THAI FOREIGN MINISTER DECIDES TO RESIGN
Thailand's foreign minister has expressed outrage at being "criminalised" for his links to last year's protest blockade of Bangkok's airports and said he will "have to resign".
Courtesy: Al Jazeera
- Kasit Piromya told Al Jazeera on Sunday that he will undoubtedly step down since the police have summoned him for questioning over the forced shut downs of the Suvarnabhumi international airport and the domestic Don Muang terminal.
- "I have come to a point where I am being criminalised, and I would have to resign without doubt," Kasit said on Sunday.
- "Fellow Thai citizens a few months back went to a police station near the airport and put a charge against me as being a terrorist . I have been called by the police to meet them."
- The police earlier said that Kasit and 35 leading members of the People's Alliance for Democracy (Pad), also known as the "Yellow Shirts", have been called in to answer charges over last year's blockade.
- "We have issued a summons for two airport incidents," Lieutenant-General Wut Puawes, the assistant police chief, said.
THAILAND ISSUES ARREST WARRANT FOR THAKSIN
BANGKOK (AP) — Police issued arrest warrants for 14 leaders of an anti-government movement, including ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, as protesters abruptly ended violent demonstrations in Thailand's capital.
The three-week street battles between anti-government protesters and troops, which left two dead and 123 injured, ended on Tuesday.
A court issued warrants Tuesday for Thaksin and 12 supporters, three of whom were detained by police and charged with crimes relating to the unrest.
"Thaksin and his allies were charged by the court for illegal assembly of more than 10 people, threatening acts of violence, and breach of the peace, punishable with five years in jail," the warrant said, AFP reported.
Thaksin was also accused of inciting people to break the law and cause unrest, a charge punishable by seven years in prison, according to the warrant.
Ousted in a coup in 2006, Thaksin escaped Thailand to avoid a jail term for corruption, but during the uproar he gave a string of speeches to the rally calling for "revolution".
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's four-month-old government managed to handle the unrest while the protesters also managed to derail a weekend Asian summit.
A court issued warrants Tuesday for Thaksin and 12 supporters, three of whom were detained by police and charged with crimes relating to the unrest.
"Thaksin and his allies were charged by the court for illegal assembly of more than 10 people, threatening acts of violence, and breach of the peace, punishable with five years in jail," the warrant said, AFP reported.
Thaksin was also accused of inciting people to break the law and cause unrest, a charge punishable by seven years in prison, according to the warrant.Ousted in a coup in 2006, Thaksin escaped Thailand to avoid a jail term for corruption, but during the uproar he gave a string of speeches to the rally calling for "revolution".
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's four-month-old government managed to handle the unrest while the protesters also managed to derail a weekend Asian summit.
Courtesy: Press TV
THAI PM REFUSES TO DISSOLVE HOUSE
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Saturday rejected ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra’s call for him to dissolve the House of Representatives and hold a new election.
They are not the ways to end political impasse, he said. Mr Abhisit said the only solution to political unrest is through national reconciliation process in which every sector participates. “Every sector must cooperate to find a solution for the country,” he said. “That is the best thing.” Meanwhile, former prime minister Surayud Chulanont, who was accused by Thaksin to be behind the military coup that toppled him, will hold a press conference at 4pm Saturday to clarify the accusations.The press conference will be held at Suvarnabhumi airport at 4pm.
On Friday, Thaksin directly accused Gen Surayud and Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda of being behind the coup. He also called on Gen Prem "to stop meddling in politics." "He (Gen Prem) put on the military uniform and went on a tour to attack me. Gen Surayud was also there," Thaksin said. "It is highly improper for a privy councillor to get involved in politics. It misleads people into thinking that the King is involved politically," he continued.
Thaksin’s former right-hand man Newin Chidchob reportedly disagreed with Thaksin’s action in pointing his finger at Gen Prem as the “charismatic extra-constitutional figures” who toppled him by unconstitutional means, according to Bhumjaithai party MP Panya Sripanya.
Mr Newin thinks that Mr Thaksin’s strong accusation is unacceptable, he said.
Security around the residence of Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have been stepped up since Saturday morning to prevent anti-government protesters from rallying there.
On Friday, Thaksin directly accused Gen Surayud and Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda of being behind the coup. He also called on Gen Prem "to stop meddling in politics." "He (Gen Prem) put on the military uniform and went on a tour to attack me. Gen Surayud was also there," Thaksin said. "It is highly improper for a privy councillor to get involved in politics. It misleads people into thinking that the King is involved politically," he continued.Thaksin’s former right-hand man Newin Chidchob reportedly disagreed with Thaksin’s action in pointing his finger at Gen Prem as the “charismatic extra-constitutional figures” who toppled him by unconstitutional means, according to Bhumjaithai party MP Panya Sripanya.
Mr Newin thinks that Mr Thaksin’s strong accusation is unacceptable, he said.Security around the residence of Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have been stepped up since Saturday morning to prevent anti-government protesters from rallying there.
Courtesy: Bangkok Post
VISITORS GEOFLAGS SINCE AUGUST 26, 2009
