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Thu, 01/14/2010 - 17:05
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PM: Order will be maintained on day Thaksin's frozen assets ruling is delivered
BANGKOK, Jan 14 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Thursday expressed confidence that his government will be able to maintain law and order despite anti-government United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) protests on February 26, the day set for the court ruling on the Bt76 billion (US$2.2 billion) seized assets case of fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.
Mr Abhisit commented following the announcement of the so-called Red Shirt leaders that they will stage continued rallies nationwide against Privy Councillor Gen Surayud Chulanont and the Democrat-led coalition government for what they branded as practicing a double standard by not taking legal action against his possession of forest reserve land.
Mr Abhisit said that the Red Shirt protesters have the right to demonstrate, but that must be under the rule of law and must not ignite any violence.
Following news reports saying the protesters will set provincial city halls on fire, this cannot be done, said Mr Abhisit, adding that the government will seek court orders to prosecute those who already face charges if they incite chaos.
Regarding the security plan for February 26 at which the Supreme court will read a verdict over Mr Thaksin's frozen assets, the premier said that the government is duty-bound to facilitate the court's work and its personnel must not work with fear.
He assured the government will be able to control the situation after the court's ruling.
"I believe that the court is considering the case in a fair manner and my government reassure that we will protect the work of the judicial process," said Mr Abhisit.
The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions will issue a verdict whether to seize the assets gained from the sale of telecom giant Shin Corp at 76.6 billion baht (2.2 billion dollars) plus interest on charges that the ex-premier had acquired his massive wealth through illegal practices on February 26 at 1pm.
The premier said that he believes the UDD movement will become increasingly aggressive in the case of Mr Thaksin's 76 billion baht seized assets.
Mr Abhisit however believes that the frozen assets case will not be the end of the problem as there are still many cases of Mr Thaksin awaiting court rulings.
He added that he has been informed by the director-general of the Royal Forest Department that the case of Gen Surayud for allegedly encroaching forest reserve land should proceed within seven days after the attorney-general sends an official letter over the case to the department.
The premier said his government is trying to proceed every case fairly to ensure people that there is either state intervention or double-standard practices as earlier accused.
The Office of the Attorney-General earlier announced it would not sue Gen Surayud for owning land in the forest preserve as the property had twice changed ownership before he acquired the property.
But the Forestry Department panel is now probing how Gen Surayud acquired the land, as an earlier Cabinet resolution prohibits local residents who were allocated forest reserve land for farming from selling it to others, except for their statutory heirs. (TNA)
Mr Abhisit commented following the announcement of the so-called Red Shirt leaders that they will stage continued rallies nationwide against Privy Councillor Gen Surayud Chulanont and the Democrat-led coalition government for what they branded as practicing a double standard by not taking legal action against his possession of forest reserve land.
Mr Abhisit said that the Red Shirt protesters have the right to demonstrate, but that must be under the rule of law and must not ignite any violence.
Following news reports saying the protesters will set provincial city halls on fire, this cannot be done, said Mr Abhisit, adding that the government will seek court orders to prosecute those who already face charges if they incite chaos.
Regarding the security plan for February 26 at which the Supreme court will read a verdict over Mr Thaksin's frozen assets, the premier said that the government is duty-bound to facilitate the court's work and its personnel must not work with fear.
He assured the government will be able to control the situation after the court's ruling.
"I believe that the court is considering the case in a fair manner and my government reassure that we will protect the work of the judicial process," said Mr Abhisit.
The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions will issue a verdict whether to seize the assets gained from the sale of telecom giant Shin Corp at 76.6 billion baht (2.2 billion dollars) plus interest on charges that the ex-premier had acquired his massive wealth through illegal practices on February 26 at 1pm.
The premier said that he believes the UDD movement will become increasingly aggressive in the case of Mr Thaksin's 76 billion baht seized assets.
Mr Abhisit however believes that the frozen assets case will not be the end of the problem as there are still many cases of Mr Thaksin awaiting court rulings.
He added that he has been informed by the director-general of the Royal Forest Department that the case of Gen Surayud for allegedly encroaching forest reserve land should proceed within seven days after the attorney-general sends an official letter over the case to the department.
The premier said his government is trying to proceed every case fairly to ensure people that there is either state intervention or double-standard practices as earlier accused.
The Office of the Attorney-General earlier announced it would not sue Gen Surayud for owning land in the forest preserve as the property had twice changed ownership before he acquired the property.
But the Forestry Department panel is now probing how Gen Surayud acquired the land, as an earlier Cabinet resolution prohibits local residents who were allocated forest reserve land for farming from selling it to others, except for their statutory heirs. (TNA)
