Mentors Posted February 3, 2006 Report Share Posted February 3, 2006 The NATION today Published on Feb 03 , 2006 Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra urged Thais not to take part in an anti-government rally planned for Saturday, insisting his government remained strong despite the sudden resignation of a Cabinet minister and growing calls for him to step down. "One minister resigning has no impact on the stability of this government," Thaksin said. "I am still prime minister and continue to run the country." Culture Minister Uraiwan Thienthong announced her departure from the Cabinet on Friday, saying her decision was based on the need to uphold good governance. Her resignation dealt another blow to Thaksin, whose popularity has sunk to a 10-month low amid a storm of public anger over his family's business dealings. Tens of thousands of people are expected to attend a protest Saturday, led by Sondhi Limthongkul, a media mogul and one of Thaksin's fiercest critics. A one-time supporter of the prime minister, Sondhi has led a vigorous campaign against him, accusing Thaksin's government of widespread corruption and abuse of power. The American, Australian and British embassies have urged their citizens to steer clear of the rally in Bangkok, citing concerns that it could turn violent. Thaksin, on a visit Friday to a Bangkok slum, urged a crowd of several thousand to ignore the rally. "Stay home. Don't go out and join him. Don't listen to that big liar," he said, referring to Sondhi. "Just let the lunatic howl by himself." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentors Posted February 3, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2006 from Bangkok Post: Assoc Prof Sunee Sinthudecha, left, rector of Rattanapundit University, leads a group of about 20 lecturers to Government House to give Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra moral support. Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra vehemently rejected demands for his resignation from prominent academics yesterday, as more unhappy lecturers signed a petition demanding he step down immediately. ''Not in this lifetime will you see me resign. Everything will proceed according to the rules and regulations of this country,'' he said at Government House. Mr Thaksin, under a firestorm of criticism following the 73.3-billion-baht sale of the Shin Corp telecoms giant, which he founded, said he was not about to act on the demands of a small group of people, as the majority still trusted him. ''I cannot do this and that just for some individuals to be happy. Nineteen million people voted for me. Of course, some didn't _ such as the seven million who voted for the Democrats, but according to the rules the Thai Rak Thai party won and people, especially academics, should understand this and must not be led to believe otherwise so easily,'' he said. The prime minister said he would clarify all the issues during his extended weekly radio address tomorrow, as some in the media had falsely given him a bad name. Facing a public crisis over the share sell-off, and with an anti-government rally led by media firebrand Sondhi Limthongkul scheduled for tomorrow, the prime minister faced another attack as 19 economics lecturers on Wednesday signed an open letter calling for his immediate resignation. During a press conference yesterday, the group showed a petition with almost 130 signatures. It was signed by eminent academics from renowned universities across the country as well as senators, lawyers and even artists. Led by Thammasat University lecturer Rangsan Thanapornpan, the group also included Chai-anan Samudavanija, the director of Vajiravudh College, who was once a strong supporter of Mr Thaksin; Chulalongkorn University academics Charan Suwanmala and Narong Petchprasert; Senators Chermsak Pinthong, Kraisak Choonhavan, Pichet Pattanachot and Nirand Pitakwatchara; and the president of the Engineering Institute of Thailand, Tortrakul Yomnak. Former student activist Prasarn Marukkaphithuk, who joined the list, said the prime minister had committed ''sins'' against the country. ''Firstly, Mr Thaksin has committed the sin of corruption evident in the CTX bomb detector purchase scandal and other graft allegations surrounding the new Bangkok international airport,'' he said. ''Cronies have also helped themselves to state enterprises, and the Shin Corp shares transfer disgrace is just another example,'' said Mr Prasarn. Other ''sins'' included the destruction of the checks-and-balances system, with the government allegedly interfering in the decision-making process of various independent agencies under the constitution, intimidating the press and injecting greed into the culture of rural Thais. Palang Dharma co-founder Suthep Attakor said Mr Thaksin could not continue to say he was picked by 19 million voters since those people might have changed their minds, and as time goes by more would lose faith in him. Chulalongkorn University academics, besides signing the initial petition, yesterday launched an open letter of their own urging Mr Thaksin's replacement. Amara Pongsapich, dean of Chulalongkorn's political science faculty, said Mr Thaksin had a moral obligation to step down immediately. After this, the constitution should be amended with the support of civil society and various organisations under the constitution to pave the way for a new election and consequently a new leader. Government spokesman Surapong Suebwonglee said the government was ready to discuss with academics their serious ''misconceptions'' of its policies. ''After Feb 9, the government will invite all parties to discuss political reform and will be willing to listen to any criticisms anyone might have,'' he said. ''But the government believes the petition requesting Mr Thaksin's resignation was made in haste as the academics got only one-sided information and failed to hear the government's side of the story.'' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentors Posted February 3, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 3, 2006 THE NATION today Wang Nam Yen faction leader Snoh Thienthong Friday denounced Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra as being "shameless" for not paying taxes over the Shin Corp sale. "I don't understand why he wasn't ashamed of himself regarding the sale of Shin Corp. Even, the Crown Property Bureau also pays taxes. So why did he had to make plans to enact laws to help him avoid paying taxes," Snoh said. He said he was sorry for having supported Thaksin to the power and the political situation under the Thaksin government was "dark, not grey". But he said it appeared that the sky would turn bright again after the anti-Thaksin rally at the Royal Plaza on Saturday. "The sky is opening up again on February 4," Snoh said. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentors Posted February 4, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 4, 2006 The Nation, today Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said on Saturday that he will not quit as long as His Majesty the King does not tell him to go. "The only person who can tell me to quit is His Majesty the King. If His Majesty whispers to me that 'Thaksin please leave,' I'll go," Thasin said during his weekly radio programme Saturday morning. During the programme, he reiterated that he has done nothing wrong regarding the sale of Shin Corp shares. He said he was confident that most Thais still wanted him to remain in the office. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelseafan Posted February 4, 2006 Report Share Posted February 4, 2006 Funny, I thought it was the people who could tell him to go....seems Thaksin has forgotten that... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted February 4, 2006 Report Share Posted February 4, 2006 The King told the "Gang of Three" to leave in October 1973, after several days of violence. This was perhaps not the best thing for Mr T to say ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashermac Posted February 5, 2006 Report Share Posted February 5, 2006 In trouble no matter what he says ... THE NATION 4 February 2006 PM should not have mentioned the King: Senator A senator has criticised Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra for saying that only the King could tell him to step down. Thaksin said in his weekly radio programme this morning that he would immediately quit as premier if the King whispered to him to resign. "It is not appropriate for the prime minister to say this because he should not have politicised the monarchy. It is not proper at all," said Seree Suwanpanon, of Bangkok. What Thaksin should have said is for all people to adhere to HM the King's advice to be united. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentors Posted February 5, 2006 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2006 Will tonight der Führer Thaksin going into his Führerbunker to stay there his last days in Office? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCgringo Posted February 5, 2006 Report Share Posted February 5, 2006 with his family and a billion dollars, I think he will do alright for himself, If it comes down to power or losing the billion , well power was nice , but a billion is forever OC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsmedave Posted February 5, 2006 Report Share Posted February 5, 2006 Even stronger...beacause Thaksin said that the King should "whisper in my ear" to leave, Sondhi said he had made a grave offense acting as if he and the King were best friends. For this, Sondhi suggested (to loud applause) that execution was a proper sentence for Thaksin's...sentence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.