Thaksin wants to make deals, says Thai Democrat | The Nation / Thailand

Thaksin wants to make deals, says Thai Democrat | The Nation / Thailand
The Nation, June 16, 2012

Thailand's veteran Democrat politician Suthep Thaugsuban insisted yesterday that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra had sent negotiators over to see him and ask the party to stop opposing his sister, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Suthep said he responded by saying that if he were Thaksin, he would stop going against the will of the public and would withdraw the charter amendment and reconciliation bills. He said withdrawing these bills would secure Yingluck's job through to the end of her four-year term.

When asked if he was sure Thaksin had sent these negotiators, Suthep said: "Certainly! These mediators have been used by Thaksin several times."

Meanwhile, Thida Thawornseth, chairwoman of the red-shirt Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship, said she believed that the former PM had spoken to everybody, including the Democrats, the Army, businesspeople and even the ammart (elite).

"This is called a game at the top of the pyramid, because it involves talking to the elite. I know that the elitists don't want the reconciliation bill or the charter amendment. Therefore, I'm not surprised that they have exchanged proposals as they [the elite] had worked hard on the 2006 coup before gaining the 2007 Constitution," she said.
However, she said she did not think the Pheu Thai Party would make such deals, because as long as the 2007 Constitution stays in place, the people will remain under the power of the ammart.

Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit said he thought Suthep was making up stories, otherwise he should provide evidence.

"It appears Suthep is making this up, because it is just part of a political game. It is ridiculous! Who would be naive enough to contact Suthep? And even if they contacted Suthep, I don't believe he can make decisions for the Democrat Party," Prompong said.

Meanwhile, Thaksin's legal adviser Noppadon Pattama said yesterday that the former PM was indeed in Hong Kong as reported by the media and it was normal for people to fly over and meet with him or have meals with him.
However, he said, these visitors were not likely to discuss the Cabinet reshuffle, because Thaksin respected his sister's decisions.

He added that he did not know where Thaksin would be headed next, but confirmed that it would be in Asia.

Disorder at reconciliation meeting | Bangkok Post: news

Disorder at reconciliation meeting | Bangkok Post: news
Bangkok Post, 30 May 2012

The atmosphere at the parliament on Wednesday evening was more than lively as angry government and opposition MPs rushed to surround the seat of House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont after he asked lawmakers to vote on moving discussion of the four proposed reconciliation bills up the agenda list for urgent deliberation.

Many Democrat MPs encircled Mr Somsak, loudly expressing their dissatisfaction and demanding that he leave the seat.

The Democrats demanded the House speaker to stop the vote and carry on with the debate.
A number of Pheu Thai MPs rushed to intervene.

Police officers at the meeting moved to protect Mr Somsak, who later called for a temporary adjournment of the meeting.

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A video clip, uploaded to YouTube by tpdnet, shows lawmakers surrounding House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont on May 30, 2012.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNrMkHZ9RVo&feature=player_embedded

Abhisit, Pracha, other Thai MPs cleared

Abhisit, Pracha, other Thai MPs cleared
Bangkok Post, April 20, 2012

The Constitution Court on Friday dismissed petitions against a number of Pheu Thai and Democrat MPs for alleged constitutional violations in giving out relief supplies during the devastating floods late last year.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's Pheu Thai Party asked the court to rule whether Democrat and opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and Democrat MP for Phitsanulok Warong Dejkitvikrom should be stripped of their parliamentary status, and alleged that as MPs they wrongfully interfered in the work of state officials by handing out relief bags to flood victims in Phitsanulok.

The court ruled that the accusation was groundless and that the distribution of relief bags was aimed at helping people affected by the flooding.

In the second case, the Democrats had filed a counter-suit asking the court, through the House speaker, to rule whether Pol Gen Pracha and the six Pheu Thai MPs should lose their MP status for interfering in the work of government officials in the distribution of relief supplies during the floods late last year.

The six MPs are Karun Hosakul, Thanusak Lekuthai, Jirayu Huangsap, Surachart Thienthong, Vicharn Minchainant and Vorachai Hemma.

The court also found that Pol Gen Pracha and the six Pheu Thai MPs had been intent on helping the people in flood affected areas and there was no evidence of corruption or working for their own self-interest.

The court dismissed all the petitions.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions disqualified Pheu Thai's Chinnicha Wongsawat as an MP and banned her from politics for five years for making a false declaration of her assets while serving as MP for Chiang Mai.

Ms Chinnicha was sentenced to two months in jail, suspended for one year, and a fine of 4,000 baht.

The petition was filed by the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

The anti-graft agency found her guilty of making a false declaration of assets and liabilities in violation of Section 263 of the constitution.

Ms Chinnicha is a daughter of former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat and Mrs Yaowapa, a younger sister of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.