Thailand says police ordered protester’s summons

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BANGKOK - Thailand said Tuesday the subpoena of a key protest leader who had led two months of street rallies against outgoing premier Thaksin Shinawatra was not politically motivated.

“The government has nothing to do with this case. This is a decision by the police,” acting caretaker prime minister Chidchai Vanasathidya told reporters.

Thaksin, who announced last week he would step down, chose his top deputy and justice minister Chidchai to take the reins of government.

Police issued a subpoena against media tycoon Sondhi Limthongkul, one of Thaksin’s fiercest critics, over his alleged remarks considered insulting to King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Police have ordered Sondhi to appear for questioning on April 17, saying 102 complaints had been filed against him across the country by people who felt that he had insulted the king at a rally on March 23.

He could face 15 years in jail if convicted of insulting the 78-year-old king, considered a serious crime in this country where the world’s longest reigning monarch is deeply revered.

Sondhi’s remarks appeared in a newspaper last month. The paper apologized for publishing the comments and suspended publication for five days as it pleaded for royal clemency.

He has denied that his comments to thousands of protesters at the rally were insulting. - AFP/ir

PCT Thailand

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