Ousted Thai PM Thaksin says martial law must not 'destroy' democracy

BANGKOK, May 20, 2014 (AFP) - Thailand's ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a hugely controversial figure at the heart of the kingdom's bitter political divide, said Tuesday that the imposition of martial law must not "destroy" democracy.

"The declaration of martial law is expected.... however I hope no party will violate human rights and further destroy democracy," the billionaire tycoon-turned-politician, who was ousted in a coup in 2006, said on Twitter.

Thaksin has lived in self-imposed exile since 2008 to avoid jail for a corruption conviction that he says was politically motivated.

He is at the epicentre of the nation's political crisis, which broadly pits Thaksin's mostly rural and working-class supporters from the north and northeast, against the Bangkok-based establishment and royalist allies from the south.

Thaksin's sister Yingluck was ousted as premier by a controversial Thai court ruling on May 7.

Thaksin-led or aligned parties have won every Thai election since 2001.

A general election called by Yingluck in February was annulled by the nation's Constitutional Court after opposition protesters disrupted voting.

The demonstrators want the caretaker government swept from power and a new premier appointed to oversee vaguely-defined reforms aimed at curbing Thaksin's influence.

They see the former telecoms magnate as corrupt and a threat to the nation's revered king.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-05-20

what would be great was if the army had his passport stopped and had international arrest warrants issued for him, that would go a long way to sorting out all the problems in Thailand.

ohhh this is gonna turn into a real doozie of a thread..

yes destroying democracy is his job.....don't need the army for that

Did I see The DL mention human rights??

Funny that, from a bloke who oversaw significant HR abuses

The caretaker government wanted Martial Law - it is the only way to have elections and stop the PDRC/Suthep/Fake Monk.

This is why Thaksin says its expected............. it was, totally expected. The only way to stop the Judiciary from protecting the PDRC was Martial Law........... now its in the Judiciary are powerless and the army can oversee elections. Was it Martial Law agreed over Skype ?

This is what Surapong said on the 16th of May........

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Surapong-voices-support-for-martial-law-30233791.html

"But they may control the situation to prevent violence by declaring martial law, which is not a coup," Surapong said.

"If martial law is declared, the military will run the operation to maintain security and the CAPO will not get involved. And I believe that if the martial law is declared nationwide, the election can be held."

Hypocrite.

I can't believe he has the audacity to even comment.

Then again, at least his ousted daughter has retired quietly. She's shopping, and a new Numga-tit <deleted>-appitirat, self-appointed by Thaksin caretaker, deems all is ok. I'm keens on new changes

Hypocrite.

So I take it then you do not see him as the saviour of the nation?

'Ousted Thai PM Thaksin says martial law must not 'destroy' democracy'

Of course not, that's his mission in life.

PS: he wasn't pm at time of coup so wasn't ousted.

The caretaker government wanted Martial Law - it is the only way to have elections and stop the PDRC/Suthep/Fake Monk.

This is why Thaksin says its expected............. it was, totally expected. The only way to stop the Judiciary from protecting the PDRC was Martial Law........... now its in the Judiciary are powerless and the army can oversee elections. Was it Martial Law agreed over Skype ?

This is what Surapong said on the 16th of May........

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Surapong-voices-support-for-martial-law-30233791.html

"But they may control the situation to prevent violence by declaring martial law, which is not a coup," Surapong said.

"If martial law is declared, the military will run the operation to maintain security and the CAPO will not get involved. And I believe that if the martial law is declared nationwide, the election can be held."

You think this is an arrangement between Thaksin, the PTP and the army???

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

They have chopped the balls off CAPO/UDD

The people still have the right to a national strike by the way.

The senate will now be able to appoint a new PM and cabinet with no threats from anyone.

Your silly little quote from the lizard man was nothing but a twisted and spun response to Prayuth's threat of full military force if the violence from the reds using war weapons did not stop after yet another three protesters lost their lives. He wasn't predicting a martial law, I bet he is as shocked as anyone.

I am guessing that the fact the army caught a cabinet minister with a cache of M16s in his car didn't help.

"If martial law is declared, the military will run the operation to maintain security and the CAPO will not get involved"

Nope.... CAPO HQ was stormed and everyone booted out, including Lizard Man.

You are unknowingly celebrating a PDRC victory and you don't even know it.

Boy are we going to have some fun with you in the coming weeks.

Good to see him involved. He plays by the rules and wins elections fair and square. 100 years from now his statue will be everywhere, and noone will remember, Prayuth, Abhisit, Suthep, and the rest of the democracy destroyers.

The caretaker government wanted Martial Law - it is the only way to have elections and stop the PDRC/Suthep/Fake Monk.

This is why Thaksin says its expected............. it was, totally expected. The only way to stop the Judiciary from protecting the PDRC was Martial Law........... now its in the Judiciary are powerless and the army can oversee elections. Was it Martial Law agreed over Skype ?

This is what Surapong said on the 16th of May........

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Surapong-voices-support-for-martial-law-30233791.html

"But they may control the situation to prevent violence by declaring martial law, which is not a coup," Surapong said.

"If martial law is declared, the military will run the operation to maintain security and the CAPO will not get involved. And I believe that if the martial law is declared nationwide, the election can be held."

Yes, this is why army surrounded red shirts and blocking them from coming.

I guess this move is to control PDRC not the lunatic Jatuporn

For those who blissfully still hold on to the fiction that this is actually good for Pheu Thai, need to be reminded that Niwattumrong was not informed - according to his office. This is immensely key. This immediately follows a meeting Niwattumrong had with the Senate yesterday when he affirmed that he would not be stepping down. CAPO - which was always at the behest of Pheu Thai - has taken a vacation. What this does, and why this is such a good development - especially for democracy - though in a way that will doubtless be foreign to Thaksin's concept of it - is that now a truly fully functioning prime minister and administration can take the helm, and that immediately relieves the business and investment community. A country can't proceed indefinitely without a functioning government. It means that the Senate, the Constitutional Court, the National Anti-Corruption Commission and all levels of the judiciary and independent agencies can now work peacefully and without provocation. It means the Senate can proceed constitutionally as it should. A new administration would likely have limited powers, but most importantly the country will be able to run, and even more importantly a climate for truly genuine discussions between all parties can take place regarding reform. It is an enormously hopeful development. As for Thaksin - who always rushes in with these disingenuous statements always with the fear that he will be forgotten, actually already has been.

Sir , how you use your stupidity to the full extent, if it wasn't for you all this would not be happening, the only destroying I have noticed, was you doing a number on that well used word that you have no Idea about ,Democracy, I ask you for all the good Thai people and those of the free world , just butt out , just go away, I will make it as plain as I can, just shut your F!!!N trap

'Ousted Thai PM Thaksin says martial law must not 'destroy' democracy'

Of course not, that's his mission in life.

PS: he wasn't pm at time of coup so wasn't ousted.

Yes he was. They are referring to 2006.

give up thaksin take all your leaches with you and let this country move on

Thailand's ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a hugely controversial figure at the heart of the kingdom's bitter political divide

The most fugitive and criminal of Thailand

The irony of this is wild, this clown has done more damage to thai society and its evolving democracy than any other individual. He bribed his way through his first election fraud and carried on throwing billions of baht into his own bank account. The end of the sin era is long overdue.

'Ousted Thai PM Thaksin says martial law must not 'destroy' democracy'

Of course not, that's his mission in life.

PS: he wasn't pm at time of coup so wasn't ousted.

Yes he was. They are referring to 2006.

And he wasn't PM then he was caretaker PM!

Sent from my XT1032 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

The irony of this is wild, this clown has done more damage to thai society and its evolving democracy than any other individual. He bribed his way through his first election fraud and carried on throwing billions of baht into his own bank account. The end of the sin era is long overdue.

He won every election he ever contested fair and square. You just cannot admit that can you? The majority of people in Thailand prefer him to your buffoonish clowns and goose-stepping toadies. Just admit it (you know its true).

It is like watching a train wreck in slow motion.

For those who think that this move is according to Surapong's prediction... Mull this over.....

There are still 2 days for a royal decree to be issued for a July 20th election.

So I suppose you can expect an announcement of the next elections in the next day.

If you don't hear that announcement..... you were wrong.

Don't expect one soon.

The irony of this is wild, this clown has done more damage to thai society and its evolving democracy than any other individual. He bribed his way through his first election fraud and carried on throwing billions of baht into his own bank account. The end of the sin era is long overdue.

He won every election he ever contested fair and square. You just cannot admit that can you? The majority of people in Thailand prefer him to your buffoonish clowns and goose-stepping toadies. Just admit it (you know its true).

Thailand = elections= fair and square..... Yup. You know your way around for sure...

Good to see him involved. He plays by the rules and wins elections fair and square. 100 years from now his statue will be everywhere, and noone will remember, Prayuth, Abhisit, Suthep, and the rest of the democracy destroyers.

They may name a noodle after him, but that will be about it.

'Ousted Thai PM Thaksin says martial law must not 'destroy' democracy'

Some statements are so rediculous it's impossible to reply and they should be left to reverberate on their own.

Good to see him involved. He plays by the rules and wins elections fair and square. 100 years from now his statue will be everywhere, and noone will remember, Prayuth, Abhisit, Suthep, and the rest of the democracy destroyers.

Good to see a bit of satire to lighten things up.

Riveting stuff. Thanks for calling. Sorry, what did you say your name was again?

. 100 years from now his statue will be everywhere, and noone will remember, Prayuth, Abhisit, Suthep, and the rest of the democracy destroyers.

Just like in The USSR , Iraq and North Korea wit their statues of Stalin, Saddam and The DL. All great democracies.

For those who blissfully still hold on to the fiction that this is actually good for Pheu Thai, need to be reminded that Niwattumrong was not informed - according to his office. This is immensely key. This immediately follows a meeting Niwattumrong had with the Senate yesterday when he affirmed that he would not be stepping down. CAPO - which was always at the behest of Pheu Thai - has taken a vacation. What this does, and why this is such a good development - especially for democracy - though in a way that will doubtless be foreign to Thaksin's concept of it - is that now a truly fully functioning prime minister and administration can take the helm, and that immediately relieves the business and investment community. A country can't proceed indefinitely without a functioning government. It means that the Senate, the Constitutional Court, the National Anti-Corruption Commission and all levels of the judiciary and independent agencies can now work peacefully and without provocation. It means the Senate can proceed constitutionally as it should. A new administration would likely have limited powers, but most importantly the country will be able to run, and even more importantly a climate for truly genuine discussions between all parties can take place regarding reform. It is an enormously hopeful development. As for Thaksin - who always rushes in with these disingenuous statements always with the fear that he will be forgotten, actually already has been.

Good post Scamper