of National Security in the Kingdom" (Draft Act), currently under review by Thailand's Council of State (the government's legal advisory body), would, if passed into law, violate international human rights standards and further jeopardise human rights in Thailand.

The Draft Act vests sweeping and ill-defined powers in the military, in particular the Commander-in-Chief, including powers to take command of state agencies, to carry out long-term detention, and to suppress groups and individuals perceived by him as posing a threat to national security. The Draft Act will also ensure impunity from prosecution for human rights violations perpetrated under its provisions.

Amnesty International acknowledges the challenges, including security challenges, facing Thailand, and the duty that the Thai authorities have to ensure the safety of the population. However, the organization is calling upon the authorities to face these challenges while protecting and respecting the human rights of all. In this context, a recent statement by the Defence Minister Boonrawd Somtas that the clashes between anti-coup protesters and the police on 22 July 2007 in Bangkok provided justification for the Draft Act is a cause for concern.1

The Draft Act proposes the creation of several bodies. The powers of these bodies are concentrated in the hands of one man -- the Director of a revived Internal Security Operation Command (ISOC) -- who is the "Royal Army Commander-in-Chief" (Article 9).

The following powers are among those which the Army Commander-in-Chief, in his capacity as the Director of ISOC, would be able to exercise:

Take command of "state agencies" -- which, undefined and unlimited, may in effect mean the full civil service apparatus [Article 24];

Impose restrictions on freedom of movement, assembly and information [Articles 25(2), 25(3) and 25(6)];

Order "the use of military force" in accordance with Martial law [Article 25(8)];

Arrest and detain a person, on the basis of a court warrant, for seven days initially, with extensions of up to 30 days in total [Article 26(1)];

"Suppress" groups, individual and organizations perceived by him as posing a threat to national security [Article 26(2)];

Compel any person to issue statements; appear in person or hand in "any documents or evidence" [Article 26(3)];

Search individuals, vehicles and buildings [Articles 26(4)] -- while this section states that such searches must be carried out according to the Criminal Procedure Code, under the terms of which court authorisation is usually necessary, there is no clear statement in this Act that a court warrant is required;

Enter and search homes [Article 26(5)] -- the terms of this section are contradictory and appear to suggest that such searches generally do not require a court warrant;

Seize or freeze assets, document or other evidence [Article 26(6)]

Order the "training at a special location" of suspects, in lieu of pressing charges against them, for up to six months (Article 31). Such training apparently requires the "consent" of the suspect, but with the threat of criminal procedures as alternative, the voluntariness of consent to such "training" is doubtful. In the absence of freely given consent, such training is therefore likely to amount to arbitrary detention.

Unless otherwise stated, none of the above provisions requires court authorisation for the powers to be exercised.

The Draft Act contains no objective criteria and no procedures to declare a state of emergency or establish that the use of these powers is necessary or justified. The only requirement is the subjective determination by the Army Commander-in-Chief that "there appears to be" or "there is an instance" of "an act which is a threat to the national security in the Kingdom" (Articles 24, 25). Such acts are very broadly and vaguely defined, including not only acts of violence but also "trans-border crime," "propaganda" and "incitement" (Article 2). The powers given to the Army Commander-in-Chief can be used anywhere in Thailand at any time.

While Article 4 provides that there should be "checks and balances" on the exercise of power under this Act, there are no clear proposals beyond this generic provision to institute effective safeguards to ensure that the Army Commander-in-Chief's sweeping powers can be countervailed. The limited scrutiny by the courts further compounds the risk that powers will be arbitrarily exercised and abused.

Moreover, Amnesty International is seriously concerned that the Draft Act exempts all government officials who have committed crimes while acting in accordance with the act from any criminal or civil liability, or even disciplinary action, if they had exercised "functions honestly, in a non-discriminatory manner and within reason" (Article 37). Amnesty International opposes granting impunity for any human rights violation.

The organization is further concerned that with the enactment of this draft law, several key human rights would be in jeopardy of being violated with impunity. These rights are enshrined in the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and provided, among others, in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Thailand is a state party. They include:

Freedom of movement

Freedom of assembly

Freedom from arbitrary detention

The right to fair trial procedures

The right to privacy

Amnesty International's research has shown that where legislation gives the military or other authorities special powers in contravention of international human rights standards, they facilitate other human rights violations beyond those that such legislation leads to in the first instance. These further violations have often included violations of the right to life and freedom from torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

As Amnesty International has reported in the past, Thailand has for decades enacted wide-ranging and vaguely worded Emergency Decrees and Martial Law, granting the military sweeping powers, particularly in the south. These have resulted in human rights violations, and have not brought peace or security. The Draft Act, if passed, would further entrench the legacy of impunity which has characterised recent Thai history. For example, investigations into the deaths of almost 200 people, caused by the security forces' ill-treatment and excessive use of lethal force, during the violent suppression of attacks by armed groups on government facilities in three southern provinces on 28 April 2004, and during the Tak Bai demonstrations on 25 October 2004, have not resulted in those responsible being brought to justice. In addition, the enforced disappearances of more than 20 people since the escalation of violence in the south in 2004 remain unsolved.

To ensure respect for human rights, the Thai government must investigate, prosecute and hold accountable those suspected of crime, including of violent crime, using normal civilian laws and criminal procedures in civilian courts, rather than resorting to human rights violations in fighting threats to national security.

The Draft Act, as currently formulated, is in breach of international human rights law and standards, and accordingly, it should not be passed by the National Legislative Assembly (NLA). Amnesty International therefore calls upon the Thai authorities to either withdraw the Draft Act or else reform it extensively, to ensure full compliance with international human rights law and standards.

Amnesty Intl

[sriracha john]

Hermano Lobo... is there a point to your recent three long off-topic posts?

[sriracha john]

Good luck and enjoy your new country, Thakky....

A house in Togo...(or Togolese Republic, if you will)

Small, poor countries trying to woo Thaksin's money

At least five countries in the Atlantic and in Africa have reportedly offered asylum and advisory positions to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra while living in exile. However, the attempts of these small countries are not seen having much political implication in the international arena.

Chulalongkorn University's international relations expert Panithan Wattanayakorn said the offers from small countries might be the result of Thaksin's reputation of boosting the economy while he was in the post and in his business success. However, he owes big thank to his gifts and planning to create a good image of himself.

The small countries might also think of possibly getting investment from Thaksin family's companies. Just a small amount of investment could be worth much to their economies, he said.

However, the positive gestures of those countries could not guarantee that they would actually help Thaksin eventually. Big countries especially those having close relationship with Thailand would not likely favour Thaksin who was convicted of a criminal charge. Meanwhile, small countries would have to consider carefully as they must think about the international eyes too, he said.

When the Thai court translates and publicises cases related to Thaksin, other countries should understand more, he said.

Thaksin was sentenced to a two-year jail term related to the Ratchadaphisek land case. The pressure on the government to bring Thaksin back to receive the penalty as well as revoke his diplomatic passport rose.

However, local media publicised African nations planning to offer help to Thaksin. Central African Republic's advisory committee proposed inviting Thaksin to chair its anti-poverty project, as well as to be an advisor on government system reform.

The Central African Republic is one of the poorest countries in the world and among the ten poorest countries in Africa.

Meanwhile, the Bahamas prime minister who was earlier reported by the media to have sought (ways) to offer Thaksin honorary citizenship, has also declared to help Thaksin in every way. It would oppose if the UK would force Thaksin to return to Thailand.

Thaksin mentioned about such countries' offers during his overseas address to the Thai public in the pro-government rally on Saturday.

Republic of Chad and Togolese Republic, both in Africa, also sought Thaksin's help in overcoming drought and poverty.

Republic of Bolivia in South America reportedly planned to give royal decoration to Thaksin for his success in solving economic problems.

Former foreign minister and former Thaksin's spokesman Noppadon Pattama said Thaksin would have chances to make his talents useful to human beings. Those countries might have good relationship and respect for Thaksin since he was the prime minister. However, his status in the international arena would not be changed by the (small nations') acceptance.

"Thaksin told me he was physically happy but not mentally. He contributed to the country but look at what he gets in return," Noppadon said.

The Bermuda Islands, a 53.3 square-kilometre British Overseas Territory in the Atlantic, was the first to offer Thaksin refuge after he fled Thailand in August. Its prime minister, said he was content to help Thaksin because his family used to face injustice of the legal system before. The Bahamas, a former British colony, followed.

- The Nation / 2008-11-05

Edited November 4, 2008 by sriracha john

[Hermano Lobo]

John sriracha,

Some were alleging that the Wikipedia info was invalid.

Thailand appears to have its own Stasi - ISOC.

When Thaksin wanted to change it he got the push.

Oh sorry I may be quoting Wiki so my comment is invalid.

The info about ISOC from other sources is supposed to show what Thaksin was up against.

Now you can explain to your friends in PAD.

[sriracha john]

John sriracha,

Oh ok, so they were off-topic.

Thanks for the clarification.

Meanwhile, going back on-topic, an absolutely scathing editorial in this morning's Bangkok Post... with the strongest and most accurate words yet on the ever-increasing rebuke of this debacle known as, Thaksin....

EDITORIAL

A disturbing development

Exiled former PM Thaksin Shinawatra's suggestion to his supporters during a phone-in program at the Rajamangala national stadium on Saturday that only "Royal kindness" - presumably a Royal pardon - can assure his safe return home as a free man is disturbingly inappropriate, to say the least. It is no surprise that the top military brass are unhappy with the remark, seeing it as an attempt to get His Majesty the King involved in politics and unnecessarily putting pressure on him to solve a problem of Thaksin's own making. By design or coincidence, a signature collection campaign started on the same day as Thaksin, who has fled the country to avoid going to prison for two years, addressed a crowd of red-shirted loyalists. The pro-Thaksin UDD has vowed to collect as many as 100,000 signatures to support a petition for a Royal pardon or amnesty for Thaksin, apparently with the tacit support of the ruling PPP, although PM Somchai has persistently denied any involvement.

But the PM can't avoid responsibility. Nor can he simply shrug it off, with the flimsy argument that it is none of his business, Thaksin's speech being rerun in part or its entirety over the state-run NBT's "The Truth Today" program. He clearly must be aware that the speech, as a whole, was self-serving for Thaksin and did virtually nothing to promote the cause of national reconciliation. As a former senior judge, he should know that Thaksin's harsh criticism of the court for the verdict against him might constitute contempt of court and should not be allowed on air, especially on state-run broadcast media. Legally speaking, the deposed PM can indeed plead for a Royal pardon if adjudication in his case is final and he is incarcerated.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/051108_News/05Nov2008_news21.php

========================

A note on a timeline: Thaksin has 15 remaining days in which to file an appeal, and only with significant new evidence, to his conviction. After that, he has no other alternatives for appeal...except a Royal Pardon.

And that is why his Spokesmen (plural) lamely denied he was asking for a Royal Pardon in his speech. Truth be known now, that he did, actually....just that he did so by just telling his minions to ask for him. Yet another instance of Thaksin BS and a reconfirmation that what the media initially and uniformly reported as a Thaksin request for a Royal Pardon were absolutely correct and accurate. There was no "jumping the gun." This is precisely what he meant when he said it. Thaksin's character is one that if you allow anything he says to season for even just 24-48 hours, you'll usually discover what he really means.

On a pleasant note, on the same day as his appeal date has lapsed, the 20th, he will also lose his title of Police Lieutenant-Colonel and he will be stripped of his rank, that even at age 59, he had still maintained.

If only they could recreate the uniform defrocking from the weekly opening scene of the 1960's television western series, "Branded" (with Chuck Connors starring), with this guy.

Edited November 4, 2008 by sriracha john

[ratcatcher]

Small, poor countries trying to woo Thaksin's money

By KORNCHANOK RAKSASERI

THE NATION

Published on November 5, 2008

At least five countries in the Atlantic and in Africa have reportedly offered asylum and advisory positions to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra while living in exile. However, the attempts of these small countries are not seen having much political implication in the international arena.

Story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/11/05...cs_30087617.php

Interesting to read that they are wooing his money more than the person.

I hope he takes up one of the offers, maybe he can be the Last King of the Central African Republic.

[Plus]

It seems people are completely lost in analysing every minute detail and can't see the forest for the trees.

"Royal kindness" is a bogus demand, the man has six outstanding arrest warrants and a dozen cases in progress. There absolutely no way he can be forgiven for all his sins, past present and future in one giant sweep, it's simply legally impossible.

He's acting like a terrorist in B movies - just buying himself sime time and diverting people's attention, and he succeeded, judging by the amount of comments and editorials dedicated to it.

[henryalleman]

90,000 Thais gather to hear former PM Thaksin's address

About 90,000 supporters of exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra gathered in a Bangkok stadium Saturday to await his audio address, raising fears of clashes with rival protesters.

Clad in red shirts signalling their pro-government and pro-Thaksin stance, fans of the ousted ex-PM began arriving at Rajamangala sports stadium in Bangkok's eastern outskirts early in the morning.

The former premier, who fled to Britain in early August following his wife's conviction for tax evasion, is due to telephone the rally from an undisclosed location abroad at 8:00pm (1300 GMT).

Special Branch police said only a few seats remained empty at the sports ground.

"I think the number of crowd is maximum 90,000," an officer, who would not be named, said.

An army colonel told AFP that more than 2,000 troops were on standby in case the police required their assistance.

Jatuporn Prompan, an MP from the ruling People Power Party (PPP), said earlier that 100,000 people were expected to show up to hear the former premier speak.

Jatuporn told AFP Thaksin "will speak for an unlimited time on whatever topic he wants."

It will be Thaksin's first address to supporters since leaving the kingdom and being sentenced in absentia on October 21 to two years in jail for violating corruption laws.

Thai society is split between those who love or loathe the twice-elected multi-millionaire.

His fans, calling themselves the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), come mostly from the country's majority rural poor and say they are upholding democracy.

His detractors, represented by the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), have occupied the grounds of the prime minister's offices since August calling for the government to step down.

They claim the PPP, which was elected in December last year, is running the country on behalf of Thaksin, whom they accuse of corruption and nepotism.

PAD protests in early 2006 helped lead to the coup that unseated Thaksin later that year. The return to power of his allies angered the PAD and the old military and bureaucratic power elite in the palace.

Crowds of PAD supporters descended on the British embassy on Thursday to demand Britain extradites Thaksin, who still faces trial on many other corruption charges.

Thailand's current prime minister, Somchai Wongsawat -- Thaksin's brother-in-law -- has been under increasing pressure to resign since bloody clashes on October 7 between PAD supporters and police left two people dead and nearly 500 others injured.

On Thursday further violence left two volunteer PAD security guards in a critical condition after a hand grenade was tossed at one of their protest camps in front of the regional UN headquarters in Bangkok.

A grenade was also thrown at a judge's house and a man was found shot dead near the rally site.

Somchai, visiting Chiang Mai, told reporters he was concerned about clashes between protesters on Saturday and urged both sides to be peaceful.

"I worry a third party could exploit the situation so I ask both sides to be extremely cautious... Our country has already suffered a lot," he said.

PAD organiser Suriyasai Katasila said the group would not confront the pro-government rally.

"The PAD will not move from its stronghold at Government House to confront the UDD. The PAD has stepped up security measures to the maximum," Suriyasai wrote on the group's website.

"PAD will monitor closely the phone-in by Thaksin," he added.

Source: AFP - 01 November 2008

Some birth told me that you could earn 800 baht to be present in the stadium.

[Jai Dee]

BEGS? Where did Taksin get on his knees and beg? Beg for forgiveness? I do not see it in the news.

Exactly....was it really necessary to give the thread this title.??

Just goes to show the blatent bias of TV's leaders!

Not true at all.

Actually, it was derived from a headline in The Nation.

See post 11.

[Journalist]

It seems people are completely lost in analysing every minute detail and can't see the forest for the trees.

"Royal kindness" is a bogus demand, the man has six outstanding arrest warrants and a dozen cases in progress. There absolutely no way he can be forgiven for all his sins, past present and future in one giant sweep, it's simply legally impossible.

He's acting like a terrorist in B movies - just buying himself sime time and diverting people's attention, and he succeeded, judging by the amount of comments and editorials dedicated to it.

He hasn't used the word 'demand'. Nor has he demanded anything. So why use that word?

[AlKing]

Small, poor countries trying to woo Thaksin's money

By KORNCHANOK RAKSASERI

THE NATION

Published on November 5, 2008

At least five countries in the Atlantic and in Africa have reportedly offered asylum and advisory positions to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra while living in exile. However, the attempts of these small countries are not seen having much political implication in the international arena.

Story: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/11/05...cs_30087617.php

Interesting to read that they are wooing his money more than the person.

I hope he takes up one of the offers, maybe he can be the Last King of the Central African Republic.

Not that poor. Data from Wiki, Bahamas Per Capital GDP is a few times bigger than Thailand:

THAILAND:

GDP (PPP)2007 estimate - Per capita$7,906 GDP (nominal)2007 estimate - Per capita$3,732

BAHAMAS:

GDP (PPP)2007 estimate - Per capita$24,960GDP (nominal)2007 estimate - Per capita$19,736

[AlKing]

Below are some photographs from the demonstration prior to Thaksin's phone call that didn't make it into the press...

Thanks for uploading these pictures. The RED chicks sure beat those horrible old YELLOW grannies.

[Plus]

It seems people are completely lost in analysing every minute detail and can't see the forest for the trees.

"Royal kindness" is a bogus demand, the man has six outstanding arrest warrants and a dozen cases in progress. There absolutely no way he can be forgiven for all his sins, past present and future in one giant sweep, it's simply legally impossible.

He's acting like a terrorist in B movies - just buying himself sime time and diverting people's attention, and he succeeded, judging by the amount of comments and editorials dedicated to it.

He hasn't used the word 'demand'. Nor has he demanded anything. So why use that word?

Semantics.

He asked his fans if they want him to stay out for ten years, he told them there are only two ways to bring him back.

If you want to play devil's advocate and argue that he didn't say he wanted to return - fine. Just say so from the start so we can avoid frivolus debates.

For everyone else it was pretty clear - he wants back, he wants back on his terms, and he wants to present it as if it his return would be for the people, because people love him and need him here.

And he spelled out clearly what needs to happen here, in Thailand, to set conditions for him to return. Was it a demand? He didn't say so directly, his speech writers avoided the word, but how else would you interpret it? His fans got down to business right away, signing the petition for Royal pardon started right now and then.

What will happen next? Nothing, the petition is absolute nonsense, it has no legal basis for it whatsoever, the faster they stop it, the better.

It's just a distraction, as I said earlier.

[AlKing]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bahamas

The Bahamas is classified as an upper middle-income developing country and has the third highest per capita income in the western hemisphere (after the United States and Canada).

Enough is being said. A petty, not many Thai people ever travel overseas (Laos doesn't count) let alone Bahamas.

[Plus]

So, Bahamas are not asking for his expertise in poverty reduction? I guess it's his money laundering and corruption skills that makes him attractive there.

And for Thaksin, after aspiring to be the next Asian statesman and undisputed regional leader, being invited to shitholes Togo or Chad is such a let down. Even chariman of Man City was a higher profile position.