Crackdown On Anti-Thaksin Movement

[Jai Dee]

TRT in Chiang Mai issue warning to PAD

Thai Rak Thai members in Chiang Mai sarcastically warned of safety for the People's Alliance Democracy members who planned to visit the province to stage a mass rally.

They said they "welcome" the PAD's planned visit to Chiang Mai even if they are going there to rally against caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

"PAD are welcomed to our province but we are worried about their safety. At present, many groups of people have submitted letter to PAD through us. They said if PAD want to cause chaos in the province, they would surely be met with strong opposition," said Surapong Toewijakchaikul, who planned to run for TRT in the next election.

Surapong was a former Democrat MP for Chiang Mai.

Speaking at a press briefing at the TRT's Chiang Mai office, Surapong said 11 civic groups have sent notes to his office to express objection on the planned visit of PAD to the province.

"The groups wish to pass messages to PAD that they should not try to instigate conflicts among Chiang Mai people," he said.

Surapong also demanded for Pracharaj Party leader Sanoh Thientong and Mahachon leader Sanan Kajornprasert to apologise as they alleged as a hoax the alleged assassination against Thaksin.

Source: The Nation - 6 September 2006

[Siripon]

Who's left with Thaksin? Apart from Newin and Sudarat, 3 ex AIS-employees: Somkit, Surapong and Prommin, but not the Surapong in the above post.

The Surapong,ex- Democrat MP mentioned above, is typical of the 'planets' who rely on the 'sun' of Thaksin to survive. Like the 'doctor' in Udon they have to whip up local Thaksin fervour to justify their worth, otherwise they are nothing.

What nonsense is their talk of 'chaos'?

What violent actions have the PAD ever done?

Scared, scared of revelations they can't refute, they resort to ill concealed threats.

If they're so sure of being right,0 let The Great leader debate on stage with Aphisit,etc. OK?

[Ricardo]

This shows exactly how committed TRT/Thaksin are, to reconciliation and respect of constitutional democracy, and also how frightened they are, of the slightest display of opposition in what they fondly regard as a rock-solid home-territory.

But the truth is, not everybody in Chiang Mai supports our acting caretaker unemployed PM, because they can see his mega-projects turning into white elephants, and rising debts and problems for the poor people in the villages.

On his last visit 'home', a small anti-protest at the airport was swiftly escorted away, but since then we have seen the attacks on women & old men & a 5-year-old child in Bangkok. Also the instruction to the provincial governors not to let the PAD hold any peaceful rallies, on pain of the PM's extreme displeasure.

So how will the police or brown/black-shirts respond, to the inevitable small welcome, next time he come to his home town ? And if they are exercising their democratic right to support any other party than TRT, rather than the PAD, will the police still enforce their right to peaceful protest or free expression ? All this to be during an election campaign.

Can this election ever be free & fair, unless Thaksin steps down, or starts to reprimand publicly his party-members for making provocative comments like these ?

Which is not very likely.

[John K]

TRT in Chiang Mai issue warning to PAD

Thai Rak Thai members in Chiang Mai sarcastically warned of safety for the People's Alliance Democracy members who planned to visit the province to stage a mass rally.

They said they "welcome" the PAD's planned visit to Chiang Mai even if they are going there to rally against caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

"PAD are welcomed to our province but we are worried about their safety. At present, many groups of people have submitted letter to PAD through us. They said if PAD want to cause chaos in the province, they would surely be met with strong opposition," said Surapong Toewijakchaikul, who planned to run for TRT in the next election.

Surapong was a former Democrat MP for Chiang Mai.

Speaking at a press briefing at the TRT's Chiang Mai office, Surapong said 11 civic groups have sent notes to his office to express objection on the planned visit of PAD to the province.

"The groups wish to pass messages to PAD that they should not try to instigate conflicts among Chiang Mai people," he said.

Surapong also demanded for Pracharaj Party leader Sanoh Thientong and Mahachon leader Sanan Kajornprasert to apologise as they alleged as a hoax the alleged assassination against Thaksin.

Source: The Nation - 6 September 2006

General Translation;

PAD, We don’t like you to come here because you tell the truth. We don’t like the truth. The truth cost us votes and we will need to pay more money to buy them back. Stay away the truth is bad for us. We may hit and hurt you first and blame you for starting the fight. We don’t care what the judge says. We will do what we want and blame you. We are spending a lot of money to make the people think we are good and caring. We block the truth in the news we don’t like. They don’t know because Thaksin is smart. Money is good, it makes our mouths move as Thaksin’s does.

We like to be MPs again. It is a easy job with good money. We don’t need to think, Thaksin tells us what to do and how to vote. We don’t argue with him because Thaksin is smart, he is the only important one. We are only his helpers, the same as a buffalo is a helper for a farmer. We just vote for what Thaksin wants and get paid, and we do it fast. There is no need to debate or discuss how to vote, Thaksin has decided for us. We are very efficient. What took days before to debate and do in parliament, we now do in minutes. Thaksin likes that, it makes him happy.

[sriracha john]

Additional information on updated article:

TRT 'concerned for PAD's safety'

Meanwhile, PAD co-ordinator Suriyasai Katasila warned Thaksin's supporters against opposing the PAD's campaign in Chiang Mai, saying such actions would hurt the PM rather than help him because they would show how Thaksin has divided the country.

"Warning us not to go to Chiang Mai shows that Thaksin is the PM of Chiang Mai people only. This would cause people in other provinces, particularly in the South, to oppose Thaksin even more. In the end, Thaksin will not be able to go to those provinces and will not run the whole country. Thailand may end up being like Cambodia, which used to have two PMs."

Apart from Chiang Mai, the PAD also plans to organise anti-Thaksin activities in Sanam Luang and the northeastern province of Buri Ram, which is a stronghold of PM's Office Minister Newin Chidchob, Thaksin's close aide.

The PAD says the timeframe and activities for the campaign have not yet been decided on, but the PAD would avoid confrontations.

- The Nation

[sriracha john]

Sondhi asks Prem to help halt Thaksin regime

Sondhi Limthongkul, a leading member of the People's Alliance for Democracy, Wednesday submitted a petition to Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda, urging him to help stop the Thaksin regime.

The petition was submitted to an aide of Prem at his residence.

Source: The Nation - 6 September 2006

The Oh-My-Gosh-This-Is-So-Unusual-I'm-Completely-Shocked response:

Thaksin to file criminal lawsuit against Sondhi

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra will file a criminal suit against publisher Sondhi Limthongkul, charging him with defaming his character in the open letter he submitted to Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda yesterday. Mr Sondhi yesterday submitted the letter to Gen Prem through his secretary with messages exposing what he called ''the Thaksin regime''. Thai Rak Thai legal expert Vichit Plangsrisakul said the letter damaged Mr Thaksin's reputation. The TRT party was also considering filing another lawsuit against Mr Sondhi for remarks which were deemed to have put Thai Rak Thai at a disadvantage ahead of the general election. ''Mr Sondhi's action could make the party lose popularity and votes,'' he said.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/07Sep2006_news07.php

[Jai Dee]

TRT executive member refused to comment on criticisms saying that some countries get involved in creating turbulence against PM

Thai Rak Thai Party (TRT) executive member Sutham Saengpratum (สุธรรม แสงประทุม) declined to comment on the claim that people who lost benefits from Asia Bond were involved in creating turbulence against Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

According to Natural Resources and Environment Minister Yongyut Tiyapairat’s (ยงยุทธ ติยะไพรัช) disclosure, certain powerful foreign people that could not gain advantages from Asia Bond were taking part in an attempt to do harm to the Prime Minister.

However, Mr. Sutham refused to discuss this issue. However, he said it is a fact that every country is trying to gain benefits.

Meanwhile, the premier would like to see foreign countries, including Asean members, to work together and compete under the regulation.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 07 September 2006

[sriracha john]

Intimidation campaign against PAD

Threats against the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) have forced it to consider cancelling a Chiang Mai rally later this month.

Fears of clashes with supporters of caretaker Premier Thaksin Shinawatra came amid an alleged "hate" campaign against PAD leaders.

Suriyan Thongnu-iad, a leading member of the Alliance, said the group would probably hold panel discussions and public meetings to replace the rally.

"However, we will never call off our campaign in Chiang Mai."

Uthaiwan Kanchanakamol, a leader of the People's Alliance for Political Reform in the North, said yesterday threatening propaganda had been posted on the old city walls.

The smear campaign would only harm Chiang Mai's polite and friendly image, he said.

Community radio stations were receiving calls warning the planned rally could face violent opposition.

Some radio hosts criticised the PAD and its leaders as troublemakers.

Former Democrat candidate for Chiang Mai Chakrawan Wannawong said the campaign was similar to one leading to attacks by angry mobs during a party rally at Chiang Mai University ahead of the April election.

- The Nation

[Hermano Lobo]

TRT in Chiang Mai issue warning to PAD

Thai Rak Thai members in Chiang Mai sarcastically warned of safety for the People's Alliance Democracy members who planned to visit the province to stage a mass rally.

They said they "welcome" the PAD's planned visit to Chiang Mai even if they are going there to rally against caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

"PAD are welcomed to our province but we are worried about their safety. At present, many groups of people have submitted letter to PAD through us. They said if PAD want to cause chaos in the province, they would surely be met with strong opposition," said Surapong Toewijakchaikul, who planned to run for TRT in the next election.

Surapong was a former Democrat MP for Chiang Mai.

Speaking at a press briefing at the TRT's Chiang Mai office, Surapong said 11 civic groups have sent notes to his office to express objection on the planned visit of PAD to the province.

"The groups wish to pass messages to PAD that they should not try to instigate conflicts among Chiang Mai people," he said.

Surapong also demanded for Pracharaj Party leader Sanoh Thientong and Mahachon leader Sanan Kajornprasert to apologise as they alleged as a hoax the alleged assassination against Thaksin.

Source: The Nation - 6 September 2006

General Translation;

PAD, We don’t like you to come here because you tell the truth. We don’t like the truth. The truth cost us votes and we will need to pay more money to buy them back. Stay away the truth is bad for us. We may hit and hurt you first and blame you for starting the fight. We don’t care what the judge says. We will do what we want and blame you. We are spending a lot of money to make the people think we are good and caring. We block the truth in the news we don’t like. They don’t know because Thaksin is smart. Money is good, it makes our mouths move as Thaksin’s does.

We like to be MPs again. It is a easy job with good money. We don’t need to think, Thaksin tells us what to do and how to vote. We don’t argue with him because Thaksin is smart, he is the only important one. We are only his helpers, the same as a buffalo is a helper for a farmer. We just vote for what Thaksin wants and get paid, and we do it fast. There is no need to debate or discuss how to vote, Thaksin has decided for us. We are very efficient. What took days before to debate and do in parliament, we now do in minutes. Thaksin likes that, it makes him happy.

Brilliant John, Brilliant !

Edited September 8, 2006 by Hermano Lobo

[sriracha john]

Interior Minister says illegal businesses fund PAD

Interior Ministry to investigate threatening banners as Sondhi says anti-Thaksin rallies will go on as planned

Operators of illegal businesses such as the underground lottery have provided financial support to the anti-government movement and to an alleged attempt to bring down the Thaksin administration, caretaker Interior Minister Kongsak Wantana said yesterday.

uhmmm... any proof of that?

He said people whose underground businesses had been affected by government policies had pooled funds to support anti-government groups like the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

errrr... any proof of that?

Kongsak said his ministry was gathering a list of the alleged sponsors of the anti-Thaksin movement. Kongsak also said he was looking into banners threatening the PAD that had suddenly appeared around Chiang Mai ahead of the group's planned public rally later this month.

"If the banners are found to be against the law, I will order them to be taken down in order to prevent a further rift," he said.

Responding to Kongsak's allegations, Sondhi Limthongkul - a leader of the PAD - said he normally did not pay much attention to propaganda. He said the PAD would definitely go ahead with rallies in Chiang Mai and Buri Ram despite a campaign against the group in the northern city.

Suriyasai Katasila, the PAD's coordinator, described Kongsak's claims as a bid to discredit the group's anti-Thaksin campaign in Chiang Mai.

Suriyasai did not rule out the possibility that people with underground businesses had taken part in the PAD's campaign. He said the authorities should arrest such people if they had done anything illegal, instead of trying to link them to the anti-Thaksin movement.

Suriyasai also denounced the ongoing "hate" campaign in Chiang Mai against the PAD and its leaders. "It's pathetic," he said.

He said the PAD's planned rally in the city would take place as planned despite the thinly veiled threats that have surfaced.

"There have been no changes in the plan. If necessary, to ensure security, we may ask the Chiang Mai governor if we can hold our rally outside the Provincial Hall," he said.

Meanwhile, Thanawat Chaiyawut, a leader of the pro-Thaksin group Lai Khued (Scaring Away Evils), said the group opposed the PAD coming to Chiang Mai because it was concerned that its campaign could adversely affect Royal Flora Ratchaphruek 2006, which is to be held in the city later this year.

Uaychai Watha, secretary-general of the Assembly of Northeastern People, which is allied with the PAD, said yesterday that the PAD rally in Buri Ram would go ahead as planned.

He expects at least 5,000 people from 10 northeastern provinces to join the event, which has yet to be scheduled.

- The Nation

Edited September 9, 2006 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

UPDATE

NO LAWS BROKEN

Charges against PAD for mass street protests to be dropped

Prosecutors plan to drop all charges against publisher and commentator Sondhi Limthongkul and 15 other former leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) for organising street protests to oust then prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Sermkiart Woradit, director-general of Criminal Litigation Department, yesterday said his working group had studied the police investigation report against Mr Sondhi and other defendants, and decided it was a basic right of the people to stage peaceful rallies. Mr Sondhi and 15 other demonstrators were charged with threatening national security, unlawfully staging demonstrations, obstructing traffic and using loudspeakers without permission. The prosecution decided to drop all charges against the defendants because Thailand had no specific laws to limit the right to peaceful gatherings and that traffic and noise control regulations could not be used to limit the right to peaceful rallies by unarmed people.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/02Feb2007_news11.php

[Jai Dee]

Prosecutors decided not to prosecute PAD

Mr. Sermkiart Woradit, the director-general for criminal litigation, stated that his team of prosecutors has decided not to take legal action against Mr. Sonthi Limthongkul, one of the leaders of the People’s Alliance for Democracy, and 16 other people for allegedly organizing a political gathering to abolish the democratic regime.

Mr. Sermkiart said the team of prosecutors has a resolution not to prosecute Mr. Sonthi and 16 other individuals on six charges that were carried out from January 13th to March 30th 2006 because the demonstrations were conducted peacefully without using weapons. He said they also needed to use amplifiers since many people joined the rally, and the Land Traffic Act and other regulations could not be applied on this case.

Mr. Sermkiart said the team of prosecutors’ decision will be proposed to the Royal Thai Police commissioner-general, Pol. Gen. Kowit Wattana.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 02 February 2007

[sriracha john]

Charges against PAD dropped

The Office of the Attorney-General yesterday dropped charges against 16 key members of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) related to their part in last year's rallies to oust former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

It said their actions were in line with rights enshrined in the 1997 charter.

Attorney Sermkiat Woradit said his office decided to drop six charges against PAD members, including Sondhi Limthongkul, over allegations they had undermined state order by causing violence and abusing Thaksin. The office concluded that the PAD members had the right to hold peaceful rallies under the charter.

From February 4 to March 30 last year, unarmed demonstrators from all walks of life utilised their right to protest to oust Thaksin because they had lost faith in his administration, Sermkiat said. The rallies never turned violent, he added.

Although the rallies caused traffic jams as they moved through main streets, the situation remained - for the most part - under control, he said.

Along with Sondhi, PAD leaders charged included Chamlong Srimuang, Chirmsak Pinthong, Suriyasai Katasila, Karun Sai-ngam, Rosana Tositrakul and Sirichai Mai-ngam.

The Nation