Gaybutton Posted February 26, 2008 Posted February 26, 2008 According to the following article in THE NATION, ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra will return to Thailand this week to face the corruption charges leveled against him. If he does, things are going to get very interesting in Thailand because the opposition, according to the article, intends to stage protests. Could this trigger off yet another coup? That, of course, remains to be seen. The following appears in THE NATION: _____ 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, http://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 Quote
