No Meeting Planned For Privy Council President And Fugitive Ex-PM Thaksin

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No Meeting Planned for Privy Council President and Fugitive Ex-PM

BANGKOK: -- A close aide of the Privy Council president dismisses the suggestion by a veteran politician to have the statesman meet with the former fugitive leader in order to achieve national reconciliation.

Following the suggestion made by Chart Thai Pattana chief adviser Sanan Kajornprasart for Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda to meet with former fugitive leader Thaksin Shinawatra so that national reconciliation can be achieved, close aide to the Privy Council president, Admiral Pajun Tamprateep insisted that the general had no knowledge or did not initiate Sanan's proposal.

Pajun added that since Prem is not involved in politics, there is no need to include him in the national reconciliation process.

In the meantime, Thaksin's legal adviser, Noppadon Pattama noted that Thaksin will arrive in the Laotian capital of Vientiane at noon on April 11.

Thaksin is planning to attend a religious and local ceremony for Songkran on April 12.

He will fly to Laos's Champasak District the next day.

Noppadon invited red-shirt supporters to meet Thaksin, saying that Champasak is close to Ubon Ratchathani Province in the Northeast.

Thaksin will be in Cambodia’s Siem Reap on April 14 and 15.

Noppadon reaffirmed that Thaksin's visit to Thailand's neighboring countries has no political agenda, pointing out that Thaksin and his family just want to celebrate the traditional Thai New Year festival together.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-30

[jeffcool]

He wants to be with his family? But he goes to Laos and Cambodia?

I would be upset if my "Brother" did that to me....

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Dep PM Supports Thaksin-Prem Talks

A deputy prime minister remarks the proposed talks between the Privy Council chief and ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra should help support the campaign to rebuild national unity.

Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit said the extension of the Parliament's present session aims to give time for the deliberation of some important laws such as the draft charter amendment, the reconciliation bill and enactment of legislation to support government's policies.

Yongyuth stated the government is ready to answer the Democrats' question whether the extension intends to help a single person.

The minister maintained the reconciliation plan must proceed ahead through parliamentary means given all parties agree the the restoration of the national unity is a top priority.

He went on to say the proposed dialogue between Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda and former premier Thaksin Shinawatra is merely a personal viewpoint.

Yongyuth commented he saw no reason why the talks between the two are impossible and either party has no need to apologize to the other first.

Yongyuth said he believed their dialogue will help improve the reconciliation atmosphere.

Another Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobumrung said his own version of the national reconciliation bill will be submitted for the House's deliberation by at least 21 MPs or through the petition by independent agencies and eligible voters.

Chalerm stated the submission must be proceeded at the right time and he still has no intention to disclose the details at the moment.

The deputy premier insisted his creation of draft reconciliation bill is not a tactic to boost his profile and the delay in the submission has nothing to do with the inconclusive judicial process on the deaths of 91 people during the 2010 red-shirt protests.

He would not say if the proposed talks between Thaksin and Prem will help put an end to problems facing the country.

Charlerm then maintained the extension of the Parliament's legislative session has nothing to do with the submission of his national reconciliation bill.

-- Tan Network 2012-03-30