THAILAND ILLUSTRATE

2006-03-15T06:23:00.000-08:00

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.

2006-03-15T06:19:00.000-08:00

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.

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2006-03-02T03:04:00.001-08:00

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.

2006-03-02T03:04:00.000-08:00

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.

2006-03-02T03:02:00.001-08:00

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.”

2006-03-02T03:02:00.000-08:00

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.

2006-03-02T03:00:00.001-08:00

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.

2006-03-02T03:00:00.000-08:00

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.

2006-03-02T02:57:00.000-08:00

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.

2006-03-02T02:56:00.000-08:00

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.

2006-03-02T02:55:00.001-08:00

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.”

2006-03-02T02:55:00.000-08:00

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.

2006-03-02T02:53:00.000-08:00

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.

2006-02-27T00:18:00.000-08:00

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.

2006-02-27T00:17:00.000-08:00

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.