Flashermac Posted August 9, 2008 Report Share Posted August 9, 2008 Bangkok Post 9 Aug 2008 Speculation is rife that ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra and Khunying Pokemon will not return to Thailand on Sunday after all, but instead stay abroad and seek asylum. On Friday, they attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics. It was reported that the couple may go into exile overseas to escape the legal proceedings awaiting them at home. The couple are being tried at the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions for alleged wrongdoing in the Ratchadaphisek land deal. Two other cases against Mr Thaksin â?? the lottery case and the Exim Bank loan to Burma â?? are pending in the same court. Five cases against Mr Thaksin and his cronies are with the Office of the Attorney-General. On July 31, the Criminal Court found Khunying Pokemon guilty of conspiring to evade tax totalling 546 million baht in the transfer of shares in the Shinawatra Computer and Communication company. She was sentenced to three years in jail and was later released on bail. Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee, one of the couple's closest aides, said he talked with people in close contact with Mr Thaksin about rumours the couple would seek political asylum, but the truth has yet to be established. "Some denied the rumour, others confirmed it," Mr Surapong said. Arisman Pongruangrong, a former Thai Rak Thai MP, said Mr Thaksin and Khunying Pokemon will definitely return to Thailand after the opening ceremony of the Olympics Games. They have booked seats on a flight from Beijing to Bangkok tomorrow, Mr Arisman said. "His return will go according to schedule. Mr Thaksin confirmed that he will come back to fight all the cases in Thailand. He has never thought of seeking asylum as has been rumoured," said Mr Arisman. A source at the Supreme Court said if the couple fail to turn up on Monday to report to a panel of judges handling the Ratchadaphisek land case, the judges may issue arrest warrants for them and may conduct the trial of the couple in absentia. "Actually, the defendants' testimonies have no bearing on the trial. The defendants have denied the allegations all along. It depends on the evidence," the source said. Meanwhile, Sakda Khongphet, a leader of the Isan Pattana faction of the People Power party (PPP), said he will give evidence showing misconduct by top people in the party to the National Counter Corruption Commission. [color:red]The Isan Pattana group has exposed the rise of the so-called "gang of four" within the PPP, whom it has accused of trying to dominate the party and cashing in on state projects to prepare for the next election.[/color] The gang is believed to comprise Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, his secretary-general Theerapol Nopparampa, Dr Surapong and Newin Chidchob, a veteran MP who controls a large PPP faction of northeastern MPs. The Isan Pattana faction claims the gang of four, guided by Mr Newin, is planning to form a coalition government with the Democrats if the PPP is dissolved. "He [Mr Thaksin] told me that he has been aware of the movements of the gang of four and he said he felt hurt," Mr Sakda said. However, Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban denied any knowledge of the plan. A PPP source said Mr Thaksin sent his younger sister, Yingluck, to talk to Mr Newin and his group of MPs during a meeting of the party's northeastern MPs led by Mr Newin on Thursday. The group is called "Newin's friends". Maha Sarakham MP Suthin Klangsaeng, a member of the group, said Ms Yingluck explained that Mr Thaksin had nothing to do with the moves of the Isan Pattana group. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samak Posted August 9, 2008 Report Share Posted August 9, 2008 assumptions, speculations and even a conspiracy theory! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger Moth Posted August 9, 2008 Report Share Posted August 9, 2008 Doesn't it seem like Thaksin and his wife were allowed out of the country in hopes they wouldn't come back? If the desire was to hold them accountable, given the verdict against Mrs.Thaksin and their vast resources, wouldn't you expect they would be denied permission to leave the country? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bangkoktraveler Posted August 9, 2008 Report Share Posted August 9, 2008 Will the asylum come in the form of a mental asylum? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torneyboy Posted August 10, 2008 Report Share Posted August 10, 2008 Many would agree Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted August 10, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2008 Will the asylum come in the form of a mental asylum? St Helena would be a nice place for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elef Posted August 10, 2008 Report Share Posted August 10, 2008 I think that at least Thaksin will return, he will stay with his money and in the end it's not possible to keep him in jail as he's supported by half of the thai people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene1944 Posted August 10, 2008 Report Share Posted August 10, 2008 Mr t and wife missed their flight out of Beijing. Stay tuned. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samak Posted August 10, 2008 Report Share Posted August 10, 2008 yep, from Bangkok Post: Missed the flight Ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra and Khunying Potjamarn failed to catch their scheduled flight from Beijing to Thailand on Sunday - bolstering rumours they might head into political exile. now it is getting interesting! next flight is tomorrow early morning (i have taken this a couple of times); but you have to get up early! guess T&P will have problems to get up on time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torneyboy Posted August 10, 2008 Report Share Posted August 10, 2008 And do you have problems getting up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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