Thaksin 'not behind' anti-draft campaign

Thaksin 'not behind' anti-draft campaign

Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra is surrounded by supporters as she arrives at the Supreme Court for the seventh hearing of prosecution witnesses in the rice-pledging programme case yesterday. (Photo by Pattanapong Hirunard)
Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra is surrounded by supporters as she arrives at the Supreme Court for the seventh hearing of prosecution witnesses in the rice-pledging programme case yesterday. (Photo by Pattanapong Hirunard)

Ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has denied allegations that he hired lobbyists and is behind recent campaigns to reject the draft constitution at the Aug 7 referendum.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Thursday that Thaksin and lobbyists overseas were behind the recent activities aimed at persuading people to cast a "no" vote on the draft charter.

He was referring to protests by the Resistant Citizen group and former Pheu Thai MP Watana Muangsook.

Thaksin posted on his Facebook page on Friday, saying that the regime is solely responsible for the international criticism it faces.

He said that over the two years the military government has been in charge, it has only abused power and violated human rights and international laws.

"Our leader should admit his faults and change to be right; instead he blames me for hiring lobbyists to convince foreign countries to boycott Thailand. How can he say so?" he said.

"I would like to say I have no need to hire anyone to tarnish the prime minister's image. History tells us a dictator who abuses authority will be responsible for his own ruin," he said.

Former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, Thaksin's sister, also denied that her brother had hired lobbyists and is behind campaigns to reject the draft charter.

Ms Yingluck went to the the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Position-Holders yesterday for the seventh hearing of prosecution witnesses in the rice-pledging case in which she has been charged with dereliction of duty.

She was greeted by supporters and former Pheu Thai MPs amid tight security.

Thaksin's legal counsellor Noppadon Pattama also denied the allegation on Friday, saying Thaksin did not hire lobbyists nor was he behind criticism by foreign governments targeting the military junta. Ms Yingluck backed Mr Noppadon's comments.

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