Thai govt threatens to seize assets of sponsors of anti-govt rallies

[webfact]

Threat to seize assets of sponsors of anti-govt rallies
The Nation



Laws against 'money laundering' may be brought to bear against business people backing protests

BANGKOK: -- THE GOVERNMENT will enforce anti-money-laundering laws and seize the assets of capitalists who sponsor anti-government rallies, the prime minister's deputy secretary-general, Suporn Atthawong, warned yesterday.

Suporn said he would call on the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) to check and stop the routing of protest funds.

Once the payment of protest sponsorship was checked, he would ask the AMLO to enforce the law on money "laundering" and seize people's assets, as he said moves to topple an elected government were illegal. Some groups of "capitalists" were giving support to the protest, he said.

Suporn said that although the Department of Special Investigation had talked to certain suspected rally financiers, they had denied giving financial backing to the protests.

He said the DSI told him the money routes would be exposed by the end of this month. The businesspeople involved would be summoned for interrogation.

Suporn also said military weapons had been smuggled from the Thai-Malaysian border while vans with "Thanapat" stickers were used for transport. He claimed a certain protest leader would incite violence.

He said he had asked an informant to give a statement to Deputy Prime Minister Pracha Promnog and National Security Council (NSC) secretary-general Paradorn Pattanatabutr in the next few days.

Commenting on the protests, he said the crowds had dwindled despite Suthep Thaugsuban's plea for more protesters.

Pracha said the government was ready to engage in talks with protesters to resolve the situation. He urged Suthep and Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva to step forward and outline their demands.

"I want to know if the two can wait until the next general election in two years," he said.

He voiced concern about the involvement of a "third hand", as he had received information about the alleged mobilisation of the unemployed and drug addicts from upcountry to boost the protests.

But NSC secretary-general Paradorn said police had detected no transportation of arms from the South to Bangkok, despite intensified road checks as a precaution. He also played down a claim about the presence of snipers, saying this might be based on a rumour.

Rally spokesman Akanat Promphan denied Suporn's statement, saying reports about weapons being transported was a fabrication against the protests.

"The government should disclose true information and promptly take legal action against any wrongdoing," he said.

National Human Rights Commission member Niran Pitakwatchara made an inspection of the rally site on Rajdamnoen Avenue in Bangkok and found no suspicious activities.

"Protesters have assembled peacefully on their own accord and they are not hired hands," he said.

Niran said he wanted to ensure the police complied with the right to peaceful assembly.

"Society should learn from past lessons on violence because in a democracy, differing sides should be able to talk to the other without having to become enemies killing one another," he said.


-- The Nation 2013-11-16

[borisloosebrain]

Pracha "had received information about the alleged mobilisation of the' unemployed and drug addicts" from upcountry to boost the protests" How than can be ? Thaksin eliminated poverty and got rid of all drugs in Thailand years ago.

[JRSoul]

Chuwit's claim now backed by the prime minister's deputy secretary-general, Suporn Atthawong - the government is prepared to abuse its powers to punish those who support its opponents. All based on the fiction that peacefully opposing a corrupt government is illegal.

Yesterday our smutty friend incorrectly accused me of making this claim. Today the PM's mouthpiece has done it for me.

[Thainy Tim]

This is sign of pure desperation on the part of the PTP now.

Manipulating the money laundering laws to victimize businesses for supporting peaceful protests is an out and out abuse of power and misuse of legislation reserved for other matters.

This is new low.

Maybe they can explain why pickups bearing the government logo were delivering food to the reds rally last weekend, and the police pickup that was delivering equipment for the red rally stage.

Edited November 15, 2013 by Thainy Tim

[Chupup]

What !another joke by the "government", wonder who will be paying for the Red Shirt demo ? AWE give it a rest <deleted>

[Robby nz]

Am wondering how supporting the demos with finance is money laundering?

If it is then there is another charge against Thaksin.

He claimed a certain protest leader would incite violence.

Could well be, probably one of the same leaders who incited violence in 2010.

He voiced concern about the involvement of a "third hand", as he had received information about the alleged mobilisation of the unemployed and drug addicts from upcountry to boost the protests.

Why would they need a third hand when they have a second one in the reds?

Unemployed and druggies from upcountry and who controls upcountry ?

And why would they need anyone from upcountry doesn't BKK have enough druggies and unemployed ?

As has already been said pure desperation.

The end is neigh PT.

[Thainy Tim]

Am wondering how supporting the demos with finance is money laundering?

If it is then there is another charge against Thaksin.

He claimed a certain protest leader would incite violence.

Could well be, probably one of the same leaders who incited violence in 2010.

He voiced concern about the involvement of a "third hand", as he had received information about the alleged mobilisation of the unemployed and drug addicts from upcountry to boost the protests.

Why would they need a third hand when they have a second one in the reds?

Unemployed and druggies from upcountry and who controls upcountry ?

And why would they need anyone from upcountry doesn't BKK have enough druggies and unemployed ?

As has already been said pure desperation.

The end is neigh PT.

Totally agree.

This whole post is a step by step rolling out of nothing other than fear and intimidation of supporters of the protests.

When a government resorts to strategies of attempting to control using fear and intimidation it just says one thing.... They have their backs against the wall and have run out of options.

This weekend could be a box of fireworks.

Edited November 15, 2013 by Thainy Tim

[impulse]

Take away all their assets so they can't fund another protest in 180 days when the amnesty bill gets resurrected.

And those with anything left will see what happened to their predecessors and wisely stay off the streets.

Smart plan. Completely oppressive and more than a little bit evil, but smart.

Edited November 15, 2013 by impulse

[EricBerg]

They are strugling to stay in power. It's inevitable that PTP will be gone, now or a bit later. The missunderstood fugitive will set up another party to play the same game. His credibility in the eyes of the voters in the north is fading as well. In due time Thailand will become a real democracy with much more decent politicians.

The times they are a-changing. Slow yet steady.

[selftaopath]

I wonder how Thailand would be if there was RULE OF LAW?

[NongKhaiKid]

How long now before PTP goes the whole hog and declares all anti-government activities in any form from words to protests as completely illegal ?

Saddam Hussein was once quoted as having said " the law is whatever I write on a piece of paper ". I really don't know if this is fact or fiction but it does look as if PTP have taken the idea on board.

[Thai at Heart]

Donating to a protest is money laundering.

Who are these idiots?

[10Yen]

I wonder how Thailand would be if there was RULE OF LAW?

Yeah, why can't Thailand be like our home countries, things are much better there, that's why we left.

[gerry1011]

Weapons, unemployed and drug addicts paid by businessmen.

Suthep is preparing the "next level" of his protests

Sent from my HTC One using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[whybother]

Weapons, unemployed and drug addicts paid by businessmen.

Suthep is preparing the "next level" of his protests

Sent from my HTC One using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Except that there is no evidence of weapons, unemployed and drug addicts.

Just stupid PTP politicians wanting to twist laws to go after the opposition.

Score a point for the protesters.

Sent from my HTC Desire HD A9191 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Mosha]

The hypocrisy of this government is staggering.

Edited November 16, 2013 by Mosha

[ezzra]

What next the government will come out with? martial law? curfew? tanks in the streets?

[scorecard]

Donating to a protest is money laundering.

Who are these idiots?

For balance, love to see someone put serious pressure on tarit to go back to the 2010 situation and demand he press charges on the people financing the 2010 events.

[soi41]

So the Shinawatra clan are going to use the anti-money-laundering law to surpress political opposition??

Oh, the irony!!

If it wasn't so sad it would almost be funny!

[chooka]

All this whilst the very same government leaders are touring the world preaching with a smile how democratic Thailand is

[chooka]

What next the government will come out with? martial law? curfew? tanks in the streets?

Well there's a thought. Will certainly install democracy into the non believers.

[Bluespunk]

"Threat to seize assets of sponsors of anti-govt rallies"

Another PT fundamentalist quoting from the party's bible of intolerance. Do these protesters not know they are breaking several commandments?

Thou shalt not protest.

Thou shalt not have a view different from ours.

Thou shalt not think.

Thou shalt obey.

Blasphemy, I say, blasphemy.

Edited November 16, 2013 by Bluespunk

[MaxLee]

BANGKOK: -- THE GOVERNMENT will enforce anti-money-laundering laws and seize the assets of capitalists who sponsor anti-government rallies, the prime minister's deputy secretary-general, Suporn Atthawong, warned yesterday.

say the RIGHT people who handed out 500 Baht per vote buying themselves to backstab fool exploit their own voters for their own benefits....

[Sharp]

Really hope that all these protests by the both sides ends up in massive violence with high amount of casualities especially the politicians . As far as i am concerned, thailand was never ready for democracy as there are no decent and honest politicians with the key view of enhancing the countyr and its people plus majaority of the population condones corruption plus the same majority will not raise an evelid about selling their mothers, daughters or even sons these days for a mere Bt 500!

Dam!!!

Harsh but elements of truth for sure ...

Sent from my iPad using ThaiVisa app

[Ricardo]

"The government will enforce anti-money-laundering laws ... of capitalists who sponsor anti-government rallies"

But won't bother enforcing the law, if you're sponsoring pro-government rallies, wonder who thought that one up, on the golf-course or in the bunker ? They can't possibly mean, what they seem to be implying, they're simply making themselves look ever-more ridiculous or corrupt.

And if it will take the DSI less than a month, to identify the miscreants, how come they haven't yet prosecuted the people behind the anti-government-rallies of 2010 & 2011 ? Surely not because they're totally-biased and being used as a tool to intimidate political opponents !

I love the smell of desperation in the morning !

[Prbkk]

Probably, but they are unlikely to get a positive response from those with that authority...

What next the government will come out with? martial law? curfew? tanks in the streets?

[Songhua]

The hypocrisy of this government is staggering.

They've completely lost the plot and are grasping at straws.

The population is far more awake than it has ever been and for the PTP to start acting in the very same unsensible and overbearing manner that is being protested will be suicide.

People are no longer following blindly and are seeing straight through the BS at every twist and turn.

Threats and trumped up charges won't work anymore because the people now understand what they are - ridiculous, completely unsensible and undemocratic acts.

PTP needs to understand that, this time, the makeup of the protestors is different and that not everyone on the streets is there for fisticuffs ... more of them are now there to air their view, stand their ground and show that they can be just as stubborn as the government is.

If the PTP think this is still only about amnesty and Thaksin, they are sadly mistaken. It seems to have gone way beyond that, in a way that is being very badly read and comprehended.

[WitawatWatawit]

Cool foot shot. Most of the "capitalists" are probably Thai-Chinese business people, and they won't take kindly to being threatened. Surely that business rally on Silom should have been a warning to PT?

[sscsamui]

More orders from Mr. T...

[Thainy Tim]

All this whilst the very same government leaders are touring the world preaching with a smile how democratic Thailand is

I couldn't stop laughing a couple of weeks ago when Yingluck said she was going over to tour the west to promote the Thai style of democracy.

Some things that come out of her mouth are totally bizarre, but that one will take a hell of a lot of beating. It was a lot better than when she met with the premier of Uzbekistan or Tajikistan I can't remember, but said she wanted to promote Buddhism there... A 99% islamic country. That was a good one also.

The scariest thing about it is that she probably believes it.