Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Thursday he knew that those who emailed the audio clip that sounded like his voice ordering officials to use force against the red-shirt protesters during the Songkran riots in April were connected to politicians and companies with links to a former prime minister.
Mr Abhisit said listened to the clip on Wednesday night and it was clear to him that it had been edited. He said he was ready to prove this fact to the public.
It was the work of those who had an ill intention to instigate unrest and cause misunderstanding, he said.
The prime minister insisted that his policy in dealing with public gatherings is based on the law and the principle of rights and freedom of the people.
"I can't hardly believe that there were people who had resorted to dirty means to create disorder and violence in the country. I will take legal action against whoever is involved," Mr Abhisit said.
Mr Abhisit said he had obtained a clue that those who did this were in some way connected to politicians and companies with links to a former prime minister. He, however, did not say outright that the former prime minister was Thaksin Shinawatra.
Asked whether those involved would be arrested, the prime minister said it would be good if this could be done because this should not happen to anyone.
Mr Abhisit discussed this matter with police cheif Patcharawat Wongsuwan at parliament.
Pol Gen Patcharawat said the prime minister had assigned him to investigate this matter. He said he would have to listen to the clip and believed it would take some time before facts could be established.
Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who is in charge of security affairs, said the clip was clearly edited. Asked what if the opposition asked that the clip be played in parliament, Suthep said it was House Speaker Chai Chidchob who would make a decision.
Deputy Interior Minister Thavorn Senniam said he was with the prime minister during the Songkran riots all the time but never heard him give such an order.
Chuan Leekpai, the Democrat Party advisory chairman, said he could guarantee that Mr Abhisit had not ordered use of force as alleged. It was the work of some people who wanted to create a condition to discredit the prime minister and the government, he said.
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- Writer: BangkokPost.com
