I Am Not Evil

[Jai Dee]

I am not evil, Thaksin tells LA Thais

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra with Thai children born and raised in the United States who visited Government House yesterday.

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday told overseas Thais living in Los Angeles that he is not evil, as his critics have portrayed him to be, and that the current political conflict has come about because the various changes he has introduced have caused unease among certain groups of people who used to enjoy special privileges in the past.

“There has been severe distortion to Thai politics at present,” he told a Los Angeles-based cable network catering to Thais living there that also broadcasts via its internet website. “I am quite tired, but I have to fend off [various obstacles] so that democracy can exist side by side with Thailand.”

Speaking after receiving at Government House a group of Thai children who were born and grew up in the United States, Thaksin said: “You can be sure that I am not evil as being accused. I am determined and dedicated [to work for the country].”

The caretaker premier stated that Thai politics in the past was characterized by a system of patronage with interest groups while the majority of the people was left out. “This has resulted in the bulk of the benefits being concentrated among the interest groups but not being distributed among the people.”

He added that things have changed and the people are being patronized and receiving direct benefits today. “In a real democracy, political parties must clearly spell out their platforms and what they will do for the people.”

Thaksin told his audience that Thailand has come a long way since the 1997 financial crisis and is well accepted in the international community. He noted that the country’s candidate for the post of United Nations secretary-general – caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart Sathirathai – stands a good chance since many countries that he visited recently have expressed their support, except the US.

He added that the fact that Thailand is fielding Surakiart to contest the post has enhanced the country’s reputation since no Thai has assumed this prestigious position before.

Thaksin revealed yesterday that he had canceled plans to fly to Germany tomorrow to watch the final of the World Cup in Berlin on Sunday.

He said he will be spending the weekend in Thailand with his family. Thaksin said that Germany’s failure to reach the final match after losing to Italy on Tuesday played a big part in his decision.

Source: ThaiDay - 6 July 2006

[Jai Dee]

Sondhi urges loyal subjects to fight PM

Anti-Thaksin crusader Sondhi Limthongkul yesterday issued a call to arms to loyal subjects of His Majesty the King and condemned caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra for challenging the monarchy.

Sondhi, pictured, also announced that he and other core leaders of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) were willing to be arrested for acts of civil disobedience.

As public criticism of Thaksin continued to mount yesterday over his claim that a “charismatic” person who is outside the constitutional framework was conspiring to topple him, Sondhi said the caretaker premier’s comments were a challenge to the monarchy.

“The charismatic person Thaksin spoke of can be no other than His Majesty the King,” Sondhi said. “This is a clear attempt to challenge the monarchy. This is the worst crisis the country has ever faced.”

Sondhi’s criticism of Thaksin follows censure by respected former Senate speaker Meechai Ruchuphan, who wrote on his website that Thaksin’s ambiguity over the identity of the “charismatic” person could be construed as a violation of His Majesty the King, and a contravention of Article 8 of the Constitution, which states: “The King is in a position of respect and reverence. No one can violate or accuse the King…”

Meechai added that the most charismatic person in the country is His Majesty the King. “The only other who has charisma and respect is [Privy Council President] Gen Prem Tinsulanonda.” Thaksin made the controversial speech last week to large gathering of high-ranking civil servants at Government House.

Sondhi said yesterday that even if Thaksin had meant the Privy Council President, “Gen Prem, as a Privy Counselor, works and acts on behalf of the King.”

Sondhi added that Thaksin’s words were all the more serious because he was reading from a prepared script and that it was not just another one of his gaffes.

“Thaksin’s intentions are clear because he was reading a prepared statement. It clearly demonstrated that there is a secret scheme afoot,” Sondhi said. “Furthermore, Thaksin told members of his Thai Rak Thai party on Tuesday that he knew exactly what is going on and what he is doing.”

Sondhi claimed that the time had come for members of the public to decide where their loyalties lay.

“I choose to be with the Monarch and I want to make it clear today,” Sondhi said.

“Thaksin has been leading the caretaker government for too long now, while the Royal decree for the October 15 general election has not been issued,” he said. “Thaksin is the person who is above the Constitution.”

Sondhi also alleged that the recent Cabinet appointment of persons close to Thaksin to sensitive positions in the government, such as Peerapan Prempooti to the post of permanent secretary to the Prime Minister’s Office, were illegal.

Sondhi added that in a show of peaceful resistance, he and other PAD leaders were refusing to comply with more than 24 police summonses in connection with anti-government activities. “I want to urge civil servants, soldiers and academics to take sides,” Sondhi said. “I will not call upon the police [to do likewise] because they serve the Thaksin regime,” Sondhi said.

“I will fight by not reporting in person to police and I will not seek bail.”

Sondhi also criticized the media yesterday for deliberately refusing to report Meechai’s comments.

“What Meechai spoke about is a very important matter but very few newspapers reported it,” Sondhi said.

“It is time newspaper owners who have benefited under the Thaksin regime began to feel shame and started thinking about the country.”

Source: ThaiDay - 6 July 2006

[Jai Dee]

PM advised to fine tune himself for the sake of national interest

Senior citizen Dr. Prawes Wasee (ประเวศ วะสี) has suggested Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to fine tune himself so that the country can go on with its development.

He said that a leader should pull all energy together to create harmony in the country. Dr Prawes said a good leader should have participants from all walks of life to play a role in the government activities. He said that if a leader abuses his power, the country's fundamental pillars including the economy, religion, education, and religion will eventually fall apart.

In regards to Dr Prawes' point of view toward the PAD, he said it is the constitutional rights of the people to exercise their freedom of rights to speech and expression and that the government cannot curb their basic rights.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 6 July 2006

[Jai Dee]

Resistance, and a conspiracy theory

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s provocative comments last week about a mysterious “charismatic” person who wanted to overthrow the government through extra-constitutional means may have ignited a blaze of fury among his opponents, but legal experts say any formal case stemming from the remark will be tough to prove.

“It’s a real confrontation,” Kaewsan Atibodhi, a former Senator who helped write the Constitution, said of Thaksin’s comments. “But it’s not a legal violation. It’s a cultural violation.”

Prominent legal expert Meechai Ruchuphan had suggested on Tuesday that the premier’s remarks may violate the Constitution’s Article 8, which says: “No person shall expose the King to any sort of accusation or action.” But since Thaksin mentioned nobody by name, the case would need to make the roundabout argument that Thaksin exposed nearly everyone in the country to an accusation, including His Majesty the King, and thus should be impeached.

Such a case would assume Thaksin was speaking about His Majesty, and thus provide a platform for discussion about the palace’s involvement in political affairs – a sensitive subject impossible to explore locally due to self-censorship and the threat of l?se-majest? lawsuits. In addition, sources within the ruling Thai Rak Thai party and many commentators believe that Thaksin was referring to Privy Council President Gen Prem Tinsulanonda, and legal experts said it was improper to unnecessarily drag His Majesty into a political dispute.

“Meechai’s point was not wrong,” said Jade Donavanik, dean of law at Siam University. “But in society, when you want to stop the quarrelling, you shouldn’t bring this problem up to the King, especially after the royal celebrations.”

Still, the severity of Thaksin’s accusations, and the news that he read them from a prepared statement and stuck by them at a party meeting on Tuesday, have left his opponents seething. For many, Thaksin’s actions represent a direct attack on the palace – an unforgivable sin that deserves the ultimate punishment.

“When some people have their backs against the wall, they have no way out but to fight to the death,” said legal expert Kanin Boonsuwan, who helped draft the Constitution.

“If Thaksin loses, he loses everything, including his property and possibly his life.”

Thaksin’s ouster has been declared imminent ever since the chants of “Get Out!” began to resonate around the Royal Plaza and Sanam Luang six months ago. Yet the embattled premier has managed to somehow stay in power in a bout of resistance that is unprecedented in modern Thai politics.

“It’s not easy to get rid of Thaksin like before,” said a former Constitution drafter, speaking on condition of anonymity. “If the problems were caused by a military man, it would be easy. But at the moment the man in power controls part of the army and is very stubborn. Still, people in the upper middle class, and in the circle of established families, all know that he must go.”

The public glimpse into the behind-the-scenes dispute between Thaksin and his enemies has shocked many people, mostly because such disputes nearly always stayed in the realm of whispers.

Though some political observers think Thaksin’s move may prove a death knell, others say that the premier managed to successfully distract the public from the pending Constitutional Court case on Thai Rak Thai’s potential dissolution, and help frame any decision to eradicate the party as one that emerges from a vast conspiracy to oust him from power.

“This is a game of realpolitik,” Kaewsan said. “The last move is the Constitutional Court decision. To make the environment suitable for this decision to be made, Thaksin had to make the comment….It was a pre-emptive strike.”

Thaksin has refused to say anything more on the subject, leaving the public sparring to proxies like Senator-elect Samak Sundaravej and a number of TRT representatives. On the other side, it remains to be seen who will follow Meechai, media entrepreneur Sondhi Limthongkul and the blue-blood ladies in condemning the remark. Thaksin is simply hoping to survive the dissolution case and stay on board until the next election, when he will likely steer TRT to its fourth consecutive victory.

But whether or not he can last that long remains a huge question mark at this point, especially since many want him out at any cost.

“Thaksin has already gone too far,” said the Constitution drafter. “In this country, only one power can stop him.”

Source: ThaiDay - 6 July 2006

[John K]

My first thought of the picture in post #1

Saddam Hussein also posed for pictures with Americans just like that. They were called Human Shields. I guess he was not evil too.

[John K]

Bottom line on article 8, it’s going to cost Thaksin votes if he does manage to survive until the elections. In the long run that is what counts for Thaksin. If he does not win he may try to pull a Marcos. However that was not too successful and ended up with a one way ticket to Hawaii.

Right now there is the psychological mind game with it. I still think there is face to consider that the poor uneducated Thais will connect with even if they don’t understand the legal side of what is going on in the big village.

According to post #2:

Sondhi added that Thaksin’s words were all the more serious because he was reading from a prepared script and that it was not just another one of his gaffes.

“Thaksin’s intentions are clear because he was reading a prepared statement. It clearly demonstrated that there is a secret scheme afoot,” Sondhi said. “Furthermore, Thaksin told members of his Thai Rak Thai party on Tuesday that he knew exactly what is going on and what he is doing.”

This suggests the Finland issue, but I am not sure if it is accurate. I think Thaksin has lost control because there are just too many attacks coming from all sides. I suspect if it is related to Finland than he is doing this now out of desperation. I would think Finland must be under strictly controlled conditions for the plan to work.

Edited July 6, 2006 by john Krukowski

[veteran]

TIT:(that is Thaksin)

[veteran]

[Lacoste]

My first thought of the picture in post #1

Saddam Hussein also posed for pictures with Americans just like that. They were called Human Shields. I guess he was not evil too.

Very good

[ratcatcher]

My first thought of the picture in post #1

Saddam Hussein also posed for pictures with Americans just like that. They were called Human Shields. I guess he was not evil too.

Very good

I AM NOT EVIL & I LOVE KIDS TOO

Adolf Hitler ----------------Robert Mugabe--------- Augusto Pinochet------------ ----- Pol Pot

The nicest people always pose with children. Makes them seem more human.

Edited July 6, 2006 by ratcatcher

[Maejo Man]

Many infamous people in history have claimed that they are not evil and love children....

Goebbles and Jim Jones

[TBWG]

I am not evil, Thaksin tells LA Thais

I'd be inclined to believe him providing he follows the example of Bill Gates and Warren Buffet and donates 85% of his wealth to a charitable foundation.

I heard through the grapevine that was why he went to the US.

TBWG

[John K]

Post #1 needs an official penzman reality rewrite.

[Plus]

Penzman would never re-write the reality, he only adds reality to some nonsense like that article.

[penzman]

I am not evil, Thaksin should tells LA Thais

Dr. Pol. Lt, General Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra with Thai children born and raised in the United States who visited Government House yesterday, sadly, totally unaware of the damage he has done long before they were born.

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday told tried desperately to convince overseas Thais living in Los Angeles that he is not evil, as his critics have portrayedknow him to be, and that the current political conflict has come about because the various changes evil plans he has introduced have caused unease among certain groups of people who used to enjoy special privileges he had not yet deceived or turned against in the past.

“There has been I have caused severe distortion to Thai politics at present for years,” he should have told a Los Angeles-based cable network catering to Thais living there that also broadcasts via its internet website. “I am quite tired, but I have to fend off [various obstacles] get rid of some people first so that democracy can no longer exist side by side with in Thailand.”

Speaking after receiving at Government House a group of Thai children who were born and grew up in the United States, Thaksin said: “You can be sure that I am not evil as being accused even though I can't help lying about something once a day. I am determined and dedicated [to work for the country], but not so sure if it implies breaking rocks in Bang Kwang for the rest of my life, .”

The caretaker premier stated that Thai politics in the past was characterized by a system of patronage with his own personal interest groups while the majority of the people was left out. “This has resulted in the bulk of the benefits being concentrated among the interest groups in my own pocket but not being distributed among the people.”

He should have added that things have changed and the people are being patronized and receiving direct benefits today. will no longer take it. “In a real democracy, political parties must clearly spell spill out their platforms wallets and what they will do for buying the people's votes.”

Thaksin told his audience that Thailand has come a long way since the 1997 financial crisis and is well accepted in the international community should maybe have added that the loop has almost been completed. He noted that the country’s his candidate for the post of United Nations secretary-general – caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart Sathirathai – stands a good chance since many countries that he visited recently have expressed their support, except the US, "George seems to be avoiding me like the bird flu nowadays..."

He should have added that the fact that Thailand is fielding Surakiart to contest the post has enhanced badly hurt the country’s reputation since no Thai has assumed this prestigious position before Surakiart praised the U.S. in a "schoolgirl meets rock star" fashion, instead of answering properly when interviewed by the U.S about the responsibilities of this position..

Thaksin revealed yesterday that he had canceled plans to fly to Germany tomorrow to watch the final of the World Cup, alone, in his hotel room, along with lifesize cardboard cutouts of world leaders in Berlin on Sunday.

He said he will be spending the weekend in Thailand with his family. Thaksin said that Germany’s failure to reach the final match after losing to Italy on Tuesday played a big part in his decision, even though he did mention publicly that he cheered for all teams earlier this week.

Source: ThaiDay - 6 July 2006

Reality added by Penzman

[stumonster]

as the indication that the 'charismatic' is more pointing toward his belief that the king and/or his advisors are who he believes to be his nemisis , I find that I am attaching more credibility to the stories concening the oslo agreement.

[Scott]

"....and all the king's horses and all the king's men couldn't put Humpty Dumpty together again."

[Jai Dee]

I am not evil, Thaksin should tells LA Thais

Dr. Pol. Lt, General Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra with Thai children born and raised in the United States who visited Government House yesterday, sadly, totally unaware of the damage he has done long before they were born.

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday told tried desperately to convince overseas Thais living in Los Angeles that he is not evil, as his critics have portrayedknow him to be, and that the current political conflict has come about because the various changes evil plans he has introduced have caused unease among certain groups of people who used to enjoy special privileges he had not yet deceived or turned against in the past.

“There has been I have caused severe distortion to Thai politics at present for years,” he should have told a Los Angeles-based cable network catering to Thais living there that also broadcasts via its internet website. “I am quite tired, but I have to fend off [various obstacles] get rid of some people first so that democracy can no longer exist side by side with in Thailand.”

Speaking after receiving at Government House a group of Thai children who were born and grew up in the United States, Thaksin said: “You can be sure that I am not evil as being accused even though I can't help lying about something once a day. I am determined and dedicated [to work for the country], but not so sure if it implies breaking rocks in Bang Kwang for the rest of my life, .”

The caretaker premier stated that Thai politics in the past was characterized by a system of patronage with his own personal interest groups while the majority of the people was left out. “This has resulted in the bulk of the benefits being concentrated among the interest groups in my own pocket but not being distributed among the people.”

He should have added that things have changed and the people are being patronized and receiving direct benefits today. will no longer take it. “In a real democracy, political parties must clearly spell spill out their platforms wallets and what they will do for buying the people's votes.”

Thaksin told his audience that Thailand has come a long way since the 1997 financial crisis and is well accepted in the international community should maybe have added that the loop has almost been completed. He noted that the country’s his candidate for the post of United Nations secretary-general – caretaker Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart Sathirathai – stands a good chance since many countries that he visited recently have expressed their support, except the US, "George seems to be avoiding me like the bird flu nowadays..."

He should have added that the fact that Thailand is fielding Surakiart to contest the post has enhanced badly hurt the country’s reputation since no Thai has assumed this prestigious position before Surakiart praised the U.S. in a "schoolgirl meets rock star" fashion, instead of answering properly when interviewed by the U.S about the responsibilities of this position..

Thaksin revealed yesterday that he had canceled plans to fly to Germany tomorrow to watch the final of the World Cup, alone, in his hotel room, along with lifesize cardboard cutouts of world leaders in Berlin on Sunday.

He said he will be spending the weekend in Thailand with his family. Thaksin said that Germany’s failure to reach the final match after losing to Italy on Tuesday played a big part in his decision, even though he did mention publicly that he cheered for all teams earlier this week.

Source: ThaiDay - 6 July 2006

Reality added by Penzman

Good one Penz...

Between your "reality checks" and the contributions of the Bangkok Herald-Examiner (whom I believe is on holidays at the moment)... the TNNPRD's english translations pale into insignificance.

[Martin]

Thaksin may go, but as he says in the quote below, the problem of "all the unfinished follow-ons from 1932" will remain.

//The caretaker premier stated that Thai politics in the past was characterized by a system of patronage with interest groups while the majority of the people was left out. “This has resulted in the bulk of the benefits being concentrated among the interest groups but not being distributed among the people.”

He added that things have changed and the people are being patronized and receiving direct benefits today. “In a real democracy, political parties must clearly spell out their platforms and what they will do for the people.”//

I have just been re-reading "Corruption and Democracy in Thailand" (Pasuk Phongpaichit and Sunsidh Piriyarangsan). Fifteen years ago, they undertook big surveys into what people considered to be 'beyond the pale' and what was 'tolerable'.

It made for a grim picture, and little has changed; other than 'big business' becoming more prominent within the interest groups.

There is a long road ahead, even after Thaksin is 'ditched'.

[hammered]

I am not evil, Thaksin tells LA Thais

From far away by cable TV. A bit misleading this headline. I doubt whether he will want to go and mix with the LA Thai community who have been quite vocal in their opposition to the "not evil one".

[Jai Dee]

ELECTORAL FRAUD

Court asks for tighter security

Prosecutors deliver 70 boxes of papers for Constitution Court to review

The Constitution Court has asked police to increase security at its evidence room and around the court building while it reviews the electoral fraud case that could lead to the dissolution of five political parties.

Public prosecutors yesterday delivered 70 boxes of documents, containing more than 140,000 pages and filling up an entire room, to the court and police posted four officers to guard the evidence.

The case stems from the alleged bankrolling of small parties to contest the April 2 election. The ruling Thai Rak Thai Party and the opposition Democrat Party are among the five parties named in the lawsuit.

"The Office of the Attorney General [OAG] has filed five reports, one for each party, detailing how the five respective parties were involved in the fraud," OAG spokesman Attapol Yaisawang said.

Charges against the five parties were endorsed by the Election Commission [EC] and public prosecutors had reconstructed how the violations took place, Attapol said.

He refused to release the five reports, saying it was for the court to decide whether to allow public access to the evidence.

Court secretary-general Paiboon Warahapaitoon said he was not authorised to comment on the case other than stating that the prosecution report on the ruling party contained 1,900 pages, and the report on the Democrats 1,500 pages.

The reports on Thai Ground and Pattana Chart Thai parties had 1,000 pages each and that on the Progressive Democratic Party contained 500 pages, he said.

Constitution Court acting President Parn Jantaraparn said the court would acknowledge the filing of the case next Thursday and rule the following week on whether to accept it for judicial review.

Parn said a fresh election could be held on October 15 as scheduled regardless of whether or not the court reaches a verdict by then.

Democrat chief adviser Chuan Leekpai said his party was not worried because it had not committed any wrongdoing.

"The Election Commission threatened to prosecute the Democrats for crying foul against the ruling party even before starting an investigation," he said.

He said he would not form a new party as a contingency in case of dissolution, expressing confidence that the party would survive.

Democrat executive Thaworn Senniam said his party was not involved in the alleged violations.

Source: The Nation - 7 July 2006

[Jai Dee]

The countdown has begun for caretaker PM Thaksin

Thaksin Shinawatra, the caretaker prime minister, has decided at the last minute to stay home instead of flying off to Germany to watch Italy play France in the World Cup final.

He must have sensed something was amiss in the thick air around him. The mood on the ground is charged with a strong undercurrent against him. The real countdown is beginning.

But he has to blame himself, once again, for making the infamous remark that set everything in motion. Last week Thaksin charged that a charismatic person, who has power beyond the Constitution, had been trying to undermine democratic institutions and topple his government.

Everyone, from high-society ladies, to the Royal descendants of the Chakri Dynasty, to former senate speaker Meechai Ruchuphan, has pressed Thaksin to come forward to reveal the identity of "the charismatic person". More and more people have been questioning whether Thaksin is trying to challenge the revered institution of the monarchy. Thai Rak Thai Party cohorts have come out to try to repair the damage by asserting that the charismatic person is only an "ordinary person". It all looks like a big farce.

What has been Thaksin's strategy so far? First, he now counts on a fresh election to give him a new lease on life. His situation is now very shaky.

Thaksin would like the election to be held on October 15, so that his Thai Rak Thai would fetch 15 million to 16 million votes again. He is making an all-out effort to get the date for this election fixed.

Without a sitting Parliament, Thai Rak Thai MPs are in disarray. No politicians are planning their campaign strategies now because they don't know when the new election will take place. The absence of a sitting Parliament also affects the status of the executive branch.

How long can Thaksin sustain his role as a caretaker prime minister, which has absurdly exceeded 90 days - the time period during which a new election must be held after the end of the House session as required by the Constitution?

But the October 15 election would not take place if Thaksin were around. The writing is on the wall.

Second, Thaksin is trying to convince people the world over that he is a democratic leader, who came to power through democratic means. He portrays any forces going against him or against his attempt to hold a new election as undemocratic. He has some sympathisers, such as The Economist and other foreign media who believe that the electoral process is the Holy Grail of democracy.

This strategy is really aimed at challenging the "charismatic person" to come out in the open. Thaksin has made his winner-take-all gamble.

Third, Thaksin has to be sure of the military support behind him. In the event that the whole country is really stalled in a political deadlock, a military power play is inevitable.

A coup can go either way: supporting Thaksin or overthrowing him. There were rumours earlier that some military factions would like to stage a coup and support Thaksin's return to power. This plot went back to February of this year. Then there were also rumours about an attempt to launch a coup to sack Thaksin and to prevent the April 2 election from taking place. But this attempt was put on hold due to some mishap.

Some people say Thaksin has mustered support from about 80 per cent of key military forces, particularly those in the capital. Others believe that the military forces supporting Thaksin might have already been neutralised.

But the situation is such that we might not have to face a military coup. As Phra Siamthevathiraj is the City God protecting Thailand, there will be a miracle to bring the political crisis to a swift end. Then the Thais will be able to pick up the pieces and look forward to rebuilding the country in the post-Thaksin era.

Source: The Nation - Editorial Opinion - 7 July 2006

[Jai Dee]

A constitution court security guard carries a box with documents from the Attorney-General’s Office yesterday for the election-fraud case against five political parties.

Source: The Nation - 7 July 2006

[Jai Dee]

PAD leaders convene to discuss Sondhi’s views

In a sign that cracks may be forming in the loose alliance formed to push Thai Rak Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra from office, fellow leaders of the People’s Alliance for Democracy yesterday declined to comment on Sondhi Limthongkul’s controversial call for the nation to “take sides” in an alleged dispute between the Palace and the prime minister.

“Sondhi’s press conference [on Wednesday] was the opinion of Khun Sondhi alone and has nothing to do with the PAD,” Suriyasai Katasila, PAD’s spokesman, said in an interview yesterday. “The alliance gives the freedom to every leader to express their opinion. We cannot move forward if we all have to agree on the same thing.”

“The only concern is that we are afraid that right now people cannot separate the agendas of the PAD and the agendas of one of its leaders,” he added. “This is a very delicate issue that we will talk about [today].”

The five core PAD leaders – Sondhi, Buddhist activist Chamlong Srimuang, labor leader Somsak Kosaisuk, democracy advocate Pipop Thongchai and academic Somkiart Pongpaiboon – initially scheduled today’s meeting to discuss whether to hold another mass rally calling for Thaksin’s ouster. But high on the agenda will be Sondhi’s controversial statement two days ago that Thaksin’s reference to a “charismatic” person who sought to topple the government through extra-constitutional means “can be no other than His Majesty the King.”

When contacted yesterday, Pipob declined to comment on Sondhi’s statements, but said that the PAD leaders would discuss them at today’s meeting. Chamlong also refused to comment, saying “it would not be good to do so.”

In its early stages six months ago, PAD joined forces with the outspoken Sondhi in an effort to defeat a common enemy. Chamlong, who had previously targeted his efforts at preventing the maker of Beer Chang from listing on the Stock Exchange of Thailand, abruptly joined the alliance a few weeks later despite the quiet misgivings of core members who questioned the motives of the man who led the Bloody May demonstrations in 1992.

Although the alliance was meant to represent a broad coalition, Sondhi dominated PAD’s mass rallies. The tensions within the group appeared most evident when Sondhi pushed the coalition leaders into calling for a royally appointed prime minister – a position subsequently taken up by the Democrat party.

The PAD factions “were too diffuse, ideologically and politically, to forge a coherent opposition to the Thaksin government,” wrote Kasian Tejapira, a Thammasat University political scientist, in the June edition of the New Left Review. “In the end the only rallying point for these disparate forces was the King. The central demand of Sondhi’s four-month media crusade was a call for the restoration of the Royal Prerogative and the King’s appointment of a new prime minister and cabinet in Thaksin’s place – although, strictly speaking, this would amount to an unconstitutional coup.”

His Majesty said as much on April 25, when he told the top judges that nobody can cite Article 7 of the Constitution and that “asking for a royally appointed prime minister is undemocratic.” But Sondhi has persisted in bringing up the Royal Prerogative, telling reporters the day after the King’s speech that “if someone carries out the King’s action [concerning Article 7], the King will be ready to use it.”

Facing pressure, Sondhi backed down the following day and announced with his fellow PAD leaders that the alliance would drop its calls for a royally appointed prime minister to oversee constitutional changes. The group then lay dormant while the country paused to celebrate His Majesty’s 60 years on the throne, but sprung back to life, along with the sparring political parties, immediately afterward.

Sondhi wasted no time seizing on Thaksin’s provocative comments that a “charismatic” person has conspired to overthrow the government, immediately filing a lawsuit accusing him of dereliction of duty for not taking action against the unnamed person. And then two days ago, in an apparent bid to up the ante against the man he once called the best prime minister ever, Sondhi declared that a war existed between the King and Thaksin and that “civil servants, soldiers and academics” should take sides.

“It’s typical Sondhi,” said Giles Ungpakorn, a political scientist at Chulalongkorn University. “Sondhi is always raising royalist issues. He apparently hasn’t learned the lesson that the King will not appoint a prime minister under Article 7.”

PAD must now grapple with what it stands for – not simply what it stands against. That means deciding whether or not the alliance should continue with its uneasy relationship with Sondhi.

“One of the concerns of many people is that this movement could degenerate into a slanging match where people focus more on legal technicalities than on how to really reform Thai society,” Giles said. “It’s quite clear that lots of people in the PAD leadership feel the time is not right to split with Sondhi, who can draw in people. But all of this going on undervalues the real problems in Thailand.”

Source: ThaiDay - 7 July 2006

[Jai Dee]

Meechai under fire for criticism of PM

Former Senate Speaker Meechai Ruchuphan may face police action for his accusation that caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s refusal to identify the “charismatic” person who is trying to engineer his downfall is a violation of His Majesty the King.

Surapong Tovijakpaikul, the president of the little-known Network of the People’s Power, filed an official complaint against Meechai yesterday with the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) for his stern criticism of Thaksin and for allegedly distorting the context of the premier’s reference to a “charismatic” person.

Filing his complaint with CSD Commander Pol Maj-Gen Winai Thongsong, Surapong accused Meechai of violating Article 112 of the Criminal Code by suggesting the premier had behaved improperly.

Surapong was accompanied by more than 20 supporters to CSD headquarters, all wearing green shirts displaying their group’s logo and waving placards denouncing Meechai.

Meechai, a respected legal expert, posted on his website www.meechaithailand.com Tuesday that Thaksin must publicly identify the “charismatic” person who is outside the constitutional framework that he claimed is meddling in politics and trying to topple him.

By maintaining his silence, Meechai warned that Thaksin may be in violation of His Majesty the King under Article 8 of the Constitution, which stipulates: “The King is in a position of respect and reverence. No one can violate or accuse the King…”

On his website, Meechai said the most charismatic person in the country is His Majesty the King. He also said another charismatic figure is Privy Council President Gen Prem Tinsulanonda, who acts on behalf of the King.

“How can [Thaksin] keep mum?” wrote Meechai. “If he does not clarify who he meant then how can he protect with his life the democratic system with the King as the head of state.”

Since the premier made his controversial speech to a large gathering of public servants last week, Thaksin has steadfastly refused to identify the “charismatic” person.

His silence has prompted a public uproar – even from the normally politically passive aristocratic community.

Sondhi Limthongkul, a core leader of the People’s Alliance for Democracy, alleged that Thaksin’s comments represented a clear challenge to the monarchy.

Despite being quiet for almost a week, the government’s public relations machine finally got into gear on Wednesday in defense of the embattled caretaker premier.

Government spokesman Surapong Suebwonglee claimed that the “charismatic” person is in fact a commoner.

“The premier was referring to a person or a group of persons who have charisma in the social or political fields…who have played a part in the current political crisis,” said Surapong.

Caretaker Agricultural Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan also tried to diffuse the situation yesterday.

“I want to urge all sides to stop interpreting the words of Thaksin,” she said. “It is an attempt to destroy the caretaker prime minister and the TRT by implicating the monarchy.”

Khunying Sudarat also warned that if speculation about the “charismatic” person continued, it could worsen the already bad political situation and even lead to public confrontations.

However, the Democrats supported Meechai’s comments and said the government should come clean.

“Lackeys in the government must stop distorting the words of Thaksin and trying to taint others,” said Democrat party spokesman Ong-art Klampaibul yesterday.

Source: ThaiDay - 7 July 2006

[Jai Dee]

Will it come to 'that'?

Nobody knows for sure, but one of the most sensitive questions in the unfolding political turmoil is no longer being discussed in whispers. The Political Desk takes a look at the possibilities and at how well equipped Thaksin Shinawatra is militarily to survive politically

The eventual survival or demise of Thaksin Shinawatra, the landslide product of Thailand's "democracy", might - just might - be decided by anything but.

Although no one wants to see it happen, the possibility of a military showdown to settle one of the biggest political conflicts in modern Thai history has risen above the "taboo" line. For one thing, Thai politics and the role of the military have been interwoven ever since the 1932 bloodless coup to move from absolute monarchy to democratic rule.

The Kingdom has seen a number of coups, counter-coups and failed attempts to usurp power. Unique in Thai history is that such military intervention can work both ways - to overthrow an elected government or to enable a leader to cling to power.

Since the 1980s, the military has learnt a valuable lesson, with many coup attempts either defeated or forced to abort. The armed forces were not so invincible when faced with the opposition of the people.

When everyone thought the military take-over was a thing of the past, a clique of Chulachomklao Class 5 graduates managed to overthrow the Chatichai Choonhavan government in 1990. This was the last successful coup to date.

A coup of another kind, one staged by the government, has a perfect record of success. In November 1971, the Thanom Kittikhachorn government overthrew itself in order to shut down Parliament and rule by military might.

After the promulgation of the 1997 Constitution, which came into existence following political reforms triggered by the 1992 bloodshed, soldiers kept to their barracks and stopped meddling in politics.

When the Thaksin Shinawatra administration came to power in 2001, democracy was in full bloom. But a subtle gesture took place: Thaksin's former classmates from the Pre-Cadet Class 10 lined up to present the prime minister with a gift of a gold necklace with an amulet.

The gift had to be returned because of a cap on the value of gifts a prime minister can receive, though not before sending out its message loud and clear. The game of dispensing military appointments in exchange for backing the government had resumed once again.

In Thaksin's first term, his former classmates filled many key positions in the armed forces. This coincided with speculation that military officers had to secure his blessing if they wanted to advance their careers.

For the past five years, Thaksin has rigorously denied - but failed to dispel doubts - that he meddled in the annual military reshuffles.

The Pre-Cadet Class 10 and officers seen as close to the Thai Rak Thai Party were placed on the fast-track for promotion, although they did not dominate the combat forces like the old cliques from Chulachomklao Class 5 and Class 7 in the 1980s.

The bottom line was that Thaksin managed to place his military allies in such a way as to ensure his bargaining leverage, but not strongly enough to upset the balance of power in the armed forces, which might have backfired against his government.

After Thaksin won his second term last year, the opposition to his leadership began to gain momentum. In September, he went out of his way to override the list of military rotations drawn up by the Defence Council and pushed for his favourite officers.

In an unprecedented incident, the royal command for the annual reshuffle was stalled until the government amended some key appointments.

Following a compromise, Air Chief Marshal Chalit Pukbhasuk was the dark horse who secured the position of Air Force commander-in-chief.

Thaksin won a consolation prize with the appointment of his former classmate ACM Sukamphon Suwanthat as Air Force chief of staff.

He also had his way in naming Admiral Satirapan Keyanon as Navy commander-in-chief.

At the armed forces' helm, General Ruengroj Mahasaranont was promoted to the position of supreme commander after being handpicked by his predecessor, Gen Chaisit Shinawatra, who is Thaksin's cousin.

Thaksin engineered subtle changes in the Army to ensure the upper hand without attracting too much attention to his meddling.

He promoted Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin to the position of the Army commander-in-chief. Sonthi, a career soldier with a low profile, got his due reward based on merit. This top appointment helped to lessen the visibility of appointments to lesser but crucial posts.

Gen Pornchai Kranlert became the assistant Army commander while Lt-General Anupong Paochinda was elevated as commander of the 1st Army Region. Maj-General Prin Suwanthat filled the position of commander of the 1st Infantry Division.

All former classmates of Thaksin, Pornchai, Anupong and Prin occupy three combat positions proven to be indispensable in any military intervention. The three are seen as staunch allies of the embattled prime minister.

If and when a coup happens, either for or against Thaksin, the stand this trio takes will prove decisive to the outcome.

Pornchai is an artillery officer and has influence over the Army Air Defence Command, including its Anti-Aircraft Artillery Division. This division has a track record of staging both coups and counter-coups.

At the height of the street protests in February, Sonthi abruptly deployed his guards from the special warfare units in Lop Buri, replacing those from the artillery units.

It is noteworthy that Sonthi openly opposed the enforcement of a state of emergency while Pornchai kept mum on the matter. This power play occurred after Thaksin had made it known that he was ready to quell the protests by any means deemed necessary.

Anupong is an infantry officer with deep ties to infantry units in Bangkok as well as crack troops from the Queen's Guard of the 21st Infantry Regiment in Chon Buri.

Prin is from the infantry corps with extensive contacts with the military police from Army Circle 11 with jurisdiction over the capital.

In his present position, he also has the 4th Cavalry Battalion to dispatch armoured vehicles to secure Bangkok's strategic areas.

Last year, he spearheaded a veiled threat of military intervention in a bid to stop street protests organised by anti-Thaksin campaigner Sondhi Limthongkul.

The three Thaksin allies have a decisive say on infantry, artillery and cavalry units that would be needed to seize the capital.

As for other allies, Ruengroj could play a decisive role in securing communications and broadcast channels. Sukamphon could ensure aerial domination, while Satirapan would ensure Thaksin's safety because his house is located within naval jurisdiction.

Despite of the apparent advantage of Thaksin's Pre-Cadet Class 10 officers, the outcome of a military intervention is far from certain. This is because his allies do not have firm support from battalion commanders like in past coups.

Should the military card be played to end the political crisis, Thaksin's supporters and his opponents might not need to stage an outright coup.

For the government camp, military intervention may be deemed necessary only to the extent of allowing Thaksin to overcome political hurdles and contest the new election.

The opposition may have even less need for a coup as Thaksin could be removed from the scene by judicial due process.

The military intervention is likely to be more a show of force via unit mobilisations to force the other side to back down.

Thaksin's allies are expected make the first move to keep the government in power if the prime minister is faced with political demise. And a counter-move, if carried out in haste, might be the trigger to send the situation spiralling out of control.

Source: The Nation - Political Desk - 7 July 2006

[SoCal]

If you have to go around telling people that you are not evil, then chances are...

[Insight]

Devils advocate here, but when he Thaksin initially mentioned “charismatic figure”, what’s the chances he was referring to Shondi? The only counter-argument I can think of is that if he was, he wouldn’t have much reason to hesitate in naming him.

The other reason I say this is because I cringe nowadays when the monarchy is brought into every single political argument that arises. You could easily argue it’s Thaksin’s own fault for being so ambiguous, but it still feels like every chance people get…

Do I need to put the obligatory “no disrespect to the king” statement? I hope not.

[hammered]

Devils advocate here, but when he Thaksin initially mentioned “charismatic figure”, what’s the chances he was referring to Shondi? The only counter-argument I can think of is that if he was, he wouldn’t have much reason to hesitate in naming him.

The other reason I say this is because I cringe nowadays when the monarchy is brought into every single political argument that arises. You could easily argue it’s Thaksin’s own fault for being so ambiguous, but it still feels like every chance people get…

Do I need to put the obligatory “no disrespect to the king” statement? I hope not.

The Thai expression used by Thaksin would never be applied by anyone to Sondhi. It is too honorific. The whole problem Thaksin has caused is precisely because the term can only refer to a handful of people.

[Insight]

Devils advocate here, but when he Thaksin initially mentioned “charismatic figure”, what’s the chances he was referring to Shondi? The only counter-argument I can think of is that if he was, he wouldn’t have much reason to hesitate in naming him.

The other reason I say this is because I cringe nowadays when the monarchy is brought into every single political argument that arises. You could easily argue it’s Thaksin’s own fault for being so ambiguous, but it still feels like every chance people get…

Do I need to put the obligatory “no disrespect to the king” statement? I hope not.

The Thai expression used by Thaksin would never be applied by anyone to Sondhi. It is too honorific. The whole problem Thaksin has caused is precisely because the term can only refer to a handful of people.

Cheers hammered. I didn't hear his original comment, and even if I did I probably wouldn't be able to translate it.