De rode T-shirts

Thailand Het laatste Thailand nieuws
101

Red shirts rally with no phone-ins from their leaders

By THE NATION ON SUNDAY
Published on April 26, 2009

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The red shirts last night held their first rally after Friday’s lifting of the state of emergency, with an absence of addresses by fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra and other key leaders, who are having trouble with the law following the Songkran riot.

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Red-shirted people gather at Sanam Luang yesterday evening.

White balloons were released and candles lit in a solemn ceremony shortly before 8pm. Protest leaders said the function was a homage to the protesters injured and killed during the military crackdown on the riot.

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A protester carries a sign saying “bring back our D Station” during a red-shirted rally at Sanam Luang yesterday evening

The** red shirts **insisted people had been killed in the crackdown while the authorities denied the claim, saying that the two deaths during the Songkran riot had been caused by angry protesters.

Police said about 1,200 people had turned out at Sanam Luang, the rally venue, when it started at 5pm.

The organisers said they expected about 5,000 people to attend the rally, which was moved from Samut Prakan after the lifting of the state of emergency. The gathering was scheduled to last until 11pm.

Somyos Phruksakasem, a leader of the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship, a key group in the red-shirt movement, said** Thaksin and protest leader Jakrapob Penkair** would not phone in. They are both on the run from arrest warrants for inciting violence during the state of emergency.

Somyos said some red-shirt sympathisers from New York and Los Angeles would phone in during last night’s rally.

Earlier yesterday, key government figures expressed no concern over the new rally by the red shirts.

Prime Minister** Abhisit Vejjajiva and his deputy Suthep Thaugsuban **said they were not worried about the anti-government rally, saying police were instructed to strictly enforce the law.

Suthep said police would not drop charges against suspects who had committed crimes such as breaking into state agencies, assaulting officials, battering cars and attempted murder. However, they are considering whether to be lenient with offences in accordance with the emergency decree. Police are also considering allowing D station to broadcast again.

He rejected a proposal from red-shirt leaders that the government drop all charges against them to end the rally. He said the government would not negotiate or bargain with offenders, who would be dealt with as normal. "We are not framing innocent people. If they do not break law, they do not need to fear,‘’ he said.

Asked whether he was concerned the rally would turn violent, Abhisit said the government would follow the situation closely and he was optimistic that that the protesters would realise what the majority of Thais wanted.

"We hope everyone respects the law, because we all have learnt the lesson that violence hurts not only the country’s economy but the people’s feelings.‘’

Asked how safe he felt after what had happened to him during Songkran, Abhisit said he had to carry out his duties as on the day he assumed the premiership.

Interior Minister** Chaovarat Chanweerakul also dismissed concerns about the rally, saying the government and police were experienced in handling protests and he did not believe the red shirts **could instigate public unrest by showing video clips of military crackdowns on protesters as the public had seen them all during the joint session of Parliament on Wednesday and Thursday.

Bron: The Nation

102

Red shirts to protest every week

**NEW PLAN TO OVERTURN GOVERNMENT **

By: MONGKOL BANGPRAPA Published: 26/04/2009 at 12:00 AM Newspaper section: NewsThe red shirt protesters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship will hold weekly demonstrations and set up an assembly in a fresh effort to topple the Democrat-led government.

FAKING IT: A red shirt protester points a toy rifle at fellow demonstrators at their rally at Sanam Luang yesterday to mock the military crackdown on red shirt protests on April 13 and 14.

The strategy was unveiled by UDD leaders in front of 5,000 protesters gathering at Sanam Luang yesterday.
It was the first rally by the supporters of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra since the Songkran melee and the lifting of the state of emergency.
“We have to think about a new strategy to fight for our causes because we were unable to achieve political change simply by holding mass demonstrations,” said UDD leader Jaran Dithapichai.
The UDD will rally every Saturday in one of 15 provinces, including Lop Buri, Ayutthaya, Chiang Mai, Udon Thani, Nakhon Si Thammarat and Phatthalung, said another leader Somyos Prueksakasemsuk.
Another major demonstration will be held on May 17 in Bangkok to commemorate the 17th anniversary of the Black May incident in 1992, he added.
The assembly will comprise red shirt representatives from every province.
Yesterday’s rally, which ended about 11pm, was broadcast live via websites run by overseas red shirt supporters. The three UDD leaders - Veera Musikaphong, Natthawut Saikua and Weng Tojirakarn - who were released on bail of 500,000 baht each on Friday, did not show up. There was no phone-in from Thaksin.
The organisers showed a video clip of soldiers cracking down on the red shirts in Din Daeng on April 13. Demonstrators at Sanam Luang showed anger at the army.
Mr Jaran demanded the government immediately release all red shirt leaders and demonstrators and set up an independent panel to investigate the clampdown on red shirt demonstrators during the Songkran riots.
He also called on the government to unblock the signal of UDD’s television broadcaster, DStation, and allow all pro-UDD community radio stations to resume broadcasting.
Pongthep Thepkanchana, who appeared on stage but did not make any statement to the protesters, told reporters that the government, opposition bloc, People’s Alliance for Democracy, UDD and media should be allowed to submit a list of their representatives to sit on the probe committee to ensure fairness and neutrality. About half of the demonstrators opted not to wear red shirts to the rally yesterday, for safety reasons.
Prathum Wangklan, a 51-year-old Bangkok vendor, said he joined the rally because he did not believe media reports about the political situation.
“I have to come here to listen to the truth,” said Mr Prathum. “The harder the government tries to suppress the red shirt movement, the more people will join the demonstration,” he added.
Jittima Fuksa-ard, 45, from Prachin Buri, said she attended the rally because she was still upset with the violent crackdown on red shirts at Din Daeng.
“I was there [at the pre-dawn raid] and my friend was badly hurt by authorities,” she said.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has instructed security officers to monitor the UDD movement and ask the demonstrators to make sure their rallies stay within the law.
Metropolitan police chief Pol Lt Gen Vorapong Chiewpreecha has set up 40 checkpoints, manned by police and soldiers, in inner Bangkok. A special checkpoint was also set up in each area to search for weapons and explosives among those wanting to join the UDD rally at Sanam Luang.
Another rally was in Udon Thani where 300 members showed up at Thung Si Muang. The rally was held to allow red shirts taking part during April 8-11 rallies in Bangkok to talk about what happened.

Bron: Bangkok Post

103

Red-shirted rally in Udon Thani cancelled.

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Red shirted leaders announce Wednesday that they would investigate to prove their claims that some were killed during the army’s crackdown on red shirts during Songkran Holiday.**

The red-shirted movement has cancelled its plan to hold a mass rally in Udon Thani on Saturday, its leader said Wednesday.

Somyos Prueksakasemsuk, a co-leader of the red-shirted movement, said the rally was cancelled because the local red-shirted leader Kwanchai Praiphana learnt that a group of persons would infiltrate the rally to try disrupt it.

Somyos said the planned rally in Lop Buri would be held on May 9 as scheduled.

Red-shirted riots cause damages worth Bt330 million to public utilities

The National Economic and Social Development Board estimated that the red-shirted riots had caused damages worth Bt330 million to public utility services.

The NESDB reported to the economic ministers’ meeting that the damages were done to the properties of government agencies in charge of providing the services and were the losses of revenue of the agencies.

The damages included the loss of revenue of Bt76 million of bus services and loss of revenue of Bt12 million of train services and the loss of income of express services for Bt3 million.

Bron: The Nation

104

ANALYSIS
Blue shirts complicating politics

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By Somroutai Sapsomboon
The Nation
Published on May 1, 2009

Did new colour step in to help fight reds, or was there an ulterior motive?

Those who have been divided for long unite, while those who have been united for long divide. This seems to be the case in politics. Besides, there are always new factions created and broken.

For instance, while the anti-government reds and the pro-government yellow-shirts were fighting fierce battles, a new coalition was formed under the colour blue.

The blue shirts emerged under the auspices of the Interior Ministry, run by Bhum Jai Thai party leader Chaovarat Chanweerakul, to help the government fight the reds. The party’s de-facto leader, however, is** Newin Chidchob **from Buri Ram, who created a faction in the now-defunct People’s Power Party (PPP), and decided to break away and back the Democrat-led government.

The blue group first appeared in public view during the red-shirt protest at the** Asean summit in Pattaya. Newin mobilised hundreds of blue-clad men to attack the red-shirted protesters, which turned a peaceful protest into an angry mob that disrupted the Asean **summit.

In addition, the blue group reportedly stoked the Songkran Day riots in the capital. Opposition MP and red-shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan alleged that an LPG truck was brought into the King Power duty-free shopping mall by the blue group to lure the public into believing it was the reds. The owner of the King Power shopping mall is Wichai Raksriaksorn, a long-time friend of Newin.

The blue group’s actions could be seen from two perspectives:

First, Newin simply wanted to help the government bring down the red group by stirring violence and shifting the blame to discredit the red shirts.

Second, he wanted to create chaos as a pretext for the military to step in and control the situation, thus prompting Prime Minister** Abhisit Vejjajiva **to resign for failing to control the situation.

Since the situation on Songkran Day was not bad enough to shift the blame onto the government, an attempt to assassinate media tycoon and yellow-shirt leader** Sondhi Limthongkul** was allegedly used to provoke further political chaos.

Perhaps Foreign Minister** Kasit Piromya was the only person to believe that ousted prime minister**[URL=“http://www.nationmultimedia.com/search/adsearch.php?keyword=+Thaksin+”] Thaksin **Shinawatra and the red shirts **were behind the attempt on Sondhi’s life. However, most analysts believe that the new blue-clad political group was playing a game at making political changes.

The blue-shirt group includes a small political party as well as people from the military and police.

To be precise, Chaovarat managed to create a brand-new faction under the nose of the previous government.

Chaovarat reinstated police chief Patcharawat Wongsuwan when he was acting government head after then-PM Somchai Wongsawat was forced to step down due to the dissolution of the PPP. Somchai had initially moved Patcharawat to an inactive post for failing to control the yellow-shirted protest last October.

Patcharawat is closely connected to his elder brother Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan. Four-star General Prawit is said to have played a key role in forming the current government because he invited all key political factions, including that of Newin, to a secret place to discuss the political plan.

Prawit has never been a Democrat. He was made army chief by** Thaksin **in 2004. He started climbing the military ladder in the late 1960s when he joined the 21st Infantry Division, 12th Infantry Division and later the 2nd Infantry Division based in the Eastern region, which brought him close to veteran politician Snoh Thienthong, who hails from the Eastern province of Sa Kaew.

Snoh and Newin know each other well, because they both used to work for the now-defunct** Chart Thai **Party. Newin dispatched his men to run the race in Snoh’s Pracharaj Party in the previous election. So, nobody should be surprised that Newin’s father, House Speaker Chai Chidchob, proposed that Snoh chair the committee for national reconciliation and political reform.

Prawit also brought Army chief General Anupong Paochinda, who looks up to him as an elder brother, into the power syndicate. Anupong followed in Prawit’s footsteps, starting his climb at the 21st Infantry Division, 2nd Infantry Division, then the First Army Region before becoming Army chief. Interestingly, both of them are royal guards.

The new power syndicate can be considered perfect, because they have all kinds of power - politicians, the police and military. If political reform is ever going to happen, it is quite possible that this group will be able to take over soon.

Bron: The Nation

105

“I didn’t do it” : Thaksin

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By The Nation
Published on May 2, 2009

**Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday issued a second statement on Friday, denying that he had pulled the strings behind the violent protest during Songkran. **

Thaksin said he had to issue the statement to protect himself and his family and supporters from falling victim to mudslinging by any party.

He said he disapproved of violence as a political campaign tool. "Although I have been calling for democracy and justice for the Thai people, I am not behind the political unrest,‘’ he said.

Meanwhile the** Democrat Party agreed to let Senate Speaker Chai Chidchob **select the chaiman of the committee on reconciliation.

Prime Minister** Abhisit Vejjajiva **said it was a good start to have a committee representing the government, the Opposition and the Senate and that as much public participation as possible should be allowed in amending the Constitution.

He said Chai had told him that the committee included non-MP specialists and he hoped it understood the sensitivity of its work.

Chai said this second joint committee of the two houses would seek means of political reform and conduct a feasibility study for constitutional amendment. An earlier joint committee was set up to investigate the red-shirt rallies between April 8 and 15.
Asked how the public could be sure that the committee would not allow collusion by politicians, Abhisit said its findings would be forwarded for House approval. "Politicians know they will face public opposition if they just try to solve problems in their own favour,‘’ he said.

Bron: The Nation

106

Time limits to be suspended for fugitives from justice

By Piyanart Srivalo
The Nation
Published on May 2, 2009

**The government is preparing a legal amendment which would directly affect fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
**

A government source said the Justice Ministry would propose changes to the statutes of limitations for criminal cases at Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting.

The ministry will argue the unsuitability of the present time limits for bringing a case to trial, especially when government officials and political office-holders are indicted.

The number of such people has recently increased dramatically both nationally and locally, and the cases tend to be very complicated.

Officials need more time to finish their investigations, and time limits increasingly expire before cases can be brought to court, the source said.

Moreover, many of those indicted flee abroad, and police cannot bring them in within the prescribed time limit. This could encourage more people to break the law, the source said.

The amendment would be to Article 96 of the Criminal Act, which governs statutes of limitations. As it now stands, if a case has been brought to court and the accused flees or is ruled insane, the court can suspend proceedings, but the case must be dismissed once the statute of limitations expires.

The amendment would stipulate: “In the event that an accused person flees the country or his or her locality, the prescribed time limit shall restart from when that person is arrested or submits to the legal process. If the case has been brought to court, it shall not be dismissed even when the normal time limit expires, except if the accused has been ruled insane.”

Article 95 of the Criminal Act prescribes statutes of limitations for criminal cases. These are 20 years for cases carrying a possible death sentence or imprisonment from 20 years to life, 15 years for possible jail terms of seven to 20 years, 10 years for possible jail terms of one to seven years, five years for possible jail terms of one month to one year and one year for possible jail terms of up to one month.

Fugitive politicians now living in exile include ousted prime minister** Thaksin Shinawatra, Somchai “Kamnan Poh” Khunplome, former deputy interior minister Vatana Asavahame and former PM’s Office minister Jakrapob Penkair**.

Bron: The Nation

107

Powerful man wants to send powerful message" : Sondhi
By The Nation
Published on May 4, 2009

Sondhi claims assassination plot means nobody is safe
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People’s Alliance for Democracy leader** Sondhi Limthongkul** yesterday blamed rogue soldiers for trying to kill him, attributing the motive to a desire to end the mass movement by the yellow and red shirts, but stopped short of naming names.

It was his first press conference after he was seriously wounded in the April 17 gun attack on his car.

“The attempt on my life is meant to send out a signal to mass movement leaders, regardless of** red shirts **or yellow shirts, to disband,” Sondhi said.

He said he suspected the gun attack was also designed to threaten Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

“If I was killed, then this means Abhisit can also be the next target. In this country men with guns can do anything without thinking how Thailand will survive,” he said.

He said he was picked as the assassination target for two reasons - one was to intimidate the media because of his dual role as a media professional and the other was to undermine the mass movement because he was the** PAD **leader.

Based on his eyewitness account of the gun attack, he said the gunmen were well-trained soldiers.

He said he clearly saw the men spraying bullets from assault rifles like M-16s and AK-47s from a distance of 20 meters.

The men sat on the back of a pickup truck to open fire like in military training, he said. About four trucks were involved in the gun attack and about 10 men were part of the operation.

It was a suspicious coincidence that all five security cameras at the scene were out of order at the time of the gun attack, he said.

“I suspect a powerful figure might be involved as an accomplice,” he said.

It was unlikely that the attack would occur during the state of emergency were there not a green light from higher echelons, he said.

He said certain rogue soldiers carried out the attack, which he did not believe was condoned by the Royal Thai Armed Forces.

He said he noted that none of the top military leaders showed any concern or sympathy for his plight.

He pointed out that rogue soldiers did not just attempt to take his life but were also involved in grenade attacks at** Don Mueang **Airport, the Constitution Court and Government House during the street protests by the yellow shirts.

As to the masterminds, he said he did not suspect Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, Army chief General Anupong Paochinda and philanthropist Thanphuying Viraya Javakul.

The use of military weapons has raised speculation about the military’s hand in the attack, while Viriya has been forced to come out and deny any involvement after Sondhi claimed a certain high-profile woman was among those who chipped in to sponsor the assault.

Sondhi ended his news conference with the sarcastic remark that those responsible for the attempt on his life would have to live with the guilt for the rest of their lives even though they would be able to get themselves off the legal hook.

He vowed to continue leading the PAD-led mass movement after his recuperation in the United States. He said he was on doctor’s orders to rest.
He also said he expects police to announce the arrest of the gunmen this month.

Bron: The Nation

108

Viraya: I would never do anything like that

By The Nation
Published on May 4, 2009

Leading philanthropist Thanpuying Viraya Javakul again yesterday shrugged off speculation linking her to a gun attack on Sondhi Limthongkul.

“Sondhi of the People’s Alliance for Democracy has always been critical and sarcastic toward me but I think he will eventually wear himself down,” Viraya told reporters.

Sondhi told a press conference yesterday that anyone involved in the plot to kill him would be tortured by their own conscience for the rest of their lives regardless of what they said to the public.

Viraya reacted by saying she had never thought of hurting Sondhi. Although she knew a lot of people including high-ranking soldiers through her charity work, she was never an influential person, she said.

“Even if I was really his enemy, who am I to be able to do anything like that? But in reality, it’s never been my idea to do anything like that,” she said.

“I had come under ambush by insurgents before when I did my charity work in the South, so I know what it’s like. When I heard about Khun Sondhi’s attack, all I had was sympathy for him.”

Viraya recently had come out to endorse fugitive** Thaksin **Shinawatra’s loyalty toward the monarchy and that drew criticism from the PAD.

She said she inherited so large a fortune that she did not pay attention to what Sondhi said about her. The** PAD **had suggested she reaped some personal gain from selling royal shirts.

“I’m not angry with what was said about me. The King once reminded me that even the Buddha statue cannot escape people’s gossiping,” she said.

The government should ensure a speedy investigation into the Sondhi case, since the police report would clear her name, she said.

A friend had told her that Sondhi suspected a lady in high social circles of masterminding the assassination attempt, she said.

“I told my friend that Sondhi did not mean me but another lady who is still a courtier,” she said, referring to her exit from serving in the Royal Palace.

Deputy National Police chief General Thani Somboonsap, who is the lead investigator in the Sondhi case, would have all the facts about key players in the case, she added.

Bron: The Nation

109

People, politicians parade for peace

By: BangkokPost.com
Published: 4/05/2009 at 10:13 AM

Members of the public joined representatives from 21 private and public organisations, most donning white, in a gathering at Lumpini Park on Monday morning and calling on the various political groups to stop hurting the country.
They included Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondej, other senators and Thai Journalists Association secretary-general Pradit Ruangdit.
About 1,000 people gathered under the rallying cry, “Stop Hurting the Country, Stop Using Violence”.

Prime Minister’s Office Minister Satit Wongnongtaey and United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) core members were also present.

Participants pledged to help restore peace to the country.

Popular musicians led by singer Yuenyong Opakul, known as Aad Carabao, sang “Stop Hurting the Country” and the crowd later marched along Silom road to the Bangkok Bank’s head office before dispersing.

King Prajadhipok’s Institute secretary-general Borwornsak Uwanno called on the ‘silent majority’ to voice their opposition to the violence damaging the country.

He also demanded politicians work together to solve the country’s problems in the parliament.

*Bron: Bangkok Post / www.bangkokpost.com *

110

Thousands rally to give peace a chance

**‘Stop hurting Thailand’ push gains support **

By: POST REPORTERS
Published: 5/05/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News

Thousands of professional media organisations, government agencies, the military, civic groups and business people have joined the “Stop hurting Thailand” campaign, urging political groups to end bickering that is causing social divisions.

The campaign was initiated by 21 organisations including the Thai Journalists Association, the King Prajadhipok Institute and peace advocacy groups. The 21 organisations yesterday led a crowd of peace advocates dressed in white in a parade from King Rama VI statue in front of Lumpini Park along Silom Road to Bangkok Bank’s headquarters.

Joining the parade were Borwornsak Uwanno, secretary general of the King Prajadhipok Institute, and his deputy Wuthisarn Tanchai, Prime Minister’s Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey, Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boonyadet, TJA president Prasong Lertratanawisut and singer Add Carabao.

Bangkok Bank president Chartsiri Sophonpanich joined the crowd when the parade reached his bank’s headquarters.

TJA secretary general Pradit Ruangdit read a campaign statement asking all political groups to end their incitement of violent clashes between different groups and stop insulting the monarchy or claiming connections to the monarchy for political reasons.

The statement called for government authorities to act in an open and sincere manner while urging journalists to stringently adhere to their codes of ethics and abstain from exploiting their media outlets for political purposes.

It urged the public to support the campaign by raising the national flag in front of their homes. Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and civic authorities in other provinces also held activities to promote the “Stop hurting Thailand” campaign.

In Bangkok, the BMA backed the campaign at City Hall and its branch office in Din Daeng, and at the 50 district offices.

The armed forces also joined the campaign. At army headquarters, about 2,000 officers led by Lt-Gen Sant Jariyajirawattana of the Office of the Commander paraded with national flags.

About 1,000 marines from the Royal Thai Marine Corps lined up along a 2km stretch of Sukhumvit Road, in Chon Buri province, in front of their headquarters to show their support for the campaign.

Red shirt leaders also gave their support.

In Udon Thani, Kwanchai Sarakham, also known as Praipana, leader of Khon Rak Udon (Love Udon People), led a group of 800 red shirt supporters for a “Stop hurting Thailand” demonstration at Udon Thani city hall.

Leaders of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship in Bangkok backed the sentiments of the campaign but warned the government not to use it to serve its own political interests.

*Bron: Bangkok Post / www.bangkokpost.com *

111

ANALYSIS
Abhisit may not last beyond August

By THANONG KHANTHONG
THE NATION
Published on May 6, 2009

**Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva might not last beyond August or October this year as political pressure surrounding his government has intensified. **

Abhisit has to finish his important job of hosting the** Asean **Summit first. He suffered a big loss of face in Pattaya, being forced to postpone the summit due to the red shirt riot. The summit has been rescheduled to Phuket next month. Abhisit would also like to pass the 2009-2010 budget in June before going to the polls again.

For me, Abhisit is a prime minister of the future rather than the present. He has come to office too early, in the midst of a crisis in which power play is the name of the game. Abhisit has not been groomed for such crude power play. He has been a nice man who plays strictly by democratic principles. In fact, he is a novice among the tigers.

He has****[URL=“http://www.nationmultimedia.com/search/adsearch.php?keyword=+Thaksin+”] Thaksin **Shinawatra attacking him from the outside, Newin Chidchob **and coalition partners backstabbing him from “inside”, the military and police at his neck, and red shirt protesters hungry for his blood.

Abhisit could not have believed his political enemies would like to take his life. On April 12, he could have died at the hands of the red mob out to instigate violence and set a perfect plot to stage a coup.

And there is the sharp drop in the Thai economy, which could contract by 5-6 per cent. Unemployment is soaring.

If Abhisit can’t move forward, he may need to dissolve Parliament and hope for a stronger mandate to return.

We are beginning to see the shape of the Blue camp, which will contend for the premiership. Behind Newin’s Bhum Jai Thai Party are Gen Prawit Wongsuwan, the defence minister, and Gen Anupong Paochinda, the Army chief.

Gen Prawit will serve as prime minister if the Bhum Jai Thai can muster a sizeable block of MPs and strengthen its allies with other blocs such as Somsak Thepsuthin. Newin is hoping to sweep Isaan as the red shirt camp of** Pheu Thai has witnessed a sharp erosion of its credibility from the recent political turmoil. About 30 MPs in Pheu Thai **are already in his pocket. Other backers include Suriya Jungrungreangkit and King Power.

Thaksin has been doing everything he can to oust the Democrat government and bring about a new election to get a chance to return home and to reclaim his Bt76 billion currently “frozen” in Thai banks.

If we were to have an election now, Bhum Jai Thai stands a good chance of becoming a core government party since it can join a coalition with either the Democrats or Pheu Thai.

You can see that we have a deadlock in democracy now, as rival parties can’t afford to let opponents hold power for too long. So, a spectre of violence looms large on the horizon.

Sondhi Limthongkul cannot remain on the defensive. The military wanted him dead. But miraculously he has survived the assassination attempt. He has spoken out on TV and hinted at the identities of those who masterminded the plot.

So far the People’s Alliance of Democracy under his and Chamlong Srimuang’s leadership has exercised restraint.

The yellow shirts resisted temptation to return to the streets during the turmoil. If they were to do so, they would be could well spur civil strife.

After telling all about the move to kill him, Sondhi plans to head abroad for a rest. A couple of things are in his mind. First, he would like Pol Gen Thanee Sonboomsap to proceed with his investigation into the assassination plot. Thanee is likely to be able to arrest the suspected gunmen this month. His team has already identified several of the gunmen, who serve in the military.

Second, he wants to hand leadership of the** PAD to the second generation. Suriyasai Katasila and Somkiat Pongpaiboon will be new leaders of the PAD, which has come to terms with itself. Street protests are not the answer for Thai politics. The PAD **is now resolved to set up a political party, named Thien Haeng Dharma (Candle of Dharma), to contest the next election.

The PAD’s street protests over the past three years have generated a new dimension in Thai politics. Via ASTV, the** PAD **now has a large base of popular support nationwide, particularly among the more educated Thais, traders and entrepreneurs. This may overlap with Democrat Party.

Third, Sondhi would like to see how Abhisit deals with top security officials. After the** Asean **Summit debacle, bids to kill both Abhisit and Sondhi, the Songkran turmoil, nobody from the police or military has stepped up assume responsibility for failing to do their job.

In fact, by officials found to have failed to undertake their responsibility during the crisis must be charged or sacked.
We will have to see whether Abhisit has the guts to take on the top security personnel and replace them before he goes into the next general election. If he fails to do so, the Democrat will surely be dead meat.

Bron: The Nation

112

**UDD to rally again on Sunday **

The anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) will assemble again this Sunday at Pai Kaew temple in Bangkok’s Don Mueang district.
UDD leaders Veera Musikhapong and Nattawut Saikua announced the rally at a press conference on Monday.

Mr Nattawut said they planned to explain to the public how Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva had set out to create a ‘‘situation’’ by declaring the state of emergency during the Songkran holiday.
He said the rally, from 4pm to midnight, would be peaceful and the red-shirt supporters would not move to other areas.

There would be no organised rally during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) public health meeting on Thursday and Friday, he said.

The UDD leader said the “Stop Hurting the Country, Stop Using Violence” campaign launched on Monday morning was a good idea, but if the government wanted concrete results from this campaign it should show sincerity without following any political agenda.

The campaign was launched by the government in cooperation with 21 private and public organisations and is aimed at restoring peace to the country.

Bron: Bangkok Post

113

PM: Red-shirts won’t disrupt meeting

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva says he accepts UDD leaders’ assurances their red-shirt supporters will not rally outside the meeting of Asean health ministers on Thursday and Friday in Bangkok.
Mr Abhisit said the Asean meeting is not poltiical. The ministers will discuss H1N1 flu prevention, a vital issue for the health of people throughout the region.
He said a process of political reconciliation had been set in place through the parliament and it needed the support of all parties to end the conflict within the country.
The government’s acceptance of the need to amend the constitution requires an input from all interested parties and the government would listen to them, Mr Abhisit said.
The public should not look on it as a beginning of further political conflict.

Bron: Bangkok Post

114

Protesters demand DStation to be allowed to reopen.

Rally demands DStation reopen.

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A red-shirt protest demands the government allows the reopening of pro-Thaksin DStation

By: BangkokPost.com Published: 6/05/2009 at 02:51 PM Several hundred red-shirt protesters marched to Government House on Wednesday, demanding the government stop blocking satellite-based DStation and pro-Thaksin Shinawatra community radio stations.
They also clamoured for Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s resignation over the crackdown on red-shirt protesters during the Songkran street riots.
Protest leader Somyos Pruksakasemsuk, of the anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship, handed a letter outlining their demands to Nathee Premrasami, a permanent secretary at the Prime Minister’s Office.
Mr Somyos said if the government did not bow to their demands they would rally again on May 16 and 17 at Sanam Luang and on May 18 at the parliament.
Before handing over the letter, the protesters burned a 21-inch television set which they said would show only ASTV, run by supporters of the rival yellow-shirts.
Hundreds of police and soldiers were deployed around Government House.
The protest prompted police to close traffic in front of the Government House compound.
PM’s Office Minister Satit Wongnongtaey said the government had no authority to open or close a satellite station. A special committee was in charge of the matter.
However, the operator of the station would be held responsible for the content it airs after the station was unblocked.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/05/07/p1news/images/30102141-01.jpg

Red shirted protesters rally before Government House Wednesday, demanding govt to re-open their D-Station satellite TV which was closed after political chaos. They blamed the army of being behind the closure.//Vorawit Pumpuang

Bron: Bangkok Post

115

PM rejects DAAD claims Songkran rioting planned by govt

By The Nation
Published on May 9, 2009

**Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday dismissed allegations that the Songkran rioting had been planned by the government, insisting that he was in the car that was battered by anti-government protesters at the Interior Ministry. **

Abhisit said the government had not plotted the violence that broke out at the Interior Ministry and at the meeting venue of the** Asean **Summit in Pattaya on April 11-12.

He said he was surprised that the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DAAD) leaders had distorted the facts surrounding what happened on those days despite ample evidence that he was facing a life-threatening situation.

Pheu Thai Party MP** Jatuporn Promphan had on Thursday said Abhisit and Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban were not in the cars that were attacked by red-shirted protesters at the Interior Ministry. He claimed that the government had soldiers wear red shirts **and act violently so as to frame charges against the DAAD.

The** Democrat Party **leader’s personal spokesman, Thepthai Senpong, said he believed Jatuporn had levelled the allegation in order to justify the red-shirt rally tomorrow.

Niphon Promphan, secretary-general to the prime minister, dismissed the allegation made by Jatuporn, saying the** red shirts **did not attack an empty car and hundreds of protesters and reporters had witnessed the incident.

Army spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnerd denied that some soldiers had put on** red shirts **and attacked the prime minister’s car, saying there were uniformed military officials standing guard at the Interior Ministry.

Jatuporn said he had pictures that had not been shown anywhere else but that he would expose during tomorrow’s rally. The pictures allegedly show Abhisit and Suthep changing cars and leaving the ministry while leaving the other car to lure the red-shirt attacks.

Veera Musigapong, a red-shirt leader, said he would hold a rally at a field near Wat Pai Kiew in Bangkok’s Don Muang district tomorrow. He will make a speech titled “Truth Today: Who Hurts Thailand?”

He said former prime minister****[URL=“http://www.nationmultimedia.com/search/adsearch.php?keyword=+Thaksin+”] Thaksin **Shinawatra **would not phone in to the event but that he, Veera, would expose the truth that Abhisit was not in the bulletproof car as he claimed. "He just had the violent scene plotted and made up to justify his imposition of the state emergency,‘’ he said.

Although Veera said the** red shirts would not stage more protests at the Asean **Summit in Phuket, another of their leaders, Arisman Pongruangrong, has threatened to lead a protest in Phuket.

Arisman denied that the** red shirts had intended to block the Asean **Summit in Pattaya. He said they had been assaulted by the blue shirts.

He said the** red shirts **filed complaints against the blue shirts but police had not taken legal action against them.

However, he added, the** red shirts were taking drastic action over what happened. He said he would gather evidence and file a complaint with national human-rights organisations and country leaders who are joining the coming Asean Summit in Phuket.
"If the government does not take any action against the blue shirts, it will certainly see the red shirts in Phuket. We are not going to block the Asean **meeting, but only do what we are entitled to do,‘’ he said.

Bron: The Nation

116

Peace bid needs more than white shirts

By: ANUCHA CHAROENPO Published: 9/05/2009 at 12:00 AM Newspaper section: NewsOn paper, the “Stop Hurting Thailand” campaign, recently initiated by 21 organisations, is a good idea to motivate Thais to seek a peaceful resolution to the political rifts that have paralysed the country over the past few years.
The question is how to make it a reality.
Media organisations, state agencies, the military, civic groups and businessmen have given their backing to the campaign, which urges political factions to end the disputes which are tearing the country apart.
But doubts remain over how long the initiative will last, or how successful it will be, as running such a campaign requires a monumental effort.
Those critical of “Stop Hurting Thailand” say it will only be short-lived. And as such it will be a meaningless attempt to return Thailand to normalcy.
The campaign, launched last Monday , aims to appeal to those who rallied on the streets and repeatedly said they wanted peace, unity and national reconciliation.
Thousands of people dressed in white shirts bearing the slogan “Stop Hurting Thailand” and waving Thai flags, rallied from the King Vajiravudh statue in front of Lumpini Park and paraded along Silom Road.
The event was the first major anti-violence rally since the yellow shirts and red shirts recently took to the streets.
During the rally, the campaign’s leaders read out a list of nine steps needed to restore peace to Thailand. These included calls for all political groups to be united, to refrain from violent clashes, and to stop insulting the monarchy or claiming connections to it for political reasons.
They asked the government to act transparently and in a straightforward manner, and for reporters to stringently comply with their codes of ethics and abstain from exploiting their positions for political purposes.
Additionally, they urged the public to support the campaign by raising the national flag in front of their homes.
In 2004, the Thaksin Shinawatra government initiated a similar initiative to campaign for peace in the increasingly violent southern border provinces. Back then the government encouraged people nationwide to fold and write peace messages on paper cranes. An estimated 100 million of these origami birds were then dropped over the three Muslim-dominated provinces of Narathiwat, Pattani and Yala.
While a number of peace advocates supported the campaign, many were critical of it, saying it would do little to solve the complex problems behind the violence.
Daily violence and killings continued unabated in the troubled provinces despite the dropping of the cranes for peace.
The government and its partner organisations did nothing to monitor the campaign’s effects. Many locals asked how could origami cranes bring them peace.
The 21 organisations behind “Stop Hurting Thailand”, which include the Thai Journalists Association and the King Prachadhipok Institute, should take note of the cranes for peace campaign’s failures. To be successful they must come up with more concrete measures for reaching a political resolution than simply donning white shirts and asking people to raise theThai flag.
What most people want to see from the campaign is proof of how it will achieve its lofty objectives. While this may be more time consuming for the organisers, if they can provide such clarifications “Stop Hurting Thailand” has a chance of success.

Bron: Bangkok Post

117

Red-shirts to launch DStation mark 2.
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By: BangkokPost.com Published: 11/05/2009 at 04:58 PM The anti-government United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) will launch a second version its satellite-based DStation, to replace the station shut down by the government.
The new satellite-based station would either be called “News DStation” or “DStation 2” and was expected to be on air on May 18, UDD prominent figure and former Thai Rak Thai party executive Adisorn Piengket said on Monday.

He said all programmes and features would be the same as the first DStation and it would operate like Asia Satellite Television (ASTV) - which is owned and operated by People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) co-founder Sondhi Limthongkul.

Mr Adisorn said the new Dstation was willing to give full assistance to the fact-finding committee into political activity and violence during the Songkran holiday period. It would, if requested, provide any information it had available.

The government lifted the state of emergency in Bangkok and nearby provinces on April 24, but has continued to block DStation and other pro-UDD radio stations.

Mr Adisorn also commented on the committee on national reconciliation and constitutional amendment, which will meet Tuesday to begin allocating responsibilities.
He said reconciliation would be impossible if the government continued to arrest key members of the red-clad movement.

The government has plans to arrest more than 100 UDD leaders over the next few days, according to Mr Adisorn.

Another UDD leader and former government spokesman Nattawut Saikua said the red-shirt rally at Paikaew temple on Sunday was not aimed at provoking the group’s supporters into action against the government.

Mr Nattawut said the rally was not in contravention of the bail conditions the court set when allowing bail for him and two other UDD leaders, Veera Musikaphong and Weng Tojirakarn.
The court ordered the UDD leaders must not engage in any acts of provocation, disrupt the police investigation into the Songkran riots or leave the country without permission.

Bron: Bangkok Post

118

PHUKET SUMMIT
Red shirts in Phuket have no plan to disrupt Asian Summit

By Phuket Gazette online

**Red shirts in Phuket vowed Tuesday they have no plan to cause a disturbance during Asian Summit rescheduled to be held next month on the island. **

They conveyed the message during a meeting with Phuket Governor Wichai Phraisa-ngop, Phuket Gazette online reported Tuesday.
They submitted a letter to the governor which said they would not do anything to destroy Phuket’s reputation during the Summit to be held between June 13 and 14.
The group’s leader, Wisut Tangwittayaporn said, “We will not rally or do anything to destroy the reputation of Phuket and Thailand during the meetings.”
“We will co-operate with the people of Phuket to prevent the “other color” group from causing any disturbance during the meetings,” he said.
The online quoted the governor as saying he wanted nothing more than the** Asean summits to go smoothly.
“If everyone comes together to host a successful series of meetings, it will benefit the entire island by enhancing Phuket’s reputation as a safe tourist destination,” he said.
If any Phuket people are unhappy about the meetings, they should drive the governor off the island rather than take part in anti-government demonstrations, he added.
Wisut said his group continued to oppose the government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and its decision to invoke the Internal Security Act in Phuket during the meeting.
“The Security Act will impact tourism in Phuket. Tourists will be frightened when they land at Phuket International Airport and see soldiers armed with assault rifles,” he said.
Given that Phuket and six other nearby provinces are the power base of the Democrat Party, there is no reason to invoke the Act in Phuket or surrounding provinces.
While admitting to his role in mobilizing red-shirt followers to take part in demonstrations at the aborted summit in Pattaya over the Songkran holiday, the he insisted his goal is political reconciliation across the entire country.
To achieve this, Prime Minister Abhisit must call on his party members to stop accusing the red shirts of being the cause of violence, he said.
“If his party’s members don’t stop barking at the red shirts, there is no way to have reconciliation in Thailand,” said Mr Wisut, who in 2007 ran unsuccessfully for a seat on the Phuket Provincial Administration Organization during a by-election in District 1.
He came in third with just 273 votes to 839 for the winner, Democrat Party **member Somkuan Tansakul.

Bron: Phuket Gazette

119

**Thaksin to address red-shirt protesters at 8:30 pm
**

Former prime minister****[URL=“http://www.nationmultimedia.com/search/adsearch.php?keyword=+Thaksin+”] Thaksin **Shinawatra **will make a phone-in to address his supporters at Sanam Luang at 8:30 pm.

Jatuporn Promphan, a red-shirt leader, said** Thaksin **would use the phone-in to point out the failure of the economic measures of the government.

Jatuporn said** Thaksin would point out that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva **could not tackle the economic crisis.

Bron: The Nation

120

Reds end rally at 6 am Sunday.

The red-shirt people ended their rally at Sanam Luang at 6 am Sunday.

At that time, about 3,000 demonstrators remained at the rally ground.

Veera Musigapong, a red-shirt leader, told the crowd that the rally would end until another rally is held in the future.

The remaining demonstrators left Sanam Luang in passenger buses and vans.

After the protesters dispersed, about 1,500 police returned to their bases.

Bron: The Nation.

Red shirts end Bangkok rally

Published: 28/06/2009 at 06:50 PM Protesters from the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD)ended a peaceful rally at Sanam Luang on Sunday with the promise of more anti-government gatherings in the future.

Thaksin, who is living in exile to avoid a jail term for corruption, urged a crowd of around 25,000 followers not to leave him “dying in the desert” of Dubai in an impassioned telephone address late Saturday.
The crowds stayed overnight at the historic protest grounds and dispersed at around 6am on Sunday after a 14-hour rally marked by several spells of heavy rain, police said.
Police said the demonstration was peaceful as the protesters had promised, but more than 3,000 officers and 1,000 soldiers were on hand during the event to guard government offices and search the crowd.
Thaksin made a 50-minute speech on Saturday night, telling the cheering, red-clad crowd: “We come here because we want to see real democracy. We hate injustice and double standards”.
“I am fine and doing some business and travelling around but I am really lonely, I want to go back,” Thaksin said. “Why do you have to leave me dying in the desert when I can work for our country?”
Appealing to his grassroots support base in the poorer north of Thailand, he said current Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s government was “good for three things: borrowing, hiking taxes and hounding Thaksin.”
Protesters repeated their demands for Mr Abhisit to dissolve parliament and call fresh elections.
But they heavily berated Privy Council chairman Gen Prem Tinsulanonda for allegedly instigating the 2006 coup that ousted Thaksin.
Protest leader Jatuporn Prompan said they would organise three more gatherings, without saying when they would be.
During his weekly television programme on Sunday, Mr Abhisit made no mention of the rally.

Bron: Bangkok Post.