Anti-Thaksin group vows to protest again
THAILAND: Leaders of the 2006 street rallies against former Thai
premier Thaksin Shinawatra vowed Wednesday to rally the public against
him again over alleged interference in his graft trial.
Demonstrations led by the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD)
against alleged corruption under Thaksin drew tens of thousands of
people two years ago, and fueled political instability which led to the
coup that toppled him.
“On March 28 we plan to resume fighting — it will be our first
gathering since the coup,” said PAD spokesman Suriyasai Katasila. But
the group does not plan to take to the streets. Instead they will host
an event at Thamassat University, where former talk show host Sondhi
Limthongkul will detail their claims against Thaksin.
Sondhi was one of the key leaders of the earlier protests, but since
has become bogged down in his own legal worries after his public
speeches resulted in a spate of defamation suits.
PAD members accuse Thaksin’s allies in Thailand’s new government of
moving pro-Thaksin officials and police officers into high-level
positions, which they claim will influence corruption cases against the
ousted prime minister.
Elections in December brought Thaksin’s allies in the People Power
Party into government, paving the way for the
businessman-turned-politician to return home on February 28 after 17
months in self-imposed exile.
“Thaksin is still a problem and poses a threat to our nation,” PAD
said in a statement. “PAD and our related networks are ready to fight
the capitalist dictator and ready to take action in every possible
peaceful way under the constitution.”
Thaksin earlier Wednesday pleaded not guilty to corruption charges
linked to an alleged sweetheart property deal for his wife, in the first
case assembled by military-backed investigators against him to reach
court.
On April 3 he will have to return before prosecutors who are deciding
whether to bring another court case against him over alleged securities
fraud. That is the case which PAD accuses the government of trying to
scupper.
Between the two hearings, Thaksin is planning to return to England,
where he owns Manchester City football club.
Bangkok, Wednesday, AFP
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