Evidence sought to arrest radio host for threatening premier

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Evidence sought to arrest radio host for threatening premier

Published: 23/11/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News

Police are gathering evidence against a local community radio host for threatening the life of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on air.

Sathit: Licences to be examined

Chiang Mai deputy governor Pairoj Saenphuwong said police could arrest Phetcharawat Watanapongsirikul, a leader of the Love Chiang Mai 51 group, who announced on his community radio programme that he would take the life of Mr Abhisit when he visited the city next Sunday.

Mr Abhisit will be in Chiang Mai to meet the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Thai Industries.

"No one needs to file a complaint with police because it is a criminal case. Police can make an arrest as soon as the court issues an arrest warrant," Mr Pairoj said.

The group supports former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra whose native province is Chiang Mai.

Protesters would be allowed to rally on a ground at the Tha Phae gate when the prime minister arrives, he said. Any protesters who demonstrate elsewhere in an unlawful manner would face legal action.

Mr Abhisit shrugged off the threat and confirmed yesterday that he would be in Chiang Mai next Sunday, and expected an atmosphere of reconciliation.

He believed Chiang Mai people wanted to erase the image of violence that had dogged previous protests in the city.

PM's Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey said he had told the National Telecommunication Commission to examine the licences of community radio stations that incited listeners to kill the prime minister.

The commission could immediately stop stations without a licence from broadcasting.

About 20 community radio stations were inciting protest action against his government. They were located in areas of red shirt support, in Bangkok and elsewhere.

Puea Thai Party MP for Chiang Mai Surapong Towijakchaikul said the red shirt protest in Chiang Mai would be peaceful.

Puea Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit warned Mr Abhisit not to invoke the Internal Security Act in Chiang Mai for his one-day visit. Business confidence would suffer, he said.

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: Writer: Post Reporters; Position: Reporters

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Nicole Cheverny

Discussion 13 : 23/11/2009 at 01:57 PM13
The word "reconciliation" --as in "Mr Abhisit [...] expected an atmosphere of reconciliation." has become somewhat depreciated, lately.

Given the opposition's determination to bring down Mr. Abhisit's administration --as recently announced by Mr. Jatuporn--, "reconciliation" is a goal which amounts more to wishful thinking than realistic objective setting.

"Let's Reconcile!" does not makes for the forceful call that this Nation needs to hear, yet less for a convincing campaign slogan.

"Let's Grow Up!" would be much closer to the mark.

Thus, Mr. Abhisit attending an economic meeting in Chiang Mai should expect to hold talk in an 'atmosphere of maturity and responsibleness'.

"Reconciliation" will come. Later.
Sa-ard Sasitharams

Discussion 12 : 23/11/2009 at 12:26 PM12
The prime minister Apisit needs not come to Chiang Mai if he has to use 20,000 police and military personnel and the Blue and yellow shirted people to be his security guards and fly helicopter to the Le Meridian Hotel for just a MERE HOUR to give talk. Why don't you use teleconference to address the meeting instead ? This costs only a few bugs !

I completely disagree with announcing security law in Chiang Mai where there are a lot of foreign tourists. This will enable police and mititary to set up a lot of check points everywhere in the old cities and carry arms. It will disperse all tourists away to other nabouring countries, it will also cause immensely trafic jams to the city.

DON'T MAKE AN HOUR OF THE VISIT TO CAUASE A GREAT DISASTER TO LOCAL ECONOMY !! USE 2,000 MILLION BHT. BUDGET TO LOOK AFTER THE PEOPLE WHO FACE A BIG TROUBLE OF FLOODING IN THE SOUTH !!

If the government dissolve the HOUSE to decare a new election while you're at the top of the pole 70:30 % to call for the national election in 30 days. I'm sure the government will win. And then you can visit Chiang Mai any time gracefully !

Remember, the South needs the budget to help with the flood victims ! Save the 2,000 million Bht budget for them. Don't use it on your one hour visit to Chiang Mai ! DON'T KU, KU, KU (BORROW, BORROW AND BORROW) and spend the borrowed money extravengantly, please !!! the prime minuter !
surely you jest

Discussion 11 : 23/11/2009 at 12:02 PM11
It is difficult to draw a logical conclusion from an illogical argument. It is difficult to use logic when others do not want to follow the logical path.
Every time one group does something they want to excuse their action by referring to another group's behavior. This is a non-sequitor or does not follow logically.
So to say that one guy threatened the Prime Minister but this is okay since the other guy took over the airport is simply ridiculous.
It has been this technique used masterfully by K. Thaksin and his group to justify every behavior. For example, it is okay we killed demonstators since they took over the government house.
When will some of the professors or intelligent and logical Thai people come out to express their dismay with this kind of logic.
Until that time the Thai public will continue to be confused and nothing will improve.
OH YES ?

Discussion 10 : 23/11/2009 at 11:33 AM10
Please enlighten me on the "GOOD POINTS" Thaksin and the Redshirts have bestowed upon Thailand and our Thai people. Discussion # 7.......

I am no PAD lover and actually was disgusted when they took over the Government House and the airports.

GOOD GUYS or BAD GUYS are in the eye of the beholder. However, I have yet to find justifications to label the Redshirts the "GOOD GUYS". GOT IT NOW ?
Concerned Chiang Mai

Discussion 9 : 23/11/2009 at 11:19 AM9
Got it! To suggest that corruption in Thailand is the domain of one side of this situation is a ridiculous point of view. Then to suggest that "being the good guys" excuses criminal behavior that would see you arrested and imprisoned for a long time in most civilized countries definitely calls your own morality into question. Law breakers are bad guys regardless of the colour of shirt they wear!
boonisback

Discussion 8 : 23/11/2009 at 10:00 AM8
Khun GOT IT ?

What big time corruption are you refering to?

They are laws to be abided by everyone. Coup is not the answer to justice. Once that have taken place, you have no moral right to talk about rule of law. The 2006 coup has not solve a single corruption case, it only widen and complicated all allegations of corruption. The divide in the societies further prove that our legal system is in questions and need to reform.

However, you have the right to continue to assert that there is no double standard at the moment.
ricefieldradio

Discussion 7 : 23/11/2009 at 09:32 AM7
GOT IT ? - Ever considered you "GOT IT" all wrong?

Both sides have their good and bad points. Being fanatical about either group makes you a FANATIC, no better or worse than the fanatics on the other side but with just as much tunnel vision. Get it now?
thai 1932

Discussion 6 : 23/11/2009 at 08:52 AM6
If Mr. Abhisit believes in a REAL reconciliation, and wants to erase the image of violence, as he stated, then Mr. Abhisit does not need any protection from police or guards, just showing you are trusting the people and you will be warmly welcomed. But, Mr. Abhisit calls for a full scale of protection from both the army and police showing he has no trust in People in the northern region, so how he expects any good result from this provocative visit.
GOT IT ?

Discussion 5 : 23/11/2009 at 07:45 AM5
Sick and tired of people talking about double standards for PAD and the Redshirts. The Yellow shirts exposed Thaksin and his administration about their big time corruption. So they are the GOOD GUYS.

The Redshirts support Thaksin who plundered the Country, etc., etc., So they are the BAD GUYS.

Got the picture now and stop talking nonsense !
Pathos

Discussion 4 : 23/11/2009 at 07:42 AM4
The community has to limit this escalating bad behavior. Too bad that it has already harmed the tourist season for Chiang Mai. The bad behavior of the "51 group" is known in the industry and travelers don't want to deal with a ruined vacation. The local citizens need to deal with their own relatives and friends who have gotten caught up is destroying Chiang Mai's PAST reputation as a tourist friendly destination. We're going elsewhere for the holidays; sorry Chiag Mai -- you have only yourselves to blame for not hiding the problem instead of cleaning out the rats nest.