The air force chief said yesterday the government should not let Thaksin Shinawatra make a live phone call to a gathering of his supporters tomorrow, and warned of the consequences if the phone call does go ahead. ACM Itthiporn Supawong said anyone causing problems in the country must be held fully accountable for the consequences.
''The way to lessen the tension is that the government must prepare itself in advance.
''It's not right when it knows something is bound to happen and it still doesn't do anything to prevent it,'' he said.
''Whoever it is, the government, or anyone who is in charge, must explain where it stands. It should not allow [the phone-in] and then make excuses later. That doesn't help,'' he said.
ACM Itthiporn said the status of the person planning to phone in was clear. To broadcast his remarks could damage the country, he said.
State media outlets should not be used by any group, he added.
Thaksin's phone call may be aired via the internet and on the state-run NBT television station. ACM Itthiporn's comments were made before a meeting of the Defence Council yesterday.
Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, who also attended the meeting, claimed it was beyond his power to stop the phone-in being broadcast.
Thaksin's phone call will be aired at the mobile political talk show Kwam Jing Wan Nee (The Truth Today) at Rajamangala stadium tomorrow.
Navy chief Adm Kamthorn Phumhiran called on all parties to calm down. He said the military would monitor the situation, but would not intervene because it must act within the bounds of the law.
People Power party MP Jatuporn Prompan, also one of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship's core leaders, said Thaksin would call in about half way through the programme.
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