Thailand political forces fighting in the flood - you drown or I drown 溺死你溺死我你死我活！

[taksinloong]

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/264264/bma-puts-entire-capital-on-alert

BMA puts entire capital on alert
Governor issues order to repair sluice gate

Published: 2/11/2011 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News

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Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra has given himself wide-ranging control over flood operations in the city and will send council workers backed by police to repair the controversial Khlong Sam Wa sluice gate.

Race is on to protect estate Workers at Bang Chan Industrial Estate in Min Buri district in the east of Bangkok race against time to move belongings to safety as well as stack sandbags to prevent flooding as water runoff threatens the estate after the sluice gate at Khlong SamWa was opened wider to release floodwater from inundated communities. PATTARACHAI PREECHAPANICH

MR Sukhumbhand's dramatic move last night is in defiance of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's order for the BMA to widen the sluice gate to one metre. She took the action after nearby residents destroyed part of the sluice gate under the eye of police to speed up the drainage of their communities.

The governor said he was using an order under the disaster prevention law which stipulates that he is the director of disaster management in Bangkok. It means he can send metropolitan police to Khlong Sam Wa sluice gate to maintain order and prevent further demolition.

The penalty for defying the police and obstructing the workers is three months in jail and/or a 6,000 baht fine.

See also: Residents continue to fight authorities
Industrial estates plan revamp

MR Sukhumbhand said the gate might collapse if it was not repaired and that would cause massive flood damage to communities along Ram Intra and Ram Khamhaeng Road.

Meanwhile, Deputy Governor Thirachon Manomaipiboon said all 50 districts in Bangkok are at risk of flooding as a result of the Khlong Sam Wa incident.

Women hang on to the side of a four-wheel drive vehicle to get to work at the government complex on Chaeng Watthana road. RATTASEEMA PONGSAN

He said the first three districts in Bangkok that would likely face the incoming deluge are Bang Kapi, Saphan Sung and Bung Kum.

On Monday, Mr Thirachon said 19 districts would likely be spared as the drainage to the east was working well.

"Previously, we thought that 19 districts might not experience flooding, but now none of them is safe," he said.

Prime Minister Yingluck on Monday ordered the BMA to widen the sluice gate to one metre after an angry protest.

"Bangkok has 2,000 canals and there are many underground tunnels that are connected with each other. When the water is released to Saen Saep canal, it will pass through all 50 districts," Mr Thirachon said.

MR Sukhumbhand yesterday declared evacuation of the entire district of Bang Khen, Sena Niwet housing estate Project II, Jarakhae Bua sub-district of Lat Phrao district and Sam Wa Tawan Ok sub-district of Klong Sam Wa.

Police officers speak through a bullhorn to urge people in Setthakij housing estate to evacuate due to rising floodwaters in Bang Kae district yesterday. PHONGTHAI WATTANAVANITVUT

Sai Kong Din and Kong Din Tai sub-districts of Klong Sam Wa and the entire district of Nong Chok have also been placed under close watch, he said.

The governor said Bang Chan sub-district of Klong Sam Wa district is also under close watch and could be a flood risk area.

He said he had received reports from the Flood Relief Operations Command (Froc) that it still could not close sluice gates at Khlong 8 and Khlong 10 because of fierce resistance from residents in nearby inundated communities.

If the gates could not be closed, the flow of water will affect Nong Chok, Min Buri, Lat Krabang, Khlong Saen Saep and Khlong Lam Pathiew.

MR Sukhumbhand said the situation in western Bangkok was uncertain as floods have continued to spread, with a substantial volume of runoff from Nakhon Pathom.

A woman climbs into a truck used to transport state officials to the government complex on Chaeng Watthana road. RATTASEEMA PONGSAN

He said drainage efforts with pumps must be increased as the runoff capacity in the west could not compare to that of the east.

Sanya Cheenimitr, director of the BMA's Drainage and Sewerage Department, said overflow from Khlong Maha Sawat had already surged into western areas.

Khlong Pasi Charoen serves as a major channel draining runoff into canal networks and out to the Chao Phraya River.

Mr Sanya said the BMA has asked the Froc to make the most of drainage systems in Krathum Baen district of Samut Sakhon.

He said the BMA is racing to build and reinforce flood barriers in Thon Buri and is using water pumps to drain more than 100 cubic metres of water per second.

Froc spokesman Thongthong Chandarangsu said water in Ayutthaya was receding and this was a good sign for Bangkok.

Mr Thongthong said people should come to terms with the fact that some of the water mass from Pathum Thani will flow into Bangkok.

 

[taksinloong]

Re: Thailand political forces fighting in the flood - you drown or I drown 溺死你溺死我你死我活

泰国政治水战。
泄洪闸是开是闭？谁该溺死？
你家淹还是我家淹？
大斗法！

 

[lianbeng]

Re: Thailand political forces fighting in the flood - you drown or I drown 溺死你溺死我你死我活

lianbeng wonders what happened to all those red shirts n yellow shirts? hiding away or drowned in the flood?

 

[taksinloong]

Re: Thailand political forces fighting in the flood - you drown or I drown 溺死你溺死我你死我活

lianbeng wonders what happened to all those red shirts n yellow shirts? hiding away or drowned in the flood?

They aren't wearing these T-shirts but they are the same fuckers fucking each other right now through the flood water. Yellow camp are building up sandbag banks and Red are demolishing them. Violence can erupt any time.

 

[lianbeng]

Re: Thailand political forces fighting in the flood - you drown or I drown 溺死你溺死我你死我活

They aren't wearing these T-shirts but they are the same fuckers fucking each other right now through the flood water. Yellow camp are building up sandbag banks and Red are demolishing them. Violence can erupt any time.

lianbeng replies, "Water Margin 水浒传 thai version? or pia chwee?"

 

[taksinloong]

Re: Thailand political forces fighting in the flood - you drown or I drown 溺死你溺死我你死我活

evil bastards block canals and worsen floods?


http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Many-city-canals-illegally-blocked-30169181.html

Many city canals 'illegally blocked'
Janjira Pongrai
The Nation November 4, 2011 4:01 am
Many city canals 'illegally blocked'
Close inspection has uncovered that many structures have been built illegally on 26 waterways in eastern Bangkok, leading to estuaries being redirected or blocked altogether - one of the key reasons why it is taking so long to drain the floods, the Natural Resources and Environment Ministry said yesterday.

According to most uptodate maps, the Chuad Ta Thim canal in Bang Na district seems to have disappeared altogether and has been replaced by a luxury housing complex. In addition, many golf courses and apartments have allegedly been illegally built on canals, not to mention several slums along the riverside, sources involved with the inspection said. Suvarnabhumi Airport and several roads are also allegedly blocking waterways and water catchment areas.

The ministry's permanent secretary, Suphoj Towichukchaikul, said the inspection had been conducted before floods had arrived at key watergates south of Bangkok, and officials had discovered that stoplogs designed to control the flow of water had been used on several canals and that many were overgrown with weeds.

Obstacles like stoplogs were found in seven locations in the lower Sam Wa canal and have now been dismantled, he said, adding: "But there are several similar obstacles in all canals that contribute to slower drainage and flow. A proper inspection will have to be conducted soon."

The ministry, along with its Department of Water Resources (DWR), conducted an inspection of 26 canals across Bangkok, including those leading to estuaries in Samut Prakan and Samut Sakhon provinces, from Monday to Wednesday.

He added that a number of sluice gates built and operated by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) were also narrowing canals and should be dismantled.

An inspection team led by deputy DWR directorgeneral Chaiyaphorn Siriphornphaibool demonstrated how canals were surveyed using the Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) - a sonar device that can determine the depth, speed and velocity of the current and obstacles under water. Chaiyaphorn said this device was also used to survey most major rivers in the country and had produced accurate results.

The 26 canals inspected were categorised as Zone 1 comprising 16 canals, 35 per cent of which were covered with weeds and 31 per cent had blockages; Zone 2 consists six canals, 61 per cent of which have been intentionally narrowed; and Zone 3 has four, of which 17 per cent are overgrown. NOT VERY CLEAR, CAN'T CONTACT WRITER.

Natural Resources and Environment Minister Preecha Rengsomboonsuk said directing water through channels partly associated with the Khlong Dan wastewater management project was being considered because this way, as much as 700,000 cubic metres of water could be drained out of Bangkok daily. "But since the project is currently part of a criminal investigation into alleged corruption and has been impounded under court orders, a careful study is needed prior to implementing the idea," he added.

 

[taksinloong]

Re: Thailand political forces fighting in the flood - you drown or I drown 溺死你溺死我你死我活

The Red / Yellow Shirts are fighting to control watergates one side want to force it opened the other side want to weld it closed. Then the other side will come again to gas - cut it opened again.

:*:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/264811/protesters-block-sluice-gate-closure

Protesters block sluice gate closure
Deluge hits Chatuchak, moves closer to centre

Published: 5/11/2011 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News

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The government's attempts to safeguard Lat Krabang and Bangchan industrial estates from the northern runoff were frustrated yesterday when more than 300 residents protested against the closure of Khlong 9 water gate in Pathum Thani's Lam Luk Ka district.

Floodwaters fill the Lat Phrao-Phahon Yothin intersection yesterday, closing the Central Plaza department store and raising fears that the deluge is approaching inner Bangkok. RATTASEEMAPONGSEN

The water gate closure was aimed at reducing the amount of water flowing downstream to Bangkok's Min Buri and Lat Krabang districts, where the two estates are situated.

Authorities, protected by troops, yesterday managed to close sluice gates at Khlong 8 and Khlong 10, but failed to close the Khlong 9 sluice gates as the number of protesters grew to 300.

The protesters blocked Lam Luk Ka Road to prevent authorities from entering the sluice gate.

They said the gate closure would worsen the flood situation in their locality, which has been inundated for weeks.

The rally continued until late at night.

Meanwhile, the northern runoff has reached Lat Phrao intersection in Chatuchak district, disrupting businesses, residents and the Flood Relief Operation Command (Froc) headquarters nearby.

The water level at the intersection was measured at 60cm at midday yesterday and appeared to be rising. Residents and employees had to wade through knee-high water to flee flooded homes and workplaces.

The floods also led to the closure of two out of three gates of the Phahon Yothin MRT station and might eventually lead to the complete closure of the station if the water rises to a critical level.

Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit reiterated the Froc would not relocate again despite the floods at its new location.

The Froc moved from Don Mueang airport to the Energy Ministry's Energy Complex on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road on Oct 29, after floodwater rushed into the airport terminals.

Lat Phrao district chief Bophit Saengkaeo said part of Lat Phrao Road from Soi Lat Phrao-Wang Hin 87 to Lat Pla Khao Road was covered with about 30cm of floodwater.

However, the levels of floodwater in Senaniwes 1 and Senaniwes 2 housing estates and Wat Lat Pla Khao were measured at between 80cm to 1m.

Bangkok governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra yesterday announced an evacuation of these three areas.

After Lat Phrao, floodwater was expected to flow to Ratchadapisek Road and the wider Chatuchak area as the topography map shows that the two areas sit on low-lying zones, said Seri Supparathit, a Rangsit University expert on natural disasters.

Elsewhere in Bangkok, the deluge has expanded to larger areas in many districts.

In western Bangkok, the levels of floodwater on Phetkasem Road from Bang Kae district to Phasicharoen district rose by about 20cm yesterday from the previous day.

As the runoff was advancing towards the Tha Phra intersection, a stretch of Phetkasem Road running from Bang Kae Market to the Bang Kae branch of The Mall department store was covered with water between 30cm and 1m deep.

Public buses have stopped operating on this route and only military trucks could gain access to the area to transport the flood victims.

The floods have reached the entrance to Siam University, less than 1km from the Tha Phra intersection.

City Hall also issued a warning to monitor the rising water levels in Nong Khaem sub-district of Nong Khaem district.

In eastern Bangkok, the Sathira Dhammasathan dhamma centre on Ram Intra Road has already been inundated.

The water level outside the centre was about 20cm but inside the water was waist-deep.

The army was reinforcing the soldiers fighting against the floods in Bangkok with about 30 companies more of troops from the 2nd and 3rd Armies.

 

[taksinloong]

Re: Thailand political forces fighting in the flood - you drown or I drown 溺死你溺死我你死我活

It is a CIVIL WAR between Red & Yellow by FLOOD SABOTAGE!

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/nat...ixed-a-canal-levee-is-torn-down-30169318.html

As sluice gate is fixed, a canal levee is torn down
WATCHARAPHON MUANGMUN,
EKKAMPORN RUJIPUT,
SORASAK TAPTIMPRAI
THE NATION ON SUNDAY November 6, 2011 12:45 pm
As sluice gate is fixed, a canal levee is torn down

The Royal Irrigation Department (RID) is using 1,200 gabions - soil-filled cylindrical objects that function somewhat like sandbags - to repair the breached Bang Chomsri sluice gate in Sing Buri, the department's Water Monitoring Analysis Centre said yesterday.

Meanwhile, flood-affected residents of Pathum Thani's Lam Luk Ka district yesterday tore down an earthen levee near the sluice gate across Canal 10. A stand-off developed between authorities and locals, who want the sluice gate across Canal 9 to remain open and those in canals 8 and 10 to be re-opened, said provincial Deputy Governor Lerkiat Kaeosrichan.

RID brought machinery and workers to repair the gate in Sing Buri and expected work to be complete tomorrow. The department insisted that water flowing through the breached gate would not raise the level of flood water in Tha Wung district of Lop Buri, which has receded to around 80 centimetres.

Other breached parts of dykes along the east bank of the Chao Phraya River in flood-affected provinces have been repaired to reduce water flow into residential areas. Ten of 11 breaches have been completely fixed. RID expects to finish the restoration of all parts by November 15, and said the work has helped reduce flood water levels in areas of Nakhon Sawan, Chai Nat, Sing Buri and Lop Buri.

In Lop Buri's Ban Mee district, the level of the Bang Kham River has receded by one metre. Villagers have been unable to return to their residences, however, as water levels there are still high.

Concerns remain high in Ban Mee over the breached Bang Chomsri sluice gate. Village heads in some tambon of the district held a meeting yesterday to discuss how to deal with the huge volume of water flowing through the gate in case RID's repair attempts failed.

The protest in Lam Luk Ka by flood-hit residents living near Pathum Thani's canals 8, 9 and 10 occurred after the closure of the sluice gates across canals 8 and 10 led to a rapid 10-cm increase in the level of the flood water there. Residents fear that if the Canal 9 sluice gate is closed, the level will be even higher, Lerkiat, the deputy governor, said.

Authorities were negotiating with local leaders and would inform the Flood Relief Operations Centre of developments, he said.

Nonthaburi police yesterday boarded a boat to inspect the Prapa (waterworks) canal in an attempt to prevent people destroying barriers along it.

Police officers have been deployed to guard the barriers, which have not been damaged so far.

 

[taksinloong]

Re: Thailand political forces fighting in the flood - you drown or I drown 溺死你溺死我你死我活

446 people died so far and this Water Civil War is NOT the Songkran festival at all. It is live and death.

 

[tanvir28]

Re: Thailand political forces fighting in the flood - you drown or I drown 溺死你溺死我你死我活

What I want to know is why I should care? I mean, not to say that what you’ve got to say isn’t important, but I mean, it’s so generic. Everyone is just talking about this man. Give us something more, something that we can get behind so we can feel as passionately about it as you do.

 

[taksinloong]

Re: Thailand political forces fighting in the flood - you drown or I drown 溺死你溺死我你死我活

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/265967/big-bag-barrier-under-threat

Big bag barrier under threat
Residents threaten protests, force open wall to release water

Published: 13/11/2011 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News

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The government's big bag barrier, credited with sparing inner Bangkok from flooding, is under threat.

A workman wrestles one of the huge Big Bag sandbags into line.

Residents of Don Muang district say the barrier is prolonging flooding in their area, and are threatening protest action.

They demand the government say how much longer they will have to live with the floodwater.

Thinnakorn Janya, head of the residents of Yucharoen housing estate, said he and 20 community leaders from nearby estates will meet at 9am today to discuss what action to take.

They are considering three options: blocking the Don Muang Tollway, holding a prolonged protest on the crest of the barrier, or rallying outside parliament.

The leaders will vote at today's meeting to decide which of these measures to take.

Mr Thinnakorn said residents wanted the government to come up with an action plan to ease flooding in their areas where the big bag barrier, built from sandbags weighing 2.5 tonnes each, has retained floodwater for many days.

"They are swamping us with water. If we weren't in such despair, we wouldn't be shouting for help," he said.

Mr Thinnakorn said the government must clarify the amount of time it would take to pump out water inside the barrier.

"When will our area be dry again? We've been underwater for three weeks now," he said. Mr Thinnakorn discounted claims by local MP Karun Hosakul of the ruling Pheu Thai Party that only 10,000 people live inside the barrier.

Mr Karun yesterday met Flood Relief Operation Commands (Froc) chief Pracha Promnok to discuss the residents' complaint following a report that up to 80,000 people had signed a petition demanding the big bags' removal.

He claimed that only 10,000 people had signed the petition.

Mr Thinnakorn said that number referred only to those officially registered as householders of each property, but in reality many more share the homes.

Mr Karun said many residents in the district have endured suffering as a result of the installation of the big bags.

The big bag barrier has formed a vast belt encompassing 20 residential estates along the northern railway line and across Don Mueang airport and parts of Phahon Yothin Road.

The authorities insisted the big bags helped slow water flowing into the city from the North, granting the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) enough time to drain water from the canals that protect inner Bangkok.

The erection of the big bag barrier, however, provoked an angry response from communities surrounded by it.

The pressure prompted authorities to remove some bags and make a gap of two metres in the barrier to release water. The gap was later widened to six metres. However, yesterday the gap was sealed.

Mr Thinnakorn said it was unclear who closed the gap.

He and about 200 residents worked to open the gap back to six metres again with their bare hands yesterday in the presence of police and soldiers.

The water behind the barrier was 60cm higher than water outside it.

Mr Thinnakorn insisted the residents were not pressing to have the barrier removed.

Rather, the authorities should map out a blueprint to control water flow from North and siphon water from housing estates by, for example, creating small gaps at intervals along the barrier.

The barrier should also be built in a chamber system so the water could be better manipulated.

He said authorities lack an integrated flood management plan, which left some areas inundated for extended periods.

Mr Thinnakorn said the big bags restricted people's freedom of mobility, which is against the law.

"Our boats can't get past the bags and boats are the people's only mode of transport around here," he added.

Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said the big bags were an effective water management tool, but he was concerned some residents might dismantle the barrier if the floods became too much to bear.

However, he would discuss with the Froc if it was still necessary to keep the big bag barrier.

Seri Suparathit, a water expert at Rangsit University, said the BMA has enough capacity to pump out water and save the inner city even if the gap in the barrier was opened over its entire length.

Relate Search: flood, Bangkok

 

[taksinloong]

Re: Thailand political forces fighting in the flood - you drown or I drown 溺死你溺死我你死我活

Will Singapore flood cause clash between people and the MIW?

http://www.businessweek.com/news/20...-as-floods-stoke-tension-in-thai-capital.html

Bangkok Residents Clash as Floods Stoke Tension in Thai Capital
November 18, 2011, 12:50 AM EST

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By Suttinee Yuvejwattana and Tony Jordan

Nov. 18 (Bloomberg) -- Residents on Bangkok’s outskirts tore down levees protecting the inner city from floodwaters as anger at the Thai government’s response to the four-month-long crisis intensified.

About 2,000 people from Pathum Thani province north of Bangkok destroyed 70 meters (230 feet) of a sandbag wall in Sai Mai, allowing water to seep in, and later clashed with residents of the northern district who tried to rebuild the barrier, Jate Sopitpongstorn, an adviser to Bangkok’s governor, said today.

“It’s a big concern because there is such a large amount of water yet to come in,” Jate said by phone. “They have suffered for a month and they see that Bangkok has a better drainage system and think the city should take more water.”

Efforts to save Bangkok from floods that swamped thousands of factories north of the capital are trapping polluted water in districts outside the levees, stoking tension between residents. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s government also faced criticism this week for pushing for a royal pardon that may benefit her brother, exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, rather than focusing on flood-relief.

The government is discussing an amnesty that may apply to Thaksin, deposed in a military coup five years ago and convicted in absentia in 2008 to two years in jail. Details of the decree aren’t finalized and won’t be made public until it’s approved, Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung said yesterday.

“The attempt to actually try to come back in this manner is going to destabilize what has been an improving political climate in Thailand, notwithstanding the gross mismanagement of the recent floods by the government,” Korn Chatikavanij, deputy leader of the opposition Democrat Party, said yesterday.

594 Killed

Authorities are maintaining a network of levees, canals and sandbag barriers to protect Bangkok from floods that have already killed at least 594 people since late July. Water is still more than 2 meters deep around some factories in Ayutthaya province, 78 kilometers (48 miles) from Bangkok, Industry Minister Wannarat Charnnukul said earlier this week. Yingluck has said parts of the capital may be flooded until January.

The military has received greater public approval in handling the floods than the government, according to an Assumption University poll that surveyed 1,478 people in Bangkok and its outskirts from Nov. 1 to Nov. 5. Three-quarters of respondents in an Oct. 30 poll of Bangkokians by the same organization said the administration’s relief efforts were inadequate.

Water Receding

The construction of new flood levees on Bangkok’s northern outskirts has caused water levels to recede in parts of the city, including around the Chatuchak weekend market and the Central Plaza Ladprao shopping mall, which reopened today after a three- week shutdown because of flooding.

Bangkok authorities have asked the police to help prevent further clashes between residents near the flood barriers.

“The situation is risky because some people have gone to try to fix the dike to protect themselves,” Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said late yesterday on his official Facebook page. “I don’t want it to create clashes between Bangkok and Pathum Thani residents.”

Any flow of water into the Sai Mai district may threaten the Bang Chan industrial estate in eastern Bangkok, Jate said. Bang Chan, 15 kilometers north of Suvarnabhumi International Airport, contains 91 factories, including an ice-cream plant operated by Nestle SA.

“If the barrier in Sai Mai has a problem, it will affect Bang Chan right away,” Jate said. “The amount of water has already increased.”

--Editors: Tony Jordan, Linus Chua

To contact the reporter on this story: Suttinee Yuvejwattana in Bangkok at [email protected]; Tony Jordan in Bangkok at [email protected]

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Tony Jordan at [email protected]

 

[taksinloong]

Thaksin Go To HELL!

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/266899/pad-to-rally-against-decree-monday

News > Local News
Protest grows against pardon decree

Published: 18/11/2011 at 03:30 PM
Online news: Local News

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Supporters of the anti-red shirt Network for Citizen Volunteers Protecting the Land gathered at Lumpini Park on Rama IV Road on Friday evening, opposing any move to pardon former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, and the People's Alliance for Democracy announced plans for a mass protest on Monday.

The rally began about 5pm, and about 1,000 people quickly gathered.

Organisers said they expected many office workers from Silom Road and nearby areas to join the rally.

Tul Sithisomwong, leader of the network, called for people nationwide who disagreed with the proposed decree to sign their names to a protest list and submit it to their provincial governor on Sunday.

He said supporters of the would later gather at Government House on Monday, from 9am, and submit lists of all the names to put pressure on the government.

The People’s Alliance for Democracy plans a mass rally on Monday against the government’s proposed royal decree, PAD spokesman Panthep Puapongpan said.

Mr Panthep said supporters of the yellow-shirt people group will gather against the “law for Thaksin” in front of the Office of the Council of State from 11am to 6pm on Monday.

Further details of the rally will be confirmed on Saturday, he added.

The Council of State has the task of scrutinising the draft royal decree to ensure it does not violate the law.

Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit, the interior minister, rejected the many claims by the government's opponents, media commentators, academics and the expressed worries of the business community, that the proposed King's Birthday royal pardon decree is aimed at helping fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra evade a two-year jail sentence for abuse of power while in office.

All people eligible to benefit from the decree must meet the criteria set down, therefore this law was not aimed at helping any particular person, he said. It would benefit about 25,000 people convicted of offences.

Mr Yongyuth said the cabinet did not take advantage of the distraction caused by the flood to quickly push through the controversial decree, as alleged.

Asked about the PAD protest rally on Monday, the interior minister said all people have the constitutional right of assembly.

Fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra said in an interview with Reuters at his residence in Dubai that he had no knowledge about the controversial pardon decree, Post Today website reported.

“I have no idea about it. It’s a secret issue in the cabinet meeting on Tuesday. Everything rests with the decision of the high institution,” he said.

The cabinet on Tuesday approved the royal decree seeking clemency for some convicts on His Majesty the King's birthday, Dec 5.

On Thursday, senior officials of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) and the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) made it clear they think the government is wrong to push through its controversial decree for the annual royal pardons to mark the King's birthday on Dec 5.

TCC acting chairman Pongsak Assakul said the cabinet's timing was way off in pushing ahead at this time with a royal decree widely criticised as being intended to help fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The Pheu Thai-led coalition government should focus its priorities on rapidly solving the problems caused by the widespread flooding, rehabilitation of the flooded areas and assistance for flood victims, Mr Pongsak said.

TCC vice chairman Pornsilp Phatcharintanakul took the same tone, saying that the business sector did not want the proposed royal decree to be pushed ahead at this time.

The attempt to seek royal clemency for a group of convicts who would include Thaksin could lead to unrest in the country.
If the anti-Thaksin groups take to the streets in protest it would damage investors' confidence in the country, he said.

“The government should think of the country’s image. It should also try to ensure a balance between politics and the economic and social sectors, otherwise there could be a serious problem.

“The government should think twice about whether to move forward with the planned amnesty. It is now clearly seen that the decree is opposed by several parties and the situation could worsen,” said Mr Pornsilp.

FTI chairman Pongsak Chartsutthipol said the proposed royal decree would be both supported and opposed by the various groups, and a peaceful joint solution was needed.

“The private sector does not want to see any more pictures of conflict as it would not be good for the country.
"The government must be careful in making a decision on this matter,” he said.

In the North, the coordinator of the local United front for Democracy against Dictatorship in Uttaradit, Pannawat Nakmoon, declared that red-shirts, in fact most grassroots people in the province, supported the cabinet.

The widespread flooding had severely damaged the country and if Thaksin could just return to Thailand, he would quickly lift the country out of the flood crisis.

The former prime minister was capable of restoring confidence of both Thai and foreign investors and of preventing a recurrence of the flood, he added.

Mr Pannawat called on all parties to give Thaksin an opportunity to return home.

The UDD coordinator said Thaksin had not done any wrong thing and has to stay in foreign countries only because he was defamed by his political opponents.

“The country is now facing a crisis and is in need of capable people to deal with it. All parties should help bring Thaksin back to work for the country,” Mr Pannawat said, adding that he believed Thaksin’s return would lead to a national reconciliation.

 

[taksinloong]

Re: Thaksin Go To P R I S I O N !

http://nationmultimedia.com/politics/Justice-minister-rules-out-Thaksin-pardon-30170289.html

Justice minister rules out Thaksin pardon
The Nation November 21, 2011 6:09 am
Justice minister rules out Thaksin pardon
Says corruption cases, those who have not served jail time excluded from draft decree

Justice Minister Pracha Promnok insisted yesterday that former prime minister Thaksin Shina-watra would not benefit from the draft Royal Decree seeking pardons for inmates on the occasion of His Majesty the King's birthday.

"Thaksin will not receive any benefit from the decree, and his name will not be included on the list of convicts eligible for a royal pardon," Pracha said.

"Convicts on the run will not be eligible."

Pracha told a press conference that the draft Royal Decree for 2012 used the same wording as the 2011 decree enacted under the Democrat Party's then justice minister Piraphan Saliratwipak.

Pracha said he approved the drafting of the Royal Decree on condition that it is based on the same criteria as the 2011 decree.

"The new draft will not benefit anyone in particular, especially Thaksin, because those who are eligible for a royal pardon must have served [a portion of] their jail terms first," Pracha said.

Pracha added that convicts in corruption cases will not be eligible for a royal pardon.

Thaksin yesterday wrote an open letter to Thais saying he is ready to make a sacrifice, but a yellow-shirt leader noted that Thaksin did not say he would forfeit the right to receive a royal pardon.

Thaksin wrote the open letter amid growing opposition to the draft Royal Decree, which was approved by the Cabinet and was earlier reported to be designed to allow

the fugitive ex-premier to receive a royal pardon without him having to serve any part of his sentence.

"I support all measures that will lead to national reconciliation and do not want to see any attempt that will sour the atmosphere, and I am prepared to sacrifice my personal happiness even though I have not received justice during the last five years," Thaksin wrote.

Before Pracha ruled out a pardon for Thaksin, Suriyasai Katasila, a co-ordinator of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), posted messages on his Twitter page drawing attention to the fact that Thaksin did not say he would be among the 26,000 convicts to be pardoned.

Suriyasai predicted that if Thaksin's name was on the list of pardoned convicts, Thaksin would claim it was the result of a government decision and royal power, and had nothing to do with him.

Suriyasai said Thaksin had indicated he would not accept his conviction and jail sentence, and has been manoeuvring against serving it.

The PAD co-ordinator claimed that while Thaksin had urged all groups to "forgive and forget", he himself was unwilling to let go of his political power and had urged his supporters to hold rallies to fight for him.

After learning of Pracha's press conference, Suriyasai said the PAD had cancelled its plan to hold a rally in front of the Office of the Council of State from 10am to 6pm today.

Meanwhile, General Somjet Boonthanom, an appointed senator and a leader of the Siam Samakkhi group, said he would gather signatures of senators to oppose the decree's enactment. The signatures would be submitted to the Privy Council and His Majesty's principal private secretary.

Somjet said senators in his group would also ask the Senate Speaker tomorrow to initiate an impeachment procedure against the Cabinet, and that his group would hold a rally against the enactment of the decree at Lumpini Park on Friday.

Tul Sitthisomwong, a co-ordinator of the so-called multicoloured group, said yesterday the group would today submit a list of 14,000 signatures to the Privy Council opposing the enactment of a decree to help Thaksin.