PM, senators denounce petition for royal pardon for Thaksin

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PM, senators denounce petition for royal pardon for Thaksin

  • Published: 3/07/2009 at 04:25 PM
  • Online news: Local News

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Friday condemned as inapproriate the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship's (UDD) campaign to collect a million signatures of support for a petition requesting royal clemency for fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

The UDD leaders and their red-shirt supporters should not try to bring the royal institution into politics, he said.

To petition for a royal pardon, the convicted person or his relatives must present the petition, not other people purporting to act on their behalf.

Royal clemency could be granted only to convicted felons serving jail terms  The most important thing, he said, was that Thaksin must first admit to his guilt.

Mr Abhisit said the government will ask state agencies to help ensure the  general public has a clear understanding  on this matter, so they do not become the dupes of those trying only to create confusion.

Former member of the defunct Assets Scrutiny Committee (ASC) Kaewsun Atibhodhi and his twin brother Kwansuang, a former senator, also took the red-shirt movement to task on Friday for its ''improper'' petition.

They demanded at a press conference that the red-shirt group stop disturbing the royal family and drop its plan to gather a million signatures in support of a pardon.
 
Mr Kaewsun said he would use left over donations from his failed bid for the Bangkok governorship to place advertisements in newspapers informing readers about the red-shirts' action and explaining why it would not bear fruit because it was in violation of the constitution.

Mr Kaewsun said would be willing to support the Puea Thai Party if it could find an acceptable new leader and could show it was a better alternative than the Democrat Party.

He insisted his opposition to the petition was not a love-hate issue between him and Thaksin. Rather, it was about the royal institution, which was the core of the nation.

The red-shirt leaders should not be acting this way. They knew how people who sign their names would feel towards the royal institution if His Majesty the King did not grant a pardon to Thaksin, he said.

Thaksin was sentenced to two years in jail after the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions last year found him guilty of abuse of power in his wife's purchase of a prime block of land on Ratchadaphisek road from the Financial Institutions Development Fund in 2003 when he was prime minister.

Mr Kaewsun said the case against Thaksin was over. Thaksin should accept this and face his punishment according to the law.

A group of 40 senators also condemned the campaign, saying it would further divide the country.

Appointed senator Prasarn Marukaphitak said it would split the country in two -- those who love His Majesty the King against those who love Thaksin.

He called on the campaign organisers to drop the plan, and urged the general public to think carefully before signing their names.

Bangkok senator Rosana Tositrakul slammed Thaksin, saying he was using the people as a shield to protect himself.

Thaksin should return to serve his jail term, and then petition for a royal pardon, she said.

About the author

Writer: Bangkok Post.com

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  • timjack

    Discussion 8 : 04/07/2009 at 01:30 AM8

    It appears that Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is running scared, frightened of Thaksin becoming a folk hero, or an underdog after the last two bi-election results.

    As someone already said, this is "getting old" (of course an anti Thaksin supporter.) Yep it is, so why is Prime Minister Abhisit "keeping the dream alive" for Thaksin and his supporters by always Thaksin bashing?

    Stupid politics in my view, we know it is very possible that if an election was held tomorrow the Thaksin aligned party would be voted back in.

    Back to square one again for Thailand Prime Minister Abhisit! You and your army buddies are wearing a bit thin in the eyes of the rural Thai people, double standards is clearly on their minds, some may even feel that Thaksin was setup on these corruption charges so they simply dislike or don't believe in the current government.

    On issues like this it's best "let sleeping dogs lie." Leave it and get on with running the country, prove yourself with strong leadership for all Thai people and I don't mean using the army every time you get in a hole.

  • Bubba

    Discussion 7 : 03/07/2009 at 11:08 PM7

    "They demanded at a press conference that the red-shirt group stop disturbing the royal family and drop its plan to gather a million signatures in support of a pardon"

    So, when the military carried out its illegal, anti-constitutional and anti-democratic coup that was not "disturbing the royal family"?

    If not; why...?

    And when the PAD were brandishing weapons in front of Don Muang airport, and behind them had posters of his majesty the king? That was not disturbing the royal family either?

    If not; why...?

    And what about those people pressing les majeste charges against others because of revenge, ego or political gain? Are they not inconveniencing the royal family?

    Again, if not; why...?

    It seems whatever the military and anti-democratic forces do is never considered to be disturbing the royal family. But anything undertaken by the people that feel cheated out of their democratic voice is always suspect, bought or "against the monarchy".

    Of course the government will do everything in its power to pull the rug out from under the collective feet of this movement for a royal pardon.

    This article suggests the country will become more divisive. But the truth is, half the population is expected to just lie down and play dead and never, ever question anything.

    Every avenue for the poor of obtaining justice (from their point of view) is closed. One after the other. The more they are ignored and treated like second rate citizens the more they will question much more than just why they remain poor and ignored.

    The greater risk of dividing the country even more is to now rob them of the momentum for asking for a royal pardon. It is of course understandable the current government and its backers will do everything they can to prevent this momentum from continuing. But the resulting divisions with be on their heads, not the heads of the poor.

  • lol

    Discussion 6 : 03/07/2009 at 07:33 PM6

    Thus Thaksin fully admits his guilt, and implicates ALL of the UDD and PTP as collaborators guilty of aiding and abetting a convicted AND confessed criminal.

    You know, it was so ridiculous that it was almost funny, but its getting very old now. Thaksin is total scum, he did absolutely nothing for the poor people of this country, but exploit them, and continue to exploit them. UDD and PTP are nothing without Thaksin, his money, and his cult following. The whole things is an embarrassing ordeal for Thailand to suffer through.

    Meanwhile the Democrats get free reign because no opposition exists to keep them in check. PTP is a joke. They spend all their time on clawing for survival and trying to exonerate an obvious shameful crook.

    PM's got no choice but to laugh this petition down. If Thaksin is guilty he needs to come to Thailand, go to jail, and pen the request on his own.

    Stop sending poor people out to do your dirty work for you Thaksin. What about coming back to lead your glorious revolution? Got to wonder about the mental health of people still following a man that flauntingly betrayed them in front of the watching eyes of the world!

  • Suku

    Discussion 5 : 03/07/2009 at 07:07 PM5

    'to err is human, to forgive is divine'. where is the need to slam or condemn, and point a finger, making your four fingers point back...this is a delicate issue, just remain neutral, and trust outcome !

  • Silverback

    Discussion 4 : 03/07/2009 at 06:56 PM4

    "... Mr Abhisit said the government will ask state agencies to help ensure the general public has a clear understanding on this matter..."

    It will have been good for the nation that Mr Abhisit asked state agencies to help ensuring the general public a clear understanding on the matter of swine flu (or 2009 flu). By doing so he could have speared the death of 5 people and the massive contamination the country is now facing...

  • Kit

    Discussion 3 : 03/07/2009 at 06:20 PM3

    It is necessary for common people to understand that the proposed petition is legally not possible since pardon cannot be given to someone who says he needs no pardon;
    is completely a farce to stir up more disunity.

    More loving, supportive education is needed for common people so corrupt and/or ill-informed politicians cannot use them to make trouble constantly.

  • pocket

    Discussion 2 : 03/07/2009 at 06:16 PM2

    What about the millions in taxpayers money spent on Phumjai/Ministry of Interior billboards nationwide that promote harmony and acceptance of the present government but use the the royal institution and images as a qualifier? Its not what you do, but who you are, and what you can get away with.

  • Independent Thai

    Discussion 1 : 03/07/2009 at 05:10 PM1

    The redshtrts people have the right to collect the signature to pardon Mr.Thaksin.
    If they don't follow the law,then their process is invalid.Whoever is in the comittee to handle the pardon process for the king can make the decision according to the law of the land.

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