<p>A Bangkok Democrat MP has urged police to press charges against Thaksin Shinawatra for hiring Robert Amsterdam to publish the ‘White Paper’, which he says is offensive to the monarchy and the courts. </p>
<p>Prachatai talked to Thaksin’s lawyer Robert Amsterdam in about mid-August. The transcription below has been edited and some parts are missing, as the interview was done over the phone.</p>
<p>Nai In stores have stopped selling <em>Khabuankan Lom Chao</em> (Movement to Topple the Monarchy), part of the ASTV/Manager network. The yellow camp media argue on academic grounds that the book has not been spiced up as a smear. </p>
By Pravit Rojanaphruk, The Nation |
<p>The disconnect between the mainstream media and the red shirts has become even starker after the February 26 court ruling on former PM Thaksin Shinawatra's so-called ill-gotten wealth, leading to the seizure of Bt46 billion of his assets.</p>
<p>‘Don’t use a coup to solve the problems of corruption. That will destroy the legitimacy of the whole justice system. It’s really a high price to pay,’ Kasian Techaphira, political science lecturer at Thammasat University, told Matichon reporters in an interview after the court ruled on the Thaksin assets case. </p>
By Thaksin Shinawatra |
<p>Today [26 Feb] has marked a history of Thailand’s justice system. The seized asset of more than 40,000 millions was done on a claim that I benefited from higher stock prices due to my being Prime Minister. The surplus was interpreted as wrongdoings, and was entirely seized. This must be a joke to the world. Stock rising as a result of my being Prime Minister? When stocks rise, the entire market does.</p>
By Asia Sentinel |
<p>Thailand is again in frenzy over coup rumors, perpetuated mostly by anti-government Red Shirts who need a reason to protest and by a media machine that needs a story. The top generals have denied that anything is amiss, words that mean little since they said the same thing before ousting former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra in 2006. </p>
<p><a href="http://www.taksin-voice.com/">A red-shirt magazine</a> issued during the New Year has a feature article about Thaksin and King Taksin, who rescued Siam from the Burmese over 200 hundred years ago. ASTV-Manager finds this a serious affront to the current dynasty.</p>
<p>In a 30 Dec ASTV Manager report, Suriyasai Katasila, Secretary-General of the New Politics Party, said that 2010 would be a turning point for Thailand when Thaksin Shinawatra will collaborate with leftists to overthrow the current regime and establish a new one.</p>
<p>The People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) took to the stage at Sanam Luang with intense nationalism. Fiery nationalist rhetoric was stressed and repeated, while decades-old nationalist anti-communist songs were played throughout. The ‘Hun Sen Model’ was the latest term introduced to characterize the Cambodian leader. A larger rally was called for 5 Dec.</p>