De rode T-shirts

Thailand Het laatste Thailand nieuws
1

Red shirts give three ultimatums

15-DAY ULTIMATUM TO TRANSFER KASIT, DISSOLVE HOUSE, ACT AGAINST PAD

By: Apinya Wipatayotin and Manop Thip-Osod Published: 1/02/2009 at 12:00 AM Newspaper section: NewsThe United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) yesterday demanded Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva remove Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, dissolve the House and take action against its rival People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

RED POWER: A crowd of red-clad supporters of the anti-government United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship turned up at Sanam Luang yesterday to demand the Democrat-led coalition government dissolve parliament and call another general election.

The call was made at the UDD’s first major rally since the Democrat party-led government took office a month ago.
Ignoring their demands would lead to more protests by the group, which has close connections to the opposition Puea Thai party and former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, UDD leaders said.
UDD leader Jatuporn Prompan set a 15-day deadline for the prime minister to comply with its demands.
The group, which started its rally at Sanam Luang, began marching towards Government House about 10pm last night.
After being stopped by police lines at Makkawan bridge on Rajdamnoen Nok Avenue, the group managed to push through security forces and reached the main gate of Government House shortly before midnight to allow its leaders to declare their demands.
The rally drew about 20,000 supporters, including many who travelled to the capital from other provinces, mostly the North and Northeast, political strongholds of the Puea Thai party.
Puea Thai was formed after the People Power party (PPP), Matchimathipataya and Chart Thai parties were disbanded by the Constitution Court on Dec 2 for election fraud.

The UDD has criticised the foreign minister for being an ally of the PAD as he regularly appeared on stage at PAD rallies and attacked the previous government backed by Thaksin.
Since Mr Abhisit took office, the UDD has challenged him to take action against the PAD for blocking Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, which damaged the economy and scared away tourists.
The PAD ended the airport closures after the court’s ruling on the three political parties, which set the stage for the Democrats to form a new alliance and take power.
Jakrapob Penkair, another UDD leader, said the demonstration’s main goal was to restore democracy in the country. The group argues the coalition government is not entitled to run the country.

Weng Tojirakarn, who is also chairman of the Confederation for Democracy, attacked the armed forces for failing to take legal action against PAD supporters, who he said broke the law during their six-month rallies which culminated in the occupation of Government House and the two airports.
Police deployed 5,000 officers, including border patrol police, to prevent UDD supporters getting inside the Government House compound.
Police were unarmed and did not carry tear gas, according to Metropolitan police chief Pol Lt-Gen Suchart Muankaew, who was in charge of the operation and the key decision-maker in negotiating with the demonstrators.
The police carried only equipment to protect themselves, he said.
Inside the Government House area, police from the Special Branch were in control.
Firetrucks from the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration were inside the compound and a unit of soldiers with no weapons were on standby at the Santi Maitree building.

Bron: Bangkok post.

2

Respect the law, Abhisit tells |red shirts

By The Nation
Published on February 16, 2009
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Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday warned the red-shirted protesters to respect the law when they hold a mass rally at Government House next week.

Leaders of the red-shirted movement vowed to besiege the Government House complex on February 24 to pressure the government to resign or dissolve the House.

Asked to comment on the threat, Abhisit said the protesters could demonstrate as long as they did not break the laws.

“If they don’t break the law, their rally could be prolonged,” the prime minister said.

Asked if he was worried by the timing of the protest near the Asean summit, Abhisit replied that the government expected it.

“The officials concerned have been prepared to cope with the protest. We will try to reach an understanding with the demonstrators and the general members of the public,” Abhisit said.

"The country has moved forward quite far. And it is very important for us to show that Thailand is ready to become Asean chairman and to host the Asean summit. The readiness will have significant impact on the efforts to tackle the economic crisis and to solve the people’s problems. I would like all sides to realise this point.

“I understand well that people with different opinions would like to express their opinions or raise their demands. But please refrain from causing damage to the national interest.”

Abhisit shrugged off the latest threat by former prime minister**Thaksin Shinawatra**to step up his fight for justice.

In a phone-in message to his supporters Saturday night, Thaksin said he would rather die than give up.

“He said nothing new and I’ll focus on the government’s duty to solve the people’s problems,” Abhisit said, when asked to comment on Thaksin’s phone-in.

Abhisit said Thaksin’s message could not cause him to be worried or distract from his works.

“I have a responsibility to run the country. Anyone can talk about his problems but his problems are not the works of the government. The government must instead give priority to problems of the entire country,” Abhisit said.

Asked whether he would order security agencies to monitor the movements of Thaksin, Abhisit replied: “They have a duty to do it. Anyone who breaks the law must be brought to justice.”

Meanwhile, General Somjet Boonthanom, former secretary general of the Council for National Security, said no one would assassinate Thaksin but would let him live to suffer.
“If he is assassinated, all the suffering will be gone. Let him live long to pay for his karma. A person like Thaksin must live with suffering throughout his life,” Somjet said.

Bron: The Nation

3

INTERVIEW
Red shirts fighting for ‘genuine democracy’

By Samatcha Hoonsara
The Nation
Published on February 16, 2009

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Now that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has vowed to fight his opponents till the end, Natthawut Saikua, a programme host on DTV satellite TV, gives an interview to The Nation’s Samatcha Hoonsara, saying the entire country will definitely turn red.

How ready are the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship and red-shirted people for waging war?
We are not worried about numbers. The number of red-shirted people is increasing every day. We have several channels of communication, such as DTV, which invites red-shirted people from all provinces to talk on TV. Each rally will have more demonstrators than a rally of the People’s Alliance for Democracy, and the entire country will turn red. Those who will attend our rallies love democracy and are liberal people who will not take orders from anyone. I am confident that we are now on the right path.
Will** DAAD make parallel moves with those of the Pheu Thai Party. Where will the two converge?
Such a convergence may or may not happen because the DAAD aims not only to topple the government but also to destroy the influential power beyond the Constitutional Monarchy. So, the government is only the first milestone for the red-shirted people. If the government is brought down, the DAAD will continue the campaign until genuine democracy returns to the country.
Some members of society see the red shirts **as fighting for Thaksin instead?

First, for the red-shirted people, former prime minister** Thaksin Shinawatra is the symbol of democracy in which the people’s power was used for the benefits of the society. There has never been such a leader in Thai politics so the masses have faith in him. And now, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is copying the methods of Thaksin.
Second, Thaksin has not received justice because his government was toppled by the power outside the system. That power abused the judicial process to persecute him. The red-shirted people believe the penalties against Thaksin were unjustified because his opponents were appointed to investigate him.
Society suspects the red shirts **receive orders and financial support from Thaksin?

This is an old allegation that has existed since the September 19 coup. If the** red shirts are regarded as having received support from Thaksin, the Democrat Party should also be regarded as supporting the PAD.
Thaksin now has financial difficulties because his assets are frozen. Despite this situation, the number of DAAD members keeps rising. Political analysts should open their eyes and should visit our rallies to see them with their own eyes. The red shirts have gone beyond the issue of the former prime minister. Even if Thaksin halts his political role and takes refuge on Mars, the DAAD will not disband until we get real democracy.
Have Thaksin and his aides taken care of the expenses of the red shirts?
No, I affirm. I held fairs to sell goods and we saved the profits as funds for future campaigns. Some income came from donations of anonymous people and many ordinary people in provinces, who don’t like what happened during the past three years. Even judges joined our rallies.
Members of the Shinawatra and Damapong families and former Thai Rak Thai executives, who are close to Thaksin, also joined in rallies. So, how could you deny the DAAD has not received support from Thaksin?
These people have faith in our campaigns and they don’t like the power outside the system. They have their rights to agree or disagree with us. The DAAD was born because of the existence of the CNS [Council for National Security] and the red-shirted people were born because of the existence of the yellow-shirted people.
Will the red shirts **be able to fight?

Definitely. We may take a long time and a lot of patience but we are on the right path and we will not lose.

We will not use the same methods as the PAD. We’ll build a different democracy than that of the PAD, which is bent on destroying.
Our way prompted the people, who have faith in Thaksin, to join us because they could not tolerate some people who received non-democratic power interfering in democracy.
An important goal of the red-shirted people is to bring Thaksin back to the country, isn’t it?
We want the former prime minister to return to defend himself in a genuine justice system, not the current justice system.
How will you achieve the goal?
I repeat we must first bring down this government. This is our first goal. Then, we will take care of the power outside the system. Then, justice and democracy will return to the country.

Bron: The Nation

4

Yellow shirts to ‘invade’ red bastions

**PAD TO RALLY IN NORTHERN UDD BASES **

By: POST REPORTERS Published: 15/02/2009 at 12:00 AM Newspaper section: NewsThe People’s Alliance for Democracy will “invade” political strongholds of its opponents to stamp out the influence of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, its leaders say.

GOING NOWHERE: Police put up barbed wire around a PAD rally venue in Udon Thani.

Speaking to a PAD rally in Udon Thani yesterday, PAD key leader Sondhi Limthongkul said rallies would be held next in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, probably in May.
The two provinces strongly support Thaksin.
Udon Thani is a key political base of the PAD’s rivals, the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship, and the Puea Thai party.
The UDD held a rally of its own in the northeastern province yesterday, but neither side came to blows.
The PAD pulled a crowd of about 15,000 yellow-shirted members from across the country. They gathered at Nong Prachaksilakhom park, where six months earlier a PAD supporter was killed by red-shirted UDD members in a clash.
Mr Sondhi said people in Thaksin’s political strongholds in the North and Northeast had been brainwashed into thinking the PAD was against the monarchy.
“We have the basic right to go everywhere we want. The PAD gathering in the provinces will boost the people’s morale and strengthen their love for the nation and the monarchy,” he told the crowd.
About 2,000 police were deployed to prevent any further clashes between the PAD and UDD members.
About 3,000 red-shirted UDD supporters held a peaceful demonstration of their own at the local airport, then moved on to the township of Udon Thani.
Kittisak Hattahsongkroh, a Puea Thai MP, said the PAD was trying to humiliate his party and the UDD.
His party helped the Democrat party form the government, but decided not to resort to violent measures to oust the PAD.
In Bangkok, the UDD said it would keep up its rally until the government agrees to its demands, including dissolving the House.
UDD leader Jatuporn Prompan said the next demonstration could be held on Feb 24, starting at Sanam Luang and marching on to Government House.
Speaking at a Chinese banquet to raise funds for the group, he denied members would lay siege to Government House.
The last major demonstration by the UDD, on Jan 31, drew 20,000 demonstrators.
It dispersed after leaders posted their demands in front of Government House. They want the government to take legal action against PAD members who forced the closure of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, sack Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, amend the charter, then dissolve the House.
The UDD’s fund-raising event yesterday at Wat Phai Khiew in Don Muang district attracted 20,000 supporters.
The highlight was a phone-in from Thaksin, who said he would rather die than lose his fight for fairness.
“I will fight side by side with you. I will not give up until fairness and democracy return to the country,” he said.
Police were biased, he said. They took care of rallies organised by the PAD but tried to prevent his supporters from holding their own gathering, he said.

Bron: Bangkok post.

5

Pheu Thai alleges 10,000 soldiers, police to be deployed control red-shirted protesters

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Pheu Thai Party spokesman Prompong Noppharit Monday alleged that the government has ordered some 10,000 soldiers and policemen to be on stand by to control red-shirted demonstrators next week.

Prompong claimed that he had verified the information and found that the police and soldier forces would be deployed to control the demonstrators at Sanam Luang on February 24.

He said the government had to inform the public who gave the order for the deployment of police and soldiers.

The spokesman said the order must be cancelled as it was unjustified for the government to deploy a huge number of security forces to deal with the protesters, which could result in deaths and injuries.

Bron: The Nation

6

Pheu Thai questioning govt’s plan to boost security

By Naya Jaikawang
THE NATION
Published on February 17, 2009

Pheu Thai Party called on the government to clarify the reasoning behind plans to dispatch 10,000 military and police officers to control the anti-government rally next Tuesday.

Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit and Chiang Mai MP Surapong Towijakchaikul said at a press conference yesterday that the military and police officers had been ordered to get ready for the red-shirted anti-government protesters.

Prompong said he wanted to find out whether the government was panicking out of fear that the red-shirts would siege Government House like the People’s Alliance for Democracy did. He said the government should not be using officers as political tools because the rally is meant to be a peaceful one anyway.

In a related development, Pheu Thai MP Jatuporn Promphan - an anti-government group leader - said red-shirt protesters would be meeting at Sanam Luang at 9am before marching to Government House an hour later. However, he said he had heard that security officials have been told to use road rollers, instead of police trucks, to block protesters.

Jaran Ditapichai, another red-shirt protest leader, attacked the government yesterday for its policies and measures to solve the country’s economic problems. At a press conference, Jaran said the red-shirts would rally at Sanam Luang from Thursday to Saturday, and share their thoughts on how they are suffering from the government’s inefficiency.

Another anti-government leader Natthawut Sai-kua said he had found some irregularities in the military’s Bt2-billion budget, which according to a document, had been categorised in a manner that smacked of political intent.
“I believe that the Bt2 billion is a collaboration between the government and the military, who claim they are using the money to promote a sufficient economy when actually it’s being used to fight opposing masses,” he said.
…

Bron: The Nation

7

**Thaksinites see red over rallies **

By: POST REPORTERS The red shirts say plans by the People’s Alliance for Democracy to “invade” Thaksin Shinawatra’s political strongholds could backfire.
They will only strengthen the former prime minister’s fan base, leaders of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) said yesterday.
The UDD leaders said the PAD was trying to engineer confrontations and escalate political divisions.
“The presence of yellow shirts in our bastions will stir up residents’ hatred of the PAD and prompt them to move forcefully to express their discontent,” predicted UDD leader Jatuporn Prompan.
On Saturday, PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul announced during a PAD gathering in Udon Thani, a stronghold of red shirts in the Northeast, that the PAD would hold gatherings in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai in May to further stamp out the influence of Thaksin in his strongholds.
Mr Jatuporn dismissed the PAD’s claim that its Udon Thani gathering was a victory.
He said most of the PAD demonstrators who turned out for the rally came from other provinces. He believed most Udon Thani people were still against the PAD.
“No matter what the PAD does, the red shirts will remain on our side. It’s impossible to change their mind.” Mr Jatuporn said.
PAD’s strategy to invade Thaksin’s political bases was not intended to target red shirts, but send a message to the government, he said. “The PAD is trying to show the government that they are still powerful and that it should comply with their demands.”
Jeeranant Chatawong, leader of the UDD in Chiang Rai, said her group would hold a counter-rally if the PAD turns up.
In July last year, the red shirts disrupted a PAD-organised political forum by rallying at Chiang Rai airport to prevent PAD speakers from reaching the venue.
They also attacked the homes of PAD supporters in Chiang Rai with stones and fireworks.
The UDD yesterday gathered in Lampang’s Ko Kha district to listen to speeches by their leaders.
They also announced plans for a three-day rally at Sanam Luang in Bangkok from Feb 19 to 21 in the lead-up to a bigger demonstration on Feb 24.
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Bron: Bangkok Post

8

Rite seeks to absolve Thaksin of ‘past life bad karma’

By The Nation
Published on February 18, 2009

Ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra’s supporters held a rite at a Chiang Mai temple yesterday aimed at correcting “his sins in the past life” that were believed to have resulted in his bad karma.

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The rite, a combination of animism, voodoo and Buddhism, was performed by the abbot of Wat Umong and eight other monks, as well as a pro-Thaksin trance medium. It was presided over by General Chaisit Shinawatra, Thaksin’s cousin and former supreme commander of the armed forces.

His supporters expected the Lanna-style ceremony to help relieve Thaksin of bad luck and ward off evil coming his way. About 300 people took part in the rite.

A large framed photo of Thaksin was placed on a stand at the venue. The fugitive ex-leader was unable to attend as he has fled abroad and lives in self-imposed exile.

A woman in her 50s, who is from the pro-Thaksin Rak Chiang Mai 51 group, acted as a trance medium.

She announced that in his previous life, Thaksin was a local warrior king who committed sins by killing his Burmese enemies and taking their money and Buddha images. The sins were said to be having a negative effects on Thaksin in his current life.

Offerings in the forms of coins, meat, rice, liquor and fruit were ceremoniously presented to an ancient Burmese king, before a Buddha statue.

Thaksin’s supporters also included the naming of his political enemies - coup leader General Sonthi Boonyaratglin and People’s Alliance for Democracy co-leader** Sondhi Limthongkul** - in the superstitious rite. It was supposed that the evil warded off from the former premier would be directed at them instead.
Chaisit, Thaksin’s cousin, rejected a report that Thaksin “needed” the rite because he was ill. He said the rite was in fact aimed at “clearing off all the past sins” for Thaksin.

Bron: The Nation

9

PM worries over Thai image as ‘Red Shirts’ set to rally

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**Prime Minsiter Abhisit Vejjajeva said Friday he is concerned that the planned rally by red Shirt protesters during the 14th Asean Summit could tarnish the kingdom’s image. **

He however remained confident that the government will avoid violence.

Thailand is set to host the leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN Summit) at the seaside resort of Hua Hin February 26- March 1.

The protesters who are loyal to runaway ex-PM** Thaksin Shinawatra **will rally Tuesday to pressure the Democrat-led coalition government with a four-point list of demands.

They demands the coalition government take legal action against the the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), sack Foreign Affairs Minister Kasit Piromya and to either amend the present Constitution or dissolve the current House of Representatives.

Abhisit told reporters before leaving for Jakarta that the protesters should carry out their activities within the legal boundary and some of their demands including the prosecution of** PAD’s **leaders and political reform were going on.

The protesters were within its rights to protest and the government has the duty to maintain law and order, but they had to observe the law.

He believed Deputy Prime Minsiter** Suthep Thaugsuban **who was in charge of the security matter could take care of the protest.

“What concerns me most is the violence and the country’s image. I don’t want either side to use violence and do not want the country to be (burdened) with a negative image. What the government has been trying to do during the past two months is to restore confidence in the country, and it has had positive results. I don’t want to see the country step backward to be in a similar situation just like last year,” he said.

Bron: The Nation

10

Red-shirts: We’re more than Thaksin stooges

By PRAVIT ROJANAPHRUK
THE NATION ON SUNDAY
Published on February 22, 2009

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The prevailing belief that all red-shirt supporters of the pro-Thaksin Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DAAD) are an under-educated mob paid by the ousted former-premier-turned-convicted fugitive ignores the fact that a small but growing number of red-shirts are very well educated and worldly. And they may bring new life to the movement beyond the issue of whether the group merely fights for Thaksin.

Meet James, a fictitious name for one brain behind the network of well-educated red-shirts. When The Nation met James yesterday, this middle-aged Thai who spent much of his adult life in the US didn’t even bother wearing red. He argued that his network was made up of many cells and at least 400 well-educated people who are fairly well off and willing to fight for democracy.

“We’re not snobbish: we do reach out to the provincial people and maintain a network in Chiang Mai, Phetchabun, Udon [Thani], Korat and Phuket,” he said.

James is a former international media analyst and boasted of knowing people high up in the US, Australia and even Prime Minister** Abhisit Vejjajiva **himself. He’s also in charge of the red-shirts’ “external relations” with the rest of the world.

While some** DAAD **leaders such as Weng Tojirakarn have said the group may try to seize Government House next week and oust the Abhisit administration as soon as possible, James gave a different impression as he sipped an Americano coffee at a Bangkok cafe.

“In this war,” he said, “we’re in no hurry. We will quietly stalk them. No [violent] confrontation whatsoever.”
James said he didn’t consider yellow-shirt supporters of the anti-Thaksin People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) his enemies. In fact he claimed to have converted some yellow-shirt protesters into reds after what he claimed was a realisation by some of these former yellow-shirts that they had been “misinformed” by** PAD news outlets. He said he had managed to “neutralise” his own family members, who supported the Democrat Party **for three decades.

‘ARMY HAS MARKED ME’

Utilising the Internet to keep contacts and expand his network and forward news contrary to what the current government and** PAD **may claim is the truth, James said he had, however, been noticed. “The Army has marked me, but nevertheless we do have soldiers on our side.”

James said he took orders from nobody, not even from Thaksin, and that his group’s goal was to end direct and indirect interference by the military and the elite in the country’s fragile democratic system.

“But I won’t destroy the country. We don’t see this government as legitimate, however. We want to see the** PAD **put through due process of law [for the airport seizures]. Our network is formidable. It’s spontaneous, with no single command.”

Noi, in her mid-30s, is another well-educated red-shirt. She holds a PhD from an Ivy League university and works at a government ministry. She also asked for her identity not to be revealed but often wears red even to work. Noi said the red-shirt movement had evolved and was ready to morph beyond the mere issue of supporting Thaksin into one that would bring greater participation from the masses in the democratic system. She said she knew about 100 people with similar backgrounds in the movement, James included. The view that the red-shirts were all about Thaksin was “outdated”, Noi insisted.

“Even if Thaksin was dead and gone the struggle would continue. And ordinary [red-shirt] folks also tell me the same. We do not fight for a particular person,” she claimed. “If Thaksin joined the conservative elite one day, we wouldn’t be on his side.”

Noi, who gravitated towards the group not long after the 2006 coup which ousted Thaksin, said the group was willing to arrange for some academics to exchange views with lesser-educated red-shirt members. But she said her personal experience was that such red-shirt people, though not formally educated at university level, were otherwise very worldly and politically conscious.

She said these people hoped that the movement would help bring about popular democracy one day.
But when asked how the Abhisit administration might eventually be ousted, she said it was uncertain, though she had never been against the Democrats when** Chuan Leekpai **came to power a decade ago because the military and elite had not blatantly interfered, unlike recently. “The feudal system is very old and entrenched. Calling for democracy won’t make it materialise within a week or two.”

Bron: The Nation

11

Red shirt rally expected to be peaceful

By Piyanart Srivalo
The Nation

The police will take measures to block the red shirts from raiding or occupying Government House, though today’s rally will continue uninterrupted provided it is peaceful and within legal limits, the Metropolitan Police commissioner said Monday.
**

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**

Pol Lt Gen Worapong Chiewpreecha outlined the antiriot guidelines to be used to control the** red shirts **following a meeting with PM’s Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtaey.

Authorities have estimated that some 20,000 to 30,000 people will show up in Sanam Luang before they march on to the seat of government.

“Police are ready to ensure peace during the demonstration and have drawn up contingency plans to deal with any eventuality, though the** red shirts **say they will be peaceful,” Worapong said.

He reminded the** red shirts **that any attempts to stage a raid or destroy government property would not be tolerated.

Some 3,000 police officers have been mobilised to keep an eye on the rally and a similar number of soldiers will be on standby to provide reinforcements if necessary, he said, adding that police intelligence reports say the rally might last three days.

Security started getting beefed up since 6pm Monday so officials are ensured access to the government compound today. Although business inside Government House is expected to continue as usual, officials have been told not to drive to work. If they must drive, then their vehicles need to be parked at the nearby Royal Turf Club, also known as the Nang Loeng racetrack.
Under the antiriot guidelines, police have been instructed to avoid initiating violence and will only be equipped with shields and batons. If a clash erupts, officers have been told to only use their shields to control the violence. Crowd dispersal measures such as tear gas will only be used as the last resort.

Bron: The Nation

12

Red shirts to camp out at Govt House tonight

By The Nation

The red shirts will tonight camp out at Government House before staging a rally tomorrow at Ministry of Foreign Affairs, rally organiser Jatuporn Prompan said on Tuesday.

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“Rally organisers will make up their decision day by day on how the protests should proceed,” Jatuporn said.

For tomorrow’s rally, the** red shirts **will demand the resignation of Foreign Affairs Minister Kasit Piromya on the ground of his link to the People’s Alliance for Democracy which is responsible for the seizure of two Bangkok airports in December, he said.

He said the** red shirts will not block the prime minister and Cabinet members from accessing the government compound and that they will not close off traffic at the rally site and its surrounding areas.
He also promised that the red shirts will not stage any protests at Cha-am and Hua Hin, the venues for the Asean **Summit.

Video link beneden.

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Bron: The Nation

13

Government House under siege

By:BangkokPost.com Published:24/02/2009 at 02:43 PMhttp://www.bangkokpost.com//media/content/20090224/c1_136842.jpg

Red-shirted protesters completely surrounded Government House on Tuesday, but promised to open up access on Wednesday, when they will move to the Foreign Ministry to demand the resignation of Kasit Piromya for supporting the PAD.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and the cabinet held their regular weekly meeting at Cha-Am in Phetchaburi province. They are due to return on Wednesday, and authorities feared the demonstration could block government work.

But key organiser Jatuporn Prompan of the pro-Thaksin United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) said protesters will move on Wednesday to focus on the foreign ministry.
The red-shirt group has demanded the resignation of Mr Kasit, who took part in protests by the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), and strongly supported shutting down the two Bangkok airports late last year.

The compound at Government House was completely surrounded by thousands of red-shirt protesters early on Tuesday afternoon.

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Supporters of the UDD from across the country, mostly from the Northeast and the North, converged at Sanam Luang on Tuesday morning before they marched hours later to Government House.

Hundreds of policemen who were deployed in front of Government House to prevent the protesters from getting close to the premise were forced to make a retreat by the human wave of the red-shirt people.
However, there are still hundreds of police with the backup of hundreds of army troops inside Government House. Warnings were occasionally issued by police using megaphones urging the protesters not to attempt to break into the premise or face legal actions.

Prime Minister Abhisit who is holding a cabinet meeting in Cha-Am district of Phetchaburi province has been regularly informed of the protest developments. He said that he would return to work at the Government House on Wednesday as usual.

UDD leaders earlier assured that the protesters would not try to break into the Government House. But they will lay siege to the premise for a few days to put pressure on the government to heed their demands, among them, the removal of Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, prosecution of People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) leaders over their illegal siege of Government House and airports, amending the 2007 Constitution and dissolving the House.

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More protesters are expected to join the protest after sunset.

Bron: Bangkok Post

14

Red shirts to close traffic around Govt House at night

By The Nation

http://english.cri.cn/mmsource/images/2008/12/29/4093thailand.jpg

**Rally organiser Jakrapob Penkair issued a statement on Wednesday warning about the traffic closure around Government House from 6.00 pm to 6.00 am and apologising for any inconveniences caused during the rally. **

Jakrapob said the statement that the rally was deemed necessary to pressure the government to meet four demands, such as the dispensing of justice for culprits responsible for the seizure of two Bangkok airports in December.

The** red shirts **will continue to rally in a peaceful manner under the right as sanctioned by Article 63 of the Constitution. Their activities will include the rally and the march and there will be no seizure or destruction of government property.

Meanwhile, Natthawut Saikua, another rally organiser, said the Democrats should have awoken to face the reality that the** red shirts **are genuine democracy advocates and that they will continue to fight to strengthen the democratic rule.

Natthawut stepped forward to rebut the charge by** Democrat Party chief adviser**[URL=“http://www.nationmultimedia.com/search/adsearch.php?keyword=+Chuan+Leekpai”] Chuan Leekpai** that ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra was the mastermind behind the red shirts.
He said the red shirts **would remain active even if Thaksin were to decide to quit politics.

Video link beneden.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/specials/nationvdo/showvdo.php?id=1975&cateid=13

Bron: The Nation

15

PM defies protesters

By: AFP Published: 25/02/2009 at 02:37 PMhttp://www.bangkokpost.com//media/content/20090225/c1_136885.gif Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva went to work briefly at Government House on Wednesday as the ring of demonstrators camped outside the grounds vowed to continue their campaign to unseat his two-month-old government.
Up to 10,000 supporters of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra dressed in their trademark red shirts surrounded the Government House compound in Bangkok on Tuesday demanding fresh elections, with many sleeping outside overnight.
Protest leaders have vowed to stay as long as they have to, piling pressure on the young government just days ahead of the key regional Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit, which has already been delayed.
Police said about 2,000 protesters remained outside the heavily-fortified gates of Government House on Wednesday. Mr Abhisit evaded his foes and entered his offices early under the watch of hundreds of police and soldiers.
“Today the prime minister and I are able to work as normal, thanks to protesters who did not violate the law and also thanks to officials who carried out their work with patience,” said Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban.
“The duration of the protests depends on the protest leaders – they can rally for one month, that is no problem,” he said,. The the government was ready to hold talks with leaders to defuse the situation.
The red-shirts have campaigned against the government since a court dissolved the pro-Thaksin former ruling party in December, paving the way for British-born Mr Abhisit, leader of the Democrat party, to take power in a parliamentary vote.
As well as calling for the dissolution of parliament, they are demanding Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya resign because of his links to the anti-Thaksin group the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD).
They also want the constitution amended and PAD leaders charged over the occupation of Bangkok’s two airports late last year, the peak of six months of protests aimed at toppling the pro-Thaksin government elected in December 2007.
“The red-shirts are not going to negotiate with the government as proposed by Mr Suthep until the government complies with our four demands,” said Nattawut Saikua, one of the protest group’s leaders.
“Protests will be prolonged.”
The red-sirts planned a splinter protest at the Foreign Affairs Ministry later on Wednesday, aimed at pressuring Mr Kasit to stand down.
Mr Abhisit left Government House after his early morning meetings.
Tuesday’s rally forced the prime minister to move his weekly cabinet meeting to the beach resort of Hua Hin, near the location of the Asean summit, which was originally scheduled for December but delayed after the PAD stormed the airports.
Red-shirt leaders have said they will stay outside Government House for at least three days, but have vowed not to disrupt the Asean summit.
“Although we are supporting the Asean summit, we do not support Mr Abhisit as the head of the Thai delegation,” said Jakrapob Penkair, another protest leader.
Thailand has endured years of political upheaval rooted in a deep divide between friends and enemies of Thaksin, who was ousted in a 2006 coup and lives in exile to avoid a jail sentence for corruption.
Telecommunications tycoon Thaksin is loathed by elements of the old power cliques in the military, palace and bureaucracy – the core of the PAD’s support – who felt threatened by his immense popularity with the rural poor.

Bron: Bangkok Post

16

Red shirts fail to make an impact: Sathit

By The Nation

PM’s Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtaey on Thursday said the three-day rally by the red shirts had no ripple effect because the sentiment turned against street protests.

Sathit said although the** red shirts **were free to rally as long as they wanted, he believed they would soon disperse due to lukewarm support.

“Three days have passed and I see no excitement garnered by the red shirts,” he said.

He also stated that the government paid no attention to the plan by ex-premier** Thaksin Shinawatra **to be a guest speaker at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Hong Kong.

“I think Thaksin will air his views which has no bearing on the government’s performance nor its reputation,” he said.
He wryly quipped that he heard Thaksin was not even a factor in evaluating Thailand’s sovereign rating.

Bron: The Nation

17

UDD protest loses steam

**Numbers dwindle, PM says work unaffected **

By: POST REPORTERS Published: 26/02/2009 at 12:00 AM Newspaper section: NewsA protest by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship has failed to put pressure on the government, but its members are promising to stand their ground.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban inspects the Santi Maitree building inside Government House early yesterday while exhausted troops rest after guarding the compound against United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship protesters. APICHIT JINAKUL

The number of red-clad UDD protesters rallying outside Government House dropped sharply yesterday, the second day of the protest.
The figure plunged from nearly 10,000 on Monday to less than 1,000 at one point, before it picked up again last night when more people turned up.
Despite the presence of the UDD protesters, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and some cabinet members, including Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, managed to reach their offices yesterday morning.
They entered the compound through another gate near Makkhawan Rangsan bridge on Ratchadamnoen Nok Avenue, which was guarded by more than 1,000 police and soldiers.
Mr Abhisit thanked security authorities for guarding Government House and praised the demonstrators for keeping their protest peaceful.
The prime minister said he would work at Government House as usual although some functions might have to be relocated for the convenience of guests.
He opposed any attempt by the protesters, many of whom are staunch supporters of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, to make the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Cha-am district, Phetchaburi, their next target. The UDD have said they would not protest at the Asean summit.
The summit of 10 regional leaders starts tomorrow and runs until Sunday.
“The protest caused a lot of noise, but it posed no problem for my work,” Mr Abhisit said.
The UDD leaders said they still had plenty of energy left to stay on longer than a month if necessary, if their demands were not met. “We’re all settled now at the demonstration site [around Government House],” said Natthawut Saikua. He said protesters had set up a stage and tents.
It was less convenient and comfortable outside Government House than camping in the compound, but the protesters were determined not to break the law, he said.
The UDD draws a contrast between itself and the People’s Alliance for Democracy, which last year occupied Government House and the city’s two airports to force the last government from power.
The UDD’s demands are that the House is dissolved, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya is removed from office, the leaders of the PAD face legal action for blocking Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports and the charter is amended.


The protest group considers Mr Kasit a PAD sympathiser as he appeared at PAD rallies held to force the previous government from power.
Mr Natthawut denied Thaksin was paying for the UDD protest. “Red-clad demonstrators can make their own moves without having to listen to anyone’s orders,” he said.
“Even if Mr Thaksin disappears from this world or agrees to quit politics and spends the rest of his life abroad, we will still insist that red-clad people not stop their activities.”
As well as the rally in front of Government House, a small group of demonstrators moved to the Foreign Ministry yesterday to demand the ouster of Mr Kasit.
Another UDD leader, Jakrapob Penkair, said the group would hang a long strip of white cloth on the wall of Government House for people to note their opinions of the government.
Another group of UDD protesters would march to the office of the National Anti-Corruption Committee today to protest against the appointment of its commissioners by the people who launched the coup which ousted Thaksin from power in September 2006.
PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila said the government was unlikely to fall as a result of the UDD rally because the UDD lacked support from other groups.
He said a long protest would be a setback for the demonstrators who could face rising opposition from the public.

Bron: Bangkok Post

18

Abhisit puts the heat on former PM

Chinese will be asked to extradite Thaksin

By: POST REPORTERS Published: 27/02/2009 at 12:00 AM Newspaper section: NewsThe government will seek the extradition of Thaksin Shinawatra from China to serve his jail sentence, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Friday.

Supporters of the anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship cross Premprachakorn canal on covered high-voltage cables to deliver food to protesters in front of Government House. PAWAT LAOPAISARNTAKSIN

He said he expected an extradition request would be made to Chinese authorities by Monday.
The prime minister earlier said: ''We will look into all possible legal channels. If viable, the police and prosecution agencies responsible will handle it."
All Thais had to be answerable to the law, he said.
The prime minister’s comments came as Thaksin plans to deliver a speech, Financial Crisis, Political Uncertainty: Lessons from Thailand, at the Foreign Correspondents Club in Hong Kong on Monday.
Thaksin, toppled from power in a 2006 military coup, was convicted by the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions in October last year of breaking conflict of interest laws over the Ratchadaphisek land deal. He was sentenced to two years in jail in absentia.
Thaksin had fled the country before the sentence was handed down claiming his trial had been unfair.
Mr Abhisit said a lack of information on Thaksin’s whereabouts seemed to be a major problem for agencies seeking his extradition.
He said Thaksin had the right to make speeches from anywhere he pleases. But if he made any accusations against Thailand, the government had to clarify and rebut anything directed at the country that was false, he said.
Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya yesterday said the Foreign Ministry was ready to respond to any decision made by judicial agencies handling Thaksin’s extradition.
The ministry was awaiting a decision by the Office of the Attorney-General before taking any steps, he said.
Justice Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga said he had to check whether China had an extradition treaty with Thailand. There might be special provisions relating to Hong Kong as a special administrative zone of China.
Deputy attorney-general Thavorn Panichpan, head of a working group tracking down Thaksin, said the prosecution had contacted the Royal Police Office after there were reports that Thaksin had recently arrived in Hong Kong.
Meanwhile, Thaksin’s red-shirted supporters announced the end of their rally outside Government House last night after re-issuing their demands.
They called on the government to take legal action against key members of the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) for occupying the compound of Government House and blockading Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports, to dismiss the foreign minister, to amend the charter and to dissolve the House of Representatives.

Thaksin: Due to make speech in Hong Kong on Monday.

Supporters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship gathered in front of Government House on Tuesday to renew their anti-government protests.
UDD leader Veera Musikhapong said there was no need to continue the rally now the group’s position was clear.
All tents and stages in front of the prime minister’s office were being cleared last night.
But he and another leader, Natthawut Saikua, promised that future rallies would be taken to another level.
They would protest strongly against all ministers wherever they go and hold demonstrations across the country.
“The rallies will go on until we win,” Mr Natthawut told the assembled protesters.
Jatuporn Prompan, another UDD leader, lashed out at the Democrat-led government, saying it lacked legitimacy as it came to power with the help of the military and the PAD.
Meanwhile, police yesterday issued summons for 21 leading PAD members to report to hear charges against them for their alleged role in preventing the government from delivering its policy address in parliament on Oct 7 last year.
A source said Chamlong Srimuang, one of the PAD leaders, was not on the list because he was in jail at the time.
Maj-Gen Chamlong left Government House to cast his ballot in the Bangkok governor’s election on Oct 5. He was arrested after leaving a polling station.
Police were now working on the cases of the PAD seizing Government House and the two airports.

Bron: Bangkok Post

19

DAAD leaders ‘kept some cash’

By The Nation
Published on February 28, 2009

Key Pheu Thai members are questioning the transparency of the leaders of the Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship (DAAD), saying they failed to disperse some of the money they supposedly received from ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a party source said yesterday.

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The members and those close to the deposed premier said they were dissatisfied with the lower-than-expected turnout and that the** DAAD **leaders had failed to spark a wider protest.

“Some [DAAD leaders] may have kept the [money] supplies to themselves,” the party source said.

Police and city officials completed clearing the rally site at Government House yesterday morning after the red-shirts called off their protest late on Thursday night.

Rally organiser Veera Musigapong vowed to revive the protest within a month. The opposition movement will continue until the government agrees to dissolve the House, he said.

Most of the red-shirts began dispersing from the rally site after their leaders announced at 11pm on Thursday night that the demonstration would end yesterday morning.
Not many waited around for the leaders to end the rally officially in the morning.

Bron: The Nation

20

THAKSIN, WHERE ARE YOU?
Thai consul checks Thaksin whereabouts

By The Nation
Published on February 28, 2009

The Thai Consulate Office in Hong Kong is verifying the whereabouts of fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra as he is due to give a speech on Monday.

Prime Minister** Abhisit Vejjajiva **said yesterday, “If Thaksin can be located, the Foreign Affairs Ministry will co-ordinate with the Office of the Attorney-General to bring him back.”

Abhisit said the Thai consul was closely monitoring whether Thaksin would give a speech at the Foreign Correspondents Club of Hong Kong.

He said he anticipated no legal obstacle to issuing an extradition request for Thaksin since the fugitive would be brought back to serve his two-year jail term.

He added that Hong Kong’s status as China’s special administrative region was not a legal hurdle for extradition.

Buranaj Samutharaks, spokesman of the ruling Democrat Party, said Pheu Thai MP** Chalerm Yoobamrung **was the person who best knew where Thaksin was. He said it was now up to Chalerm to reveal exact Thaksin’s exact location.

Thepthai Saenpong, the prime minister’s personal spokesman, added that perhaps other MPs, such as Suchart Lainam-ngern, should also be questioned. Thepthai said Suchart had admitted to having dined with Thaksin in Hong Kong.

Meanhile Thaksin’s former legal adviser, Noppadol Pattama, questioned whether the government had any legal means to extradite Thaksin. He said he was not aware that Hong Kong has such a treaty with Thailand.
Noppadol also added that Thaksin’s scheduled speech at the Hong Kong Foreign Correspondent Club wouldn’t constitute a political act as Thaksin would also talk about the global economic situation and not just about Thailand.

Bron: The Nation