Red-shirts To Hold Mass Rally On Saturday

[animatic]

hnasnl,

messing with their delusions doesn't convince them, sadly.

Most all countries have accepted this Thai government as legitimate with a legal mandate.

The ONLY exceptions are those Thais not getting a large enough piece of the pie,

or certain idealist farangs bemoaning it isn't done like this at home...

even if it IS done like this at home in several cases.

Edited June 28, 2009 by animatic

[arkom]

Whats funny is if he served he prison sentence, he would be a free man by now.

[sunholidaysun1]

" TOXIC " wants to come home as he doesnt want to die in the sand !! Let him come back and he can be buried in the Sh*t !!!

I just hope Interpol will nab him on a mistake that he will make - eventually. Theres not many places open to him now.

[rixalex]

This government has a legal mandate, a mandate like the one before.

No party had more than 50% of the votes, which means that a combination of parties go for it it together by means of making compromises.

The old one was abolished because the combination of parties lost the majority, and the new one could make a majority.

So, this government has a mandate!

By the way, have you any idea how many votes were given to every party?

Look it up, surprising stuff.

You are absolutely right that this government does have a legal mandate to govern.

Where the government has a problem is in some people's perception. Had the Democrats been the ones able to cobble together a coalition government right after the elections, it would have seemed to be more like the will of the people. As it was, their coaltion came about quite some time after the elections and after the failed attempt of the PTP. This delay in time between elections and the forming of the current government makes some feel the people had no say in it. That's not true but that's the way they feel.

Abhisit should call an election sooner rather than later to dispel these myths and shut a few people up, although the naming of the date should be entirely on his terms and not based on the will of a minority group campaigning on behalf of a criminal.

[sriracha john]

UDD rally terminated

BANGKOK, 28 June 2009 (NNT) - The mass rally of the United Fronts for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) ended at Sanam Luang at 6 am today.

UDD core-leaders told the crowd that the rally would be temporarily terminated and resumed in up-country provinces before returning to Bangkok in the future, adding that the mass gathering would be continued to topple the Democrat-led government while stating that the the now-defunct D-Station would be replaced with the "People" channel.

-- NNT 2009-06-28

[Thaddeus]

Whats funny is if he served he prison sentence, he would be a free man by now.

And they would have probably let him use his mobile too.

[rixalex]

Whats funny is if he served he prison sentence, he would be a free man by now.

Very true. I think there's no doubt that for the sake of national unity, and in true Thai style of letting bygones be bygones in cases such as these, he would have spent very very little time behind bars. It would of course be completely unjust and you can guarantee that none of his poor rural supporters would be afforded such leniancy were they to commit even the pettiest on crimes, but that's the way it works. One rule for the rich and powerful, another for the poor.

Thaksin knows all this but his ego, his pride and the fact that he is a complete coward, prevent him from coming back and facing the music like a man. It's a sacrifice he's unwilling to make, although he has no hesitation in calling for his followers, both parents and their children, to take to the streets and if necessary fight soldiers, set light to buses and generally put their lives on the line on his behalf. Pathetic miscreant doesn't do this one justice.

Edited June 28, 2009 by rixalex

[sriracha john]

More excerpts of Thaksin-isms from:

Thaksin: I'm ''really lonely''

"We come here because we want to see true democracy," Thaksin told the crowd, gathered on the soggy Sanam Luang field in central Bangkok.

"We loathe injustice. We loathe double standards. We're here to say if you want us to stop, then return justice and true democracy."

Thaksin also said he was "really lonely" and serenaded the crowd with a song that included the line "Don't leave me in Dubai" - a reference to one of the cities he has called home since he fled into exile last year after being convicted of corruption.

"I want to go back to live in a country blessed by the royal patronage of his majesty," Thaksin said, referring to Thailand's revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

"Those who stabbed me in the back, don't worry. I've already forgiven you."

- Straits Times / 2009-06-28

[webfact]

More excerpts of Thaksin-isms from:

Thaksin: I'm ''really lonely''

"We come here because we want to see true democracy," Thaksin told the crowd, gathered on the soggy Sanam Luang field in central Bangkok.

"We loathe injustice. We loathe double standards. We're here to say if you want us to stop, then return justice and true democracy."

Thaksin also said he was "really lonely" and serenaded the crowd with a song that included the line "Don't leave me in Dubai" - a reference to one of the cities he has called home since he fled into exile last year after being convicted of corruption.

"I want to go back to live in a country blessed by the royal patronage of his majesty," Thaksin said, referring to Thailand's revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

"Those who stabbed me in the back, don't worry. I've already forgiven you."

- Straits Times / 2009-06-28

Thaksin also said he was "really lonely" and serenaded the crowd with a song that included the line "Don't leave me in Dubai"

"Those who stabbed me in the back, don't worry. I've already forgiven you."

These are the best...

Edited June 28, 2009 by webfact

[sriracha john]

We're back to November 2008 tactics...

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thaksin-Begs...97.html&hl=

Thaksin Begs For "Royal Kindness"

MESSAGE FROM EXILE

Thaksin begs for "royal kindness"

Ousted and convicted leader said only "kindness" of HM the King or "power of the people" could bring him home.

Protesters set deadline for government to dissolve House; Seek Royal Pardon for Thaksin

BANGKOK, June 28 (TNA) - Anti-government protesters loyal to fugitive, ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, seeking a Royal Pardon for the ex-premier have demanded that the current coalition government dissolve the House within one month.

Thousands of red-clad protesters from the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) rallied at Bangkok’s Sanam Luang Saturday evening, the movement’s first large-scale gathering since the bloody riots in the eastern resort of Pattaya on April 11 when they stormed the hotel where the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit was being held, forcing Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to cancel it.

The protesters rampaged in the capital on the following two days in a series of encounters which left two men shot dead and 123 persons, both protesters and security personnel, wounded or injured, forcing Mr. Abhisit to impose emergency rule.

Saturday’s rally, which ended peacefully and dispersed at about 6 am Sunday, saw the main leaders of the UDD took turns attacking the present government.

One such leader, Jatuporn Prompan, urged supporters to sign their names to petition His Majesty the King to grant a Royal Pardon to allow Thaksin home from self-imposed exile.

Jatuporn also demanded that Mr. Abhisit to dissolve the House within one month and called for fresh general elections, otherwise the UDD would stage a more violent rally.

Thaksin, ousted in a bloodless coup on September 19, 2006, talked to demonstrators via a phone-in link for nearly an hour and criticised the government in its plan to borrow Bt800 billion to jump start the national economy, saying that the planned borrowings would leave business operators without funding sources and warned that they would have to finally close down their businesses.

He also urged the government to temporarily suspend household debts at Bt500,000 per family and to restructure businesses of small and medium-sized enterprises.

The ousted premier also joined with Veera Musikapong, another UDD leader, in asking the demonstrators to jointly petition the King for a Royal Pardon so that he could return home.

Veera told the crowds before the rally ended that UDD would hold several rallies upcountry before holding a major one in Bangkok. He has not fixed dates for the upcoming demonstrations.

-- TNA 2009-06-28

[baht&sold]

Thaksin also said he was "really lonely" and serenaded the crowd with a song that included the line "Don't leave me in Dubai"

Slightly reminiscent of Akon's version of 'Lonely'... perhaps someone could change a few lyrics to match: Lonely Lyrics link

Stil, it isn't over until Mr Thaksin calls the big red phone-in rally one day and over the loudspeakers blares:

"We have a collect call from Chairman Maew, will you accept the charges?" (followed by boos and scenes of red leaders rushing for the exits whilst speed-dialling Newin;)

More likely it aint over until square-faced Frank gets to sing 'MYYYYY Waaayyyy'.....

Edited June 28, 2009 by baht&sold

[sriracha john]

And repeated again in March 2009... which he subsequently denied at the time...

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thaksin-Repo...186.html&p=

Thaksin Reportedly Sought Royal Pardon, Royal Household Bureau Denies Existence of Pardon Requests by Thaksin

Ousted Thai premier wants royal pardon

TOKYO (AFP / 52 minutes ago) — Thailand's ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra said in an interview published on Thursday that he had asked his king to pardon him on corruption charges and wants to make a political comeback.

"I wrote him three letters already because I believed in His Majesty's kindness and wisdom," Thaksin reportedly told the English-language daily Japan Times.

"If I get a pardon, I know my supporters would be happy and we would not need to fight back anymore and prove anything."

"It is up to His Majesty and his generosity," Thaksin, who lives in exile to avoid a jail term back home, was quoted as saying.

Thaksin denies seeking royal pardon, blames confusing reports

Ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra has not submitted three petitions asking for royal pardon as reported by the Japan Times newspaper and the Thai media, red-shirt co-leader Natthawut Saikua said on Friday.

What Thaksin said in his interview with Japan Times was he submitted three reports about the political turmoil to His Majesty, Natthawut said.

- The Nation / 2009-03-13

but I guess with the latest incident....

The ousted premier also joined with Veera Musikapong, another UDD leader, in asking the demonstrators to jointly petition the King for a Royal Pardon so that he could return home.

he won't try to deny it this time...

[rixalex]

^^ Quite.

And as is stated each and every time he asks for a pardon, people who flee from justice forgo their rights to make such a request. It's one of the drawbacks of being a spineless coward.

[animatic]

Don't Cry For me Rachisima!

[Plus]

To ask for pardon he should admit guilt first.

Sounds simple, but logic is not red's biggest asset (which is thirst for democracy, as we know).

>>>

Also, if they want the house dissolved within month, what happens to the 2007 constitution that they hate so much? Does it mean it's ok to use it if they have a chance of winning the elections?

Bunch of lunatics.

[Artisi]

""I want to go back to live in a country blessed by the royal patronage of his majesty," Thaksin said, referring to Thailand's revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej. ""

I'm sure PM Mark could arrange a comfortable plane to bring him back any time he is ready to make the committment - instead of bleating like a sheep ad nauseum.

[Datsun240Z]

"Those who stabbed me in the back, don't worry. I've already forgiven you."

- Straits Times / 2009-06-28

Not so sure about this line

[Datsun240Z]

^^ Quite.

And as is stated each and every time he asks for a pardon, people who flee from justice forgo their rights to make such a request. It's one of the drawbacks of being a spineless coward.

Would you let yourself lock up in Bang Kwang?

[HagenvonTronje]

excerpt from:

Supporters of former prime minister rally in Bangkok

One of the UDD's core leaders, Veera Musikapong, asked for the crowd's consent to collect a million signatures and petition revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej to clear Thaksin of wrongdoing and allow him to return from exile.

The crowd clapped their hands and cheered in approval.

''NATIONAL RECONCILIATION'' ''You all know that I do not forget people who help me,'' Thaksin said in response.

- Reuters / 2009-06-27

maybe somebody is interested in reading the whole reuters piece, so follow this link: http://in.reuters.com/article/specialEvent...0090627?sp=true

or read below:

Supporters of former prime minister rally in Bangkok

* Thaksin calls for "national reconciliation"

* "Red shirts" to petition Thai King to exonerate Thaksin (Updates after Thaksin phone-in)

By Kittipong Soonprasert

BANGKOK, June 27 (Reuters) - Thousands of "red shirt" supporters of ousted Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra rallied in Bangkok on Saturday in their biggest protest since sparking violent clashes two months ago.

The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), better known as the "red shirts", gathered in the capital to demand that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva dissolves parliament and calls an election.

Six hundred police were on duty and hundreds more on standby at Sanam Luang, a public square near Bangkok's Grand Palace.

The exiled Thaksin, who was blamed for instigating riots by "red shirt" demonstrators in April, addressed the crowd by telephone and accused Abhisit's government of mismanaging the economy, raising taxes and plunging the poor into debt.

He pledged his loyalty to his supporters and called for all Thais to put aside their differences.

About 20,000 protesters braved the pouring rain to listen to the hour-long address by the former telecoms tycoon, who was ousted in a 2006 coup and fled Thailand last year to avoid a two-year jail sentence for graft.

The "red shirts" are diehard supporters of Thaksin and the Puea Thai Party that he backs from outside the country.

Puea Thai's power base is mainly drawn from millions of rural and urban poor who loved Thaksin's populist policies and gave him two landslide election victories.

One of the UDD's core leaders, Veera Musikapong, asked for the crowd's consent to collect a million signatures and petition revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej to clear Thaksin of wrongdoing and allow him to return from exile.

The crowd clapped their hands and cheered in approval.

"NATIONAL RECONCILIATION"

"You all know that I do not forget people who help me," Thaksin said in response.

"I want to see national reconciliation. We should forget our differences and work together now."

Regarded as semi-divine by many Thais, the King is officially above politics but has intervened several times in disputes during his six decades on the throne.

The UDD staged a peaceful demonstration at Government House for several weeks in April, but the protests intensified when "red shirts" broke military lines and forced the cancellation of an Asian leaders' summit in the town of Pattaya.

A state of emergency was declared a day later and troops were sent to disperse crowds that were blocking a key Bangkok intersection.

The crackdown sparked Thailand's worst street violence in 15 years and severely dented investor confidence.

The UDD says Abhisit came to power because of a series of parliamentary defections that they say were engineered by the politically-powerful military.

Abhisit, who was elected in a parliamentary vote in December with the help of former Thaksin allies, insists he will not call an election until the battered economy recovers and a process of constitutional reform is complete. (For a Q+A on Thai politics click: BKK194290) (Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Kevin Liffey)

-- Reuters June 27, 2009

article here

[rixalex]

^^ Quite.

And as is stated each and every time he asks for a pardon, people who flee from justice forgo their rights to make such a request. It's one of the drawbacks of being a spineless coward.

Would you let yourself lock up in Bang Kwang?

That's the pesky thing about commiting a crime - it's not your decision to make whether you are locked up or not.

Besides which, don't kid yourself Thaksin would be locked up with the common riff-raff at Bang Kwang were he to ever serve his sentence. Absolutely not. I guarantee you he would have a special private room cell with plenty of special privileges to make his stay more comfortable. Probably something not far off staying in a Khao Sarn hostel! A shock to the system for him no doubt but probably a better standard of living than many of his poor rural supporters.

[Sandstone Art]

"Those who stabbed me in the back, don't worry. I've already forgiven you."

- Straits Times / 2009-06-28

Not so sure about this line

Need to auction this line in ebay and see any takers?

[HagenvonTronje]

Reds rally in show of strength

By THAWEEPORN KUMMETHA,

PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK

THE NATION ON SUNDAY

Published on June 28, 2009

About 30,000 protesters brave rains to gather at Sanam Luang

Some 30,000 red shirts occupied half of Sanam Luang yesterday evening in a rally to remind Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva that they remained a threat to the coalition government.

The Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DAAD) protesters, who called for dissolution of the House and vowed to oust the government, were sent scampering by heavy rains at 5pm and again at 7.30pm. But even before the half-hour heavy downpour at 7.30, which was accompanied by lightning, the protesters had already made their point that the reds would not simply go away.

"I came here to call for justice so there will be no more double standards [in politics] and real democracy," said 45-year-old Kanokrak Decharachata, a farmer from Phetchabun, who represented her family at the rally.

"I am ashamed to be a Thai when we have military coups and then this kind of a government," she said, adding that her farming income was very low under the Abhisit administration.

She said she had faith in ousted and convicted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was scheduled to phone in to the crowd later in the evening. "No other prime minister has ever done as many good deeds as this one [Thaksin]."

Toi, a 61-year-old merchant from Bangkok, believes the government will not last beyond year-end because the administration has not produced any concrete beneficial results and only borrows money.

Toi said he was not sure how long the struggle would go on but he would continue until "justice is served".

Other protesters refused to give interviews to The Nation, claiming the paper is biased.

Jaranrak Visutphan, a 59-year-old computer-programmer from Bangkok, said the mainstream media distorted things, especially state-controlled Channel 11. "The red shirts won't win even if we oust Abhisit but fail to remove the military [from politics]."

Some protesters held placards identifying their province of origin, and they came from all regions of the country. A group of red shirts distributed survey papers trying to find out the income levels of the protesters, which DAAD leaders they preferred and other details.

Free papaya salad was distributed to hungry protesters while many of the food vendors wore red themselves. Prior to the rally, a DAAD leader expected some 30,000 people to show up, and the rally seemed to have achieved that objective.

The morale of the protesters was high despite the bloody April riots, which failed to dislodge the government, and a leader on stage reminded them that victory was "imminent".

"That victory will be ours is 100 per cent certain!"

-- The Nation June 28, 2009

article here

[Mosha]

Adjust chord to say I rub you

[webfact]

^^ Quite.

And as is stated each and every time he asks for a pardon, people who flee from justice forgo their rights to make such a request. It's one of the drawbacks of being a spineless coward.

Would you let yourself lock up in Bang Kwang?

If a offender is sentenced to 20y+++ then he is in the right place at Bang Khwang

[HagenvonTronje]

Don't leave me 'dying in desert' Thaksin tells Thai rally

By Anusak Konglang

BANGKOK (AFP) — Ousted former Thailand premier Thaksin Shinawatra urged his supporters not to leave him "dying in the desert" of Dubai on Saturday as he made an impassioned address to a rally in Bangkok.

The fugitive politician, who is living in exile to avoid a jail sentence for corruption, made a 50-minute telephone address to tens of thousands of anti-government protester who gathered despite heavy rain in the Thai capital.

"We come here because we want to see real democracy. We hate injustice and double standards," Thaksin told the cheering red-clad crowd, which numbered 25,000 according to police estimates.

"I am fine and doing some business and travelling around but I am really lonely, I want to go back," Thaksin said. "Why do you have to leave me dying in the desert when I can work for our country?"

Appealing to his grassroots support base in the poorer north of Thailand, Thaksin said the government of premier Abhisit Vejjajiva should wipe out household debt and attacked its record on the economy.

"This government is good for three things: borrowing, hiking taxes and hounding Thaksin," the exiled media tycoon said.

The crowd of "Red Shirt" protesters in the historic quarter of Bangkok made up the biggest anti-government rally since bloody riots erupted two months ago.

Protest leader Jatuporn Prompan said it would organise three more gatherings, without saying when they may be.

"They (the government) hoped that they had wiped out the Red Shirts after the last crackdown but instead we are getting stronger and red over Thailand," said Jatuporn.

He repeated the group's demands to a jubilant crowd -- that Abhisit must dissolve parliament and call fresh elections -- and berated royal adviser Prem Tinsulanonda, whom they accuse of instigating the 2006 coup that ousted Thaksin.

The group have said they will stay at the site until dawn on Sunday but have promised a peaceful demonstration.

Police said more than 3,000 officers and 1,000 soldiers were on hand to guard government offices and search the crowd for trouble-makers.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban has placed the national police chief in control of security but said he had drafted a document to invoke an internal security law that gives more power to the army in case the rally turns sour.

The Red Shirts stormed a key Asian summit on the Thai coast on April 11, forcing its cancellation, before rampaging through the capital, leaving two people dead and 123 injured, and prompting Abhisit to declare emergency rule.

Protesters clashed with security forces in Bangkok over two days but finally dispersed after troops surrounded them and threatened to move them by force.

British-born Abhisit returned late Saturday from an official visit to China without addressing reporters.

Since Thaksin was ousted, Thai society has been deeply split between his supporters among the largely rural poor and the powerful Bangkok cliques in the palace, military and bureaucracy.

The kingdom has been wracked for months by rival rallies.

Opponents of Thaksin, known as "Yellow Shirts", staged protests last year that led to a nine-day blockade of Bangkok's airports and left more than 300,000 visitors stranded, badly denting the kingdom's tourist-friendly image.

Jatuporn criticised the lack of legal action against the rival protesters.

"The cases against the (Yellow Shirts) are not going anywhere. No one was prosecuted for occupying the airports and Government House," he said. "Where's the justice?"

AFP 28.06.2009

article here

[HagenvonTronje]

Thousands of anti-govt protesters mass in Bangkok

By MICHAEL CASEY

BANGKOK (AP) — Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra attacked the government's handling of the economy Saturday and told thousands of cheering supporters not to abandon the fight for democracy in one of the largest demonstrations to hit the kingdom in months.

More than 30,000 supporters braved heavy rains in Bangkok to hear the media tycoon, who addressed the crowd via telephone link from what he said was an undisclosed location near the Thai border. The enthusiastic reception reinforced Thaksin's political strength and indicated the return of the "red shirt" movement that supports him.

The United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship — known as the red shirts — was silenced in April by threats of a government crackdown following days of street clashes and riots that left at least two dead and more than 120 injured.

Protest leaders said they are continuing to call for Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's resignation, the dissolution of parliament, and new elections.

"We come here because we want to see true democracy," Thaksin told the crowd. "We loathe injustice. We loathe double standards. We're here to say if you want us to stop, then return justice and true democracy."

Thaksin also complained that he was lonely and serenaded the crowd with a song that included the line "Don't leave me in Dubai" — a reference to one of the cities he has called home since he fled into exile last year after being convicted of corruption.

"Are you going to bring me back red shirts?" he asked. "I'm a grateful person. When I'm back, I'll work for the people right away."

Police mobilized 3,000 security officers and warned the red shirts not to block Abhisit's office, as it did for several weeks in March and April. But protest leaders said they had no plans to march to Government House and there was no indication the crowd was leaving the soggy Sanam Luang field in central Bangkok.

"We want to overthrow the government which has been set up by the establishment," protest leader Jatuporn Phromphan told the crowd. "We want the dissolution of parliament. We will insist on our demands no matter how long it takes."

The protesters accuse the country's elite — the military, judiciary and other unelected officials — of undermining the country's democracy and orchestrating a 2006 coup, in which Thaksin was ousted.

Thaksin's allies remained in power in the two successive governments, but were stymied by "yellow shirt" protesters and separate charges of conflict of interest and fraud, that were held up in court rulings.

The yellow shirts — who took to the streets last year shuttering Bangkok's two main airports — argue that voters in Thaksin's rural base are too easily bought.

Abhisit cobbled together a coalition after a court disqualified the pro-Thaksin prime minister on complaints of fraud in the 2007 election, ending the yellow shirts' demonstrations.

The red shirts responded by launching their own protest in March, but backed down under threat of a military crackdown after their demonstrations became violent.

article here

[HagenvonTronje]

Thaksin demands fresh resistance

Thailand's ousted former leader Thaksin Shinawatra has addressed a big crowd of supporters in Bangkok by telephone, urging them to continue protesting.

The crowd cheered as Mr Thaksin, who lives in exile in Dubai, criticised the policies of the current government.

He complained of being lonely and told the crowd not to leave him "dying in the desert", promising to "work for the people" if he could return.

Police estimated more than 25,000 were at the rally - the largest since April.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva called a state of emergency in April as the rallies by red-shirted protesters threatened to destabilise his government.

The protest leaders eventually called off their action after days of rioting and clashes with security forces left at least two people dead and more than 100 injured.

'Loathing injustice'

Mr Thaksin told his supporters they had gathered because they wanted to see "true democracy".

"We loathe injustice. We loathe double standards. We're here to say if you want us to stop, then return justice and true democracy," he said.

To roars of approval, he said the current government was good for three things: "Borrowing, hiking taxes and hounding Thaksin."

He also entertained the crowd with songs, and begged them to find a way for him to return to Thailand.

"Why do you have to leave me dying in the desert when I can work for our country?" he said.

"I'm a grateful person. When I'm back, I'll work for the people right away."

Mr Thaksin has spent much of his time abroad since he was deposed in a military coup in 2006.

He was convicted of corruption in 2008 - a prosecution he says was politically motivated - and faces jail if he returns to Thailand.

Yellow vs red

Mr Abhisit came to power last December after previous Thaksin-supporting governments were brought down by a concerted street protest by yellow-shirted demonstrators.

He was eventually chosen as leader after several MPs who had previously backed Mr Thaksin were persuaded to change sides.

Analysts say the rift in Thai society - symbolised by the red and yellow shirts - remains strong.

Many Thais in rural areas support Mr Thaksin and ally themselves with the red-shirt cause.

The "yellow shirts" draw their support from Bangkok's urban elite, the middle classes and the conservative royalists.

-- 27 June 2009

article here

[sriracha john]

Thaksin plea is 'waste of time'

Pardon effort increases fears of further unrest

Efforts by red shirt supporters to seek a royal pardon for convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra are pointless, say senior parliamentary figures and the ruling Democrat Party. And they say it could also spark more unrest. House Speaker Chai Chidchob said he disagreed with efforts to seek Thaksin's return. He said the former prime minister could "easily return home from exile if he really wanted."

Senator Somchai Sawaengkarn yesterday said Thaksin had no right to manipulate the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) supporters to seek a royal pardon for him. Thaksin must come back and serve at least part of his jail term before he could apply for a pardon, he said. Mr Somchai believed the government would ensure the former prime minister received justice.

He said he did not believe the UDD would go ahead with its signature campaign as most people did not want to be a tool serving one man. Democrat Party spokesman Buranat Samutharak said the pardon effort would provoke further unrest and interfere with the royal prerogative. The red shirts also want to remove certain members of the Privy Council, which advises the King.

Democrat executive Sathit Pitutecha criticised the plan by UDD leader and Puea Thai MP Jatuporn Prompan to lead red shirt demonstrators in petitioning His Majesty the King to relieve Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda and two other councillors, Gen Surayud Chulanont and Charnchai Likitjitta, of their positions. He said the petition bid was inappropriate as the privy councillors were appointed by the King.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/1...s-waste-of-time

-- Bangkok Post 2009-06-29

Edited June 28, 2009 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Poll: About 1/3rd sympathetic to Thaksin's plight

About one in three people feel sympathy for the plight of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra after listening to his phone-in message - but an equal number want him to stop calling, for the sake of peace.

In the Suan Dusit Poll released yesterday, 6,143 respondents were split evenly on their reactions to Thaksin's remarks.

Among the sympathizers (38 per cent), some believed Thaksin was forced to make a direct plea to the people because he was a victim of injustice.

But skeptics (39 per cent) cast doubt on Thaksin's credibility. Among them, 11 per cent completely rejected Thaksin's remarks which they saw as a gimmick to incite the people.

In regard to Thaksin's whereabouts, Chief Prosecutor for foreign litigation, Sirisak Tiyaphan said police and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had never confirmed where Thaksin lived in exile.

Although the MFA notified Thaksin had made his remarks from the United Arab Emirates and Nicaragua, public prosecutors subsequently issued extradition requests to the two countries from April - but no progress was made, Sirisak said.

"The key to bringing back Thaksin is to locate his confirmed address," he said.

He said he could not speculate whether the extradition of Thaksin would be successful or not before the expiry of the statute of limitations.

According to news reports, Thaksin is constantly traveling and his mobility is the main obstacle to writing a clear and specific request for extradition, he said.

The issue is further complicated by Thailand having no extradition agreements with several countries where Thaksin is seeking safe haven, he said.

In commenting on the red-shirt demand for House dissolution, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the demand was a repeat of the red-shirts' stand.

"I have said several times I have no objection to a snap election pending the implementation of the economic revitalization package," he said.

Abhisit said he will dissolve the House as soon as the economic package is on course and political polarization has been dissipated to a point ensuring balloting will not trigger violence.

He refused to comment on the red shirts' plan to launch a signature campaign to solicit the support of one million voters asking for a Royal Pardon for Thaksin.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said he suspected the red shirts would continue to demand a snap election, even though the government had already spelled out a road map for returning the mandate to the people.

"I think the red shirts just want to stir up trouble regardless of what the government would say or do," he said. He urged parties concerned to unite in fighting economic woes instead of trying to deepen the political polarisation.

Democrat Party spokesman Buranaj Smutharaks said Saturday's rally was proof the red shirts wanted to drive a wedge in society and continue the polarisation.

Buranaj reminded the red shirts their plan for the signature campaign demanding a Thaksin Royal Pardon might be construed as offensive to the monarchy. Two ranking Democrats, Sathit Pitudecha and Thepthai Senpong, voiced strong opposition to the demand for the Royal Pardon.

Thepthai said although Thaksin has the right to fight legally, he should not try to sway sentiment to pressure the judiciary, nor involve the monarchy.

He said Thaksin should reflect on his plight instead of trying to elude the law.

"Instead of complaining about living in exile for three years, Thaksin could have served his two-year jail term already and be a free man for a year now," he said.

-- The Nation 2009-06-29

[sriracha john]

Defence Minister has no comment toward Red Shirts' plan on Royal Pardon for Thaksin

The Defence Minister is refusing to give his opinion about the red shirt group's petition to His Majesty the King, asking him to bring fugitive ex-premiere Thaksin Shinawatra back to Thailand without having to face any charges.

Defence Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan, revealed that the red shirt group had the right to collect 1 million signatures on a petition that they will give to HM the King, asking him to issue a pardon for exile-PM Thaksin, who they wish to have brought back to Thailand.

General Prawit said that he has no idea about the petition, as it is about laws and regulations to bring fugitive ex-premiere Thaksin back to the country without any charges.

-- Tan Network 2009-06-29