I Will Return To Post Of Prime Minister: Thaksin

[rixalex]

I never care if yellow posters here have been banned and returned. The more the merrier. Seems that yellow posters care so much if red posters have been banned.

Why don't you care if someone banned has returned? Surely the whole point of banning somone is because they have shown themselves incapable of following the rules that we all agreed to abide by. And if they simply return under a different alias, what was the point of banning them in the first place?

Could it possibily be that your "more the merrier" attitude towards banned members returning has something to do with your own history on the forum?

[jdinasia]

It's pretty obvious that Thaksin won't be back any time soon unless the Thai Gov't pulls his passport and Thaksin can't get around it.

[Ricardo]

I never care if yellow posters here have been banned and returned. The more the merrier. Seems that yellow posters care so much if red posters have been banned.

So a red-shirt supporter feels that rules are there to be broken, and it is of no consequence when they are, how do you reconcile this with your leader's strong belief in fairness & justice, at least as applied to himself ? Or with your condemnation of the PAD for apparently breaking the rules ?

Perhaps, as you say, it depends who has broken, or bent, or re-written, or simply ignored the rules.

[sriracha john]

Puea Thai Party MP Suchart Lainam-ngern

Thaksin Calls for Democracy and Justice

A Pheu Thai Party MP revealed after visiting ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra in Hong Kong that Thaksin urged the Party's MPs to preserve democracy and take good care of people.

Pheu Thai Party MP Suchart Lainamngern revealed that he, and a number of Pheu Thai Party MPs, visited ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra in Hong Kong recently.

Apart from general talks, Suchart said Thaksin urged the MPs who came to visit him to commit to their duties as MPs by taking care of people.

They also had to preserve the nation's democracy, as he believes that morality will return one day.

Suchart added Thaksin did not discuss the appointing of a new Pheu Thai Party Leader or the upcoming red-shirt rally on February 24, in which the red shirt group will surround Government House.

- TOC / 2009-02-23

[mc2]

Puea Thai Party MP Suchart Lainam-ngern

a sly looking character

[hammered]

Puea Thai Party MP Suchart Lainam-ngern

Thaksin Calls for Democracy and Justice

A Pheu Thai Party MP revealed after visiting ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra in Hong Kong that Thaksin urged the Party's MPs to preserve democracy and take good care of people.

Pheu Thai Party MP Suchart Lainamngern revealed that he, and a number of Pheu Thai Party MPs, visited ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra in Hong Kong recently.

Apart from general talks, Suchart said Thaksin urged the MPs who came to visit him to commit to their duties as MPs by taking care of people.

They also had to preserve the nation's democracy, as he believes that morality will return one day.

Suchart added Thaksin did not discuss the appointing of a new Pheu Thai Party Leader or the upcoming red-shirt rally on February 24, in which the red shirt group will surround Government House.

- TOC / 2009-02-23

Of coursde they discussed those events

Interesting to see this dude is on about morality considering Love Chiang Mai 51's latest moralistic edict.

[Ricardo]

Thaksin Calls for Democracy and Justice

A Pheu Thai Party MP revealed after visiting ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra in Hong Kong that Thaksin urged the Party's MPs to preserve democracy and take good care of people.

Can anyone remember, what former Thai PM said, "Democracy is not my aim" ?

Pheu Thai Party MP Suchart Lainamngern revealed that he, and a number of Pheu Thai Party MPs, visited ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra in Hong Kong recently.

Can anyone remember, what former Thai PM said, "I've Permanently Quit Thai Politics" ?

Apart from general talks, Suchart said Thaksin urged the MPs who came to visit him to commit to their duties as MPs by taking care of people.

Take care of people, start with Number-One, and promise to do the rest of the population later, they'll believe anything !

They also had to preserve the nation's democracy, as he believes that morality will return one day.

Shortly after a certain convict on-the-run overseas, sets a good example, by returning to 'do his time' and continue with several other cases against him ? Or by "morality" is he referring to certain voodoo ceremonies, which he was unfortunately unable to attend, but were recently held in his honour ?

Suchart added Thaksin did not discuss the appointing of a new Pheu Thai Party Leader or the upcoming red-shirt rally on February 24, in which the red shirt group will surround Government House.

So not even the PTP's political-adviser knows, who can lead this party, and hold it together ?

- TOC / 2009-02-23

(my comments above in red)

At least this settles the question, oft on the minds of TV members, of where Thaksin currently is.

[sriracha john]

At least this settles the question, oft on the minds of TV members, of where Thaksin currently is.

Keeping in mind that before Hong Kong, he was... in... of all places...

He said Thaksin had just arrived at Hong Kong, having previously been 'in hiding' in Nicaragua.

"Thaksin has been in hiding in several countries because he could be assassinated. And he has been keeping a low profile in Nicaragua and has just visited Hong Kong," Chaowarin said. "I won't say where we will meet him, because assassins may try to kill him."

[sriracha john]

Two-headed birds inside Puea Thai Party

Puea Thai Party de facto leader Thaksin Shinawatra has admitted there are still several "two-headed birds" in the party.

But his reluctance to get rid of these elements is seen as a testimony of his declining power in the party.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/13...puea-thai-party

[jdinasia]

Those darned 'two-headed birds' !

[Ricardo]

At least this settles the question, oft on the minds of TV members, of where Thaksin currently is.

Keeping in mind that before Hong Kong, he was... in... of all places...

He said Thaksin had just arrived at Hong Kong, having previously been 'in hiding' in Nicaragua.

"Thaksin has been in hiding in several countries because he could be assassinated. And he has been keeping a low profile in Nicaragua and has just visited Hong Kong," Chaowarin said. "I won't say where we will meet him, because assassins may try to kill him."

I think he is safe to believe, none of these alleged-assasins would ever think, to look for him in Nicaragua ! Wonder what the golf is like, and how much a 5-star hotel-room costs, somewhere like that ? Can he find Thai food there ?

[sriracha john]

He added that the Thai government can contact Hong Kong officials for a temporary seizure. However, no opposition MPs have provided a specific address of Thaksin in Hong Kong.

Difficult to decide if these PTP MPs are guilty of...

1. obstruction of justice

or

2. aiding and abetting a criminal fugitive

.... I'll go with 1.

Police Urged to Charge MPs for Hiding Thaksin’s Whereabouts

A state attorney submitted a request to the police requesting that they press charges against the members of parliament and the Pheu Thai Party who went abroad to meet with Thaksin, as they failed to inform the official of Thaksin's whereabouts.

Director-General prosecuting attorney for the international sector, Sirisak Thiyapan, raised concerns over the fled fugitive, former Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinnawatra, and his corruption case concerning the Radchadapisek real estate trading deal. He was sentenced to 2 years in prison, but fled the country.

The police could not locate him or determine his whereabouts, but the meeting has raised concern that something should be done to bring him back.

The state attorney urged the police to confirm Thaksin's whereabouts. Once the Office of Attorney General has the address, the state attorneys can contact that country and work within the legal system.

When asked whether anything could be done to the members of parliament who went to meet Thaksin and knew his whereabouts but failed to inform officials, Sirisak said those involved should step up and take responsibility. As for the possibility of prosecution, there needs to be solid evidence before anything can be done.

- TOC / 2009-02-24

[hammered]

He added that the Thai government can contact Hong Kong officials for a temporary seizure. However, no opposition MPs have provided a specific address of Thaksin in Hong Kong.

Difficult to decide if these PTP MPs are guilty of...

1. obstruction of justice

or

2. aiding and abetting a criminal fugitive

.... I'll go with 1.

Police Urged to Charge MPs for Hiding Thaksin’s Whereabouts

A state attorney submitted a request to the police requesting that they press charges against the members of parliament and the Pheu Thai Party who went abroad to meet with Thaksin, as they failed to inform the official of Thaksin's whereabouts.

Director-General prosecuting attorney for the international sector, Sirisak Thiyapan, raised concerns over the fled fugitive, former Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinnawatra, and his corruption case concerning the Radchadapisek real estate trading deal. He was sentenced to 2 years in prison, but fled the country.

The police could not locate him or determine his whereabouts, but the meeting has raised concern that something should be done to bring him back.

The state attorney urged the police to confirm Thaksin's whereabouts. Once the Office of Attorney General has the address, the state attorneys can contact that country and work within the legal system.

When asked whether anything could be done to the members of parliament who went to meet Thaksin and knew his whereabouts but failed to inform officials, Sirisak said those involved should step up and take responsibility. As for the possibility of prosecution, there needs to be solid evidence before anything can be done.

- TOC / 2009-02-24

Aiding and abetting. Classic. Maybe they should call them in and point out they are obstructing justice. Im sure a few of them have already condemned themselves with statements they met him. Good God they may even have a few holiday snaps. Immortal.

[sriracha john]

Making the current rounds on the Thai mass e-mailing circuit are these, simply called:

Meeting in London...

Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung, his son Duang, his son Wan (prospective Secretary to Public Health Minister), and Thaksin

Thaksin, Pojaman, Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung, and Chalerm's son Duang (far right)

Chalerm's son Duang, Thaksin's son Panthongthae, and Chalerm's son Wan (prospective Secretary to Public Health Minister)

Chalerm denies meeting Thaksin

Puea Thai Party MP Chalerm Yoobamrung admitted to having gone to Hong Kong, but said he did not meet ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra as reported by local media.

He said he went to Hong Kong with his family.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/13...meeting-thaksin

[Samuian]

TaxSin surrounds himself with "mothers finest", nice company - speaks for itself!

and as "The Nation's" Sopon Onkgara states:

The final campaign to cause trouble to the Abhisit government from now on has be decisive for Thaksin, because the young prime minister stands to gain recognition on the international stage, with scheduled meetings with world leaders at the G-20 summit next month.

Thaksin's meeting with his chief lieutenants to plot and scheme was held in the open. Even MPs of the Pheu Thai Party, the remnants of the two parties ordered to disband by the Constitutional Court, bragged openly that they met with their paymaster and accepted assignments for jobs both inside and outside the House of Representatives.

and what is this all about, more "Refugee Mistreatment Scandals"?

There was a surprise. Among those lining up to meeting Thaksin was a foreigner, a long-time resident in Thailand active in work with the hilltribes in the North. His role also includes being a small-time lobbyist with connections to people in high places.

He is prepared to go the "whole nine yards" he is begging to be stopped - but when decisive action will take place?

as "The Nation" asks:

It is odd that the government has not yet instructed the consul general in Hong Kong to bring to the attention of the Chinese authorities the high-level meeting designed to cause trouble in Thailand. Chinese authorities have already put Thaksin on a watch list

quotes from:

click here:

[Artisi]

Making the current rounds on the Thai mass e-mailing circuit are these, simply called:

Meeting in London...

Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung, his son Duang, his son Wan (prospective Secretary to Public Health Minister), and Thaksin

Thaksin, Pojaman, Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung, and Chalerm's son Duang (far right)

Chalerm's son Duang, Thaksin's son Panthongthae, and Chalerm's son Wan (prospective Secretary to Public Health Minister)

Chalerm denies meeting Thaksin

Puea Thai Party MP Chalerm Yoobamrung admitted to having gone to Hong Kong, but said he did not meet ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra as reported by local media.

He said he went to Hong Kong with his family.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/13...meeting-thaksin

Such a fine looking group of intelligent people - Thailand could be so lucky to have then running the country.

[JacknDanny]

Making the current rounds on the Thai mass e-mailing circuit are these, simply called:

Meeting in London...

Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung, his son Duang, his son Wan (prospective Secretary to Public Health Minister), and Thaksin

Thaksin, Pojaman, Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung, and Chalerm's son Duang (far right)

Chalerm's son Duang, Thaksin's son Panthongthae, and Chalerm's son Wan (prospective Secretary to Public Health Minister)

Chalerm denies meeting Thaksin

Puea Thai Party MP Chalerm Yoobamrung admitted to having gone to Hong Kong, but said he did not meet ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra as reported by local media.

He said he went to Hong Kong with his family.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/13...meeting-thaksin

Such a fine looking group of intelligent people - Thailand could be so lucky to have then running the country.

What I want to know is what Bruce Willis is doing ( behind Thaksin, middle picture)

Is he Thakkys new bodyguard?

[sriracha john]

Ousted Thai PM To Speak In Hong Kong

HONG KONG (AFP / 2009-02-25)--Thailand's ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will speak in Hong Kong next week, organizers of the event said, a rare public appearance for the tycoon who is exiled from his homeland.

Thaksin, who faces a jail sentence for corruption if he returns, will speak Monday at Hong Kong's Foreign Correspondents Club, the club said.

In October, Thaksin was sentenced to two years in prison for abuse of power linked to a 2003 land deal, and other corruption cases against him are moving through the courts.

He vowed earlier this month, in a message reported by Thai media, to clear his name and said he was ready to lead the country again.

[jdinasia]

Ousted Thai PM To Speak In Hong Kong

HONG KONG (AFP / 2009-02-25)--Thailand's ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will speak in Hong Kong next week, organizers of the event said, a rare public appearance for the tycoon who is exiled from his homeland.

Thaksin, who faces a jail sentence for corruption if he returns, will speak Monday at Hong Kong's Foreign Correspondents Club, the club said.

In October, Thaksin was sentenced to two years in prison for abuse of power linked to a 2003 land deal, and other corruption cases against him are moving through the courts.

He vowed earlier this month, in a message reported by Thai media, to clear his name and said he was ready to lead the country again.

Poor choice of wording by the AFP reporter "who is exiled". Thaksin is in self-imposed exile as he is able to return at any time!

[Plus]

Swan song, perhaps he is taking this chance before Thai police request HK for his extradition. PTP trip to meet him already got them all jittery (the police). He was legally left alone for a while but now he openly taunts them to do something.

[Jai Dee]

Thailand's ousted prime minister Thaksin to speak in Hong Kong

HONG KONG: Thailand's ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will speak in Hong Kong next week, organisers of the event said, a rare public appearance for the tycoon who is exiled from his homeland.

Thaksin, who faces a jail sentence for corruption if he returns, will speak on Monday at Hong Kong's Foreign Correspondents Club, the club said.

It comes as thousands of red-shirted, pro-Thaksin protesters are besieging the Bangkok offices of current Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva demanding he dissolve his two-month-old government and call snap elections.

Thaksin, who made a fortune in telecommunications, became prime minister in 2001 and was re-elected in 2005.

In 2006, a military coup forced Thaksin into self-imposed exile and in the past few years he has travelled the world, but made few public statements.

Thailand has endured months of political upheaval rooted in a deep divide between foes and supporters of Thaksin, who remains influential despite his exile.

He is loathed by elements of the old power cliques in the military, palace and bureaucracy who felt threatened by his immense popularity with the rural poor.

In October, Thaksin was sentenced to two years in prison for abuse of power linked to a 2003 land deal, and other corruption cases against him are moving through the courts.

He vowed earlier this month, in a message reported by Thai media, to clear his name and said he was ready to lead the country again.

Source: AFP - 25 February 2009

[Samuian]

Swan song, perhaps he is taking this chance before Thai police request HK for his extradition. PTP trip to meet him already got them all jittery (the police). He was legally left alone for a while but now he openly taunts them to do something.

He is going the "whole 9 yards", all out!

Think read it in "The Nation" that someone (Suthep?) is calling on the BiB's to charge the HK visitors for obstructing Justice, for not telling the Authorities about the whereabouts of the Fugitive!

But I think it's too early in the games to bring him back yet!

"Nicaragua" was a good one too!

[Plus]

They don't need to bring him back, they only need to formally contact HK authorities, that would shut him up for good, maybe even get him stranded there without possibility of leaving until his legal matters are cleared, or he will be denied entry next time.

I don't think he has any weight there to flaunt their legal system.

[sriracha john]

Thaksin cannot win as opposition leader in exile

HE has thrown all pretense out of the window. Thaksin Shinawatra is now effectively the opposition leader in exile, plotting the overthrow of the Abhisit government from the outside. The immediate problem: Why can't he even name the next nominee?

Of course, he would have loved to offer himself as the alternative prime minister in the Pheu Thai Party's no-confidence debate against the incumbent prime minister. But then he is legally a convict, wanted by the court to serve a two-year jail sentence.

Despite his visa problems with such countries as Great Britain and Japan, Thaksin is intent upon keeping a high profile aimed at galvanizing the grassroots on his side on the one hand, and using his Pheu Thai Party to pressure Premier Abhisit Vejjajiva into dissolving the House and calling a new general election.

Thaksin's only hope of making a comeback is to get his party to win an election, form the next government and bulldoze a bill through the House to grant amnesty to him and members of his political group.

That, of course, is easier said than done. For one thing, time isn't necessarily on his side. That's perhaps why Thaksin has been stepping up his campaign to an almost feverish tempo - so much so that the general impression is of an exiled politician afraid of being sidelined by the people rather than a powerful juggernaut to reckon with.

Another serious setback for Thaksin is that he doesn't have a strong team of nominees of real credibility who can represent what he stands for - if he even knows what he stands for today. The fact that he can only be heard from afar but not be seen in person has seriously undermined his stature.

What's worse, the Pheu Thai Party hasn't been able to produce a leader of decent standing, further sapping Thaksin's claim that he has been able to build up a new generation of leaders to implement his populist platform.

Chalerm Yoobamrung, the flamboyant stand-in as the "first among equals" within the party, is reluctant to offer himself as the party chief. His bark is worse than his bite. He is short on social capital. And recent experience has taught Thaksin not to trust even those who make public pronouncements to the effect that they would die to defend their boss.

The other major obstacle is Thaksin's run-in with the core of the military establishment, although certain elements within the Army may still be privately in touch with him.

Also, his frequent, sweeping statements charging that the judicial system had been politicized and harbors bias against him have put him in a vulnerable position with regard to all the cases pending against him. The remaining charges against him are all serious cases of conflict of interest.

It is still extremely hard to imagine how - even if he or his cronies regain political power - Thaksin could escape the two-year prison sentence, not to mention how he will fight the series of corruption charges awaiting him if he sets foot back on Thai soil.

The only obvious legitimate option for him, of course, is to return to fight all the legal battles on home ground. That way, he may still prove his claim to innocence while getting his political base rebuilt in a more effective manner.

Remote control, he must have learned, is shot through with holes, especially when political loyalty can shift so dramatically, when money and interests combine to form new alliances, and betrayal is the name of the game.

Besides, if he returns, he can be there personally when his supporters hold the next occult ritual to exorcise all the evil spirits who are ganging up against him.

Ghosts and spirits are not scared by a man perpetually on the run.

- Thai Talk By Suthichai Yoon: The Nation / 2009-02-26

[sriracha john]

Thai PM vows to bring fugitive Thaksin back home

BANGKOK (AFP / 1 hour ago) — Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Thursday he would consider asking China to help bring former premier Thaksin Shinawatra home, days before the fugitive ex-leader was to speak in Hong Kong.

Thaksin is scheduled to speak at the Foreign Correspondents Club in the southern Chinese city on Monday, and Abhisit said he was determined to see the former premier serve a two-year jail sentence for abuse of power.

"We are checking on legal details whether we can ask for his extradition. If it is possible then we have to take action," Abhisit told reporters.

"We want all Thais to be under the same law," he added.

A Thai foreign ministry official confirmed that Thailand had signed an extradition treaty with China in 1993. Such legal processes between nations, however, are usually lengthy and complicated.

Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China.

Abhisit also urged Thaksin to tread carefully in his address in Hong Kong -- a rare public appearance for the telecoms tycoon who was overthrown in a military coup in September 2006 and now lives in exile to escape jail.

"If he makes any bad allegations against Thailand, the government will clarify (his comments)," the premier said.

Thaksin was sentenced in absentia in October to two years in prison for abuse of power linked to a 2003 land deal. He had already fled into exile by that time as corruption cases against him progressed through the courts.

He vowed earlier this month, in a message reported by Thai media, to clear his name and said he was ready to lead the country again.

Twice-elected Thaksin, who made a fortune in telecommunications, remains enormously influential.

His allies won the first post-coup elections here in December 2007, sparking massive street demonstrations by Thaksin's foes which peaked with the occupation of Bangkok's two airports late last year.

Those protests ended when a court dissolved the Thaksin-linked ruling party in December, but that move angered the ousted leader's supporters, who are currently rallying outside Abhisit's Bangkok offices demanding new elections.

[sriracha john]

Thailand may seek to extradite Thaksin: PM

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Thursday hinted that his government might issue an extradition request for China to send back fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

"Existing international agreements will be examined to determine the possibility of bringing back Thaksin; Police and the Office of the Attorney General are jointly in charge of the matter," he said.

Abhisit said his government will ensure that everyone is under the law.

- The Nation / 2009-02-26

[sriracha john]

Reviving this older post (during PM Thaksin's regime times)... whose face-losing nature likely set the stage for the vindictive nature of the follow-on connected update...

Here's an example of the type of story of Thaksin mixing state affairs with his private business that will appear more and more as Thaksin weakens.

This story appeared in The Thai Rath, the most popular newspaper in Thailand last Wednesday and Thursday. The article is by Nittipoon Nawarat, a regular and popular columnist on page 2.

Before the Apec meeting in Losca Bote in Mexico, Thaksin sent the Thai ambassador to ask President Fox if Thaksin could sit with the president on the flight from Mexico City to Losca Bote; at first Fox refused because he had to welcome the Apec leaders one by one at Losca Bote with a guard of honour but Thaksin persisted and eventually he relented.

During the entire two and a half hour flight Thaksin talked about the possibilities of him entering the Mexican telecommunications sector. Exasperated, Fox cut him off by asking if Thaksin knew who had been his backer in the presidential election. When Fox replied, 'Mr Carlos Slim Helu,' Thaksin fell silent knowing Mr Helu was listed as the third richest man in the world in Forbes.

Mr Fox later said the flight was "not fun."

When the plane landed, Fox naturally had to get off alone as he had to welcome every Apec leader present one by one, (except Thaksin of course).

Thaksin remained on the plane and when it eventually parked he emerged the worse for wear due to alcohol much to the embarrassment of the officials sent to meet him who turned away in shame.

Ratchada Criminal Court reschedules defamation hearing of Shinawatra vs. Nawarat

The Criminal Court of Ratchada has rescheduled a testimony hearing in the defamation case of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra versus columnist Nitipoon Nawarat to May 25th.

The Ratchada Criminal Court has delayed a testimony hearing lodged by Sirichai Thanpongpun on behalf of deposed PM Thaksin Shinawatra against columnist Nitipoon Nawarat on allegations of defamation.

The case cites an incident on March 13th, 2007 in which the defendant was part of an anti-Thaksin campaign opposing the plaintiff's political standing at the time. Thaksin's side states that Nitipoon's public criticisms of his character brought detriment and defamation to his public image.

The defendant requested the court date be moved as it was conflicting with another court schedule of his. The Criminal Court has rescheduled the hearing for May 25th at 9 AM.

- ThaiNews / 2009-03-02

Edited March 2, 2009 by sriracha john

[TAWP]

I think Thaksin should sue Thaksin for defamation of character. Every time he open his mouth late it seems to be detrimental to his public image. Unless one is one of the hardcore fans that is.

[hammered]

I think Thaksin should sue Thaksin for defamation of character. Every time he open his mouth late it seems to be detrimental to his public image. Unless one is one of the hardcore fans that is.

Maybe he could sue his ex-wife for the divorce actually being real. Rumours abound of how that side of the family have refused him a huge tranche of money for "politcal activities" recently much to his chagrin but probably sensibly.

[sriracha john]

To paraphrase Groucho Marx:

Any club that would have Giles Ungphakorn as a member isn't worth joining.

I see he still uses his university title of associate professor, despite vigourously slamming the university.

make that EX-associate professor...

Chulalongkorn University Accepts Giles's Resignation

Chulalongkorn University has accepted the resignation of its former political science professor Giles Ungpakorn's who left Thailand for England last month in efforts to avoid lese majeste charges. The charge of insulting the Monarchy is deemed to be a threat to national security and offenders can be sentenced to 3 to 15 years in prison.

A political science professor from Chulalongkorn University and Giles' colleague, Chaiyan Chaiyaporn, said that the university's administrative board approved Giles' resignation last week after he had submitted his notice.

In early February, Giles submitted a letter asking for business leave to travel to England after he was charged with a lese majeste for writing a book entitled, A Coup for the Rich.

Upon being formally charged on 20 January 2009, Giles was given 20 days to respond before the police would decide how to proceed in his case.

Before Giles fled to England, where he has citizenship, he gave a speech to red-clad protesters who support ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra at a Sanam Luang rally.

He also posted an entry called Red Siam Manifesto on his blog which provides a one-sided view of Thai politics and some consider its contents to be highly insulting to the Monarchy.

Chaiyan said he isn't surprised by the contents of Red Siam Manifesto because he has worked with Giles and knows his attitudes and political standing.

- TOC / 2009-03-04

Edited March 4, 2009 by sriracha john