Thai PM accuses rivals of hidden agenda
Thailand's embattled premier on Thursday lashed out against his
opponents three days ahead of a key election, accusing them of talking
of reconciliation as a "cloak" to bring back his arch-rival.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's Democrat Party campaign is
struggling to match the appeal of the opposition Puea Thai, unofficially
led from abroad by Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted from power by a
military coup in 2006.
Puea Thai's main candidate for the top job is Thaksin's sister
Yingluck Shinawatra, who has discussed an amnesty for convicted
politicians to bring reconciliation to Thailand - which could pave the
way for her brother's return.
"Reconciliation is now being used as a cloak for amnesty for Thaksin
so far as Puea Thai is concerned. That is not right," Abhisit told AFP
in an interview at the Democrat headquarters in Bangkok, ahead of the
pivotal vote on Sunday. "We think it's unfair to the Thai people for a
political party to place Thaksin's interests before the people's or the
country's."
The controversial Thaksin lives abroad to escape a jail term imposed
in absentia for corruption, and is also wanted on terrorism charges.
Since his ouster, a series of street protests by rival groups have
rocked Thailand, culminating in two months of mass rallies last year by
his "Red Shirt" supporters that left more than 90 people dead in clashes
with the army.
Political newcomer Yingluck is widely considered to be her brother's
political proxy and she has taken the lead in the polls, but Abhisit
remained defiant.
"The latest published polls may have us behind, but we are convinced
that the momentum is behind us and we've had tremendous responses in the
last couple of weeks, so we're confident," he said. BANGKOK, AFP |