Wednesday, March 15, 2006

Thousands begin march to Government House

By ThaiDay 14 March 2006 10:36




Led by members of the Santi Asoke Buddhist sect’s Dharmma Army, anti-Thaksin protestors began filing out of Sanam Luang just before 7am to begin their march to Government House.

In orderly files, thousands of demonstrators flooded Ratchadamnoen Road carrying colorful flags and banners and chanting “Thaksin Get Out.”

The march had an immediate effect on traffic as all vehicles around Sanam Luang and coming from Thon Buri across the Somdej Phra Pinklao Bridge came to a complete stop.

Along the route, residents – some still in their pyjamas – came out to watch the demonstrators pass.

As the front lines of the demonstration arrived at Democracy Monument around 7.10am, tens of thousands of protestors were still waiting to file out of Sanam Luang.

PAD leaders plan to stay briefly at the monument before continuing on to Government House just before 9am.

Posted by ironcheetah at 6:23 AM | | Comments

PAD leaders call for calm before march
By David Ogan 14 March 2006 07:17

The People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) urged demonstrators to protest peacefully this morning, before beginning a march to Government House to call for the ouster of caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Less than two hours before the PAD began its march at 7am, several PAD leaders told the crowd not to respond to provocations and have faith that their peaceful protest will succeed.

Some 40,000 people were already present at Sanam Luang at 5.30am.

Rosana Tositrakul, a leading PAD figure, took the stage just after 5am to remind people not to carry weapons or provoke police.

“We must adhere to these peaceful principles to plant the roots of democracy deep in our country,” she said.

Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang, a core member of the alliance leadership, said the march to Government House is not an attack.

“Do not enter or break into Government House,” he said. “We have planned this march well and we will sit outside Government House and believe me that Thaksin will be out in a few days.”

Chamlong said traffic on Somdej Phra Pin Klao and Rama VIII bridges will come to a halt.

“Thaksin will suffer great headaches that will be cured only with resignation.”

Sondhi Limthongkul, was the last PAD core leader to speak before the march.

“We will not leave Government House until Thaksin resigns,” he told the cheering crowds.

The PAD then commenced religious rituals that included Buddhist, Christian and Islamic rites at around 6am.

Various groups within the PAD, such as striking state enterprise workers and university students, began meeting up around 6am.

The march to Government House begins at 7am and the PAD is expected to arrive there just before 9am.

Posted by ironcheetah at 6:19 AM | | Comments

Thursday, March 02, 2006





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PM tells public to mail in its support
Urges TRT members to get people to rally
POST REPORTERS

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra holds up a placard advertising PO Box 888, through which the public can provide their suggestions regarding the current political impasse. — SAROT MEKSOPHAWANNAKUL

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is aiming to drum up resistance against the calls for him to stand down by urging his supporters to send him mail to support his cause.

The embattled prime minister took reporters by surprise when he showed up at Government House with a banner displaying a Post Office box number.

He urged members of the public who ''uphold democracy and peace'' to send in postcards or letters to PO Box 888 as soon as possible so he could have them laid out in front of Government House on Sunday.

''I want people to send them as soon as possible. If it reaches me before March 5, that's even better,'' he said.

He insisted the amount of mail sent would not represent a barometer of his popularity, but would provide a ''demonstration'' by people who do not want to see a bloodbath and who may not necessarily be Thai Rak Thai supporters.

Mr Thaksin's latest move comes after his planned rally tomorrow at Sanam Luang, aimed at countering the anti-Thaksin events carried out by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

Thai Rak Thai members have reportedly been told to try and encourage as many supporters as possible to attend the rally.

Earlier, he issued a million copies of an open letter for distribution to households in an attempt to clear his name from the Shin Corp sale scandal. He reiterated in every forum he attended yesterday that he would not yield to ''mob rule'' and step down.

It was a day filled with rumours, which the subjects concerned tried their utmost to quell. Mr Thaksin dismissed a report that he requested a meeting with Privy Council chairman Gen Prem Tinsulanonda. He also fiercely rejected speculation he was to step down amid reports the military was ready to stage a coup d'etat.

''Some people spread the rumour that I'm resigning, which isn't true. I'm a caretaker prime minister until the elections and the new prime minister after that,'' Mr Thaksin said.

A Thai Rak Thai MP said yesterday that party leaders had ordered constituency MPs to bring as many supporters as possible to tomorrow's rally. The goal is to get over 200,000 people, especially from greater Bangkok, to the rally in a bid to outnumber those attending the anti-Thaksin events.

The source claimed the MPs were told to round up as many people in their districts as they could find by using any means possible.

However, no other new methods were being utilised to try and combat the opposition's tactics, the source said.

''The party should not have lost old-timers like Mr Sanoh [Thienthong] because experience is still important and although we have an inspiring leader, nothing beats experience,'' the source said.

Mr Sanoh, who leads the Wang Nam Yen faction, said some governors had informed him of the order to mobilise people to back the prime minister tomorrow.

Fretting over possible confrontations between supporters and opponents of the prime minister, Mr Sanoh called on Mr Thaksin to scrap the pro-government rally and instead hold talks with the opposition parties, key PAD members and senior government officials in parliament to find a way out of the political impasse.

As the government is working to attract its supporters to Bangkok, the leading opposition Democrats took a different direction. They are heading upcountry in a bid to highlight the urgency they feel is required to oust Mr Thaksin over what they describe as his unethical leadership.

A Bangkok council member said city councillors from Thai Rak Thai had also been instructed to get at least 800 people from each area to tomorrow's rally.

The PAD said the group would step up pressure against Mr Thaksin if he does not resign by their Sunday deadline. ''There'll be no negotiations. We'll remain until he quits. It could be weeks or months, but we'll stay,'' said PAD leader Suriyasai Katasila.

Mr Thaksin's critics yesterday denounced the rally and PO Box announcement, saying they would only encourage more confrontation.

Senator Nirun Pithakwatchara said the violent uprisings in the past stemmed from attempts to divide the public.

Wannatham Kanchanasawat, deputy dean of Sukhothai Thammathirat University's political science faculty, said confrontation was looming and the rally would only make things worse.

''He [Mr Thaksin] has the right [to hold the rally] but it's a double-edged sword. I don't want him to cause further divisions,'' he said.

The Democrat party decided to call off its anti-Thaksin address on Saturday at the Royal Plaza, said party spokesman Ong-art Khlampaiboon.

He said party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva was concerned the party would fall victim to or be used as a tool by those in power.

''Given the information and opinions gathered from all sectors, Mr Abhisit chose to step back in terms of the public address. The decision was based on certain signs and information which I can't divulge,'' he said. However, the party would move ahead with public speeches in the provinces. He also said a highly respected person recently offered to arrange a private meeting between the Democrat leader and Mr Thaksin. However, Mr Abhisit turned it down, he said.

Posted by ironcheetah at 3:04 AM | | Comments

The military has not pressured the PM,' says armed forces chief
By ThaiDay

Thailand’s top military commander this morning said the armed forces will stay out of politics, insisting no coup would be staged to remove caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra from power.

Armed Forces Supreme Commander Gen Ruengroj Mahasaranond said the current phase of uncertainty will come to an end with a political solution to the problem, and there would be no need for the military to force regime change.

“This situation is political and this should be solved by political means,” he told reporters this morning. “The military has not pressured the prime minister in any way.”

He added: “I have no idea where these rumors have come from.”

An alliance to oust Thaksin has given the premier until Sunday to step down, claiming he abused his power by eroding democratic institutions and gearing policy to enrich the business interests of his family and cronies.

They say they will take to the streets if Thaksin refuses to resign, which could spark violence and a repeat of political revolutions of the past, most of which have ended following military intervention.

Posted by ironcheetah at 3:04 AM | | Comments

Desperation grips Thaksin as political noose tightens
By ThaiDay



Thousands of demonstrators pour out of Sanam Luang and begin their march to Democracy Monument, demanding that Thaksin resign by Sunday.

Amid escalating political tension and mounting calls for his resignation, embattled Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra appeared to be driven close to despair last night after his efforts to accommodate opposition demands for political reforms were rejected.

A statement signed by Thaksin pledging constitutional amendments to usher in political reforms, in addition to promises by the caretaker government to postpone the April 2 general election to give parties more time to prepare, were largely ignored by the opposition alliance, which remains determined to boycott the poll.

The Opposition’s unyielding stance prompted angry reactions from the Thai Rak Thai leadership last night. “The [caretaker] prime minister has given in on everything. What more do they want?” said TRT deputy leader and Caretaker Agriculture Minister Khunying Sudarat Keyuraphan.

And in a direct broadside at opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, Khunying Sudarat said: “Does he just want to tear up the Constitution? Is he a Democrat with blood-stained hands?”

Abhisit and his two opposition allies – Chart Thai Party leader Banharn Silapa-archa and Mahachon leader Maj-Gen Sanan Kachornprasart – roundly rejected Thaksin’s latest plea for cooperation to break the current political impasse, saying that Thaksin’s fickleness made him untrustworthy.

The political stalemate last night came after yet another day of high drama and political posturing by both sides. However, Thaksin visibly softened his stand by offering to go and meet Abhisit either at the latter’s residence or the Democrat Party headquarters to negotiate a solution to the political crisis.

Thaksin’s reconciliatory approach was in stark contrast to his defiant stance Monday when he dismissed the opposition alliance’s proposal to sign a joint-declaration on political reforms.

Instead, Thaksin went ahead with meeting leaders of several small parties Monday to try to strike another deal whereby they would make public pledges on constitutional amendments while election campaigning, which they would later honor in the post-election Parliament.

The caretaker prime minister’s sudden change of heart came after the three opposition parties announced they would boycott the election.

“Just tell me what you want me to do and I’ll be happy to do it. If Khun Abhisit wants it, I can go to see him at his residence or at his party headquarters,” Thaksin told reporters.

Meanwhile, a group of senators is attempting to gather 60 signatures from their peers calling on Thaksin to quit.

If successful, the petition will be handed to Thaksin in person Friday.

Senators said they were fearful that the growing anti-Thaksin sentiment could result in violence if the prime minister did not step down.

The move was led by Col Somkid Sreesangkom, senator from Udon Thani province, and around 10 other senators.

“Senators are very concerned about the present situation. We believe that our action will help improve the situation,” said Somkid.

“People are now spilling onto the streets to oust the prime minister,” said Bangkok Senator Seree Suwanpanont. “That’s why we are pleading with him to resign.”

While Pathum Thani Senator Nipattha Amornratmetha said: “The prime minister should resign for the country’s sake.”

Ubon Ratchathani Senator Nirun Phitakwatchara said Thaksin has no choice but to resign.

“If the prime minister does not resign then the situation may become violent.”

Posted by ironcheetah at 3:02 AM | | Comments

Military says it will not intervene
By Ismail Wolff

The heads of the armed forces yesterday assured embattled caretaker prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra that the military will not intervene in the political crisis gripping the country.

“The military will not get involved in politics…I don’t think there will be any moves by the military,” Army Commander-in-Chief Sonthi Boonyaratakalin said following a meeting with Thaksin and top military commanders at Government House yesterday.

Gen Sonthi said that, unless he orders soldiers out of their barracks to take action, they will not become involved in the political crisis. “I can assure you that, if the army commander tells them not to go out, they will not go out.”

Sonthi also said there will be no reshuffling of the Special Warfare Command to provide security in Bangkok as rumored. However, he said some elite commandos from the special warfare command have been assigned to provide security to the military’s top commanders during the present political turmoil.

The comments came following concerns by various parties, including a group of more than 30 senators, over rumors of irregular troop movements under the command of Thaksin’s military classmates.

“We are concerned about the movement of troops and the use of emergency decrees and, if the country comes to a dead end, we believe the prime minister’s resignation is the way to solve the problems,” Senator Sak Korsaengruang said yesterday.

The hastily organized meeting between Thaksin and army leaders was also attended by Armed Forces Supreme Commander Gen Ruengroj Mahasaranon, air force chief ACM Chalit Pukpasuk, navy chief Adm Sathiraphan Keyanont and national police chief Gen Kowit Wattana.

Gen Ruengroj played down fears of the military getting involved, saying the current political unrest is not serious enough to warrant intervention.

“The [caretaker] prime minister ordered the military to be prepared in their bases, but they must not move out from their barracks as the situation is not so serious that the military needs to get involved,” Gen Ruengroj said.

Thaksin emerged from the meeting with a more conciliatory tone than of late, saying he was prepared to consult with his political opponents to find a democratic solution to the political impasse. However, the offer was rejected by the opposition coalition yesterday, which said it had come too late.

Given Thailand’s history of military coups and the current tense political standoff, analysts yesterday said military intervention, although unlikely, cannot be ruled out.

Yesterday’s meeting came one day after the main opposition political parties announced a boycott of the April 2 elections called by the embattled caretaker prime minister. Their stand has raised political tensions to a new high following weeks of mass protests by a wide spectrum of the population calling for Thaksin’s resignation.

The Peoples’ Alliance for Democracy’s ultimatum to Thaksin to resign by March 5, when anti-government protestors will once again take to the streets, has increased fears of clashes, observers said yesterday.

Posted by ironcheetah at 3:02 AM | | Comments

Dharma Army leads with patience and calm
By Jutarat Tongpiam

Belying their strict adherence to the Lord Buddha’s teachings and visibly ascetic lifestyle, the followers of the Santi Asoke sect felt obliged to take part in the anti-Thaksin rally in Sanam Luang.

“We are a part of society, a part of the country. We are not outsiders. We keep abreast of social and political movements, and we saw that the country had reached the point where we had to get involved,” Samana Bodhiraksa said on Sunday in Sanam Luang.

Samana Bodhiraksa, who is acknowledged to be the sect’s leader, led nearly 100 Santi Asoke monks and about 1,300 devotees to the rally on Sunday. He and his group set up camp on the fringes of Sanam Luang opposite Thammasat University.

They left Sanam Luang yesterday, the last group to do so, after the People’s Alliance for Democracy gave Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra the ultimatum of resigning by March 5 or facing another mass rally on that day and more drastic measures.

Samana Bodhiraksa said that Thailand is now critically split between a pro-government side and an anti-government faction. His denomination decided to join the latter after considerable deliberation. His group is neutral, he said, adding that many mainstream Buddhists are under the misguided impression that monks should stay out of politics.

“Being neutral does not mean keeping silent or ignoring your environment. Also, it is not simply combining goodness and badness and then dividing the outcome equally. Neutrality, the Lord Buddha teaches us, means freedom from prejudice, promotion of righteousness and championing virtuous people,” he explained.

He said that the non-violent nature of the anti-Thaksin gatherings led by Sondhi Limthongkul prompted his decision to join Sunday’s rally. He added that the peaceful gatherings demonstrated the participants’ genuine desire for a peaceful country with real democracy.

“Our support can serve as a little drop of cool water during this heated period. The Dharma Army is well-known for calm and patience devoid of violence,” Samana Bodhiraksa said. “We have trained ourselves to live simply. We do not care for worldly goods. So, this place is fine for us,” he said.

Samana Bodhiraksa admitted, however, that spending the night at the rally grounds was not easy for his sect members as it was less comfortable than the Santi Asoke Center. “The mosquitoes here must have been very well fed in the last couple of nights. In a way, that is good for us, for it gives us more practice in our endeavor to tolerate pain,” he said.

Santi Asoke disciples wear a simple dark-blue, or black, round-necked shirt with plain pants or sarongs. They lead a no-frills lifestyle and dispense with physical adornaments. Some of them even walk barefooted.

Yesterday, the Santi Asoke sect monks and disciples went about their daily lives, just as they had on the previous two days at the Royal Field. The monks got up before dawn and collected alms from the members of the public who had come to offer them food, or to discuss with, or consult, them on dharma teachings. They then returned to Sanam Luang to chant with their followers and the public for two hours, after which they had their daily single meal at about 10:30am.

“While the monks perform their duties, we Santi Asoke devotees carry out our own tasks. We have a set routine to help others, and we ensure that our activities here do not pose a burden on anybody,” 35-year-old Santi Asoke follower Tewin Sithnoy said.

While Tewin was speaking, other disciples collected the mountain of plastic sheets and cardboard left on the ground by Monday night’s crowd, rolled it all up and stored it neatly in paper cartons. They also gathered discarded water bottles, food boxes and wrappers on the vast grounds and put them into trash bags. Other acolytes dismantled tents and loaded them onto trucks waiting nearby.

“We came here to give our support to the people who need it,” 30-year-old Santi Asoke member Penpak Rattachai said, smiling brightly while rolling up a plastic sheet.

According to Tewin, the Dharma Army and devotees left Sanam Luang yesterday evening for the Santi Asoke Center in Bangkok, where they will prepare themselves for the next anti-Thaksin rally scheduled for March 5.

“I don’t know how many of us will join next time because all of us are volunteers. I do not hate Thaksin, but I pity him because I know the real meaning of true happiness without the need for money, but he does not, even though he has billions of baht,” Tewin said.

Posted by ironcheetah at 3:00 AM | | Comments

Thaksin extends hand to opposition
By ThaiDay

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra visibly softened his position today, offering to go and meet opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva either at the latter’s residence or the Democrat party’s headquarters to negotiate a solution to the current political crisis.

Thaksin’s suddenly reconciliatory stance starkly contrasts his firm position of yesterday when he dismissed the opposition alliance’s proposal to sign a joint declaration on political reforms among the leaders of the four parties which had representatives in the dissolved House.

Instead of going along with the opposition’s proposal, Thaksin went ahead and met with the leaders of several small parties to try to strike another deal whereby they would commit to constitutional amendments to be passed by the new post-election Parliament.

The caretaker prime minister’s sudden change of heart today came after the three opposition parties announced their decision late yesterday to boycott the election, which heightened overall political tensions.

“Just tell me what to do today and I’ll be happy to do it. If Khun Abhisit (the Democrat leader) wanted it, I can go to see him at his residence or at his party headquarters,” Thaksin told reporters this afternoon.

There was no immediate reaction from the Democrat leadership.

Thaksin has also agreed to sign a joint declaration with the opposition leaders on political reforms, although his Thai Rak Thai party plans to go about implementing the reforms are different from those advocated by the opposition.

Aside from his preparedness to sign the joint declaration on political reforms, Thaksin has also agreed to an extended timeframe beyond the scheduled snap election on April 2 in order to allow the opposition parties more time to prepare for the poll.

Under the Constitution, new elections must be held within 60 days after the dissolution of Parliament.

This latest concession by TRT, however, was quickly shot down by the Chart Thai Party, one of the three opposition parties, which claimed that the political situation has gone beyond the point of discussing an extended election date.

Posted by ironcheetah at 3:00 AM | | Comments

Thaksin hosts urgent meeting with top brass
By ThaiDay

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has summoned an urgent meeting with the country’s military top brass amid growing political tension after the opposition alliance decided yesterday to boycott the April 2 snap election.

Supreme Commander Gen Ruangroj Mahasaranont was seen arriving at Government House around noon while the commanders of the three armed forces and the National Police Chief are expected to arrive shortly to attend the urgent meeting.

There was no immediate government clarification on the objectives behind the meeting, but coming at a time of heightened tension in the face of the opposition’s electoral boycott and mounting calls by pro-democracy groups, the meeting is seen as symbolically significant.

The latest development came as the last groups of the anti-Thaksin protestors – followers of the Santi Asoke religious sect – dispersed from the Sanam Luang rally site.

The bulk of the demonstrators dispersed after midnight this morning and vowed to regroup at Sanam Luang in larger numbers to demand Thaksin’s resignation on March 5.

Posted by ironcheetah at 2:57 AM | | Comments

Protestors give Thaksin deadline to resign
By ThaiDay

Anti-government protestors have set a five-day deadline of Sunday, March 5 for Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to resign or face more nationwide protests.

The deadline was announced after midnight this morning as tens of thousands of demonstrators marched from the main rally site at Sanam Luang to the nearby Democracy Monument on Rajdamnern Avenue to pay tribute to pro-democracy demonstrators who died in the historic October 14 uprising of 1973 that toppled an extended era of military dictatorship.

Chanting the now familiar slogan “Thaksin Get Out,” the demonstrators marched from Sanam Luang just after midnight under the leadership of key protest leaders, including media firebrand and anti-Thaksin crusader Sondhi Limthongkul and former Palang Dharma leader and one-time Thaksin mentor Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang. The long procession arrived at the Democracy Monument about half an hour later.

The protest leaders announced they would give Thaksin until March 5 to resign from office or face another major round of protests.

Sondhi told the demonstrators to take three days off from work, so they could demonstrate solidarity and continue to protest to oust Thaksin.

After jointly lighting candles to demonstrate the people’s wisdom to fight dictatorship, the demonstrators dispersed at around 1.30am.

The next major rally has been set to begin at 4pm on Sunday.

Posted by ironcheetah at 2:56 AM | | Comments

Regional study ranks Thailand 10th most corrupt in Asia
By Ismail Wolff

A regional survey naming Thailand as the only country in Asia where corruption has worsened over the past year does not come as a surprise, anti-corruption advocates said yesterday.

The annual survey by Hong Kong-based think-tank Political and Economic Risk Consultancy (PERC) noted in its report high-level corruption cases in Thailand, including the recent sale of a Shin Corp stake by the family of Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The controversial sale has galvanized the former telecom tycoon’s detractors into action.

“Thailand’s case is special. Accusations of high-level corruption have been intensifying in recent months – to the point where they could affect political stability,” the PERC survey said. Thailand was ranked 10th out of the 13 countries surveyed, and scored 7.64 out of 10, with 10 being the worst.

Tortrakul Yomnak, a co-founder of corruptionwatch.net and chair of the Working Committee to Study Corruption and Good Governance at the National Economic and Social Advisory Council, said the government has shown over the years that it has no intention of dealing with the problem of corruption.

“The Thaksin administration is not serious about tackling corruption. Even though the prime minister’s claims that he has no intention to and has never taken any money from anyone may be true, he supports every minister and every government official [who] is involved in corruption,” Tortrakul said in an interview from the Sanam Luang protests last night.

Thaksin’s promises to tackle corruption within the government and replace corrupt ministers with trustworthy ones have never been realized, Tortrakul said.

Thaksin has announced recently that tackling corruption was among the top agenda of the government, but the Thaksin administration and many of its top ministers as well as the prime minister’s family have been plagued with widespread allegations of corruption. Staunch anti-government critic Sondhi Limthongkul, who last year initiated a mass movement to oust the prime minister, has consistently highlighted cases of alleged corruption in the government.

However, critics say the government has failed to address the allegations and has consistently worked to undermine a number of institutions, such as the National Counter Corruption Commission.

“Corruption [cases] over recent years [have] definitely increased and that is very clear through widespread allegations [about] the new Suvarnabhumi Airport and other major projects,” Veera Somkwamkit, an anti-corruption activist and co-founder of corruptionwatch.net said yesterday. “The corruptionwatch website was such a threat that the government worked to close it down, but it has now reopened under the address of thaicorruptionwatch.net.”

Tortrakul also noted the high-profile case of Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka, who was kept from holding office as auditor general for nearly 18 months, is an indication of the Thaksin administration’s lack of resolve to deal with corruption.

“Khunying Jaruvan knows many cases that could push the prime minister out of office,” Tortrakul said. “And she has said publicly that her knowledge of the prime minister’s wife’s buying of government land, although unintentionally, is the reason she was being forced out,” Tortrakul said.

“People are aware...of all these corruption allegations, but it seems the government continues to be able to work to avoid them.”

Posted by ironcheetah at 2:55 AM | | Comments

Protestors cheer opposition's boycott
By ThaiDay

The three main opposition parties will boycott the April 2 snap election, despite earlier announcements to the contrary.

Anti-Thaksin demonstrators at Sanam Luang cheered the parties’ decision when it was announced to them this evening by Samarn Yodpetch, a spokesperson for the People’s Alliance for Democracy.

Leaders of the Democrat, Chart Thai and Mahachon parties jointly announced a boycott of the election and turned down the invitation by Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to meet with him and representatives of the 27 other registered parties tonight at the Senate building to discuss political reforms.

“The opposition parties have decided not to contest the April 2 election,” Samarn told some 3,000 demonstrators on the second day of the anti-Thaksin protest.

“Let’s fill Sanam Luang with millions of people and chase Thaksin out,” he said to the crowd’s loud cheers.

Posted by ironcheetah at 2:55 AM | | Comments

Thaksin to meet with all parties to discuss reforms
By ThaiDay

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has invited the leaders of all 31 political parties to a meeting this evening to discuss how to proceed with crucial political reforms.

The meeting is scheduled for 6pm at the Senate building. The leader of each of the 31 political parties currently registered with the Election Commission has been invited to attend with up to 3 assistants.

By inviting the leaders of every political party to attend, Thaksin has in effect squashed a proposal by the main opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva who wanted only the leaders of the four parties which had MPs in the recently dissolved House of Representatives to meet.

Although Thaksin has voiced his support for a much-touted political reform process, he made it clear that the way to go about achieving this may significantly differ from the plan advocated by the Democrats.

The Democrat and Mahachon parties proposed amending Article 313 of the Constitution to pave the way for the establishment of a panel comprising seven neutral persons to be appointed by His Majesty the King, which will be tasked with initiating constitutional changes. The Chart Thai Party, meanwhile, wanted the task of making the constitutional changes to come under the responsibility of a larger group of people.

Thaksin said this afternoon that his Thai Rak Thai party prefers the establishment of a large group of neutral people drawn from various walks of life – similar to the specially appointed national assemblies of the 1970s that were tasked with drafting new constitutions.

These differences are expected to be hashed out when the party leaders meet this evening.

Posted by ironcheetah at 2:53 AM | | Comments

Monday, February 27, 2006

Santi Asoke in for the long haul
By ThaiDay

Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang signs autographs at Sanam Luang this morning ahead of the second day of anti-Thaksin protests.

The devout Buddhist sect Santi Asoke this morning vowed to continue its fight to oust the embattled premier after a nightlong vigil at Sanam Luang.

“Absolutely… we will stay for many days, until our job is done,” said one member of the diehard Dharma Army, which says it is committed to toppling Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra because of his lack of moral integrity.

Despite a sleepless night, the sect’s leading figure Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang, Thaksin’s former political mentor, was in high spirits this morning, meeting with local people and members of the media.

Barefooted and wearing a farmer’s outfit, Chamlong, who joined the push to remove the premier eight days ago, signed autographs for the public and fellow anti-Thaksin demonstrators.

Chamlong led a bloody four-day peoples’ power revolt 14 years ago which saw dictator Gen Suchinda Krayprayoon step down, and his arrival on the scene has boosted the anti-Thaksin alliance.

A Bangkok monastery belonging to the sect was hit by a bomb blast last week, which he said was a futile attempt to intimidate Santi Asoke and deter them from joining the rally.

Chamlong joined hundreds of the sect’s followers this morning to listen to a sermon by senior monk, Phra Bhodhirak.

He sat cross-legged among a sea of followers and monks in their signature blue shirts and maroon robes as curious onlookers gathered around.

Chamlong told reporters that Santi Asoke were in for the long haul – a statement backed up by piles of blankets, sleeping bags and food – and that Thaksin’s time was up. “We have the support of the people,” he said.

Steadfast members of the public who stayed at the protest site overnight said members of Santi Asoke had been busy in the early hours of this morning clearing Sanam Luang of litter ahead of a second day of protesting, due to begin at 4pm today.

Posted by ironcheetah at 12:18 AM | | Comments

Protestors take a break, prepare to return
By ThaiDay

The first stage of a marathon rally aimed at removing Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra drew to a close this morning, with organizers calling for protestors to return this afternoon and continue their push to topple the premier.

The protest came to an end around 9am this morning, with weary diehard demonstrators told to rest and recuperate in time for phase two of the mass rally, which will resume at 4pm.

Though last night Sanam Luang hosted more than 100,000 demonstrators, the grounds this morning were nearly empty, with smatterings of yellow-scarved demonstrators sleeping under the tents that surround the protest site.

Discarded posters and placards slamming Thaksin were scattered around the edges of the site, while messages of the crowd’s discontent at the premier’s “dictatorship” were etched on makeshift boards.

Police, who had little to do last night, sat around in small groups ahead of today’s rally. It was business as usual with busloads of students arriving for morning lectures at Thammasat University.

The only sign of activity was the steadfast Dharma Army of the Santi Asoke sect, who gathered in large numbers to listen to a sermon by the sect’s senior monk, Phra Bhodhirak.

The devout Buddhist sect vowed to continue its vigil until Thaksin steps down.

Posted by ironcheetah at 12:17 AM | | Comments

Sunday, February 26, 2006





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Tens of thousands to demand Thai PM quit at rally despite house dissolution
by Boonradom Chitradon
BANGKOK, Feb 26, 2006 (AFP) - Tens of thousands of protesters are expected to rally Sunday in the third mass demonstration in less than month to demand Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra resign over allegations of corruption.

Thaksin's decision Friday to dissolve parliament and hold snap elections three years early in April failed to appease the protest organisers, who have vowed to continue pushing for the premier to step down.

Thailand's three main opposition parties are expected to announce their boycotts of the April 2 polls late Sunday with local papers quoting opposition lawmakers as saying the snap election lacked legitimacy.

But Thaksin Sunday said his ruling Thai Rak Thai (Thais Love Thais) party would go ahead with the election.

"Each party has the right to decide on whether to boycott the election or not. But Thai Rak Thai is the party that follows the constitution. We will follow whatever the constitution says," the premier told reporters.

Thaksin will attend a party meeting to discuss the upcoming election, a party spokeswoman said.

The premier already appeared to begin campaigning during his weekly radio address Saturday, hinting at more populist policies such as wage hikes for civil servants and jobs for students.

Analysts see Thaksin's decision to call early elections as a shrewd political maneuver that will likely give the business magnate turned politician a fresh mandate to build on his landslide election victory in February 2005.

But his critics have denounced the move, saying it benefits only Thaksin.

"The root cause of the problem is Thaksin himself. He must quit unconditionally," said Suriyasai Katasila, spokesman for the People's Alliance for Democracy, which is made up of a variety of anti-Thaksin groups.

Suriyasai urged voters to boycott the April 2 polls. "The People's Alliance for Democracy is calling for everybody to reject this election," he said.

"The election will even lead to more chaos in forming government... Thaksin dissolved parliament just to conceal his faults and escape his wrongdoing.

Thailand's biggest opposition Democrat Party, headed by Abhisit Vejjajiva, will also hold a meeting over boycotting the election.

The anti-Thaksin movement gained momentum over his family's 1.9 billion dollar tax-free sale of stocks in Shin Corp -- the telecoms giant he founded before entering politics -- to foreign investors in January.

The Alliance mobilised 50,000 people for a February 4-5 rally in Bangkok in the biggest anti-government protest since Thaksin took office in 2001. A week later, 20,000 people gathered in the capital.

Suriyasai said he expected as many 100,000 people to turn out Sunday as opposition politicians join a wide cross section of Thaksin critics, from student unions to anti-privatisation advocates intent on unseating the premier.

Government authorities admit Sunday's rally could be larger than previous demonstrations and have warned rally organisers to police their own protesters amid fears of violence.

"The police asked the People's Alliance for Democracy to prepare and supervise its own protesters," said Lieutenant General Nawin Singhaphalin, deputy national police chief for special affairs.

Some 4,700 unarmed police officers will be mobilised for Sunday's demonstration, with another 1,200 on standby, officials said, adding that fire engines will be deployed to key government facilities.

One police source who did not want to be named said authorities were concerned over more militant Thaksin opponents who have joined the Alliance, including Chamlong Srimuang, who led bloody demonstrations in 1992 against the military-backed government in which at least 52 people were killed.

Chamlong has vowed to continue demonstrating until his former political protege steps down.

"Police will closely monitor Chamlong's movements since he is the key factor on the ground," the source said.

"He set the condition that he will not give up if Thaksin does not quit... he may employ new tactics to put more pressure to government."

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Public split on House dissolution, say polls

By Phoojadkarn Daily

The results of two polls carried out on Saturday show varying levels of support for the prime minister’s decision to dissolve Parliament.

More than half of the people interviewed in a Suan Dusit poll concurred with the prime minister’s resolution, while slightly more than one third of the respondents in an ABAC poll said the decision is appropriate.

The Suan Dusit poll was conducted by Rajabhat University following then Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s Friday’s announcement of the dissolution of the House of Representatives.

About 58 percent of the 1,168 people polled in and around Bangkok said the dissolution will return power to the people, give way to a new election and ease current political tensions.

However, about 28 percent disagreed with the decision and suggested that Thaksin should resign. About 13 percent were neutral, characterizing the decision as a political game.

About 43 percent believed the dissolution will help improve the political situation, 39 percent said the announcement will not make any difference and 17 percent said it will make things worse.

In the ABAC poll, about 37 percent of the 1,603 people in Bangkok and vicinity agreed with Thaksin’s decision. On the other hand, 22 percent disagreed, while 40 percent had no comment. However, 53 percent wanted Thaksin to clarify public suspicions, while 36 percent believed the house dissolution is an acceptable option.

Asked what factor would influence their decision most in their choice of politician in the next election, about 61 percent said their consideration will be based on the candidate’s ethics and morality. About 48 percent of the sample said Thaksin should be held responsible if yesterday’s rally turned violent, while 44 percent saw that all the leaders of the demonstration should be blamed.

Posted by ironcheetah at 9:37 AM | | Comments

Mass rally to last until Thaksin quits

By David Ogan

Billed as the largest public demonstration since May 1992, the massive People’s Alliance for Democracy rally kicked off at Sanam Luang yesterday, and organizers swore to continue demonstrating until Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra leaves office.

The crowd, estimated to be more than a hundred-thousand strong, chanted “Thaksin Get Out!” throughout the day, as leading PAD members and celebrated public figures took the stage to denounce Thaksin.

Crowds began arriving at the western side of Sanam Luang, next to Thammasat University, in the early afternoon amid thick police security.

Among the first to arrive were several thousand monks and adherents of the Santi Asoke Buddhist sect, led by Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang at around 1pm.

However, the vast majority of demonstrators arrived after 4pm – the official start time.

Several artists recited on stage folk songs with cutting anti-Thaksin lyrics for more than an hour. Among those who spoke were academics, social thinkers, poets and former politicians.

The crowd cheered loudly when Chaiwat Sinsuwong, who led the Palang Dharma party when Thaksin was still a party member, went up on stage to explain why the caretaker prime minister should step down.

“I think is he very lonely now,” said Chaiwat. “For the past five years, Thaksin has accumulated wealth and power at the cost of his morality. He now needs to step down because his administration has caused so much damage to the country.”

Chaiwat even suggested that Thaksin should quit on health grounds. “The moment he resigns, Thaksin will feel his torment lift from his chest,” he said.

The second speaker to take the stage, former education minister Chingchai Mongkoltham, who has been opposing the government’s attempt to transfer schools to local authority control, defended the right to publicly denounce Thaksin.

“We are practising the purest form of democracy today,” he said. “If our demonstration today is wrong, as the government is claiming, then our Constitution has no meaning.”

Chingchai said the dissolution of the House of Representatives by Thaksin last Friday was a ploy by the prime minister to hold onto power.

“Opposition parties are now unable to counter the government,” he said. “It is a very crafty tactic by the prime minister.”

Chingchai said that dissolution of Parliament should only take place when their is a rift between the legislature and the executive.

“But when government leadership is questioned on moral grounds then the prime minister should resign.”

To loud cheers, Chingchai said he was confident the rally would succeed in ousting Thaksin.

“No tyrant in the entire history of the world has ever succeeded in opposing the will of the people,” he said.

When Maj-Gen Chamlong took the platform, he apologized for Santi Asoke’s late conversion to the anti-Thaksin cause, but vowed to stay to the bitter end.

“Now the Dharma Army has arrived,” he said. “Our group is very strong and is well-trained. We arrived here barefooted and do not eat much and will sleep here tonight.”

However, the loudest cheers were reserved for Thaksin’s staunchest critic, Sondhi Limthongkul, who spearheaded the first anti-Thaksin rally on February 4 at the Royal Plaza. He was relentless in his attack on the premier.

“He is a liar that only wants to save his own skin,” Sondhi said.

Suriyasai Katasila, a PAD founding member, told ThaiDay that the protest would last the distance.

“We are prepared if the rally drags on,” he said. “We are committed to our position until Thaksin resigns.”

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26 February 2006
Rally attracts a who’s who of the discontented
By ThaiDay
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Protesters who are now gathering in Sanam Luang to demand the unconditional ouster of Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra come from a broad spectrum of social backgrounds, from well-to-do urbanites to humble disciples of the Santi Asoke Buddhist sect.

The Dharma Army, led by Thaksin’s former mentor, Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang, will be there in full force. Chamlong announced on February 19 that Thaksin no longer has the legitimacy to govern the country and that he would lead the Dharma Army to at Sanum Luang.

Then there is a combination of civic groups and activists like the group protesting against the Thai-Malaysian pipeline project, the Alliance of Lower Northern People, the Udon Thani Environmental Preservation Group, the committee of relatives of those who died during the Black May violence and the network of Esarn-Tai for Democracy. The biggest group at the rally will, of course, be the People’s Alliance for Democracy, popularly known as PAD. The roster of rally participants under the PAD umbrella includes:



Activist groups:

Assembly of the Poor

Network on Farmers’ Debt Problems

NGO-Coordinating Committee on Development

Northern Farmers’ Federation

National Artists’ Federation

Alliance for Counsumer Rights and its 27 networks

Slum for Democracy Network

FTA Watch group

People’sChannel.org

Campaign for Popular Democracy

Committee on Media Reform

Thai Action Committee for Democracy in Burma

Reconciliation Commission for Thai Laborers

HIV-Infected People’s Group

Parents’ Network for Educational Reform

Southern Forest Network

Khon Kaen People’s Group for Democracy

Thailand People’s Network Against Corruption

Rayong People’s Network

Surin People’s network

Thailand People’s Network Against Corruption

Esarn People’s Network

Network to protect the Water Supply and Electricity for the Nation and Democracy

Pathum Thani Network

Network of Artists for Democracy

Nakhon Sawan People’s Network

Youth Training Program for Social Development

Thai Labor Campaign

Woman’s Power for the Nation Club

Business Alliance for Democracy

Thai Volunteer Service

Foundation of Heroic Democratic People

FM 92.25

Labor Coordinator

Tonkla Institute

Democracy Confederation

Satun Santi Tham Group

Korat Network for Democracy

Trang’s People’s Alliance for Democracy

Patalung People’s Confederation

Southern Artists’ Alliance

Phupha-Talay

Koh Samet Presevation Group

Environmental Network of Ban Chang

Enviromental Protection Group of Trat

People’s Federation for the Environment

October People’s Group



Labor Unions:

Metropolitan Electricity Authority

TOT Plc

CAT Telecom Plc

Metropolitan Waterworks Authority

Port Authority of Thailand

EGAT Plc

Public Warehouse Organization

Provincial Electricity Authority

Fish Marketing Organization

Government Pharmaceutical Organization

Government Savings Bank

Krung Thai Bank

Thai Airways

Tanning Organization

Marketing Organization for Farmers

Tourism Authority of Thailand

Forest Industry Organization of Thailand

Liquor Distillery Organization

Civil Aviation Training Center

Sports Authority of Thailand

PTT Plc

Expressway & Rapid Transit Authority

Bangkok Mass Transit System Plc

Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand

Thailand Post

Government Pawn Brokers’ Organization

Lampang Labor Federation



Students:

The Students Federation of Thailand

Academic Network for Democracy

Songkhla Students Alliance for Democracy

Khon Kaen Academic Group for Society

Chiang Mai University Student Club

Narasuan University

Khon Kaen University

Ramkhamhaeng University

Chulalongkorn University

Thammasat University

Mahasarakam University

Loei Ratchaphat University

Ubon Ratchathani University

Burapha University

Lanna Indy Media



Academics:

Chai-anan Samudavanija

Pramote Nakhonsap

Rangsan Thanapornpan

Amara Pongsapich

Somkiart Pongpaibul

Thanes Charoenmuang

Prasart Meetam

Lecturers from Suranaree University of Technology

Lecturers from Thammasat University’s law faculty

Lecturers from Sukhothai Thammathirat Open

Lecturers from Silpakorn University

Lecturers from Reconciliation Network for Political Reform

Posted by ironcheetah at 4:46 AM | | Comments