ID :
106699
Mon, 02/15/2010 - 17:48
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/106699
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Red Shirts: no mass rally February 26 for court verdict on Thaksin's frozen assets
BANGKOK, Feb 15 (TNA) - The key leader of Thailand's anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) on Monday vowed the group will not rally February 26 when the Supreme Court reads its verdict on the 76.6 billion baht (US$2.3 billion) frozen assets of convicted ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.
Veera Musikapong made the announcement as he led the Red Shirt protesters to rally at Election Commission (EC) headquarters at the new Government Complex in northern Bangkok's Chaeng Wattana district, pressing for progress reports on key cases including the ruling Democrat Party's alleged unlawful donation of Bt258 million (about US$7.8 million) from a corporation which the UDD says violates the Constitution.
Despite the disclaimer regarding a February 26 protest, Mr Veera said that the Thai public has the freedom to be at the court by themselves if they are so inclined.
The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Position will rule February 26 whether to seize the assets gained from the sale of telecom giant Shin Corp at Bt76.6 billion, plus interest, on charges that the ex-premier had acquired his massive wealth through illegal practices.
As the Red Shirt demonstration at the EC headquarters began Monday afternoon, Mr Veera also condemned the appointments of four election agency members whom he said were not qualified as they were appointed by the Council of National Security, the coup makers, and were not formally endorsed by the king.
He said the UDD could not accept the four EC members as they considered the key cases unfairly, especially delaying the Democrat Party's donation case.
The protesters also blamed the election commissioners for acting using a double standard in considering the cases and corruption within the organisation.
The Democrat Party was earlier accused of violating the Constitution, which prohibits a political party to receive donation from a company of over Bt10 million a year, by accepting Bt258 million in donations from listed company TPI Polene in 2005.
The election commissioners later resolved that EC chairman Apichart Sukhagghanond, who is also political party registrar, will decide whether to recommend the dissolution of the ruling party or drop the case.
Meanwhile, security has been tightened at the EC office to prevent any intruder into the building. The building entrance has been closed and only authorised persons may enter.
A company of anti-riot police and a company of metropolitan police were deployed at other offices in the complex containing the EC office. The security unit also provided a fire engine supplied with a water hose for crowd dispersal.
It was reported that EC officials planned responses to any possible incident. Election commissioners have been provided rental cars if they must flee the office.
According to the report, EC Secretary-General Sutthipol Thaweechaikarn is in the building, working as usual.
Previously, the Red Shirts on February 10 rallied at police headquarters demanding progress on cases involving the anti-Thaksin People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) demonstrators.
The campaign against government and state agencies has been launched ahead of the court decision on Mr Thaksin's frozen assets.
As the UDD's moving protests are likely to intensify this month, the government is setting up checkpoints and centres in the capital and risk-prone provinces to monitor the situation and maintain order. (TNA)
Veera Musikapong made the announcement as he led the Red Shirt protesters to rally at Election Commission (EC) headquarters at the new Government Complex in northern Bangkok's Chaeng Wattana district, pressing for progress reports on key cases including the ruling Democrat Party's alleged unlawful donation of Bt258 million (about US$7.8 million) from a corporation which the UDD says violates the Constitution.
Despite the disclaimer regarding a February 26 protest, Mr Veera said that the Thai public has the freedom to be at the court by themselves if they are so inclined.
The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Position will rule February 26 whether to seize the assets gained from the sale of telecom giant Shin Corp at Bt76.6 billion, plus interest, on charges that the ex-premier had acquired his massive wealth through illegal practices.
As the Red Shirt demonstration at the EC headquarters began Monday afternoon, Mr Veera also condemned the appointments of four election agency members whom he said were not qualified as they were appointed by the Council of National Security, the coup makers, and were not formally endorsed by the king.
He said the UDD could not accept the four EC members as they considered the key cases unfairly, especially delaying the Democrat Party's donation case.
The protesters also blamed the election commissioners for acting using a double standard in considering the cases and corruption within the organisation.
The Democrat Party was earlier accused of violating the Constitution, which prohibits a political party to receive donation from a company of over Bt10 million a year, by accepting Bt258 million in donations from listed company TPI Polene in 2005.
The election commissioners later resolved that EC chairman Apichart Sukhagghanond, who is also political party registrar, will decide whether to recommend the dissolution of the ruling party or drop the case.
Meanwhile, security has been tightened at the EC office to prevent any intruder into the building. The building entrance has been closed and only authorised persons may enter.
A company of anti-riot police and a company of metropolitan police were deployed at other offices in the complex containing the EC office. The security unit also provided a fire engine supplied with a water hose for crowd dispersal.
It was reported that EC officials planned responses to any possible incident. Election commissioners have been provided rental cars if they must flee the office.
According to the report, EC Secretary-General Sutthipol Thaweechaikarn is in the building, working as usual.
Previously, the Red Shirts on February 10 rallied at police headquarters demanding progress on cases involving the anti-Thaksin People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) demonstrators.
The campaign against government and state agencies has been launched ahead of the court decision on Mr Thaksin's frozen assets.
As the UDD's moving protests are likely to intensify this month, the government is setting up checkpoints and centres in the capital and risk-prone provinces to monitor the situation and maintain order. (TNA)
