Royal pardon campaign nears an end

Published: 24/07/2009 at 10:36 AM
Online news:

More than one million people had signed their names in support of petition for a royal pardon for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a core leader of the United front for Democracy against Dictatorship, Natthawut Saikuea, said on Friday.

The signature collection campaign would continue until July 31. At midnight that day the UDD would announce the total number of signatures it had gathered and would afterwards .submit the petition to the Bureau of the Royal Household, Mr Natthawut said.

He insisted the bid for a royal pardon was not initiated by Thaksin himself. It was a move by red-shirt people exercising their rights under the constitution.

The red-shirts would also hold celebrations on Sunday to mark Thaksin's 60th birthday, with events planned in Chiang Mai, Lop Buri, Singburi, Roi Et and Nakhon Srithammrat, he said.

Bangkok events would be at Wat Kaew Fah in Nonthaburi and Mang Korn Luang restaurant, and would be broadcast live by the People Channel TV station.

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Supachok Chattanuchai

Discussion 7 : 28/07/2009 at 02:15 AM7
"The latest word I have is that they have significantly more than 1 million signatures, possible up to 5 million."

Fictitious figures from a person who's every post is the same ol' same ol' mix of carping at the Democrats over a broken finger nail and exalting Thaksin's every fart to the high heavens...

Supachok Chattanuchai

P.S. I'll say one thing on this subject -- this petition has already failed. The silence from the palace has been and will continue to be deafening.
RicefieldRadio

Discussion 6 : 25/07/2009 at 12:17 AM6
I'm with Bill, if you don't like a petition don't sign one. If you want to know about getting people to willingly sign a petition Goggle diHydrogen Oxide. Some people will sign anything.

While lots of the posters claim, without facts, the signatures were bought, I don't agree. Probably some were but in Phayao they probably got 100,000 signatures without paying a single Baht.

The latest word I have is that they have significantly more than 1 million signatures, possibly up to 5 million.

There is however one part of the article everyone missed in their exuberance to claim signature buying.
"At midnight that day the UDD would announce the total number of signatures it had gathered and would afterward submit the petition to the Bureau of the Royal Household".

Normally a petition is given to the Justice Ministry and then they forward it to the Palace. As the Justice Minister previously said he would not approve it or forward it to the Palace, the UDD are now going to cut the Justice Ministry out of the loop and go direct. An interesting tactic.
Dara

Discussion 5 : 25/07/2009 at 12:00 AM5
As long as I know, it's more expensive than 500 Bath. It's about 5,000 Bath.

iHateThailand.blogspot.com
supattana

Discussion 4 : 24/07/2009 at 03:43 PM4
Each signature is worth at least 500 Baht and may be at the last minute 2000 Baht stimulus package.
Nothing is for free. They are petitioning because only their fugitive on the run can save them from their monetary problems as he is flithy rich. At the same time,he is the only legitimate candidate to rule the country as he is above the law.
SODSRI

Discussion 3 : 24/07/2009 at 01:02 PM3
JUST APPLY TO BE ONE OF THE PETITIONERS AND YOU WILL GET THE DEFINITE ANSWER.
Bill W

Discussion 2 : 24/07/2009 at 12:31 PM2
This country is supposed to be one of free choice not blind obedience and superficial respect (which is seen a lot). Right or wrong the Red shirts have the right to petition just like any other shirt group or group of concerened citizens. You may not agree with them, but it's their right and their choice even if you think some of them were paid to sign. And there is no pressure on anyone to react to the petition. It's either accepted or it isn't. End of story. Finally people are beginning to speak!
Spanky

Discussion 1 : 24/07/2009 at 11:02 AM1
And for each signature they were paid how much...?

Royal pardon campaign nears an end