BANGKOK, JULY 24 (TNA)

 

A connection between outsted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and last Sunday's violent anti-coup protests is highly possible, Thailand's junta leader said Tuesday.

 

"Based on an analysis of their preparation process, we are fairly sure that there is a connection between Mr. Thaksin and the violent protests," Council for National Security (CNS) chairman Sonthi Boonyaratkalin said on Tuesday in an exclusive interview with Modernine's morning news programme.

 

However, during the TV Channel 9 broadcast he did not confirm wide speculation that Mr. Thaksin was the main financial supporter for the protest.

 

"There have been many news reports suggesting that the former PM provided them with financial assistance," Gen. Sonthi said, "but there has not been any confirmation."

 

Violence erupted last Sunday when anti-coup protesters clashed with police in front of the Bangkok residence of Privy Councilor president and Senior Statesman Prem Tinsulanonda.

 

The demonstrators demanded Prem's resignation from his post, because they believed he had supported last September coup that overthrew Mr. Thaksin's administration.

 

The demonstration was led by the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DAAD), whose leaders were key figures of the now-defunct former ruling Thai Rak Thai party.

 

Gen. Sonthi -- who also serves as army chief -- added that the CNS would hold a special meeting with the cabinet, at which he will report on security issues.

 

"The situation is now under police control," the CNS chief said. "It is therefore unnecessary for the army to take part in (Bangkok) security operations."

 

"The army now serves only as a backup for the police," he said. "We will take action if the protest goes out of control and an Emergency Decree is declared. Public sentiment is the most important factor that leads to an emergency declaration," Gen. Sonthi said.

 

From now on, strict enforcement of the laws will be imposed against the demonstrators, said Gen. Sonthi.

 

(TNA)-E002

 

 

Thaksin behind the protests? Probably the closest connection Shinawatra has to any protests is that the protestors dislike the current government and military junta more than Shinawatra.

 

Based on 10 months of power by the junta and interim government, I personally don't believe anything they say. And, if they actually say something different/interesting/shocking one day, they usually retract it the next day or simply make believe it was never said. Sad state of political affairs in Thailand these days (and I wouldn't actually take issue with anybody saying that nothing has really changed in 20 years...).

Many, if not most, of the protesters were University students who were PAID to be in the protest by an ex Thai Rak Thai party official. This was not a true people's protest of the average man off the street, but something carefully staged and paid for by someone in TRT with a lot of money to burn. It may not be Thaskin, but it is is not too farfetched to suggest the connection IMO.

 

Pete

Up to you but don't believe everything you read in the Thai press. That statement (that all the protestors were paid) was made by the current government. And the current government's record on its pronouncements pretty much stands on its own merit (or lack thereof).

 

The leaders of the protest that showed up for court for arraignment were:

PTV executives Chatuporn Promphan, Jakraphob Penkair and Nattawut Saikua;

PTV president Veera Musikhapong;

Viphuthalaeng Pattanaphumthai, spokesman for the Saturday Voice Against Dictatorship;

Weng Tojirakarn, adviser to the Confederation for Democracy;

Jaran Ditthapichai, former member of the National Human Rights Commission;

Manit Jitjanklab, former chief justice of the Criminal Court;

Apinant Viriyachai, a former Thai Rak Thai party MP

 

If Shinawatra or Santa Claus caused something, then deal with it legally. But until there's some evidence of Shinawatra's involvement, my guess of Santa Claus being behind it is almost as legitmate.