Thaksin's Ex-ministers Jailed Up

[george]

Ex-ministers in custody

BANGKOK: -- Former Prime Minister's Office minister Newin Chidchob and former natural resources and environment minister Yongyuth Tiyapairat were greeted with boos and jeers when they reported to the Council for Democratic Reform (CDR) yesterday. A number of people swarmed around the gate of the army headquarters to observe the situation and apparently wait for the two men, who had been summoned to report by noon yesterday. Both were then detained.

The CDR had ordered the two close aides of deposed caretaker prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to turn themselves in. They were linked with activities to counter movements and activities of Mr Thaksin's opponents before the coup.

Mr Newin, escorted by army police, arrived in a black van around 11.30am and lowered the window to greet waiting reporters when the vehicle approached the gate. But he was greeted with shouts of ''cheat'' and obscenities.

Mr Yongyuth arrived late, at 12.45pm, in a black sedan. As he was about to step out of the car to greet reporters, a group of people hovered around and pounded on the vehicle. Military police intervened and helped him back into the car.

Speaking in a phone interview, Mr Newin said he decided to turn himself in because the CDR was royally endorsed.

The former deputy agriculture minister said he did not feel intimidated or fear being detained. Mr Newin was said to have fled to Singapore after the coup.

Both reportedly asked their relatives to drop off their personal belongings at the army headquarters in the evening.

CDR spokesman Lt-Gen Palangkul Klaharn said yesterday that Mr Newin and Mr Yongyuth would remain in CDR custody until a new civilian government is in place, expected in two weeks.

Army secretary Maj Veeran Chantasartkosol said both men were initially invited to give information and they were also informed of the reasons why they were there. ''We need to detain them here at the army headquarters and take care of them,'' he said.

He said there was no plan to summon other former cabinet ministers.

A military source said Mr Newin and Mr Yongyuth could be charged with illegal assembly posing a threat to national security. Mr Newin, Mr Thaksin's most trusted aide, might also be charged with orchestrating an alleged hoax bomb plot against the former premier, said the source.

Mr Newin is known for his role in creating pro-government media to counter the moves of anti-Thaksin demonstrators, as well as directing criticism at those with differing political viewpoints.

Mr Yongyuth is accused of mobilising forest rangers to confront anti-Thaksin demonstrators who had planned to rally on Sept 20 at the Royal Plaza.

According to the source, Mr Yongyuth fled across the border to Burma and was hiding in a Thai-owned casino opposite Chiang Rai's Chiang Saen district while his houses in Bangkok and northern provinces were raided. Third Army commander Lt-Gen Saprang Kalayanamitr reportedly asked the casino owners, one of whom is a relative of a former Chart Thai MP, not to provide shelter to Mr Yongyuth and to talk him into turning himself in.

The former minister reportedly flew from Chiang Rai to Bangkok yesterday.

Troops searched his house in Mae Chan and Muang districts and took control of forestry units in several northern provinces. Forestry helicopters were ordered grounded. The army also demanded 35 HK-33 assault rifles from the 13th forestry conservation office in Lampang. Chiang Rai and Phayao forestry offices reportedly will hand over 156 and 176 HK rifles, respectively, to the army.

Earlier, the army demanded back more than 1,000 assault rifles loaned to forest rangers under the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department.

Meanwhile, Chidchai Wannasathit and Prommin Lertsuridej were reportedly transferred from the army headquarters to the Supreme Command's Armed Forces Security Centre (AFSC).

Former Thai Rak Thai MP Veera Musikapong yesterday asked to see both of them, but permission was denied.

Mr Veera quoted AFSC commander Vaipoj Srinuan, who was last night appointed by the CDR as director of the National Intelligence Agency, as saying that they were in AFSC custody but not in the compound.

Mr Veera said Lt-Gen Vaipoj assured him the two were being treated well.

Pol Gen Chidchai did not want any visitors.

--Bangkok Post 2006-09-22

[Jai Dee]

CDRM confirms that four former ministers are under good care

The Council of Democratic Reform under the Constitutional Monarchy (CDRM) Chairman, Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratglin (สนธิ บุญยรัตกลิน), has confirmed that four former ministers under the administration of ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra are under good protection, and they will be released soon.

Gen. Sonthi said that former deputy prime minister Chitchai Wannasathit (ชิดชัย วรรณสถิตย์), ex-prime minister’s secretary-general Prommin Lertsuridej (พรหมินทร์ เลิศสุริย์เดช), former ministers Yongyut Tiyapairat (ยงยุทธ ติยะไพรัช) and Newin Chidchob (เนวิน ชิดชอบ) have been confined within the army headquarters. He said the army has treated them well, and their relatives can visit them at the base.

Gen. Sonthi said no accusation has been made against them.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 26 September 2006