Red Shirt Leader Natthawut: No Pheu Thai Policy To Pardon Thaksin

[webfact]

Natthawut: No policy to pardon Thaksin

BANGKOK, 9 June 2011 (NNT) – The Pheu Thai Party has no policy to issue amnesty for fugitive former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra if it is elected to be a new government, according to Pheu Thai party-listed MP candidate Natthawut Saikua.

His statement was meant to counter allegations by the Thai Patriots Network and Mr Kaewsun Atibhodhi, a former member of the disbanded Assets Scrutiny Committee. Mr Natthawut also dismissed the alleged "four ladder steps" plan as never in existence.

Mr Natthawut added that the Pheu Thai Party has offered itself to work for the country because it is confident that the past performances could guarantee its potential in solving both economic and political issues. He hence called upon Mr Kaewsun to be clear about the issue and to respect people’s intention.

Ex-Prime Minister Thaksin has been sentenced to two years’ imprisonment after he was found guilty on the Ratchadapisek land case.

In addition, on 26 January 2010, the Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions of the Supreme Court ruled to confiscate his 46.3 billion baht out of the 76 billion baht frozen assets on grounds that he abused his power when in office to benefit his business.

Mr Natthawut, also the secretary-general of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) brushed aside a plan to mobilise UDD supporters to disturb campaign visits of Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva in many areas.

-- NNT 2011-06-09

[whybother]

That's a huge U-turn.

Not very believable, though.

I hope he doesn't forget to tell Chalerm to stop wasting his time preparing the legislation.

[hyperdimension]

To be more accurate, I think the word "yet" should be added.

Or maybe he means no "official" policy. Is it just a matter of semantics?

Is this a case of telling each side what they want to hear?

Edited June 9, 2011 by hyperdimension

[jonclark]

No policy to pardon taksin - So what brave PTP soul broke this news to Taksin?

[ginjag]

No policy to pardon taksin - So what brave PTP soul broke this news to Taksin?

He would have to be more than brave, he would have to be a nutter-and flee the scene

[jdinasia]

Since an amnesty for Thaksin (and others) has been central to the PTP platform and Yingluck has assigned the task of the amnesty to Chalerm ----- I would say that perhaps Natthawut is not telling the truth .... AGAIN.

[rubl]

No policy to pardon taksin - So what brave PTP soul broke this news to Taksin?

What brave person will tell the electorate especially with PTP doing extra campaign work in North and North-East?

[Ricardo]

I think perhaps Mr Nattawut needs to contact party-HQ, as he appears to be 'way off-message',in what he's reported here as having said ?

[Insight]

Now would be a good time to ask him if the red shirts burnt down CTW, the SET, the Central store near Victory Monument, the vintage cinema in Siam, along with a good number of other buildings the red shirts were responsible for burning down on the evening of May 19th.

[Who, me ?]

Now would be a good time to ask him if the red shirts burnt down CTW, the SET, the Central store near Victory Monument, the vintage cinema in Siam, along with a good number of other buildings the red shirts were responsible for burning down on the evening of May 19th.

Huh, why?

[jdinasia]

I think perhaps Mr Nattawut needs to contact party-HQ, as he appears to be 'way off-message',in what he's reported here as having said ?

When confronted by this lie the next time he is in front of the press, he will say "I meant no plan to pardon JUST Thaksin, they have to pardon me and Jatuporn and Weng, and Veera, and Arisaman, and all those that had and used m79 grenade launchers etc etc etc"

[Insight]

Now would be a good time to ask him if the red shirts burnt down CTW, the SET, the Central store near Victory Monument, the vintage cinema in Siam, along with a good number of other buildings the red shirts were responsible for burning down on the evening of May 19th.

Huh, why?

Simple - if he's less than truthful answering this...

[ianbaggie]

No policy to pardon taksin - So what brave PTP soul broke this news to Taksin?

LOL maybe Seh Daeng Khattiya Sawasdipol was about to do it in an interview outside central world back in last may"

[ianbaggie]

Now would be a good time to ask him if the red shirts burnt down CTW, the SET, the Central store near Victory Monument, the vintage cinema in Siam, along with a good number of other buildings the red shirts were responsible for burning down on the evening of May 19th.

Huh, why?

I think the poster is suggesting that this is one of the rare moments where hes actually telling the truth. Have to say its not something he does often. Good job Juthaporn cant get his hands on him!! Could be why Natthawut is mellowing.

[oldbookman]

RS = Mob Rule; PT = Thaksin/legalized corruption. What a load!

[Buchholz]

.

He laughably believes that if he takes off his Red polo Shirt and dons a suit and tie (as in the OP pic), he now has credibility and is to be trusted and that the frothing rhetoric of his burn Bangkok and I'll take responsibility speeches was made by someone else.

Sorry, but there is no "Fake Natthawut."

The same guy, who is currently out on bail and eagerly awaiting amnesty himself is, again laughably, in the Top 10 of Pheu Thai Party-list MP candidates and assured of a seat in Parliament.

.

Edited June 9, 2011 by Buchholz

[pedro01]

actually - they probably won't attempt to go for a pardon. They will attempt to overturn the original conviction or provide amnesty.

Neither of these is a pardon...

[jdinasia]

actually - they probably won't attempt to go for a pardon. They will attempt to overturn the original conviction or provide amnesty.

Neither of these is a pardon...

The original conviction can't be overturned. A pardon is not possible. There are a variety of other charges pending, just waiting to have Thaksin in a court room for them to proceed .... that leaves only an amnesty. They tried to make it look like "an amnesty for all" but the PAD leadership etc are not buying into it and have publicly rejected an amnesty (some are facing very serious charges as well ....)

This would indicate to many people that bringing back Thaksin in any form would escalate political problems in Thailand.

[lungmi]

The polls are the polls. No international standard. The number of undecided voters, specially the young first voters, forced him to fard this way.

[bungalownights]

Its unlikely they will bring Thaksin back straight away. First they need to clean out the bad apples from the beaurocricy to smooth the way, then, perhaps 6 months or 12 months later Thaksin will return.

[rubl]

A few twitters from @tulsatit as they come in, regarding current interview with Ms. Yingluck on Channel_3. Newest first:

On the crackdown on reds, Yingluck says "legal and justice principles will be adhered to".

Here's biggest question: How about the reds who died? Yingluck is elusive on whether amnesty will cover those "responsible".

Asked to ensure she's not a decoy (if she'll b PM for sure if PT wins), Yingluck replies "If ppl pick me, I'm ready".

Yingluck: share concealment charges (against me) weren't even a case (yet). Just let it follow due legal process.

Yingluck: Amnesty must be for everyone.

Yingluck is elusive when asked if there's a chance the amnesty won't take place.

During the TV3 interview, Yingluck looks more confident when touching upon sensitive issues.

Yingluck vows to respect military role after election. Pheu Thai "wil only implement defence policies as prmosed to voters.

Asked if she's worried ab the runner-up forming govt scenario, Yingluck: "Let me just repeat my call for voice of ppl to be respected.

Yingluck: If Pheu Thai comes 2nd, we will certainly let the winner try to form govt first.

Yingluck on possibility of runner-up forming govt: Democracy means respect for voice of the people.

Yingluck told TV 3 on "landslide" speculation: That's what we've heard (from polls) so far.

[rubl]

Its unlikely they will bring Thaksin back straight away. First they need to clean out the bad apples from the beaurocricy to smooth the way, then, perhaps 6 months or 12 months later Thaksin will return.

K. Thaksin said a month ago he would be back before the end of the year. Better hurry cleaning up those bad apples un-supportive people in the bureaucracy. All in line with lawful and democratic principles of course

[swillowbee]

Its unlikely they will bring Thaksin back straight away. First they need to clean out the bad apples from the beaurocricy to smooth the way, then, perhaps 6 months or 12 months later Thaksin will return.

... after winning and assembling their government, they will feel pretty drunk on the power of their victory over the entitled elites ... Pheu Thai will (correctly) interpret their win as a single issue mandate ... Pheu Thai = PM Thaksin ... after taking office, they quickly execute a few executive orders, mount a strong PR campaign to raise Thaksin to cult hero status, and parade him back into Thailand as the conquering hero.

... I don't know bungalownights, Pheu Thai has already shown a certain political tone deafness when it comes to winning the middle ground (e.g. openly announcing their amnesty plan, as though it would galvanize millions of more Thais to their cause) ... I think Pheu Thai might well do this.

... and that's when the trouble erupts ... I fear it will be met with violence ... think French Revolution.

[metisdead]

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[rixalex]

Its unlikely they will bring Thaksin back straight away. First they need to clean out the bad apples from the beaurocricy to smooth the way, then, perhaps 6 months or 12 months later Thaksin will return.

"Bad apples" simply means people not in support of Thaksin or not able to be bought. These "bad apples" will be replaced by Shinawatra friends and family. "Good apples" if you will.

[animatic]

THEY FORGOT TO SEND HIM THE MEMO.

[phupaman]

Since an amnesty for Thaksin (and others) has been central to the PTP platform and Yingluck has assigned the task of the amnesty to Chalerm ----- I would say that perhaps Natthawut is not telling the truth .... AGAIN.

Even if Yingluck wins and somehow arranges some kind of amnesty.I dont think Thaksin will have the guts to come back like a hero, too scared of assasination especially if the Reds are on the streets ,which is likely, You can be assured that all the red leaders have their plan B they know it is the end if Thaksin is killed and all will dissappear overnight.

phupaman.

[hyperdimension]

I dont think Thaksin will have the guts to come back like a hero, too scared of assasination especially if the Reds are on the streets

That is basically what he said in his interview with the ABC - that he would have to worry about being assassinated if he returns and that he is comfortable living in and doing business in other parts of the world, so he may not want to actually return to Thailand. This is in contradiction to what he said to his followers, that he'll be back by the end of the year. You can never know what to believe when he speaks. It is not the kind of trait that is appropriate for a leader of a country.

they know it is the end if Thaksin is killed and all will dissappear overnight.

You may be right. The Shinawatra clan is large and wealthy, though it seems that Thaksin is the only megalomaniac, so if he dies there may not be someone who could take his place.

Edited June 11, 2011 by hyperdimension

[rixalex]

they know it is the end if Thaksin is killed and all will dissappear overnight.

You may be right. The Shinawatra clan is large and wealthy, though it seems that Thaksin is the only megalomaniac, so if he dies there may not be someone who could take his place.

Yes i think Thaksin is the sole driving force behind his family getting involved in politics now - if not for him, they would be well out of it. Yingluck looks so out of her depth, and she must know it, but at the end of the day, her brother is the reason why she and all the other Shinawatras live in the height of luxury that they do, so if he says "you will stand to be PM", what else can she do but accept? Payback time for all those plum positions, like presidency of AIS, that he set up for her.

[jdinasia]

they know it is the end if Thaksin is killed and all will dissappear overnight.

You may be right. The Shinawatra clan is large and wealthy, though it seems that Thaksin is the only megalomaniac, so if he dies there may not be someone who could take his place.

Yes i think Thaksin is the sole driving force behind his family getting involved in politics now - if not for him, they would be well out of it. Yingluck looks so out of her depth, and she must know it, but at the end of the day, her brother is the reason why she and all the other Shinawatras live in the height of luxury that they do, so if he says "you will stand to be PM", what else can she do but accept? Payback time for all those plum positions, like presidency of AIS, that he set up for her.

I would suggest that it is Thaksin's ex-wife as much as Thaksin himself that is the reason the clan is wealthy. Thaksin stated in the past "I should have listened to my family and stayed out of politics" ... but he doesn't seem to mind offering up his kid sister as the sacrificial goat this time around.