Authenticity of audio clip needs to be checked: PM Yingluck

[webfact]

POLITICS
Authenticity of audio clip needs to be checked: PM
The Nation


Yingluck

Air Force head says supreme commander, branch chiefs to discuss issue

BANGKOK: -- The audio clip that some believe is a recording of Deputy Defence Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapha and former PM Thaksin Shinawatra discussing the appointment of top military brass should be examined for its authenticity before any conclusion can be drawn, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said yesterday.

Yingluck, who is also defence minister, said it's unclear at this stage if a committee would be set up for the task as it depends very much on the due process of the bureaucratic system.

"[We're] in a mode where everything is politicised. I want people to differentiate things," she said.

When asked if she fears the clip will affect the administration and the execution of its policies, Yingluck said it might have some effect if people continued politicising everything. She went on to urge the public to give the government some time to prove itself.

When asked if this issue had disturbed her at work, Yingluck dismissed the idea, saying she was doing her best to carry out her duties, and asked for cooperation. However, she refused to say if she had spoken to her brother Thaksin since the clip was made public.

When asked about the rumours of a possible military coup, the premier replied that Thais should look at other countries suffering military coups and see if it is truly beneficial. She added that she believes nobody would want to harm their own society.

In a related development, Air Force commander-in-chief Air Chief Marshal Prajin Jantong said the supreme commander, General Thanasak Patimapra-korn, will discuss the leaked audio clip with the Navy and Army chiefs so they can take a common stance on the matter. Prajin added that the issue discussed in the clip would not necessarily manifest into reality. He also denied reports that the top brass was colluding with the government to maintain their positions.

Asked whether he trusted the deputy defence minister, Prajin said all will be made clear and that the armed forces needed stability to continue their work. He went on to say that the clip needed to be authenticated first. As for the rude prefix Yuthasak allegedly used when referring to him in the clip, Prajin said it was all right, as the deputy defence minister was his "older brother" and boss.

When asked if the armed forces could accept Thaksin's return to Thailand provided he quits politics, Prajin said people should look at both sides of the issue. First, he said, the people should be united and love one another, and secondly, the law would have to be upheld in the cases Thaksin faces.

Yuthasak was initially scheduled to hold an unofficial meeting with top brass to discuss the October military reshuffle, but now the meeting might get postponed to August 15.

Meanwhile, the opposition Democrat Party is calling on the authorities to have the clip independently verified by the Institute of Forensic Science and Dr Pornthip Rojanasu-nand in order to add weight to the findings.

Separately, Green Politics Group coordinator Suriyasai Katasila said most people believe the clip is real and many wonder if the government will indeed take the steps suggested in the recording. He went on to say that government interference in the appointment of top military brass will lead to the return of a social and political divide.

Suriyasai suggested that the best solution would be for the deputy defence minister to quit and not be replaced. He also warned that any attempts made by the military top brass to help Thaksin return to Thailand would destroy the integrity and honour of the armed forces. Suriyasai said the silence of many generals after the clip was leaked has led to fears that the military might be under greater control than the public is aware of.


-- The Nation 2013-07-10

[pedro01]

lol!

What a load of nonsense from all sides.

Why doesn't she just call her brother & ask if it's real?

Looks like the big boss will be home soon.

Edited July 9, 2013 by pedro01

[reiltin]

When asked about the rumours of a possible military coup, the premier replied that Thais should look at other countries suffering military coups and see if it is truly beneficial. She added that she believes nobody would want to harm their own society.

It's actually hard to say if her brother caused more harm as pm in Thailand than de facto pm outside Thailand.Either way the body count continues to rise,society remains divided.the folly continues...

[Siripon]

When asked about the rumours of a possible military coup, the premier replied that Thais should look at other countries suffering military coups and see if it is truly beneficial. She added that she believes nobody would want to harm their own society.

It's actually hard to say if her brother caused more harm as pm in Thailand than de facto pm outside Thailand.Either way the body count continues to rise,society remains divided.the folly continues...

My thoughts exactly, Thaksin with his greed and selfishness, has caused untold harm to Thailand has been

[Songhua]

Committees, examination, discussion.

Doesn't she know her own brother's voice?

[kimamey]

I thought we'd already been told it was fake or was that just someone opening their mouth before putting their brain in gear?

[ramrod711]

BANGKOK: -- The audio clip that some believe is a recording of Deputy Defence Minister Yuthasak Sasiprapha and former PM Thaksin Shinawatra discussing the appointment of top military brass should be examined for its authenticity before any conclusion can be drawn, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said yesterday.

In other words; my brother is an idiot, if he ever wants to return he should keep his big mouth shut.

[meatboy]

of course its authentic copies can be had in china-town.

[up-country_sinclair]

How absurd this all is.

Why isn't Yuthasak questioned on the tape's authenticity? Should be quite simple for Yingluck to call her Deputy Defense Minister into her office and ask, "is the recording real'?

She could also ask her brother.

But no, apparently the "authenticity needs to be checked".

What a farce.

Edited July 10, 2013 by up-country_sinclair

[Bellweather]

Committees, examination, discussion.

Doesn't she know her own brother's voice?

" Read my lips, it was not my brother. I know because he told me ! "

[WhizBang]

Should be VERY easy to verify.

Madam PM phone your brother and ask the simple question. 'Is this you?'

[Robby nz]

"[We're] in a mode where everything is politicised. I want people to differentiate things," she said.

Was wondering what that means?

When asked if she fears the clip will affect the administration and the execution of its policies, Yingluck said it might have some effect if people continued politicising everything. She went on to urge the public to give the government some time to prove itself.

"Continued to politicize", how can it be anything else?

It has had 2 years already and is getting its self into more trouble as time goes by.

she refused to say if she had spoken to her brother Thaksin since the clip was made public.

I suppose she has to say that if she denied she had spoken to him and it was found out that she had she would be deeper in the poo.

If she said she had spoken to him it would have led to other questions that she would not want to answer.

First, he said, the people should be united and love one another, and secondly, the law would have to be upheld in the cases Thaksin faces.

If that is true then why are they trying to get him amnesty to resolve him from his crimes and therefore circumvent the law?

Yet another load of evasive BS

[Ricardo]

She went on to urge the public to give the government some time to prove itself.

When elected, PM-Yingluck asked for six months to show what they can do, it's now been two years with five reshuffles, just how much more time does she expect ?

[scorecard]

How absurd this all is.

Why isn't Yuthasak questioned on the tape's authenticity? Should be quite simple for Yingluck to call her Deputy Defense Minister into her office and ask, "is the recording real'?

She could also ask her brother.

But no, apparently the "authenticity needs to be checked".

What a farce.

Well I take your point, however if big brother says 'yes, it's real', will Yingluck then make a statement 'pee says it's real, so it's all solved, subject closed"?

Of course not, and she'll have to find a diversion and hope that the forensic examination (if there is one) will somehow say 'it's a fake recording'.

She's in a tough corner right now, and big brother rignt now ain't helping much.

[Halion]

Any nation with a modecum of intellegence and a true desire for betterment would simply kick this bunch nepotistic clowns out on the street where they belong. It was through their ignorance and ideology that the red shirts in particular were manipulated into bringing this government into office and their stupidity has come home to roost. The overall culture of this country is the single most contributory factor to the cancer that prevails within the goverment and the elite who feel that they are beyond reproach, civil and criminal law and that the masses will except whatever they are told regardless of how idiotic or contentious it appears. You get what you vote for and you have to accept the responsiility for that action even though the people you have put in power accept responsibility for nothing except self wealth and self aggrandizement. Ignorance and apathy are what allows this malignancy to breed unchecked.

Any reputable acoustic laboratory has the technoloy to determine the validity of this recording and it could be processed in a very short time frame. The current rhetoric and delays are only tantamount to the fact that they fear the outcome and are trying their level best to muddy the water. Also the fact that the current puppet PM has recently adopted the role of Defense Minister only serves to add fuel to this fire. Those responsible for puting this government in power is akin to a farmer putting a fox in a hen house. Enough is enough.

[ggold]

lol!

What a load of nonsense from all sides.

Why doesn't she just call her brother & ask if it's real?

Looks like the big boss will be home soon.

As if she doesn't know the voice of her brother. The way they handle these truths, is to turn them into lies, and hope no one notices?

[drdoom6996]

And this will happen when, NEVER!?

[Katipo]

What a load of drivel. I don't even know where to start.

[patjem]

"She went on to urge the public to give the government some time to prove itself."

How long do you need, YS? 2 years so far hasn't been enough? Think the opinions are already formed on this point by now.

Thank you three times.

Patjem

[jbrain]

Should be VERY easy to verify.

Madam PM phone your brother and ask the simple question. 'Is this you?'

Why does anyone have any doubts that she doesn't know if the clip is real or not ?

Edited July 10, 2013 by jbrain

[Thait Spot]

The levels of deceit from this government are truly breathtaking.

She should be removed firthwith.

[jbrain]

When asked if this issue had disturbed her at work, Yingluck dismissed the idea, saying she was doing her best to carry out her duties, and asked for cooperation.

It only slightly disrupted a shopping trip in Turkey, but no major concern, she added.

[MikeOboe57]

Amazing Thailand. It seems to be the only country in the world where a government can utter the dumbest statements, the silliest and most obvious lies and the most ridiculous explanations, and can safely assume that the people will nod in unison and obediently reply "baaah, baaah".

Wake up, Thailand! You deserve better!

[waza]

"When asked if she fears the clip will affect the administration and the execution of its policies, Yingluck said it might have some effect if people continued politicising everything. She went on to urge the public to give the government some time to prove itself."

Yingluck knows the audio is real, so does Yuthasak Sasiprapha, that's why he offered to resign. This is just another case of damage limitation like the rest. But if this isn't a political case and people shouldn't politicise it them should it be treated as a criminal case? Is has been over two years now and this government has proven to be the most corrupt, inept and dysfunctional in living memory.

Edited July 10, 2013 by waza

[smedly]

in the last two years has the DSI investigated or brought charges against anyone in this government or indeed the government - isn't that a little strange

[theblether]

He ain't never coming back. Two years of predictions of next week, next month, next Blue Moon, he's never coming back. It should be obvious why.

Setting that to the side, what does it matter about this tape? Even if it is authentic it's no shock to anyone. All this faux outrage is laughable.

[waza]

in the last two years has the DSI investigated or brought charges against anyone in this government or indeed the government - isn't that a little strange

I cant think of any, but Tarit of the DSI has......." As soon as she took over as premier, Tarit was clever enough to cut down the number of political cases in his hand from the 281 he had in 2010 during Abhisit Vejjajiva's time to 48 cases last year and to just four cases this year......He chose to drop several cases against members of the ruling Pheu Thai Party and the red shirts. In fact, even Yingluck benefited as Tarit chose to drop her asset concealment case."

"In relation to the 2010 violence, there have been more than 200 cases in four categories: terrorism, coercion of government; abuse of state weaponry and fatal attacks against civilians and state officials. In the latter category, cases have not yet been filed with the court because state officials first must file autopsy cross-examination statements with the court in accordance with Article 150 of the criminal code."

More red justice

[bigbamboo]

Is there anyone who doesn't believe that Mr T would not discuss appointments in the military with his sister and her deputy at some stage? Whether it's true or not the real issue is the sloppy way this government carries on even with something as important as defence matters.

Edited July 10, 2013 by bigbamboo

[Pi Sek]

Lots of cracking snippets in this article…

Yingluck, who is also defence minister, said it's unclear at this stage if a committee would be set up for the task as it depends very much on the due process of the bureaucratic system.

Erm… no, it doesn’t at all. It depends on whether she wants to act justly or not. Her comments here suggested not.

"[We're] in a mode where everything is politicised. I want people to differentiate things," she said.

What is there to differentiate? Is Thaksin calling the shots with your own deputy at the Defence Ministry or not?

She went on to urge the public to give the government some time to prove itself.

After 2 years, I would say that the government has proved itself already, or certainly what’s motivates them. We’ve had a natural disaster (flooding), national electricity issues, continuing societal division, spiraling cost of living, employment issues, a farce of a Southern “peace deal”… the government has meanwhile been more preoccupied with the two mega scams (rice pledging scheme and 2.1 trillion Baht loan), moves to censor critics (whether they be the Constitution Court or a Facebook user), refusal to answer to official government watchdogs and an all-important move to offer whitewash Thaksin (including issue of a passport, totally illegally).

In a related development, Air Force commander-in-chief Air Chief Marshal Prajin Jantong said the supreme commander, General Thanasak Patimapra-korn, will discuss the leaked audio clip with the Navy and Army chiefs so they can take a common stance on the matter. Prajin added that the issue discussed in the clip would not necessarily manifest into reality.

So, the joint Chiefs of Staff are having a meeting to discuss a “common stance” and that what was discussed in the audio clip “might” not happen. Some could interpret that as a threat!

Asked whether he trusted the deputy defence minister, Prajin said all will be made clear and that the armed forces needed stability to continue their work. He went on to say that the clip needed to be authenticated first. As for the rude prefix Yuthasak allegedly used when referring to him in the clip, Prajin said it was all right, as the deputy defence minister was his "older brother" and boss.

When asked if the armed forces could accept Thaksin's return to Thailand provided he quits politics, Prajin said people should look at both sides of the issue. First, he said, the people should be united and love one another, and secondly, the law would have to be upheld in the cases Thaksin faces.

Very diplomatic, whilst clearly stating that Thaksin is not above the Law - I wonder if this guy could qualify as a minister in a Junta government? The armed forces need “stability”? Again, some could interpret that as a threat.

[winstonc]

Should be VERY easy to verify.

Madam PM phone your brother and ask the simple question. 'Is this you?'

get real a woman questioning a man in thailand...........unheard of........