PM: Ultimatum undemocratic

Published: 9/04/2009 at 10:14 AM
Online news: Breakingnews

The 24-hour ultimatum issued by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) was not at all democratic, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Thursday.

The red-shirt group on Wednesday demanded the prime minister and three members of the Privy Council - Gen Prem Tinsulanonda, Gen Surayud Chulanont and former judge Charnchai Likitjitta - resign within 24 hours.

Mr Abhisit and Gen Surayud quickly rejected the UDD's ultimatum.

The prime minister said on Thursday that people were entitled to gather and express their opinions so long as they remained within the law, but if the protesters take the law into their own hands then their actions could no longer be considered democratic.

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was being irresponsible by urging more people to join the anti-government rally from the safety of his foreign havens.

Thaksin knew that he could not be held responsible for his comments since he and his family were all living abroad, Mr Abhisit said.

The government had informed other countries that the Thai judicial system had found Thaksin guilty of criminal, not political, offences, and he must answer for this in Thailand.

The red-clad protesters may wish for true democracy, but they may also have become the political tool of a certain individual.

If they want democracy, they should help the government implement political reform, the prime minister said.

Thaksin should not hope for violence in the expectation it would erase his guilt. His actions were not benefitting the country.

Mr Abhisit asked the public not to be misled by an individual who was once a dictator.

The prime minister again promised that his government would not initiate any violence.

About the author

Writer: BangkokPost.com

Keep this article in your social bookmark:

Latest stories in this category:

Share your thoughts

For more candid, lengthy, conversational and open discussion between one another, use our Forum

Report objectionable comments click here. Include: discussion #, commenter name, comment date / time as it looks on the page. Example: discussion 15: 09/01/2009 at 10:00 AM.

David Brown

Discussion 5 : 09/04/2009 at 02:10 PM5
did Anhisit really say offences the plural form of offence?

I thought that strictly speaking Thaksin has only been actually judged guilty of one offence

and that offence is defined specificzlly as applying to "holders of political office"

so, our "honourable" PM would appear to be guilty of 2 lies in one sentence... more than one conviction and not "political"

I wonder precisely how the Thai representatives in the various countries are implementing their bosses order?
aussiebob

Discussion 4 : 09/04/2009 at 01:30 PM4
What did this clown say when the previous PM's were given the same ultimation by the THUG PAD. Of course the Bangkok Post in their fair and balanced reporting has completely forgotten heir ultimation and this inept PM saying the same thing for the PM;s to resign. It is clear that the Bangkok Post is not getting replies in their favor as they will not even place the blogs on line well done Bangkok Post it is good to see your true colors
Who?

Discussion 3 : 09/04/2009 at 12:38 PM3
No the actions of the PAD were legitimate. If Abhisit believes he has a mandate, than there should be no problem at all to hold fresh elections. But maybe it is time to lay siege to the house of Newin, after all Newin is the rat in the kitchen.
cpkaruppan

Discussion 2 : 09/04/2009 at 12:04 PM2
PM--Do you feel your are elected democratically. Did you not connived with many and toppled an elected government and taken over the power.
KV

Discussion 1 : 09/04/2009 at 10:59 AM1
Yawn. I guess someone should zapp the Thai population to forget word "democratic". It is so overused and it has no meaning in this country anyway.

PM: Ultimatum undemocratic