Thaksin's Statement; Thai Supreme Court Issues Arrest Warrant

[Gaybutton]

Several posters have raised the question that if Thaksin becomes a fugitive from Thai justice, then what country would grant him asylum? My own guess is that Thaksin would not have done this if he didn't have something solid up his sleeve. I think we'll know soon enough just what that might be. I can't help but wonder what would have happened if his wife had not been granted bail and/or had her passport revoked.

 

Both of the following stories appear in THE NATION:

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Supreme Court Issues Arrest Warrants Against Thaksin, Wife

 

The Supreme Court Monday issued arrest warrants against former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife, Khunying Pojaman.

 

The Supreme Court issued the warrants after the couple fled to England instead of returning to Thailand to attend a court hearing in the Ratchadapisek land purchase case.

 

The Supreme Court's Criminal Tribunal for Holders of Political Positions said the couple broke their promise to return to the country to attend the trial so the courts issued arrest warrants against them.

 

The Nation

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THAKSIN'S EXILE IN ENGLAND

 

Today is Not My Day : Thaksin

 

By The Nation

 

Ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra said Monday he decided to go into exile in England because of security threats to him and his family, as well as unfair treatment in the country's judicial system.

 

In his statement read out on a state-run NBT TV channel, Thaksin said he and his family will remain in exile in England indefinitely and did not say when he would return to the country.

 

He accused the country's legal system of employing "double standard" in their proceeding with legal matters against him and his family.

 

The former premier said he and his family have repeatedly received death threats and that they had to travel in bullet-proof cars.

 

Thaksin said at first he thought the election result of February 23, which saw the People Power Party (PPP), many of whose members came from his now defunct Thai Rak Thai Party, came out victoriously would help "improve the situation".

 

Therefore he decided to return to Thailand on February 28, thinking that the situation would be favorable and "permits me to prove my innocence."

 

"But the situation has worsened. What has happened to me is like a poisoned fruits that came from a poisoned tree," Thaksin said.

 

He claimed there were "intervention in judicial system" that originated from intervention by dictatorship who has hidden agenda to "get rid of me and my family".

 

"These individuals see me as political enemy. They have no consideration to judicial system, truth and legal principle."

 

"My family and I have been continuously treated unjustly.

 

Thaksin apologized to his supporters for having to go into exile and asked them to remain committed to him.

 

"These are all results of my tireless effort to help the country. I apologize for having to seek relocation to England. I ask that all my supporters to remain with me a bit longer," Thaksin said.

 

Thaksin said he revealed the whole truth at an appropriate time, saying "Today is not my day."

 

Thaksin said he and his family remain loyal to the Monarchy "even though some have tried to accuse me of being otherwise."

 

"I may be not a perfect man but I reaffirm that I am as bad as some accused of being. If good fortune were on my side I would like to return to Thailand and die there like all other Thai people.

 

It was not clear if Thaksin will seek political asylum in the United Kingdom where he owns the Manchester City football club

[Gaybutton]

In case you are wondering, between Thaksin and his wife they have forfeited about 13,000,000 baht, which was the amount they had posted for bail. That works out to nearly US $400,000. Of course, for Thanksin that's not much more than pocket change.

[Guest fountainhall]

According to the BBC, Thaksin has around US$2 billion of his assets frozen. I doubt if the government will release these quickly. They add that his net worth is therefore only around US$400 million. Guess he'll have to start making economies like the rest of us.

[Guest Steve1903]

"unfair treatment in the country's judicial system"

 

Shame he wasnt worried about the judicial system for everyone else who has been convicted on it. Maybe if he had it would be a bit fairer by now.

[Gaybutton]

Shame he wasnt worried about the judicial system for everyone else who has been convicted on it. Maybe if he had it would be a bit fairer by now.

 

That is a very good point. It would be nice if Thailand ever moves toward an 'innocent until proven guilty' country instead of the other way around, but I wouldn't hold my breath.