POLITICS
Embassy march brings disruption to traffic
SURASAK GLAHAN
Thousands of supporters of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) marched to the British embassy yesterday, demanding that London deny political asylum to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and allow his extradition so that he can face criminal charges in Thailand.
The demonstrators, led by PAD core leaders Sondhi Limthongkul and Chamlong Srimuang, handed an open letter to British ambassador Quinton Quayle stating that if Mr Thaksin was not returned to face charges in Thailand, it would add to the political and democratic deadlock in the country.
The letter was handed to the ambassador through an embassy representative.
Written in English, the letter accused Mr Thaksin and his wife Khunying Potjaman of planning to seek asylum in the United Kingdom and called on the British government to deny the request, saying that it needed to send the correct democratic message to the rest of the world.
If he were allowed asylum, said the letter, it would set a ''terrible'' precedent ''for other rich, powerful, and non-democratic figures in Thailand as well as elsewhere'' to do the same thing.
''Thaksin's request for political asylum in Britain must be turned down. If Thaksin is not brought back to face the charges in Thai courts, it will further undermine moves towards reconciliation in the country.''
Mr Thaksin did not return after attending the opening of the Olympic Games in Beijing on Aug 10, as he had promised the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions he would do. Arrest warrants were then issued for him and his wife Khunying Potjaman.
The two jumped bail in the Ratchadaphisek land purchase case, in which the former prime minister is accused of abusing his authority by facilitating his wife's purchase of 33 rai of land in Ratchadaphisek from the Bank of Thailand's Financial Institutions Development Fund five years ago.
Khunying Potjaman was found guilty of tax evasion in another case by the Criminal Court on July 31 and sentenced to three years in jail. She was on bail.
Mr Thaksin claimed his decision to flee to London from Thailand was due to concern that he would not receive fair trials due to interference in the Thai judicial system.
The Supreme Court on Friday ruled that the Ratchadaphisek land corruption trial of Mr Thaksin and his wife could proceed without the couple's presence. Arrest warrants were issued by the Supreme Court's Crime Division for Holders of Political Positions after the two jumped bail.
The PAD did not cite the term ''extradition'' in the letter but the word was repeatedly uttered by its leaders as they led their supporters from the CentralWorld shopping centre to the embassy on the corner of Ploenchit and Witthayu roads.
British embassy spokesman Daniel Painter refused to comment. ''We cannot comment on the issue of extradition. The PAD's letter would be sent to London for their information.''Mr Sondhi told the cheering crowd after handing the letter to the embassy that the PAD had demanded a response from the embassy within seven days.
The demonstration disrupted traffic in one of Bangkok's busiest shopping and business areas for hours.
Another PAD demonstration is planned for tomorrow at the Foreign Ministry to demand that Mr Thaksin's passport be immediately revoked.
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