By The Nation
Published on August 14, 2009


A Democrat MP filed a complaint with police yesterday accusing three leading red shirts of contempt of court over their campaign to seek a royal pardon for fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.
Watchara Phetthong named Veera Musigapong, Jatuporn Prompan and Natthawut Saikua in his complaint lodged at Dusit police station.

He cited Articles 189 and 198 of the Criminal Code as the basis to launch a police investigation.

By organising the signature campaign to seek a royal pardon, the three suspects acted in contempt of the judicial conviction of Thaksin, he said.

The three claimed to have gathered signatures from five million people in support of a royal pardon regardless of the offence it may cause to the monarchy and that it violated procedures for pardons, the MP said.

"If Thaksin sees himself as a truly innocent man, then why did he flee the courts?" he asked.

Meanwhile, Pheu Thai MP Pracha Prasopdee claimed that Thaksin would come back after political upheaval within three months.

"Today his [Thaksin's] shoes and clothes are already packed and his return may be facilitated by a pardon or an amnesty; the slate must be wiped clean, just you watch the next three months," he said.

Pracha speculated that there would either be riots involving the "grassroots" or a coup.

Riots were expected around November and would force the government to dissolve the House and organise an election in December, he said. Thaksin was expected to return after a snap poll regardless of its outcome.

Chief coalition whip Chinnaworn Boonyakiart reminded the government to take pre-emptive measures for a political storm that may erupt on Monday.

"The government should remain vigilant because the red shirts will submit the pardon petition on the same day as the judicial verdict on the rubber sapling case," he said.

Chinnaworn said the red shirts may want to stir up an opposition mob by timing their rally to coincide with the verdict.

Supporters of Newin Chidchob are expected to turn out in force to give him moral support during the verdict session at the Supreme Court opposite Sanam Luang, where the red-shirt rally is due to take place.

Red-shirt leader Veera Musigapong said organisers of the signature campaign would submit the petition to the Office of His Majesty's Principal Private Secretary on Monday.

"The appointment has been made and there will be no changes," he said.

Veera said the red shirts would set up a stage at Sanam Luang to explain about their petition for an amnesty for Thaksin. About 2,000 red shirts would gather outside the Grand Palace and their eight leaders would lodge the petition with the Office, which is located inside the compound.

By Tulsathit Taptim
The Nation
Published on August 14, 2009


The red shirts plan to submit their "pardon Thaksin Shinawatra" petition to royal authorities on Monday, but the hot potato will first plop down at the Justice Ministry.
After all, who wants to verify 5 million signatures? What mechanism does it have to accomplish that job in a short period of time?

One thing is certain: there will be no millions of phone calls by the government asking people if they did sign the petition or visits by state officials to the households said to have supported a royal pardon for Thaksin.

The Justice Ministry will have two choices: declare the petition good for royal submission or kill it right there.

To declare the petition null and void is technically easy. Thaksin Shinawatra has never served a day of his sentence (although the petition alludes to "dictatorial" ways of convicting him), and this can always be used to reject the petition. Moreover, if no close relatives of Thaksin have signed it, the petition could also become invalid.

Politically, throwing away a petition endorsed by millions, no matter how many questionable signatures there are, is extremely provocative. And the best way to deal politically with the petition would be to let it pass the scrutinising process.

The red-shirt movement has fervently declared it will absolutely respect His Majesty the King's judgement, so letting the petition pass would in fact put pressure on the Thaksin supporters to own up to that promise.

There will be a big gathering on Monday. The government's accusations that some signatures were not genuine or given with consent have played into the hands of those who don't want the petition submission to be a solemn and low-key event.

Now, a perfect excuse for as many signatories as possible to show up has been found.

Meanwhile, the anti-petition movement has cited several reasons why the red-shirt campaign should be rejected. However, apart from saying the petition would inflame national divisions and put the His Majesty under pressure, the movement seems to be arguing against a pardon rather than the red shirts' right to submit a petition.

Saying Thaksin has shown no remorse and hurt his own country is one thing; telling millions they have no right to seek his pardon is another.

In the end, it's the sincerity of the red shirts that should determine the petition's fate. There will be two contrasting highlights on the big day: they will end by singing the royal anthem; but during the day, they will parade 75 big national flags to symbolise the year when absolute monarchy turned into constitutional monarchy (BE 2475).

By Piyanart Srivalo
Khwanhathai Malakarn
The Nation
Published on August 14, 2009


Structural revamp postponed; Patcharawat off to Europe shortly
chief was likely to be appointed at the National Police Policy Commission meeting next week, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday.

As ex-officio chairman of the commission, the PM will chair the meeting, and selection of a new police chief was likely to be on the agenda. The date of the meeting is not known yet.

Current police chief General Patcharawat Wongsuwan is due to retire at the end of next month, when he turns 60. A caretaker commander was appointed when he was on leave in China recently, and the caretaker re-appointed after Patcharawat returned early to reclaim his seat.

Patcharawat has now been assigned to the deep South and was expected to take further leave - a trip to Europe - until the end of August, a source said.

While he is away, caretaker police chief General Vichien Potphosri is expected to oversee preparations for the transfer of senior police under the rank of general, the source added.

Meanwhile, the Police Commission convened yesterday and resolved to postpone the introduction of a new police structure from August 16 till September 7, spokesman General Watcharaphol Prasarnratchakit said.

The meeting, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, lasted for more than an hour.

Vichien told the meeting more time was needed to fully examine the qualifications of many senior police from across the country whose names were put up for transfers as part of structural changes to the force, the spokesman said.

Careful examination of the transfer lists was needed to ensure transparency, especially due to allegations of bribes being paid for certain positions, Watcharaphol said.

Patcharawat flew to the far South yesterday to follow up on the progress of inquiries into cases linked to the insurgency.

Before leaving Bangkok, he said he was given the task of speeding up the inquiry into a massacre at a mosque in Narathiwat in June. He would also assess security for the Asean meeting in Phuket next month.

Patcharawat is believed to have been sent to the South to leave others free to look into the bid to kill media mogul Sondhi Limthongkul, a core leader of the anti-Thaksin yellow-shirt movement.

Writer: BangkokPost.com
Published: 12/08/2009 at 03:27 PM

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva insisted on Wednesday that he will not protect any cabinet members if they are found guilty of corruption.

Mr Abhisit was responding to the allegation by the opposition Puea Thai Party that the government’s community sufficiency scheme, supervised by Deputy Prime Minister for economic natters Korbsak Sabhavasu, was corrupted and could cause damage to the country.

Puea Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit recently filed a complaint against Mr Korbsak and key officials in the sufficiency economy community project with the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

Mr Pronpong alleged that the project’s specifications for products were fixed to ensure that certain companies would win the contracts.

However, the Democrat MPs responsible for the project claimed that any malpractice was the fault of local community officials and not the fault of the Democrat Party or Mr Korbsak, who is the chairman.

The prime minister admitted he was unhappy with the reports of malpractice and possible corruption in the sufficiency project.

“I will not help protect or allow the whitewash any corrupt cabinet ministers,” Mr Abhisit said.

By Piyanart Srivalo
The Nation
Published on August 12, 2009
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday passed the buck to his deputy, Suthep Thaugsuban, when asked about the national police chief being sent on a new mission in the restive deep South.

Abhisit rejected reports that he had given General Patcharawat Wongsuwan this yet-to-be-identified task, saying that Suthep had only informed him that the police chief would be assigned to the South shortly.

"I told you that I had learned he [Patcharawat] would perform some tasks in the South. I did not make the order," Abhisit said.

The prime minister also said he did not know any details about the task. "I understand that the deputy prime minister in charge of police affairs [Suthep] will report to me about this," he added.

Patcharawat said yesterday that he intended to travel to
Suthep confirms police chief being sent to restive region; hints he may not return to Bangkok before Sept
the deep South to examine the work of local police and oversee security measures for the upcoming Asean summit in the southern province of Phuket.

Appearing tense while speaking to reporters in his office at the Royal Thai Police headquarters, he confirmed that he would begin his work in the deep South after Her Majesty the Queen's birthday today.

Meanwhile, Suthep confirmed yesterday that the police chief was being dispatched to the deep South, saying: "Patcharawat will go to the South after his leave of absence comes to an end on August 14."

The police chief cut short his visit to China and returned earlier than expected, and on Monday he sent memos to his bosses and subordinates, telling them that he had resumed his work as police chief.

However, Suthep said yesterday that Patcharawat would not be involved in the running of the Royal Thai Police because he would be focusing on solving the backlog of insurgency-related cases in the strife-torn region.

The deputy premier said that following his assignment in the three southern provinces, Patcharawat would supervise the preparations for the Asean summit scheduled for October. He also hinted that the national police chief might not return to Bangkok before his mandatory retirement in September.

The government is expected to have General Vichien Pojphosri to resume his job as caretaker police chief. Vichien was doing the caretaker's job until Patcharawat abruptly returned from China on Saturday night.

Before yesterday's Cabinet meeting began, the prime minister seated himself next to Patcharawat's brother, Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, and they were seen chatting for 15 minutes. Prawit later left the room and did not return to attend the Cabinet meeting.

Suthep and the prime minister's secretary-general, Nipon Phrompan, were among the well-wishers at Prawit's birthday party yesterday, where they presented him with a bouquet of flowers from Abhisit.

By Budsarakham Sinlapalavan
The Nation
Published on August 13, 2009


The upcoming by-election in Surat Thani is a battle between not only government and opposition parties but two well-known local families.
Thani Thaugsuban, the ruling Democrat Party candidate, is younger brother of the party's secretary-general Suthep, who stepped down as a Surat Thani MP following an Election Commission ruling that shares he (and many other MPs) held violated the Constitution. Suthep's resignation led to the by-election.

Thani's competitor in the August 30 vote is Pheu Thai Party candidate Sompol Wichaidit, who is the younger brother of the opposition party's leader Yongyuth Wichaidit.

People from the Thaugsuban family have won MP seats in Surat Thani many times. But the loss by a Thaugsuban man in a recent ballot to pick a new provincial administrative organisation chief was seen as a boost for the chances of someone outside of the family.

The Democrats want to retain the seat to maintain the status quo while Pheu Thai aspires to win to undermine the rival party's stronghold, which would in turn boost the opposition party's morale. Both parties have mobilised a lot of personnel and resources in a bid to win this important seat.

Thani, 52, served as a kamnan for many years in the southern province and was deputy chief of the local administrators association and honoured as an outstanding kamnan. His last seat in local politics was chief of the Surat Thani provincial administrative organisation.

But when he sought re-election, the EC denied his victory for allegedly violating an electoral law. The Democrat Party later decided to field him as its candidate for the MP seat after Suthep resigned. It will be Thani's first bid to enter national politics. His brother Suthep is expected to join his campaigning from today.

Thani expressed confidence about his chances. He said he had visited his constituents regularly and believed his party had the locals' hearts.

In the ballot for local PAO chief last month, Damrong Thaugsuban, a relative of Thani and Suthep, was defeated. However, Damrong contested independently without support from the Democrat Party or the blessing of Suthep.

Thani described the upcoming election as a popularity contest between the prime minister and Democrat leader, Abhisit Vejjajiva, and Pheu Thai supporter and ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Sompol, the 57-year-old Pheu Thai candidate, was in the tourism business before entering politics as an adviser to a number of Cabinet members, including his brothers Yongyuth and Thawat.

Sompol contested a general election in Surat Thani under the Thai Rak Thai Party banner in 2005 but lost to a Democrat candidate from the Thaugsuban family. Two years later he was part of the Pheu Thai Party's working group for the South.

Sompol said that he wanted to bring a change to Surat Thani, claiming that the "political monopoly" over the recent past had had limited benefit for local residents. However, he has only a little time to visit constituents.

"In the remaining time [before the election], even if I could stay awake all day, I would not be able to visit the whole constituency," he said.

But he still had hope given the result of the recent local election, which a Thaugsuban candidate defeated.

"I don't want to decide for local residents if the result will affect this upcoming election. If people want a change, they will choose for themselves," he said.

By Piyanuch Thamnukasetchai
The Nation
Published on August 13, 2009



The Department of Special Investigation has set up a team to look into the Chevrolet Safina sedan seized from the mother-in-law of a suspect in the assassination attempt on People's Alliance for Democracy leader Sondhi Limthongkul, after it was found with a fake licence plate.
Narat Sawettanant, DSI deputy director-general, said yesterday that the car carried a Bangkok licence plate even though it was registered in Chiang Mai to Channarong Muser, a drug suspect arrested by the DSI on March 20.

This car was among five vehicles confiscated along with Bt117 million worth of Channarong's assets.

The DSI then employed the five cars for civil service work.

The Narcotics Control Board approved the official use of the cars in June but they were still in the process of being listed in the DSI's seized vehicle management system so that they could be given civil service licence plates.

It was believed that the Sondhi case suspect, Pol Lance Corporal Worawuth Mungsanti, who was a Narcotic Suppression Police officer seconded to the DSI, might have started using the car in the meantime, Narat said.

The DSI would give full cooperation to police investigators and its chief, Tawee Sodsong, had already assigned a fact-finding committee on Tuesday to determine how Worawuth got hold of the car and whether it was a violation of regulations, he added.

By Piyanuch Thamnukasetchai
The Nation
Published on August 13, 2009



The Department of Special Investigation has set up a team to look into the Chevrolet Safina sedan seized from the mother-in-law of a suspect in the assassination attempt on People's Alliance for Democracy leader Sondhi Limthongkul, after it was found with a fake licence plate.
Narat Sawettanant, DSI deputy director-general, said yesterday that the car carried a Bangkok licence plate even though it was registered in Chiang Mai to Channarong Muser, a drug suspect arrested by the DSI on March 20.

This car was among five vehicles confiscated along with Bt117 million worth of Channarong's assets.

The DSI then employed the five cars for civil service work.

The Narcotics Control Board approved the official use of the cars in June but they were still in the process of being listed in the DSI's seized vehicle management system so that they could be given civil service licence plates.

It was believed that the Sondhi case suspect, Pol Lance Corporal Worawuth Mungsanti, who was a Narcotic Suppression Police officer seconded to the DSI, might have started using the car in the meantime, Narat said.

The DSI would give full cooperation to police investigators and its chief, Tawee Sodsong, had already assigned a fact-finding committee on Tuesday to determine how Worawuth got hold of the car and whether it was a violation of regulations, he added.

Writer: PRADIT RUANGDIT and WASSANA NANUAM
Published: 12/08/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News
National police chief Patcharawat Wongsuwon denies he is being sent to the far South this week in a renewed attempt to sideline him politically.
Pol Gen Patcharawat returned early from a trip to China at the weekend and was immediately re-assigned to the South.

Pol Gen Wichien Pojphosri has been appointed acting police chief in the absence of Pol Gen Patcharawat at police headquarters in Bangkok.

The police chief's absence is believed to have helped speed up the investigation into the attempted murder in April of People's Alliance for Democracy leader Sondhi Limthongkul.

Political sources say the leave was also intended to prevent Pol Gen Patcharawat from reviewing the police reshuffle list before it takes effect ahead of Oct 1.

Pol Gen Patcharawat cut short his 10-day visit to China by six days and returned home on Aug 8.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva then assigned the police chief to the far South to follow up insurgency operations. Pol Gen Wichien will continue to fill in for him while he is away.

Pol Gen Patcharawat, who will remain in the South until Aug 18, yesterday said no one in the government had pressured him to go to the troubled region.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban yesterday said he had ordered Pol Gen Patcharawat to work in the South for about a week to speed up investigations into many insurgency-related cases.

A source said there were worries Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, the police chief's elder brother, might not be happy to see Pol Gen Patcharawat being cast aside.

Gen Prawit was reported to have attended yesterday's cabinet meeting for only 15 minutes. He left after asking Mr Abhisit to be excused because there was nothing on the meeting agenda affecting the Defence Ministry.

Mr Abhisit had Mr Suthep and the prime minister's secretary-general, Niphon Phromphan, present Gen Prawit with a birthday bouquet on the occasion of his 64th birthday yesterday.

Gen Prawit refused to comment when asked by reporters about his brother's situation. "I'd rather keep quiet about this," he said, looking stressed.

By Piyanart Srivalo
The Nation
Published on August 12, 200
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday passed the buck to his deputy, Suthep Thaugsuban, when asked about the national police chief being sent on a new mission in the restive deep South.

Abhisit rejected reports that he had given General Patcharawat Wongsuwan this yet-to-be-identified task, saying that Suthep had only informed him that the police chief would be assigned to the South shortly.

"I told you that I had learned he [Patcharawat] would perform some tasks in the South. I did not make the order," Abhisit said.

The prime minister also said he did not know any details about the task. "I understand that the deputy prime minister in charge of police affairs [Suthep] will report to me about this," he added.

Patcharawat said yesterday that he intended to travel to
the deep South to examine the work of local police and oversee security measures for the upcoming Asean summit in the southern province of Phuket.

Appearing tense while speaking to reporters in his office at the Royal Thai Police headquarters, he confirmed that he would begin his work in the deep South after Her Majesty the Queen's birthday today.

Meanwhile, Suthep confirmed yesterday that the police chief was being dispatched to the deep South, saying: "Patcharawat will go to the South after his leave of absence comes to an end on August 14."

The police chief cut short his visit to China and returned earlier than expected, and on Monday he sent memos to his bosses and subordinates, telling them that he had resumed his work as police chief.

However, Suthep said yesterday that Patcharawat would not be involved in the running of the Royal Thai Police because he would be focusing on solving the backlog of insurgency-related cases in the strife-torn region.

The deputy premier said that following his assignment in the three southern provinces, Patcharawat would supervise the preparations for the Asean summit scheduled for October. He also hinted that the national police chief might not return to Bangkok before his mandatory retirement in September.

The government is expected to have General Vichien Pojphosri to resume his job as caretaker police chief. Vichien was doing the caretaker's job until Patcharawat abruptly returned from China on Saturday night.

Before yesterday's Cabinet meeting began, the prime minister seated himself next to Patcharawat's brother, Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, and they were seen chatting for 15 minutes. Prawit later left the room and did not return to attend the Cabinet meeting.

Suthep and the prime minister's secretary-general, Nipon Phrompan, were among the well-wishers at Prawit's birthday party yesterday, where they presented him with a bouquet of flowers from Abhisit.

By Supalak Ganjanakhundee
The Nation
Published on August 12, 2009
The decision to continue her house arrest - of which she has already served 14 of her last 20 years in the country - has no logic but is motivated by political purposes to isolate the opposition leader from the planned 2010 general elections, paving the way for the military-backed force to take power.

Suu Kyi's trial for violating her house-arrest conditions also makes little legal sense - based on the action of an American man she has never known, who swam across Inya Lake to spend two nights at the Yangon residence where she was under detention.

It is understandable - if harsh - that American John Yettaw was sentenced for seven years in prison and hard labour for swimming into a forbidden area. But it is unfair to blame Suu Kyi for an action planned without her con- sent or knowledge. The people who must take blame are the junta's security officials who failed to prevent the incident, even though they were stationed there constantly.
Burma's military junta made a big mistake and a misstep toward democracy and national reconciliation when its court sentenced opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi to 18 months in detention.
Burma's court of justice as an excuse for the unfair treatment of his political rival, as he intervened in the justice system himself.

The court ordered Suu Kyi to jail for three years; but the head of the ruling junta signed a special order commuting the sentence - reducing it to a year and half under house arrest, according to Home Affairs Minister General Maung Oo.

By doing this, Than Shwe has despoiled his national justice system, separating the country far from the rule of law, a basic principle for a democratic nation. It proves Than Shwe's order is the law of this land.

The court ruling not only detained Suu Kyi, but also completely destroyed the seven-step road map for democracy and national reconciliation.

Keeping her under detention means Burma's first-ever election in 20 years is far from legitimate, as the potential opposition leader is not allowed to participate.

Suu Kyi might not be the core of all problems in the junta-ruled country, but she is a key component in any future democratisation, since she is a leader of the opposition National League for Democracy, which won by a landslide in the 1990 election.

Calling the junta to honour the previous election might be impossible, but allowing her to contest the next election is her absolute legitimate right.

In democratic practice, all political forces must be allowed to join the contest in the election to make the whole political process as inclusive as possible. Democracy is a form of ruling by majority. Society has the legitimate right to vote in its leaders and everyone eligible to run in the contest. If any citizen is separated from the ruler selection process, the ruling cannot be considered a democratic one.

Than Shwe and the Burmese court's decision yesterday meant the country missed a golden opportunity for national reconciliation, which the junta is dying for. It is impossible for the opposition leader and her political forces to reconcile with the military while she is under detention.

Reconciliation happens only under the condition that all concerned parties trust each other and are free to discuss finding a proper solution for the country. It is impossible for people under detention to sit and talk equally with the people in power. What they will do from now on is continue their struggle, with the junta reacting with tough action and perhaps suppression.

In such a situation, Burma will never reach national reconciliation.

By Panya Thiewsangwan
The Nation
Published on August 12, 2009


Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva yesterday extended an olive branch to Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan by sending Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban on his behalf to wish him on the occasion of his 64th birthday.
Prawit, Suthep and Niphon Prompan, secretary-general to the PM, had a 30-minute long chat behind closed doors. Prawit refused to speak to the media after the meeting, while Suthep said Abhisit had given him the job of presenting a bouquet to the Defence Minister to wish him a happy birthday yesterday. He said he felt obliged to Prawit because he had helped smooth things out for the government.

Asked if he was referring to the transfer of national police chief General Patcharawat Wongsuwan, who is Prawit's younger brother, Suthep said they had only discussed facts, not rumours.

"The Defence Minister has served through the Army ranks as a commander and chief. Rumours don't worry him," he said.

He also insisted that the relationship between the government and the military was still strong and that there was nothing to worry about. "You have see us today like this and you still don't have confidence? The PM and I are one,'' Suthep said, touching Prawit's arm.

Asked if he knew whether Abhisit was taking into account Prawit's sentiments, Suthep laughed and said, "You are trying to make us fight. Prawit loves his brother but he also has good judgement. The Patcharawat issue has to be resolved. I don't think it is a problem. Everything is all right now,'' he said.

Meanwhile, Army chief General Anupong Paochinda was among the top brass at a merit-making ceremony held at Wat Phra Srimahathat in Bang Khen to mark Prawit's birthday.

Patcharawat attended the event for ten minutes and left. He appeared to be in good mood even though he had been informed that Abhisit wanted him to carry out an urgent mission in the three southernmost provinces.

Prawit told the military officials attending the celebrations that he wanted to see unity among the ranks and in the country. He also urged them to uphold the institution of monarchy. "This institution is important to every Thai and must be upheld in the interest of the whole country,'' he said.

By The Nation
Published on August 11, 2009
The blood-donation event, which was part of a course on political development offered to the public, was held to mark the occasion of Her Majesty the Queen's birthday.

Later, Prompong said tongue-in-cheek that the three arch-enemies were holding hands because they were all afraid of the needle. Suriyasai also drew laughter when he asked the nurse give him a yellow ball to hold while his blood was being taken. Tests showed that Sonthi's blood type is of the B group, Suriyasai of the A group, while Prompong has is of the O group.
Suriyasai Katasila, secretary-general of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD)'s New Politics Party; Prompong Nopparit, the Pheu Thai Party's spokesman; and Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin, leader of the 2006 coup, held hands while donating their blood yesterday at the Election Commission's headquarters.

By Avudh Panananda
The Nation
Published on August 11, 2009


A key message from the six-month government performance report has, unfortunately, been drowned out by the din of rambling over differing expectations.
While critics are trying to fault everything the government does or does not do; when fans are saying the government could and should have done better; it goes virtually unnoticed the government is saying it is here to stay for three more years.

Although the sentiment is that the government should be lucky to last until the year's end, the performance report is clear - 2012 is the deadline to get the job done and the past six months were just a headstart to rebuilding the economy.

Ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra seems to be the only man who can see through the game plan of the Democrats.

This explains why Thaksin is desperate to bring about the government's downfall. His chance to expunge his conviction is nil for as long as the Democrats are in power.

The Thaksin-fuelled opposition movement is not the issue. The question is whether Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva can outwit and outlast critics.

In his own assessment, Abhisit said he managed to put out the fire engulfing the country when he came to power.

It's true that two preceding governments under Samak Sundaravej and Somchai Wongsawat failed to advance the country forward due to street protests and legal battles.

On top of fractious politics and other domestic woes, the installation of Abhisit's leadership coincided with the global economic downturn. The prime minister had reason to congratulate himself in rescuing the country from a freefall.

But this is no time to bask on a molehill of achievements when a mountain of problems remains unsolved. The economy has bottomed out; pundits seem to agree on this. But no one has a sure fire prediction on how long the recovery process will take.

On the political front, the animosity of the yellow shirts vs the red shirts has persisted.

Within the coalition bandwagon, the Chart Thai Pattana Party has been playing the role of the odd one out.

Its faction leader Banharn Silapa-Archa has recently reminded of the dire consequences to the alliance if Abhisit continues to promote his one-man show.

Banharn is particularly unhappy about two things - Abhisit's aloofness toward coalition partners and a budgetary allocation deemed unfavourable to his party.

Among the Democrats, doubt has lingered on whether Abhisit is being overshadowed by his party secretary- general Suthep Thaugsuban.

The turbulence may have dissipated somewhat, but economic and political woes are persisting.

Under the backdrop of a precarious situation, Abhisit is counting on his mission to overcome the economic downturn as a ticket to complete his term in office.

The lynchpin to ensure the government's survival is the Bt1.43 trillion spending plan for the Strong Thailand Project.

The spending, to be spread over three years, is expected to rehabilitate and rebuild the economy on an unprecedented scale. It is the most ambitious nation-building plan to date.

Abhisit can be assured of his legacy if he can push through just half of the planned spending. The jury is still out on the issue. It is one thing to draw up a grand plan but success is measured by the implementation.

In a bureaucracy plagued by corruption, it is no easy task to implement a mega project, not to mention the Bt500 billion spending to revamp the country's logistic and transportation infrastructure.

The controversy surrounding the Bt4 billion bus leasing project should serve as a lesson that the Strong Thailand Project may never move from the drawing board to the implementation if partisan interests are allowed to cloud judgement.

To succeed, Abhisit needs to exert a firm leadership to safeguard the integrity of the spending plans. If corruption scandals erupt, then his ticket for survival may yield the opposite result, hastening his exit.

Writer: BangkokPost.com
Published: 8/08/2009 at 01:31 PM
Even though Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva seemed to have conflict with the police chief, most people wanted him to continue working to settle the country’s pressing problems, according to a Abac Poll released on Saturday.

A recent opinion poll on conflict between political camp and police chief Pol Gen Phatcharawat Wongsuwan by Assumption University found that 73 per cent of the respondents gave moral support to Mr Abhisit to continue performing duties.

As many as 77.4 per cent of the respondents saw that politicians are beneficiaries of the police reshuffle, 76.4 per cent said the beneficiaries are high ranking police officers.

Nearly 70 per cent of them were concerned that Mr Abhisit might make wrong a decision in this case because of his aides.

The respondent wanted the premier to create a system of good governance in the national police bureau. An independent committee should be set up to reform police structure.

The respondents gave the police chief 7.23 scores out of 10 for the his patience on pressure from the political sides.

They also gave 7.09 score for Pol Gen Phatcharawat’s efforts to reduce social conflict.

Writer: BangkokPost.com
Published: 8/08/2009 at 02:22 PM
More than two million had signed their names in opposition of the campaign to seek royal pardon for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Deputy Interior Minister Boonjong Wongtrairat claimed on Saturday.

The ministry had earlier ordered provincial governors and district chiefs nationwide to arrange tables for people who want to sign to show disagreement with the royal pardon seeking campaign by leaders of the pro-Thaksin United front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).

Mr Boonjong said he expected that by late next week, his ministry would be able to announce official number of people who disagree with the red shirts’ move to seek royal pardon for Thaksin.

UDD leaders, Veera Musigkapong and Jatuoporn Promphan, had on Friday insisted that they will submit the petition to the Office of His Majesty’s Principal Secretary on August 17.

House Speaker Chai Chidchob said he was confidence that the Ministry of Interior’s order on the signatures collecting campaign against Thaksin pardon will not lead to a severe social division because Thai people have the same beloved father - HM the King.

“I will next week invite Senate Speaker Prasopsuk Boondej and his two deputies to discuss ways for national reconciliation creating”, Mr Chai said, adding that after that he will invite representatives from political parties for a similar discussion.

Representative from the government will be invited after the premier had study proposals on charter amendment recommended by the parliamentary Committee for Reconciliation, Political Reform and Constitutional Amendment, he said.

Published: 9/08/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News
Warrants will be issued for the arrest of more suspects in the attempt on the life of People's Alliance for Democracy leader Sondhi Limthongkul.

Deputy city police chief Sumeth Ruengsawat said investigators would ask the court to approve the warrants after piecing together important evidence to substantiate the charges.

Pol Maj Gen Sumeth said the warrants were expected to be issued next week, but did not say how many more suspects would be arrested.

However, deputy national police chief Thanee Somboonsap said no further warrants were sought at this stage.

He was speaking after a meeting with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva at Government House yesterday.

Pol Gen Thanee, who heads the investigation into the attempted assassination of Mr Sondhi, said the premier had summoned him to report the latest developments in the case.

Arrest warrants have already been issued for Sgt Maj Panya Srihera, a non-commissioned officer from the army's Special Warfare Command in Lop Buri, and Pol Cpl Worawut Mungsanthi of the Narcotics Suppression Bureau for their suspected involvement in the murder attempt.

Both men, however, are still at large.

Pol Cpl Worawut earlier sent a letter to Pol Gen Thanee denying any involvement in the attack.

Pol Gen Thanee said after meeting the prime minister yesterday that investigators had made considerable progress in the case.

He said the Police Commission's decision not to make changes to the annual police reshuffle list would have no bearing on the case.

Acting police chief Wichien Pojphosri has pledged not to interfere with the investigation.

A "conducive" working environment could help investigators speed up the case and conclude the investigation quickly, he said. "I'm now happy in handling the case."

Pol Gen Wichien will remain the acting police chief until Pol Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwon's return from China on Tuesday.

Pol Gen Patcharawat was forced to take a 10-leave by the government to facilitate the probe into the April 17 attempt on the life of Mr Sondhi.

The PAD has accused Pol Gen Patcharawat of hampering the investigation headed by Pol Gen Thanee.

By Piyanart Srivalo The Nation on Sunday Published on August 9, 2009

A plan is afoot to replace the caretaker government spokesman and the Cabinet secretary-general, a source in the government said yesterday.

After six months in office, government leaders have found flaws and weaknesses in public-relations work and Cabinet coordination with state agencies, according to the source.

Panitan Wattanayagorn, the caretaker government spokesman, who is also deputy secretary-general of the prime minister, was singled out as a major weakness as having failed to perform the task of spokesman efficiently.

The coalition leaders agreed that the spokesman had done little to promote the prime minister's and the government's work, leading to allegations that the government had not achieved much.

Panitan, previously a lecturer in political science at Chulalongkorn University, reluctantly accepted his political appointments. But he preferred not to become a full government spokesman, a position normally held by a seasoned politician.

The source said that the government was looking for someone from the ruling Democrat Party to replace Panitan as government spokesman. A number of candidates were considered, but former Bangkok governor Apirak Kosayodhin, who is a deputy party leader, is front-runner for the job, according to the source.

Apirak is currently an adviser to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and appointment as government spokesman, a less senior job, could be a "demotion" for him. The source said it was likely that Apirak would also concurrently serve as adviser or be promoted to vice minister while acting as government spokesman.

Another political job expected to see change is that of Cabinet secretary-general, now held by Surachai Phuprasert, a long-serving bureaucrat at Government House.

Surachai is thought to have been ineffective in coordinating with state agencies, leading to delays in Cabinet's work according to the source.

Tongthong Chandransu, secretary-general of the Education Council, was expected to be approached to take over the job of Cabinet secretary-general, the source said. His expertise in legal matters and good ties with former holders of the office, Vishanu Krueangam and Bowornsak Uwanno, would give him an edge, the source said.

By The Nation on Sunday
Thai News Agency
Published on August 9, 2009

Deputy national police chief General Thanee Somboonsap said that he was optimistic the case could be wrapped up before his mandatory retirement at the end of September.

Thanee said his team had made much progress in the case since last Monday and all members of the team were working hard in order to wrap it up.

The police general yesterday briefed Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on the case for more than one hour at Government House. He told reporters afterwards that h

The police investigation into the Sondhi Limthongkul shooting case has made considerable progress as investigators work actively again following the appointment of caretaker national police chief, the head investigator said yesterday.

The chief investigator had earlier publicly said his team had made little progress because some had been threatened by unnamed influential figures and others had leaked secret information.

Thanee declined to say whether the annual reshuffle list of 152 police generals, proposed by national police chief General Patcharawat Wongsuwan and approved by Police Commission would have any impact on the investigation.

Patcharawat is on leave of absence, and General Vichien Pojphosri has been appointed caretaker police chief.

Police will next week issue more arrest warrants for suspects in the assassination attempt on Sondhi Limthongkul, who is also a core leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy, Police Maj-General Sumeth Ruangsuwat said yesterday.

He said the investigators were gathering important incriminating evidence in order to seek court approval for arrest warrants for more suspects. He declined to elaborate on how many warrants there were and who they were for.

The court earlier issued arrest warrants for Sgt-Major Panya Srihaera from the Army's Special Warfare Command in Lop Buri, and Police Corporal Worawut Mungsanthi, assigned to the Narcotics Suppression Bureau, for involvement in the failed assassination. Both are still at large.

Published on August 9, 2009
Comparison drawn with move on Prem in 1988
permissible option that supporters of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra are entitled to in order to bring him back to Thailand, Thaksin's lawyer Pichit Chuenban said yesterday.

The move came after mounting opposition to the signature campaign conducted by Thaksin's supporters.

Pichit said that what Thaksin's supporters were doing was not unprecedented because during the Prem administration in 1988, 99 academics including King Prajadhipok's Institute secretary-general Dr Borwornsak Uwanno, Dr Chirmsak Pinthong and Dr Thongthong Chandrangsu petitioned his Majesty the King citing political upheaval and the lack of unity among Thais, blaming government leaders for failure in their administration.

"What Borwornsak did is called a political petition, is it not? What Thaksin's supporters are filing is not a political petition, because they are suffering from economic and political distress and they have the right to seek Royal clemency to alleviate their plight. They are not just seeking a Royal pardon for Thaksin,'' he said.

Pichit was reacting against a second statement by Dr Borwornsak that opposed the move by Thaksin's supporters to petition the King.

He also accused Borworksak of citing laws and regulations that had been scrapped long ago in opposing the petition. Phichit insisted that the content of the present petition was a complaint by the people with the objective of bringing unity and national reconciliation.

However, Chirmsak, one of the petitioners in 1988, said yesterday that that petition had been aimed at persuading Prem to step down as an unelected prime minister and that no Royal pardon had been sought for anyone at that time.

Speaking to religious and local leaders at Parliament, Borwornsak said the red shirts' petition had brought division to society and was destructive of Thai culture because the petitioners had an ulterior motive in citing a massive number of people behind the move.

He told the leaders to help bring peace to society and not let a group of people cite the achievement of one person to compared with His Majesty the King, who had worked hard for 63 years for his subjects.

"You are our only hope, because we cannot see hope in the government leaders,'' he told them.

Meanwhile Yingluck Shinawatra, younger sister of Thaksin, presided over the opening of the Pheu Thai Party's Nakhon Ratchasima branch with 300 red shirts gathered in a show of support.

During the ceremony, Thaksin phoned in to his supporters saying he was getting fit so that he could bring prosperity and development to the country when he returned.

He thanked them for seeking Royal clemency for him, saying they had given him hope of returning home.

Pheu Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit said his party was seeking to file a complaint with the Administrative Court on Tuesday accusing the government of human-rights violations, subverting Royal power and breaking the law by instructing the Interior Ministry to solicit signatures from the people to block the move by the red shirts to petition the King.

He dismissed an accusation that the red-shirt petition was illegal, saying that Prime Minister Abhist Vejjajiva had in his time petitioned the King for a royally appointed PM.