Bangkok Red-Shirt Rally - Live Tuesday

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Related topic discussion:

Thailand to consider amnesty for red-shirts leaders

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thailand-Amn...ad-t361927.html

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THE NATION: Thaksin: It's up to red shirts whether to accept PM's offer. It has nothing to do with me.

THE NATION: Thaksin: "I'm in good health. Tomrrw is auspicious day so it will be good if we can have reconciliation." (via Neaw_NBC)

THE NATION: Thaksin: "Everything's far beyond me now. I'm just a little piece in the red shirts movement" (via @phensasitorn )

THE NATION: Thaksin: "Check out No. 3 of road map (to build constructive news media). I don't knw who wrote that for PM" (via @phensasitorn )

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Related post:

No amnesty for red shirts leaders : Trairong

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...t&p=3566869

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THE NATION: This is the highlight. Thaksin: Now that I've called my party, hope they won't say it's fake voice again this time. (via @Phensasitorn)

THE NATION: Thaksin said underground bookies gave the odds of him already dead at 5:1. (Bet 1 to win 5)

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Democrats Party Advisor Denies Knowledge of PM Roadmap

Former PM and chief advisor to the Democrat Party Chuan Leekpai has denied knowledge of the roadmap proposed by PM Abhisit Vejjajiva on May 3. The PM proposed that a new round of elections be held on November 14. Chuan, instead, has urged PM Abhisit not to bow to anti-government protesters' pressure and called for an early House dissolution.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-04

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THE NATION: Thaksin: I just echoed an astrologer's prediction when I said I would come back before year end.

THE NATION: Thaksin on his health: "I'm just getting older. I still weigh the same as when I was PM. My hair not falling off yet."

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RUNAWAY THAI PM

Thaksin hires international law firm

Fugitive ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra has hired international law firm Amsterdam & Peroff to help him fight for what he said restoration of democracy and rule of law in Thailand.

Robert Amsterdam, founding partner of Amsterdam & Peroff said in the firm's press release that the firm is pleased to be retained by Thaksin to work on this urgent matter.

"We acknowledge the challenging complexity and sensitivity of the political crisis unraveling Thai society. It is our intention to explore every legal avenue to assist this pro-democracy movement, and urge the international community not to tolerate the government's violent crackdown on peaceful protestors."

The press release said Thaksin, who served as Thailand's premier from 2001 to 2006 before being unlawfully forced from office by a military coup, has been living in self-exile for the past two years despite repeated victories in democratic elections.

The protestors affiliated with the National United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD, or "Red Shirts"), suffered 27 casualties in violent confrontations with police and military in the month of April.

Amsterdam & Peroff, founded in 1980 by partners Robert Amsterdam and Dean Peroff, is an international law firm specializing in complex multi-jurisdictional litigation, commercial arbitration, and political advocacy in challenging emerging markets. The firm maintains offices in London, Washington, DC and Toronto.

-- The Nation 2010-05-04

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Govt to take action against provocative media

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The government will take action against media found to be provoking division in society following the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship's (UDD) attempt to disseminate false information, according to the Minister to the Prime Minister’s Office, Satit Wonghnongtaey.

Mr Satit stated that tough action must be taken as the UDD has been using different forms of media, including satellite television, community radio, the Internet, and publishing media to disseminate false information and create misunderstanding in the ongoing political situation. Their actions have affected the monarchy, and the judiciary system.

The minister added that the government has been trying to clarify and correct the public's understanding numerous times; however, more use of media to provoke people could still be found on a continuous basis.

Upon criticisms against the state-owned media's lack of neutrality and role of inciting divisions, Mr Satit responded that all state-owned media agencies will keep presenting complete facts, while assuring that the government has no policy to use media to create division in society.

The minister uttered that those offended by the presentation of news or any news programs by state-owned media are indeed free to take legal action.

-- NNT 2010-05-04

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THE NATION: Urgent: Chavalit praises PM's road map. He also says protest will end tomorrow.

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Ex-Thai PM Thaksin hires law firm to aid protesters

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra has hired an international law firm to help the anti-government protest movement holding mass rallies in Bangkok, the company said Tuesday.

Amsterdam & Peroff, which has office in Toronto, London and Washington, said it had been appointed by Thaksin "to assist in the current contentious struggle for the restoration of democracy and rule of law" in Thailand.

"We are pleased to be retained by Prime Minister Shinawatra to work on this urgent matter, and we acknowledge the challenging complexity and sensitivity of the political crisis unraveling Thai society," said Robert Amsterdam, a founding partner of the law firm, said in a statement.

"It is our intention to explore every legal avenue to assist this pro-democracy movement, and urge the international community not to tolerate the government's violent crackdown on peaceful protesters."

Thaksin, who was in office between 2001 and 2006, was ousted in a bloodless military coup and lives overseas to avoid a jail term for corruption.

Many of the "Red Shirt" anti-government protesters who have been rallying in Bangkok since mid-March seek the return of the telecoms tycoon-turned-politician, hailing his policies for the masses.

There have been a series of tense confrontations between the demonstrators and the security forces in Bangkok, where 27 people died and nearly 1,000 were injured in unrest last month.

Arrest warrants have been issued for many leading Red Shirts, who have been defying a ban on rallies under a state of emergency in the city.

The movement was on Tuesday considering Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's proposal to hold elections on November 14 to end the stand-off, and a government source said an amnesty might be discussed for protest leaders.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-05-04

Published with written approval from AFP.

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Thaksin says timing good for reconciliation

By The Nation

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra made a phone call to the meeting of Pheu Thai Party MPs, saying the timing is good for the red-shirt movement to accept the prime minister's offer for political reconciliation.

But Thaksin quickly added that it would be up to the red-shirt movement itself as to whether it would accept the offer of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Noppadol Pattama, a close aide of haksin, hooked Thaksin up to the Pheu Thai meeting at 1 pm. Reporters were also allowed to ask questions.

Abhisit announced the road map to peace and political reconciliation Monday night, saying he will hold a general election on November 14.

"It's up to red shirts whether to accept PM's offer. It has nothing to do with me," Thaksin said.

"Everything's far beyond me now. I'm just a little piece in the red shirts movement."

Thaksin also noted that someone might write a script for the prime minister to read, especially on the third factor of the road map.

The third factor states that the mass media, while remaining free, must have mechanisms that prevent igniting hatred and causing political conflict.

Thaksin said he is now in good health and he saw that the Coronation Day Wednesday is a good time for reconciliation.

"I'm in good health. Tomorrow is auspicious day so it will be good if we can have reconciliation," Thaksin said.

He said he hoped his phone call would end the rumours that he had died.

"Now that I've called my party, hope they won't say it's fake voice again this time," Thaksin said. His critics said his earlier phone call to The Nation Group might be a fake voice.

He said underground bookies gave the odds of him already dead at 5:1.

He said he is still in good heath, saying: "I'm just getting older. I still weigh the same as when I was PM. My hair not falling off yet."

During his interview with The Nation he said he might return to Thailand this year. During his phone-in to the party, he explained that "I just echoed an astrologer's prediction when I said I would come back before yearend."

-- The Nation 2010-05-04

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TAN Network: Former PM Chuan denies knowledge of road map proposed by PM.Gen Chaovalit gives full support,believes red rally will end tomorrow

THE NATION: And Banharn has jumped on the Road Map is Cool bandwagon.

THE NATION: However,surprise-surprise reaction is frm Chuan, who seems 2 b sulking. "I don't like House dissolution through intimidation," he said.

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THE NATION: Question of this moment: will redshirts agree? heard at least two groups will not welcome it_ the extreme right and the hard-core left.

THE NATION: Pre-caution from a mall: Platinum at Pratuman today inform tenants that in case of violence, every1 should head to parking lot. via@js100

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THE NATION: PM: If Road Map receives everyone's cooperation, Thai future will b right within 6 months.

THE NATION: PM: "If redshirts dont agree, we'll enforce the law & we need nobody to sign pact because it was already on TV." >>punch line!!!

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THE NATION: PM also insisted that redshirt leaders will be under legal system -those who are on arrest warrant -that is. via NNA

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TAN Network: PM undaunted by Chuan Leekpai's reluctance to support peace road map, denies amnesty being considered.

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@Bangkokpundit: Matichon has a source who states that Nov 14 option was presented to one red leader in advance who agreed upon it.

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PM Undaunted by Party Advisor's Refusal to Acknowledge Road Map

PM Abhisit Vejjajiva says he's undaunted by former PM and Democrat Party chief advisor Chuan Leekpai's refusal to acknowledge the peace plan proposed by the premier on Monday.

He added that no amnesty is being considered after reports surfaced that the road map will open up the possibility of amnesty being granted for both anti-government red-shirt leaders and leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy, or the yellow-shirts.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-04

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MCOTEnglishnews: PM: Coalition parties support road map; expects country's return to normalcy in 6 months; no amnesty for violators of criminal law

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Govt ready to provide free transport home for UDD campers

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The government is willing to arrange free buses to transport protestors back to their homes upon request, according to Minister of Transport Sopon Zarum.

A positive sentiment has been signaled amidst political tension following Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s televised address yesterday, which introduced a national reconciliation plan to the political deadlock. Mr Sopon said if the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) protestors accepted the Prime Minister’s proposal and agreed to end their rally, the ministry was ready to provide free transportation to take them home. However, the minister has not been contacted by any UDD leaders, and there has not been any sign of when their rally will end.

As a member of the Bhumjaithai Party, Mr Sopon added that the party would be ready for a fresh election if it was to be held on 14 November 2010 as proposed by the premier during yesterday’s announcement. He was confident that the party’s policies, including the dustless road project and the transportation development scheme, would help attract a significant number of votes from people.

-- NNT 2010-05-04

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Nattawut: UDD will remain calm despite national reconciliation roadmap announced

BANGKOK (NNT) -- Core figures of the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) is waiting to see if the five-point proposal for the national reconciliation roadmap is a consensus from the Democrat Party.

UDD Secretary-General, Nattawut Saikua stated that his side would not make any response to the proposed roadmap for the moment. He indicated that the group still doubted whether the proposal was a consensus of all coalition parties especially the Democrat Party which had consistently refused a House dissolution.

Mr Nattawut also said that the wait-and-see approach was not a political trick, stressing that UDD core figures would discuss with each other this evening whether to accept the PM’s proposal.

Speaking over a report that some UDD core figures wanted to find an end to the current gathering of the UDD, Mr Nattawut said that the report was not true.

This morning, the gathering of UDD protestors at Bangkok’s Ratchaprasong intersection remained in peace and order. The UDD core figures took turns giving their speeches especially on the PM’s proposed roadmap. At the same time, they have also expressed their sincere thanks to the Director of the King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital and its medical staff for resuming their normal service on 6 May and the removal back of patients earlier sent to other hopitals to avoid disturbance from the rally.

-- NNT 2010-05-04

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Chavalit in favour of road map

Pheu Thai Party chairman Chavalit Yongchaiyudh on Tuesday welcomed the road map for reconciliation and praised the prime minister in opting for a peaceful resolution to overcome the political predicament.

"It is now evident that the prime minister has embarked on the right course for talks instead of using force," he said.

-- The Nation 2010-05-04

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THE NATION: Red leaders will have final meet at 4 pm. announcement expected from 5 pm onward.

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THE NATION: Just finished news meeting. It seems the majority of editors believe that redshirt leaders will give a nod to PM proposal.

THE NATION: Interesting Q fr meeting: is PM alienated in this? Surely yellowshirts arent please with his proposal and so is Chuan, his mentor.

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ThaivisaNews: Thailand expected back to normalcy in 6 months; Coalition parties support PM's road map; No amnesty for violators of criminal law

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Court allows further detention of key Red Shirt figure

BANGKOK (TNA) -- Thailand's Criminal Court on Tuesday approved a police request for a further seven-day detention of a Red Shirt key figure allegedly involved in the April 10 clash between Army troops and Red Shirt protesters at Khok Wua intersection.

The police sought detention for another seven days for Methee Amornwuthikul after the first week of his detention expires on May 5. The court ordered the detention to be extended to May 12.

Mr Methee was charged with possession of heavy weapons. Department of Special Investigation (DSI) director-general Tharit Pengdit said last week he and his team investigated Mr Methee regarding his alleged involvement in the April 10 violence.

More evidence is being gathered before seeking arrest warrants for an undisclosed number of persons Mr Methee implicated.

The DSI director-general earlier disclosed Mr Methee confessed he had seized military weapons during the April 10 chaos outside Satriwithaya School and later distributed them all to other red-shirted protesters.

As the police found weapons in Mr Methee’s car during his arrest, he finally confessed that the seized weapons were to be used against the troops.

He also confessed that his group of protesters had used “extremely dangerous weapons” against the soldiers who were attempting to retake the rally site back from the Red Shirts on April 10, claiming 25 lives and wounding more than 800 people. (TNA)

-- TNA 2010-05-04

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THE NATION: Now inside information says announcement could be as late as 6 pm.

THE NATION: Potential stumbling blocks: Extremists on both sides who dont wnt 2 C it end ths way, & the issue of legal action against red leaders.

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Seized assets of ousted PM increases revenue by 159 billion THB

BANGKOK (NNT) -- The Comptroller General Department (CGD) reported that the recent transferal of assets seized from ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatara has increased the revenue of the Finance Ministry by 159 billion THB.

According to CGD director-general Pongpanu Savetarun usually the April revenue collection does not reach such an amount during a period of tax filing.

Mr Pongpanu said that the additional money gained from Mr Thaksin’s assets has made the department’s revenue collection exceed the initial revenue target of 200 billiion THB. Intially 170 billion THB was expected, due to the positive signals of economic recovery, meaning that the state is able to pay back its debt before the deadline and terminate the 400 billion THB loan bill.

Meanwhile the transfer of funds have been made from six commercial banks, with a total worth of 49 billion THB.

However the capital is short of 163 million THB which is dispersed in three investment units - one belonging to the ex-wife of Mr Thaksin worth 1 billion THB, 218 million from Mr Thaksin’s daughter and 1.2 billion THB from Mr Thaksin's son. On 7 May 2010 the Legal Execution Department and the Office of the National Anti-corruption Commission will meet to discuss ways to sell off part of the assets to repay the Finance Ministry. The process is expected to take up to two months. The total capital repayed to the state is 46.2 billion THB out of the initial 76 billion THB filed with an interest of 2.8 billion THB.

In February 2010, the Supreme Court ruled to seize assets of former ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinwatara on grounds of corruption, and abusing power while in office to benefit his personal business.

-- NNT 2010-05-04

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Porntip: Troop killed in Don Muang clash not killed by friendly fire

Doctor Porntip Rojanasunan, the director of the Central Institute of Forensic Science, announced Tuesday that a troop killed during a clash between troops and protesters on April 28 was not killed by a friendly fire.

Porntip said the ballistic study found that Pvt Narongrit Sala was shot by someone from a building under construction near a petrol station.

The shooter was not on the Don Muang Tollway, Porntip said.

The petrol station was the are where a foreign media captured a man in black with gun.

-- The Nation 2010-05-04

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Chai sceptical about road map

House Speaker Chai Chidchob on Tuesday voiced scepticism that the road map for reconciliation could mend fences, saying the prevailing divisiveness would need 10 generations for healing.

Chai, from the coalition Bhum Jai Thai Party, said Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has yet to submit his road map for the scrutiny of the House after unveiling it to the public and the Senate on Monday.

He said he was in favour of any attempts to bring about the national unity but the multi-coloured shirts, the yellow shirts, the red shirts and a number of Democrats might not agree to hold the fresh elections by November 14.

"As for myself, I am ready to get re-elected anytime but many might not be as ready even though they appear to be demanding for the dissolution of Parliament," he said.

He said he doubted the government could solve the political divide in three to four months as planned.

-- The Nation 2010-05-04

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THE NATION: Urgent: Leaders have left the container where they discussed PM's road map.

THE NATION: Announcement any time soon.

THE NATION: Sources said red leaders wouldn't accept Road Map rite away. They wld welcome it but wld giv govt their own clear-cut demands. (via @tistoo)

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Road map for reconciliation to proceed: PM

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Tuesday's afternoon confirmed the activation of his road map for reconciliation regardless of how the red shirts would respond to his peace overtures.

Abhisit also reminded the red shirts that the November 14 poll date might be delayed if they failed to accept the road map.

The coalition partners had been informed about the road map and its implementation plans during the Cabinet meeting, he said, adding that the coalition alliance would not issue a formal statement on the road map since it was his sole power to decide how and when to call for the fresh elections.

He admitted he had unveiled the reconciliation plans before consulting with his main coalition party. But he said he was confident he could convince the Democrats, including his party's chief adviser Chuan Leekpai, to agree to his plans.

-- The Nation 2010-05-04

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