Thailand bars Thaksin protesters from venue (AFP via Yahoo! News)
Thailand’s government toughened its stance Wednesday against supporters of fugitive former leader Thaksin Shinawatra, banning them from an area of Bangkok where they plan to protest this weekend.
Source:Thailand bars Thaksin protesters from venue (AFP via Yahoo! News)
Thaksin: Where’s press freedom?
Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has questioned the government’s commitment to freedom of the press after it instructed the state-run news agency to hand over his radio interview on Sunday for examination.
The fugitive politician gave the interview on the radio programme ‘Exclusive by Chom Phetpradab’ which airs on MCOT’s FM 100.5, upsetting Deputy Prime Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey, who is in charge of state media.
Thaksin on Monday posted a message on Twitter in response to the government’s move.
“I gave an interview with Mr Chom yesterday morning. Now, the government is busy examining the tape, and wants to prevent it from being broadcast.
“Where is press freedom? The government should not be afraid of the truth,” the message said.
MCOT’s Office of Radio and Special Affairs vice president Somchit Chinsomboon said the company had not yet made a decision whether to dismiss Mr Chom.
However, the media agency should respect the moderator’s decision in picking his guests, since it was an exclusive programme.
This issue should be concluded by the end of the day, he said.
People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) coordinator and New Politics Party secretary-general Suriyasai Katasila criticised the former premier, saying his words lacked credibility.
“Thaksin’s actions and words do not go along. Thaksin once announced he will quit politics but he is still commanding the anti-government movement and continually causes unrest in the country,” Mr Suriyasai said.
“It’s now impossible to bring about national reconciliation through negotiation because everything is about Thaksin’s wrongdoings. If he is sincere, he should return to face justice here first,” he said.
The yellow-shirt core member reckoned Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’s plan to hold a parliamentary debate on the reconciliation committee’s proposed amendments to the constitution was just a political game within the coalition, aimed at prolonging the current government’s term.