Is A Coup Due In Thailand ?

[kensington]

Thailand's Red Shirts Rally Against Coup At Military Camps
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The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) gathered on Thursday at military barracks nationwide to show their stance against a coup that only they say will happen before dispersing without any violence, the Thai News Agency (TNA) reported.




The Red Shirts submitted an anti-coup letter and presented flowers to soldiers at the 4th Cavalry Regiment of the King's Guards in Bangkok.

UDD members in Songkhla, Surin, Lampang and Kanchanaburi launched similar moves as their comrades in the capital before dispersing peacefully.



Political tensions are again on the rise in Thailand as the date for a court verdict concerning former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra nears. Rumors of a military coup continue to sweep the country, despite denials by senior commanders.

Several gatherings of military leaders in recent days have added to political tensions in Thailand. Political analysts here say the army appears concerned about possible violence ahead of a court verdict involving former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Over recent days, Bangkok news media have been flooded with speculation of a possible coup. But military leaders, including army chief General Anupong Paochinda, deny plans for a coup. They also reject reports that the military is divided, with some troops allied with retired generals who support Mr. Thaksin.

In late February, a court is to rule on whether the government can confiscate most of Mr. Thaksin's fortune. The former prime minister, who was ousted in a coup in 2006, went into exile 18 months ago to avoid a prison sentence on corruption charges

Mr. Thaksin's supporters vow to hold frequent protests ahead of the ruling.

Ekkachai Srivilas, a retired military officer and a director at the King Prajadhipok Institute, downplayed the military's moves.

"This is a show of force," he said. "This is natural for the military because it has a conflict in the Royal Thai Army, because they take sides."

Ekkachai says it appears Mr. Thaksin has little support among active duty officers.

Thailand has faced about 20 coups or coup attempts since 1932.

Chris Baker, an author and analyst on Thailand, says the military's recent actions send a message to Mr. Thaksin and his supporters - who largely wear red shirts, ahead of the court verdict.

"There are a lot of veiled threats thrown down by both sides to create some kind of disorder; the military are threatening to use the law enforcement to prevent that - I think a lot of it is about that," said Baker.

Sunai Pasuk, Thailand representative for Human Rights Watch, calls the political climate worrisome. He says Mr. Thaksin's supporters may threaten violence to pressure the government to drop the cases against him and allow him to return home.

"In the current political context without bloodshed Thaksin may not achieve this. That's why it's quite worrying to me; not about the coup but more about provocateur that have been recruited by Thaksin with all the red shirts," he said. "For the government - and the military - it is their responsibility to show restraint; to understand the game plan and not fall into this trap.

Mr. Thaksin is a divisive figure in Thailand. He has strong support among the poor and rural residents, but the urban middle and upper classes consider him corrupt and authoritarian. The divisions have led to a cycle of street protests and government changes. On Friday, Mr. Thaksin supporters rallied outside army headquarters. More rallies are scheduled next week.

 

[DannyBoyBoy]

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[kensington]

Australians warned to avoid Bangkok amid coup nervousness

AUSTRALIANS have been urged to stay away from the Thai capital, Bangkok, as political tensions rise ahead of a court ruling that could see $2 billion in assets confiscated from former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The warning came yesterday from the Tourism Council of Thailand amid coup jitters after two attempted bombings and the threat of a million-strong march by Thaksin loyalists.

Council secretary Pornthip Hirunkape was quoted by ABC radio as warning Australians to stay away from Bangkok for the next fortnight.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has threatened to declare martial law to deal with any trouble by pro-Thaksin United Front for Democracy supporters.

The fugitive billionaire ex-PM, forced out of office in a 2006 military coup, is living in neighbouring Cambodia but he retains a strong following in Thailand's rural northeast.

The English-language Bangkok Post newspaper says 3000 police and more than 2000 troops have been put on notice to ensure security in the capital.

The Australian National University's Thai expert, Andrew Walker, said there was reason for "considerable concern" about the situation in Thailand.

"Talking with people in Thailand who have connections with some of the players in politics, there's certainly an undercurrent of concern and anxiety that things could turn ugly," Dr Walker said. "The upcoming verdict on the Thaksin assets case is potentially a flashpoint.

"I think tensions are just so high now that it would very easy for things to spin out of control."

A court decision to seize Thaksin's assets would severely limit his ability to continue to be a major political player, he said.

The loyalties of the 300,000-strong Thai army are unknown but they would be likely to back Mr Abhisit, Dr Walker said.

"They certainly moved very firmly on the red-shirt Thaksin supporters last April," he said.

The army, whose traditional role has been to protect the monarchy, has been involved in 10 coups or coup attempts since 1971.

 

[kensington]

People get long jail sentences in Thailand for criticising the royal family, so the Thai media have been silent on the question of what happens after the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej.


Bhumibol has been on the throne for 63 years and he is universally revered. Thailand is three years into the worst political crisis it has seen since it became a more or less democratic country two decades ago, and the king is just about the only unifying and stabilising factor that remains. His death would make matters much worse.

The crisis is the result of democracy. Thailand has become a semi-developed country - average income has risen 40-fold since Bhumibol came to the throne - but most of the population is still rural and quite poor. Their votes used to be bought by powerful local politicians and delivered to whichever urban-based party paid the highest price, but no more.

As the people of the overwhelmingly rural north and northeast acquired more education and sophistication, they started using their votes to back politicians who promised to defend their interests and not just those of the Bangkok-based economic elite. In 2001, they elected a populist politician of humble origins called Thaksin Shinawatra as prime minister.


Thaksin had made a fortune in telecommunications, and he probably couldn't have won the elections if he wasn't rich. But he did govern in the interests of the poor, and he was re-elected with an increased majority in 2005.

It was how you would expect a maturing democracy to work, for the poor always outnumber the rich. But you would also expect a backlash from the traditional ruling elite, and it came in the form of the People's Alliance of Democracy (PAD), a yellow-shirted movement that actually aimed to roll back democracy.

By provoking confrontations in the streets with Thaksin's supporters (who took to wearing red shirts), the PAD created a pretext for its allies in the Army to seize power in a military coup in 2006. Since then, Thailand has been in permanent crisis.

Thaksin was convicted of corruption in questionable circumstances and now lives in exile. His political party, Thai Rak Thai, was forced to disband after being found guilty of "electoral fraud" by the Constitutional Court, whose impartiality in this case is open to question.

However, Thaksin's supporters remain devoted to him, and when the Army allowed Thais to vote again at the end of 2007, a new party that was essentially a continuation of Thai Rak Thai won the election.

The voters had got it wrong again, so the crisis continued. Two successive prime ministers who were standing in for the exiled Thaksin were forced to resign by PAD demonstrations and occupations that included a blockade of both of Bangkok's airports.



The PAD's urban, middle-class supporters can control the streets of the capital (with some help from the Army) and even overthrow governments they don't like, but they cannot force the rural majority to abandon its own loyalties.

The country is dangerously polarised and politically paralysed - and many Thais believe that only King Bhumibol can hold the country together.

Maybe it's true, although there are suspicions that he actively supported the 2006 coup rather than just acquiescing in it. (Again, that cannot be openly discussed in Thailand. A well-known former journalist, Daranee Charnchoengsilpakul, was recently sentenced to 18 years in prison after she suggested in a public speech that the king had backed the coup.)

At any rate, the king's death would greatly deepen the crisis, for his likely successor is not loved. Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn has led a turbulent personal life, including three marriages. His attitude has probably not been improved by living for 57 years in the shadow of his father. He would be a perfectly serviceable constitutional monarch in normal times, but the Thai people have decided, fairly or unfairly, that they do not like him very much.

Vajiralongkorn is so lacking in the respect that has enabled his father to play a mediating, calming role that there are those who quietly suggest that his sister, Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, might perform the duties of the monarchy better. It's not impossible.

Thai law has been changed to allow women to occupy the throne, and the constitution leaves the final right to designate an heir to the 19-member Privy Council of senior advisers to the king.

They are unlikely to change the succession, but the mere fact that it could happen introduces another element of uncertainty and potential conflict into the equation. Which gives Thais another reason to pray for Bhumibol's recovery.


By Gwynne Dyer, an independent journalist based in London.

 

[kensington]

A Deal in Thailand over Thaksin's Wealth?

Written by Pavin Chachavalpongpun

Thaksin says 'I didn't do it'


The Supreme Court may seek to cut the baby in half to lessen the danger of riots

Thailand's judgment day is approaching. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hand down the verdict on former premier Thaksin Shinawatra's Bt76 billion (US$2.3 billion) asset seizure case on Thursday.

Already tensions have escalated in the Thai capital. On February 14, one bomb exploded near Government House and another, planted near the Supreme Court, was successfully defused. No casualties were reported. Thais fear that this kind of terrorist attacks may not be the last. The authorities, especially the military, are keeping a watchful eye on Thaksin's red-shirted supporters. They will become the prime suspects should violence erupt.

Last week, an insider who claimed to have been involved in Thaksin's court case said privately that the nine judges have been under immense pressure from all sides and realise that the verdict would certainly not please all of the factions. The upcoming court case will undoubtedly mark another critical juncture in Thai politics. It will determine Thaksin's political direction as well as the role of the red-shirted movement.

Being aware that the verdict will shape the new phase of Thai politics, the judges, I was told, may consider a meet-halfway option as a sign of a political compromise with the fugitive former premier. It is possible that they will choose to let go of some of Thaksin's assets, while freezing and confiscating the rest. They will probably separate his assets into two parts; one earned during his pre-premiership period and the other accumulated while Thaksin served as prime minister. There is additional conjecture that Thaksin might be offered a portion of his fortune in exchange for an agreement to stay out of Thai politics for good.

Thaksin has always claimed that the assets he gained prior to taking up the premiership in 2001 were "honest money." This portion of assets is likely to be returned to him. But it is more complicated as the judges look into Thaksin's fortunes earned from 2001 to 2006 when he served as Thai premier.

Thaksin, for example, was accused of executing policies that benefited his family company, Shin Corp, particularly in a case related to government-sanctioned lending to Burma in 2004. Allegedly at Thaksin's intervention, the Export-Import Bank of Thailand was ordered to increase its credit line to Burma from Bt3 to 4 billion. The loans were extended to finance a deal with Shin Satellite, then under the control of Thaksin's family.

The judges may possibly find the deposed prime minister guilty of corruption in this and other similar cases, in which they have sufficient evidences to rule that his family business' deals were illegitimate. Accordingly, they would seize his assets in which his family benefitted from such deals.

The judges may also authorize the freezing of some funds, justifying it with the excuse that the authorities concerned have not yet been unable to finalise the evaluation of the damages. Therefore, the assets would be frozen until a verdict could be reached.

The last option, speculated by the red-shirts, suggests that the judges may altogether seize Thaksin's assets and find him guilty. The verdict would surely satisfy Thaksin's opponents who have over the years attempted to justify the military coup of 2006 that overthrew his elected government.

But it would infuriate Thaksin and the red shirts who have incessantly complained about the existing double standards and injustice in Thai society. The guilty verdict would further deepen Thailand's political polarisation, a situation which was recently described by Duncan McCargo, a senior lecturer on Southeast Asian politics at the University of Leeds in the UK. As Thais allowing themselves to be dominated by dogmatism rather than pragmatism as they actively engage in domestic politics.

As tensions rise in anticipation of the court ruling, all eyes are on the next move of the Red Shirts. Some of the core leaders, however, have reaffirmed that they would not resort to violence if the verdict fails to fulfil their expectation. The violence they perpetrated in April of 2009, in which they brought an Asean meeting to a stop and led to fighting in the streets of Bangkok, backfired on them. Although they say they can bring as many as 1 million protesters to the streets in the wake of the judgment, they say the protesters will remain peaceful. They have also made clear that their agenda is not about fighting for Thaksin's frozen assets, but about promoting a more just and equal society.

Strangely, it is the military, and to some extent, the Abhisit government, which seem to have talked frenziedly about the possible outbreak of violence. Predicting the violent scenario will justify the government's harsh measures against the so-called "persons with ill intentions."

The military has vowed to bring tens of thousands of troops to Bangkok's streets to keep order. Noticeably, some 200 checkpoints have been set up in and around Bangkok to monitor the traffic flow to the capital. Police and soldiers have been put on standby in 38 of Thailand 76 provinces. If the government foresees trouble, the cabinet will be asked to enforce the Internal Security Act (ISO), which essentially puts crowd control under the military instead of the police, many of whom are also regarded as loyal to Thaksin, a former police official. And if real violence is feared, Prime Minister Abhisit will declare a state of emergency, allowing authorities to crack down on protestors with impunity.

Meanwhile, General Boonlert Kaewprasit, former close aide of Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kachornprasart, told reporters last week that the president of Privy Council, Prem Tinsulanonda, was not Thaksin's real target. He said, "Thaksin's target could be higher than Prem. I believe there would be another round of military coup in the future." There is only one target higher than Prem, and that is the royal family. Boonlert's statement was widely seen as another scary tactic that could be used to legitimise the military intervention in politics if the situation gets out of hand after the verdict is read.

The scary scenario created by the state authorities has so far been effective. The US, Britain and Australia all have warned their citizens of possible civil unrest as the countdown for the court verdict has now begun. The Stock Exchange of Thailand has also played into the hands of the Thai authorities, warning that trading volatility could intensify if the Supreme Court delivers a guilty verdict Thaksin. The Thai political drama is indeed entering into its most dangerous stage.

Pavin Chachavalpongpun is a Fellow at Singapore's Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. This is his personal view.

http://www.asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2313&Itemid=185

 

[kensington]

Pravit Rojanaphruk, The Nation

Violence was lurking just beneath the surface at yesterday's red-shirt rally by the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DAAD) in front of Bangkok Bank's headquarters on Silom Road.

Shortly after 2pm, a group of 100 red shirts and security personnel ran towards the Silom-Narathiwat intersection, apparently chasing some people. Some onlookers said a yellow-shirt People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) member attacked a red car and ran away. Another said a group of PAD supporters attacked a red-shirted man. But nobody, police included, seemed to know for certain. The anger and hatred for the PAD and the old elite was very visible.

One man, wearing a red necktie abusively ranted against the yellow shirts and Privy Council president General Prem Tinsulanonda, with words too rude to be published. By the same token, the PAD also cannot stand the red shirts. A columnist at ASTV-Manager Daily newspaper, under the pen-name "krong leb", wrote in yesterday's edition that people in the Silom area and elsewhere should chase away the red-shirt demonstrators with water. "May I advise [readers] to use peaceful methods. Those in high-rise buildings or on pedestrian bridges should simply splash water on those who are causing trouble to the nation without having to curse them."

Water, by the way, is often used by Thais to splash against felines or canines caught in a vicious fight.

Bangkok Bank was targeted by the protesters yesterday for its supposed link with Prem, against whom the red shirts have a major grouse. Prem is honorary chairman of the advisory board of this old and influential bank.

Red-shirt leader Weng Tojirakarn told the 2,000 or so red-shirt demonstrators in front of the bank yesterday afternoon that Prem, being the chief adviser of HM the King, should resign from all posts in various companies such as the bank and the CP group. He said these are profit-maximising corporations that looked after their own good and ran counter to the spirit of the privy council.

"All they do is profit maximisation and how can you just sit there?" Weng told the crowd through the loudspeaker.

Senior Bangkok Bank executives have also been accused of encroaching on forest-reserve land in Khao Soi Dao forest in Chanthaburi province that is now a golf course. Even magazines like Thailand Tatler flaunt the special relationship between Prem and the bank's owner. In its latest list of 500 famous hi-so people, Prem is listed as enjoying "the backing of his friends, including [Bangkok Bank] banker Chatri Sophonpanich".

The bank, along with at least three other banks in the Silom Road strip from Soi Convent to the Narathiwat-Silom intersection were shut along with other businesses. However, one Bangkok Bank staffer, by the name of Vorajit, did not appear disturbed by the rally. He stood in front of the main entrance to the bank, heavily guarded by police officers and security guards, to chat with his colleagues while observing the protest.

"They don't really threaten us. They're just on stage," Vorajit said. "I'm not afraid. They're not really pressuring us. It's more like a show of force for them."

With nearly 3,000 demonstrators gathering by late afternoon, the show of force was not that impressive, but the hatred and risk of violence is there, lurking just beneath the surface as the crowd and its leaders gear up towards Thaksin Shinawatra's judgement day next Friday.

Meanwhile, Santi Vilassakdanont, president of the Federation of Thai Industries, said he did not expect the red shirts' rally outside the bank's head office to turn violent. He viewed peaceful street protests as an indicator of Thailand's democratic progress.

Thira Abhaiwongse, vice president of Bangkok Bank, insisted that the bank's management had no connections with the Khao Soi Dao golf course in Chanthaburi as alleged by the red shirts.

 

[kensington]

Thai Govt ready for assets judgement


All security units know what to do to maintain law and order on Friday when the Supreme Court will give its verdict on the Thaksin assets seizure case and there is nothing to worry about, Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan said on Thursday morning.

“People should stay calm and wait for the court’s decision,” Gen Prawit said before chairing a meeting of the Defence Council.

Gen Prawit said the police had arranged with the military to provide reinforcements in the event of violence. All reaction would be strictly according to the law.

Deputy Prime Minister for security affairs Suthep Thaugsuban reaffirmed that the government would be able to keep the situation under control.

People should accept the court’s verdict and support the government in maintaining peace and order.

The deputy premier also called on the red-shirts who plan to rally against the government next month to remaian within the law. The government would not invoke any special security laws if the demonstrations remain peaceful.

Asked about the planned rally at Government House by the Thai Farmers Association on Friday, to demand concrete measures to overcome the problem of low rice prices, Mr Suthep he did not think the demonstration was politically motivated.

“But I would like to ask the farmers to consider postponing the rally to another day as the situation is now very sensitive,” he said.


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The government will keep a close watch on the situation on Friday, especially during the first four or five hours after the Supreme Court gives its verdict on the seizure of Thaksin Shinawatra's frozen assets, government spokesman Panithan Wattanayakorn said on Thursday.

He said the first few hours after the verdict would be the most sensitivel.

"Four or five hours after the verdict the red-shirts may well get on stage to speak about it," Mr Panithan said. "Emotions could run high."

There would be security units posted in front of and around the Supreme Court premises and a clear line of command to respond to any incidents.

Security for Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva would be continually reassessed and his work scheduled kept confidential, he added.


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Security clamp around Supreme Court

Tight security procedures are now in place around the Supreme Court ahead of tomorrow's verdict on the seizure of frozen assets from former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his family, Metropolitan Police spokesman Pol Maj-Gen Piya Uthayo said on Thursday.

Pol Maj-Gen Piya said a forward operations centre set up in front of the Supreme Court began work at noon.

Two security check points guard the entrance and exit, the spokesman said.

One company of police would be deployed around the court from 6pm on Thursday. They would be reinforced by two more companies and two bomb disposal units on Friday. Ten other police companies would be on standby.

More than 20 closed circuit television cameras have been installed around the court grounds to record any incidents, Pol Maj-Gen Piya said.

Asked about a report that the Red Siam group, a dissident faction of the red-shirts, would rally at Sanam Luang near the Supreme Court from this evening, Pol Maj-Gen Piya he expected the to number between 2,000 and 3,000. They would be kept under control.


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Thaksin supporters to gather at Peua Thai


Former members of the dissolved Thai Rak Thai and People Power parties will at noon tomorrow gather at Puea Thai Party headquarters to hear the court’s verdict in the Thaksin assets seizure case, deputy party leader Kanawat Wasinsangvorn said.

“Former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat along with other former ministers of the Thaksin administration will join other key figures to follow events and listen to the court’s ruling,” Mr Kanawat said on Thursday. Gen Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, the Puea Thai chairman, would be among those present.

He said former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will keep in touch with his supporters via a video link.

Thaksin might also make an address to his supporters after the verdict is delivered, he added.

Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit hoped the Supreme Court would give the ousted former prime minister justice.

 

[kensington]

Military ordered to protect barracks


Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon had ordered chiefs of the armed forces to keep a close watch on the situation and to protect their barracks around the clock, particularly on Friday, ministry spokesman Col Thanathip Saengsawang said on Thursday.

Gen Prawit said before chairing a meeting of the Defence Council this morning that all security units know what to do to maintain law and order on Friday when the Supreme Court will give its verdict on the Thaksin assets seizure case.

Col Thanathip confirmed that the military and police were ready to control the situation and no special security law would be invoked as the current situation was considered normal.

The military will join with police in maintaining peace and order until mid-March, he added.

In Lop Buri, a red-shirt stronghold, provincial governor Chatchai Promlert called a meeting of chief state and local officials to discuss contingency security plans.

Mr Chatchai ordered that security guards must be on duty at all state offices around the clock until the instruction is revoked.

Lop Buri deputy police chief Pol Col Sommai Prasit said he had ordered all 21 police stations in the province to set up check-points on various roads. Two companies of riot control police were on standby, and troops had been told to standby in their barracks in case police requested reinforcements.

Krabi governor Prasit Osathanont said although his province is not a stronghold of the red-shirts he had ordered police and defence volunteers to provide 24-hour protection for the provincial hall, court, police stations, hospitals, the international airport, seaports and business areas.

The red-shirted supporters of the pro-Thaksin United front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) have vowed to lay siege to provincial halls and surround military camps across the country if the armed forces try to stage a military coup.


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The Internal Security Operations Command will propose the cabinet to invoke the Internal Security Act if violent incidents are likely to break out before of after the verdict on the 76-billion-baht assets seizure case is delivered on Friday, ISOC spokesman Maj-Gen Dithaporn Sasamit said on Thursday.

Such incidents include seizures, arson, and destruction of important installations and threats against important persons. The ISOC will closely assess the situation, he said.

Maj-Gen Dithaporn said there were now sufficient soldiers to maintain security throughout the country and the situation was still under control.

He said 200 military police of the three armed force had been prepared to be on standby to support police and 100 troops had been deployed to guard five locations - the Supreme Court, Government House, Ploenchit road, parliament, and Sisao Thewes residence of Privy Council chairman Prem Tinsulanonda - as requested by police.

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Posturing is what those provincial governors are up to. They are political appointees who owed their allegiances to the government of the day. By clamping down on those red shirted will probably not the best idea nor restricting their movements. They will just create the atmosphere that the government is not for the people but against the people and this is a very unhealthy and stroking the fires of rebellion.

 

[Queen Seok Duk]

Let Queen Seok Duk report to you LIVE from Bangkok, tomorrow.

 

[yinyang]

Let Queen Seok Duk report to you LIVE from Bangkok, tomorrow.

From 2pm thai time (3pm here) onwards?:p

 

[Queen Seok Duk]

From 2pm thai time (3pm here) onwards?:p

Frankly, I have no idea what time. But I have subscribed to breaking news sms. So I'll get first hand news. If my backside itchy, I will go and snap a video clip, wearing red shirt myself.

 

[yinyang]

Frankly, I have no idea what time. But I have subscribed to breaking news sms. So I'll get first hand news. If my backside itchy, I will go and snap a video clip, wearing red shirt myself.

Think anytime from now.. Ruling was supposed to be via voice, no video telecast. Latest:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/169803/shinawatra-lawyers-arrive-at-court

Shinawatra lawyers arrive at court
Published: 26/02/2010 at 02:19 PM
Online news: Breakingnews

Lawyers representing the Shinawatra family arrived at the Supreme Court about 1pm on Friday, not long before the court began to read the assets seizure verdict.

Thaksin Shinawatra's ex-wife Khunying Potjaman na Pombejra and their two children Panthongtae and Pinthongta did not go to the court to hear the verdict.

Khunying Potjaman's lawyer Somporn Pongsuwan said his client would be listening to it at home.

When asked if he was confident that his client would win the case, Mr Somporn said he would wait for the ruling, and that all evidence was with the court.

To rally or not?

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/169804/jatuporn-no-red-movements-today

Jatuporn: No red movements today
Published: 26/02/2010 at 02:32 PM
Online news: News Updates

Pro-Thaksin United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) prominent figure Jatuporn Prompan called on the red-shirt supporters to use their rationale while listening to the Supreme Court's verdict on the Thaksin assets seizure case, and affirmed that the UDD will not stage rallies on Friday.

The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions will rule on whether the frozen assets worth more than 76 billion baht of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his family will be confiscated by the state.

"I talked with former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra last night and he wanted people to think rationally when the judges are reading the verdict.

"Regardless of the ruling, the red-shirts will not protest in different venues like the Supreme Court or the state-run National Broadcast Television (NBT), Mr Jatuporn said.

Mr Jatuporn, who is the opposition Puea Thai Party MP, claimed that Interior Minister and Bhumjaithai Party leader Chavarat Charnvirakul was mobilising the pro-government blue-shirt demonstrators from the northeastern provinces of from Maha Sarakham and Buri Ram to Bangkok in an effort to create unrest.

"If Mr Chavarat refuses to take responsibility of the blue-shirts he could become the red-shirts' target," the UDD core member warned.

Mr Jatuporn said ousted premier Thaksin will discuss the court's ruling on People Channel and www.thaksinlive.com at about 8.30pm tonight.

Mr Jatuporn said the row with Puea Thai senior MP Chalerm Yubamrung was a misunderstanding, and they were still on good terms.

Political maverick Chalerm made an apology to the red-shirts after saying the group would not be able to mobilise one million demonstrators during its major anti-government campaign on Mar 14.

 

[boundThunter]

May Thaksin recovers his money. Just not right for a man to lose all his money through all these trump-up charges. The tax evasion charge was just so absurd because those monkeys are hitting him with something that was not in existent during the Shin Corp sale to Temasek, e.g. Capital Gains Tax.

Maybe this is Show Time for the Revolution to kick some Arses. The country could be broken into pieces if the present Lorsd are not careful.

Those in Isarn are talking of belonging more to Laos and Northerners like Thaksin are more identified with those Thai Yai than those darker skins Central Plateau people. A little spark can stars a prairie's fires, it was said...

Maybe this is the beginning of the nightmare....

 

[kensington]

Thaksin gets fucked by the Thai's court...

MONEY
MONEY
MONEY​

Judges reading a lengthy verdict on whether to seize $2.3 billion of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra family's assets said on Friday his policies benefited his family business, raising the likelihood his money will be confiscated.

Authorities say major violence is unlikely but have mobilised thousands of police and troops to pre-empt any backlash by supporters of the 60-year-old fugitive at the centre of a 5-year political crisis in Southeast Asia's second-biggest economy.

Analysts expect the nine-judge Supreme Court to either seize all of the frozen wealth or to allow Thaksin to keep a portion of the assets. The latter scenario is seen as more favourable for markets in the short-run as it lessens the risk of an imminent showdown in Thailand's divisive colour-coded crisis.

"The partial seizure of the assets should be what financial markets prefer because both sides can claim victory," said Prapas Tonpibulsak, chief investment officer at Ayudhya Fund Management.


Prosecutors say Thaksin and his former wife, Potjaman na Pombejra, concealed ownership of shares in his family business Shin Corp SHIN.BK while in office from 2001 to 2006, and that he abused power by tailoring policies to benefit the company.

Thaksin, ousted in a 2006 coup and convicted in absentia of graft, has denied the charges from self-imposed exile in Dubai.

One judge said a Thaksin-era government policy to convert part of a telecommunications concessions fee into an excise tax "favoured Shin Corp at the expense of the state".

A judge also said Thaksin concealed his ownership of stock in Shin Corp, an argument seen as a main precondition for deciding there was a conflict of interest in government policies benefiting Shin Corp, a major telecommunications business.

"The way it's going, it looks highly likely he will have the whole lot confiscated and he'll not get anything back," said Jade Donavanik, dean of the faculty of law at Siam University.

"The judge has repeatedly said the stock was Thaksin's property. Him concealing assets is the entire foundation of this case, so it's likely they'll take it all."

A final ruling on whether to confiscate any or all of the assets was due later on Friday. Thailand's stock market reopens on Tuesday after a long weekend holiday.

Some analysts say a court verdict unfavourable to Thaksin, could add weight to allegations he is the victim of a political vendetta and may spark an angry response from supporters.

'JUDGMENT DAY'

Security was tight around Bangkok's Supreme Court on what has become known as "Judgment Day", with cellphone signals jammed to prevent remote-detonated bombings and judges ferried to the courthouse, some from safe houses, in bullet-proof cars.

Six-hundred police guarded the court. Security agencies said thousands of riot troops were on standby in case of unrest.

Political uncertainty has subdued Thailand's benchmark index .SETI in recent weeks, with many traders waiting to see what the ruling will bring. But foreign investors were net buyers for four straight days this week, drawn to bargains in Thailand where stocks are trading at just 10.6 times forecast 2011 earnings, Asia's cheapest after Pakistan, Thomson Reuters data shows.

The pro-Thaksin "red shirt" movement, which last April forced a regional summit to be abandoned and staged demonstrations that sparked Thailand's worst street violence in 17 years, plans a mass rally in Bangkok on March 14 but says it will not protest on Friday whatever the verdict. [ID:nSGE61N09L]

The delay was widely seen as a move to distance the movement from any groups that might seek to stir up trouble. A splinter pro-Thaksin group, "Red Siam", rallied close to the court on Friday, but has vowed to remain peaceful.

The "red shirts" accuse authorities of playing up the risk of unrest. Security agencies have said they are most concerned outside agitators, or a "third hand", will trigger violence.

The twice-elected Thaksin says he will fight any seizure of the assets from exile.

Although the verdict will turn a new page in an intractable political crisis that has alarmed many investors, few believe it will provide any hope of a long-term resolution.



------------


Thaksin poorer by 46 billion baht ($1.4 billion)


BANGKOK—Thailand's Supreme Court ruled to seize 46 billion baht ($1.4 billion) of deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's $2.3 billion in assets for alleged corruption.


The Stock Exchange of Thailand will monitor the impact of Friday's ruling and will discuss with brokerages over the weekend about what action will be necessary, if any, when the market resumes trading Tuesday, SET President Patareeya Benjapolchai said Friday. The market will be closed Monday for a national holiday.

If the SET Index falls 3% Tuesday, the bourse will hold a meeting. If the benchmark drops by 5%, the bourse will alert the Finance Ministry, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Bank of Thailand, Patareeya said.

However, she said it is unlikely that the market will be so volatile Friday that the bourse will have to implement its circuit breaker measure, which halts trade for 30 minutes if the index rises or falls by 10%. If the index rises or falls by a further 10%, trade is suspended for one hour.

The SET Index has fluctuated in a range of 714.89-721.86 so far Friday. It was up 0.3% at 719.21 at the midday break.

Mr. Thaksin's assets in Thailand were frozen after his ouster in a 2006 coup. Mr. Thaksin was monitoring the verdict from Dubai, where he was scheduled to provide a running commentary via video link.

Tight security was installed around the courthouse, amid government fears that Thaksin supporters could react to the verdict with violence.


--------------

 

[yinyang]

Red rally?

Taksin's family taking flight with latest developments

Shinawatras flee country before rally
Family said to fear being held hostage

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/34162/shinawatras-flee-country-before-rally

Thaksin's former wife Potjaman na Pombejra and their son Panthongtae Shinawatra left for Hong Kong on Monday while their two daughters Ms Pinthongta and Ms Paethongtan fly out today for Berlin.

A source from the Puea Thai Party said yesterday the trips were organised in the expectation that there could be unrest at the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship protest at the weekend. There were also concerns they might be taken hostage if the situation turned violent.

The UDD is hoping to attract one million red shirts to the demonstration but security authorities say they may be over-estimating.

Police told to boost security at missions
Army chief Anupong Paojinda is confident the Internal Security Act, which was endorsed by the government yesterday and transfers the role of maintaining law and order from the police to the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc), will be adequate to deal with the rally without recourse to emergency rule.

Gen Anupong said there was no need at this stage to fall back on the Executive Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situations, which gives officers more sweeping powers to deal with protesters.

The internal security law will cover all areas of Bangkok, all districts of Nonthaburi and 21 other districts in Ayutthaya, Chachoengsao, Nakhon Pathom, Pathum Thani, Samut Prakan and Samut Sakhon from tomorrow until March 23.

Isoc, chaired by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, will meet today to find ways to coordinate efforts to handle the rally.

The prime minister said the government would not use force to quell the demonstration. But he ruled out dissolving parliament, saying this option would not put an end to the problem.

Mr Abhisit urged supporters of Thaksin to rethink their ideas now that Khunying Potjaman and her children would not be in the country during the rally. He said red shirt supporters should now realise that while they are fighting hard for the interests of the Shinawatra family, the Shinawatras were living in the lap of luxury. It was irresponsible to leave their supporters in the lurch.

In addition to the ISA, the cabinet has also decided to place 17 other laws under the authority of Isoc instead of the usual agencies. They include laws on disaster prevention, medical emergencies, road traffic, water transport and radio operations.

Puea Thai MP for Samut Prakan Pracha Prasopdee said the government plan to impose the ISA would not discourage pro-Thaksin supporters upcountry who have vowed to go ahead with their demonstration in the capital.

At least 100,000 people will travel to Bangkok from the Northeast, according to UDD co-leader Nisit Sinthuprai, a former MP for Roi Et.

The People's Alliance for Democracy stressed yesterday that its members would not counter the UDD rally. But the PAD would stay alert and wait for orders from its leaders for future moves, it said in a statement.

Deputy chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau Piya Uthayo said at least 8,000 city police, including 41 crowd control units, would be on standby to support security operations.

Ayutthaya police chief Jaruwat Waisaya said he had received reports that the UDD planned to use at least 120 boats to carry red shirt supporters from Ayutthaya, Pathum Thani, and Nonthaburi provinces along the Chao Phraya River to Bangkok. They would disembark at the Tha Phra Chan pier, Pol Maj Gen Jaruwat said.

He said boat skippers could face legal action if the boats carried too many passengers

 

[BlueCat]

i do not think so.
if there is a plan for one,it will be and must be endorsed & approved by the King or Queen.

 

[kensington]

Centre, hotline to help worried tourists


The Tourism and Sports Ministry Of Thailand has opened a centre to handle any problems tourists may encounter because of this weekend's red-shirts rally, the minister, Chumpol Silpa-archa, said on Friday.

The centre was being manned around the clock until March 23 by staff from the Tourist Police Division, Tourism Council of Thaland, Thai Hotels Association, Association of Thai Travel Agents and Tourism Authority of Thailand.

Tourists can seek help and advice by calling the centre hotline on telephone number 1672.

They may also directly contact the Tourism and Sports Ministry on hotline number 1414, tourist police 1155, Thai Hotels Association 1552, and General Insurance Association 1356.

Mr Chumpol said, for example, that tourists may be advised to avoid Ratchadamnoen, Vibhavadi Rangsit, Rama 9, Rama 4, Silom and Ratchadamri roads as the Victory Monument.

Tourist police conduct day patrol at major tourist attractions such as the Wiest Chaisri Fort and Grand Palace and night patrol at popular nightspots on Khao San and Silom roads, he said.

Mr Chumpol said the General Insurance Association has assigned its personnel at medical centres to give advice on medical expenses and details on non-life insurances.

.

 

[kensington]

The question for today is :

Will The PAD shoots some of their own, hoping to create chaos as they had before and and blame it on the Red Shirts.

The Reds are already facing transportation shortages with the government's warning of not renewing the licences of those transport companies involve in ferrying the Reds from the heartland.

A million men march is a sight to behold and the ground will tremble under them.

 

[kensington]

Supporters of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship began to spread out from their five rendezvous points in Bangkok shortly after noon on Friday, to campaign for people to participate in their rally on Sunday.

Several thousands of convicted politician Thaksin Shinawatra's supporters gathered in Bangkok before dispersing after some hours, while thousands more gathered in the rural North before starting their journey to the capital for the main rally on Sunday.


The five rendezvous points are the King Taksin monument at Wong Wian Yai, the Lak Si democracy monument in Bang Khen, Lumpini park, Thailand-Japan sports complex at Din Daeng, and the Bang Na intersection.


According to the plan for activities announced by the UDD, from Wong Wian Yai, the red-shirts under Jatuporn Promphan were to conduct a religious rite at the King Taksin monument before marching mainly along Phetkasem road.

From the Lak Si democracy monument, the red-shirts under Veera Musikhapong, Weng Tojirakarn and Kokaew Pikulthong were to march past many places including the 11th Infantry Regiment on Phahon Yothin road.

From Lumpini park, the red-shirts under Jaran Ditha-apichai, Wisa Khanthap and Darunee Kritboonyalai were to march along Ratchadamri, Rama I, Yosse, Urupong, Ratchadamnoen and Phan Fa roads. They were to stop over for speeches in front of the Royal Thai Police Office.

From Din Daeng, Chinawat Haboonphat was to lead the red-shirts to gather for speeches at the Victory Monument.

From the Bang Na intersection, the red-shirts under Worachai Hema were to campaign in Sukhumvit, Phra Khanong, Ekamai, Thonglor and Klongtoey areas.

According to their plan of activities, they were to return to the gathering points in the evening before dispersing. They would regroup on Saturday morning before moving to the main rally ground at Sanam Luang and the Ratchadamnoen avenue.

In Nonthaburi, the red-shirts were to rendezvous at the city hall.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he was not at all interested in the threat by UDD leader Natthawut Saikua to increase pressure if the government does not respond to the group's demand for a House dissolution.

Mr Natthawut said on Thursday that if the UDD's demand was not met before Monday, more than one million red-shirts would scatter to preselected rallying points throughout Bangkok.

"The government is not in the position to bow to any threat. It will listen only to petitions made properly under the constitution. A threat is not acceptable.

"Mr Nathawut himself said a House dissolution is not the ultimate goal [of the red-shirts]. I will protect the interests of the majority," Mr Abhisit said.

The prime minister said his secretary-generak Korbsak Sabhavasu was coordinating with UDD leader Weng Tojirakarn to make sure the rally is peaceful.

He had suggested that checkpoints jointly manned by both the protesters and authorities be set up to screen for weapons.

Mr Abhisit said there had so far been no reports of trouble at the five gathering points of the red-shirts in Bangkok.

He was aware of the reports of bomb explosions in Surat Thani on Friday morning, but did not if they were linked to the red-shirt movement. Surat Thani is the home of Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban.

The prime minister went to the govrnment's peace-keeping operations centre in the 11th Infantry Regiment on Friday afternoon to monitor the situation. He arrived shortly before protesters travelling from Lak Si arrived outside the barracks and began delivering speeches.

Red-clad leader Natthawut Saikua made another threat to the government, saying the protesters would employ new tactics which would force the Abhisit administration to finally concede defeat.

He said UDD leaders would meet to plan their next move on Monday. He believed the situation would force the government to hold the weekly cabinet meeting on March 16 at the Royal Thai Armed Forces Command headquarters on Chaeng Wattana road.

He said the UDD had nothing to do with the explosions in Surat Thani on Friday morning. He even suspected they might have been planned by Deputy Prime Minister overseeing security Suthep Thaugsuban for some hidden purpose. The province is Mr Suthep's hometown.

Mr Natthawut also claimed to have detected an unusual movement of thousands of people to Bangkok, where he said they would put on red shirts and instigate chaos and violence.

He said he suspected this could be the work of "an exorcist from Buri Ram" - an apparent referrence to banned politician Newin Chidchob of the coalition Bhumjaithai Party.

 

[kensington]

ไชโย​

Chaiyo.....
The reds are coming !!!