PM shrugs off calls for Kasit to quit cabinet post

News » Politics

PM shrugs off calls for Kasit to quit cabinet post

More protests on the way, says defiant UDD

Published: 2/02/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has dismissed demands by the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship for the sacking of Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya.

Abhisit: Growing tired of ‘old demands’

The UDD on Saturday called for the dismissal of Mr Kasit, threatening to return for another rally in two weeks unless the government takes action.

The group also called for legal action against leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) and the dissolution of the House once a proposed charter amendment has been passed.

The charter amendment, engineered by Confederation for Democracy chairman Weng Tojirakarn with backing from the group, is now in the House.

"They are old demands," Mr Abhisit said yesterday after the World Economic Forum in Davos, before returning to Bangkok.

The prime minister defended Mr Kasit, saying the calls for him to be removed from office were politically motivated.

Mr Kasit has close links to the PAD.

An investigation was under way into the PAD, which seized Government House and Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports last year to force the last government from office, Mr Abhisit said.

The rally on Saturday of about 20,000 demonstrators, most of them wearing red, ended shortly after midnight with no violence after they delivered their demands in front of Government House. They threatened to return in 15 days if the calls go unheeded by the government.

Despite rejecting the UDD conditions, the prime minister thanked the demonstrators for their peaceful protest and the police for their patience.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said there were no grounds to sack the foreign minister as he had done no damage to the country.

A decision on whether to dissolve the House should be up to the public, not the UDD, he said.

UDD leader Jatuporn Prompan, also an MP of the newly-formed Puea Thai party, warned that the government's refusal would give the group "more momentum" at its next demonstration.

Mr Jatuporn expected more upcountry demonstrators who believed the government lacked legitimacy to travel to Bangkok to join the UDD.

The next rally is likely to take place during the day to cause the prime minister and his cabinet more trouble.

Mr Jatuporn insisted the demands were "just and legitimate".

This government, he said, was "undemocratic" because it gained power with the help of the army, including leaders of the Sept 19, 2006, coup which toppled the government led by Thaksin Shinawatra.

"Shall we play by the rules? The government must dissolve the House and call a new general election immediately," Mr Jatuporn said.

Another UDD leader, Natthawut Saikua, said the UDD protest had nothing to do with Thaksin and those joining it had not been paid as claimed by some opponents.

Mr Natthawut claimed people backed the UDD because they wanted a government that represented the people, not those representing "the aristocracy" like Prime Minister Abhisit and his government. "We will fight until we win," he said.

About the author

Writer: ANUCHA CHAROENPO

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.

doctor J

Discussion 83 : 03/02/2009 at 11:09 AM83
Quote:

An investigation was under way into the PAD, which seized Government House and Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports last year to force the last government from office, Mr Abhisit said

Mister Premier:

Is this "old demand" irrelevant? Was it the statement you gave us on day one in your office? What is your action according to the statement? Will you let the system run by itself,which may take forever? Isn't it your priority you committed to yourself months ago? Why it took so long?Lack of evidents?Was it broadcasted worldwide by every international newsnetwork?

One last thing,do you think I's paid to post this comment?
doctor J

Discussion 82 : 03/02/2009 at 11:07 AM82
Quote:

An investigation was under way into the PAD, which seized Government House and Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports last year to force the last government from office, Mr Abhisit said

Mister Premier:

Is this "old demand" irrelevant? Was it the statement you gave us on day one in your office? What is your action according to the statement? Will you let the system run by itself,which may take forever? Isn't it your priority you committed to yourself months ago? Why it took so long?Lack of evidents?Was it broadcasted worldwide by every international newsnetwork?

One last thing,do you think I's paid to post this comment?
somsak

Discussion 81 : 03/02/2009 at 10:30 AM81
Kaweeka, I agree, but as long as udd's final goal is to make thaksin back in power, it's an impossible task, people just have to understand it and move forward, (I think his political comeback will end up in another cuop, in any conceivable scenarios, that means he will fail it) Of course, it's possible for them to bring down the government, because any government will be brought down in the end, but I think that this government can survive for a year or so, longer that most expected, simply bacuse most of thai feel that their country cannot afford another political turmoil in the middle of this crisis, and the change of government will not help, because pro-thaksin politicians proved their incapability during their 10 month rule
Thaksin Assassin

Discussion 80 : 03/02/2009 at 03:08 AM80
Voice of reason, kaweeka ... it ironic that of all people to take my cause and beat you over the head with it, it should be Thaksin himself that does it!

"I would like to tell the people that I'll be ready to return to the post of prime minister again if the people are also ready," Thaksin said.

Told you so. No democracy, no justice... just Thaksin's money, his utter contempt for the law, his UDD fascist cult, and his insane megalomania!

Please though, do entertain us with some sort of completely new defense for UDD and Thaksin!
Anonymous

Discussion 79 : 03/02/2009 at 01:44 AM79
With allegations of abuse of power, demagogy, corruption, conflicts of interest, human rights offences, acting undiplomatically, the use of legal loopholes, hostility towards a free press, lèse-majesté, treason, usurping royal authority, selling assets to international investors, concealing assets, and tax evasion, I can tell you that Thaksin must be brought to justice.

His worst policy is bringing underground lottery system into the legal fold.

I am not saying Thaksin is a no-good person. He introduced many policies that benefits rural poor, but his bad deeds stand out much more than the good one.
Kaweeka

Discussion 78 : 03/02/2009 at 12:09 AM78
A lesson that the PPP should have learned from the TRT does was to not underestimate the opposition, but they didn't. The PAD proved to be a formidable force that ultimately can be credited for doing most of the work in bringing down the PPP.

It would be an equally stupid mistake for the DP to underestimate the UDD, as history tends to repeat itself. The same goes for all the polarized people in these forums. It was not long ago that people on the Pro Thaksin camp were talking about how the PAD was just a few thousand people that did not have the real support of the masses.

So, it would be unwise for all these PAD lovers here to underestimate the power and reach that the UDD can indeed muster if they get it in their head that they can be successful, just as the PAD did.

Just putting the opposition down as a bunch of paid stooges is as idiotic as claiming that anybody that says anything good about Thaksin is obviously paid.

I say it again, be careful what you wish for, you may get it.
somsak

Discussion 77 : 02/02/2009 at 11:01 PM77
shame

I don't understand what you mean clearly, but following are the facts

Kasit is FM not PM, the leader of UDD was a minister of PM offices(jakapop did not resign because he joined the UDD rally, but accused for the LM charge under investigation) he was a core leader of UDD and can be a minster, and other guy, nataut saikeo was a spokesman of the governemnt(more precisely vice spokesmand first and became the spokesman), he was another core leader of UDD, catporn was a MP of PPP/PTP(a core leader also) and vira, who heads the team, was ex-tra ecectuive banned from politics, these four guys are "the leadership" of the red shirt.

if talking about just "a vist", so many ppp minsiters joined rally, chaleam went out his way to cheer the red shirt group in udon, before they attacked pad rally there,

is there any question?
voice of reason

Discussion 76 : 02/02/2009 at 10:59 PM76
Thaksin Assassin, you might need help, seriously.

psy⋅cho⋅sis
–noun,
1. a mental disorder characterized by symptoms, such as delusions or hallucinations, that indicate impaired contact with reality.
2. any severe form of mental disorder, as schizophrenia or paranoia.

perhaps you have invented a new one? how about Thaksinosis? Got a ring to it.
Thaksin Assassin

Discussion 75 : 02/02/2009 at 10:36 PM75
So instead of actually making a case, Voice, you just muddy the waters with overkill and disinformation.

You posted a video I actually already posted ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8V2LJ5vOWdY&NR=1

Which was posted by UDD supporters. They make it abundantly clear they want Thaksin back and are not happy with the people that deposed their beloved tyrant. Its so simplistic that I think most people watching it will be insulted.

If you watch the UDD videos you will see them doing one of two things. Trying to kill people, or worshiping Thaksin.

A nation is not safe when cultist fascism is festering. Hitler came to power through elections but on the back of a personality cult he carefully built on nationalist socialism. Thaksin is simply, and clumsily taking his lead, calling it Thaksinomics and giving his followers red shirts instead of brown and black.

You're not debating voice, you are dodging like a politician. If your case was so solid you could prove me wrong - instead you drag everything into the debate but the topic itself ... The UDD Thaksin cult.
shame

Discussion 74 : 02/02/2009 at 10:20 PM74
In normal case, if Kasit is being visited UDD's rally and demonstration, will he still entitle as PM in this government. Case is different as Democracy Party are in power today. This is the key, not because of RED from Thaksin, or Yellow from PAD. Please go the fact. It is hardly to force the yellow or Democracy Party supporter to accept this, one major Thais is the face....that is why shame on them. We have the accept the kid from second mother anyway.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Next Last

PM shrugs off calls for Kasit to quit cabinet post