[Tlc] T-Taksin returning

[justinm at ucr.edu]

FYI from Bonnie Brereton.
Best,
justin

X-PM'S RETURN
Thaksin to come home this week
Democrats urge calm, but PAD threatens to hold protests

Published on February 26, 2008


Former premier Thaksin Shinawatra will return home later this
week to defend himself against corruption charges, a leading
member of the People Power Party (PPP) said yesterday.

A pro-Thaksin website, Hi-Thaksin.net, yesterday urged his
supporters to gather at the Suvarnabhumi Airport on Thursday
morning to "welcome home Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra,
whom we love, miss and have been waiting for his return for
over a year".

The PPP member, who asked not to be named, said Thaksin would
issue a statement giving the schedule for his return,
including the date and flight number. The statement will be
uploaded to a pro-Thaksin website, www.truethaksin.com, today
at noon.

Thaksin will explain how he will deal with the cases and what
he plans to do next once he is back in Thailand, the source said.

However, the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) said
yesterday it would oppose Thaksin's return and threatened to
revive street protests, which in 2006 led to a political
crisis and finally a military coup that ousted him from the
premiership.

The recent speculation about Thaksin's return followed news
that his diplomatic passport has been returned to him. It
would be his first time back home since the coup on September
19, 2006 while he was in New York to attend a United Nations
meeting.

Political scientist Kanin Boonsuwan said Thaksin had the right
to return, but it would not be acceptable for him to interfere
in the legal process that was scrutinising him.

Kanin criticised the PAD, comprised of fierce opponents of
Thaksin, saying its members should not exploit Thaksin's
return to cause trouble or involve the Army in a conflict.

The Assets Examination Committee (AEC), which investigated
corruption charges against Thaksin, said it was good to hear
Thaksin would return to defend himself. The AEC members do not
feel pressured by his return, spokesman Sak Korsaengruang said.

A Supreme Court judge, who asked not to be named, said Thaksin
could ask the court for permission to leave the country after
surrendering to face arrest warrants against him. The court
would definitely allow him to go abroad as the only charges
that bar people from leaving the country are those involving
drugs, the judge said.

Army chief Gen Anupong Paochinda said Thaksin had the right to
defend himself against the charges and warned all parties to
let the legal process continue and not do anything to disrupt it.

The military will not intervene in case of confrontations
between supporters and opponents of Thaksin without an order
from the government, Anupong said.

PM's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair said it was unacceptable
for any party to stage protests because the country was
recovering from a crisis and the people were suffering from
economic problems. However, the PAD had the right to stage
protests as long as they did not cause trouble or violate the
law, he said.

Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said his party had long
called for Thaksin's return to face the charges against him.
He warned the PAD to be careful and strictly follow the law in
its latest moves as it could cause violence.

He said he would talk to PAD leader Somkiat Pongpaiboon, also
a party-list Democrat MP, and Somkiat should consult the
party's executives before making any further moves.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej reportedly will
allow his party members to meet Thaksin after his return, but
these should be regarded as personal meetings rather than on
behalf of the party.

The Nation


______________
Dr. Justin McDaniel
Dept. of Religious Studies
2617 Humanities Building
University of California, Riverside
Riverside, CA 92521
951-827-4530
justinm at ucr.edu