ID :
73257
Fri, 07/31/2009 - 18:02
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http://m.oananews.org//node/73257
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Red Shirts rally seeking royal pardon for Thaksin
BANGKOK, July 31 (TNA) - Supporters of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Friday began gathering at Sanam Luang in the Thai capital to wrap up their signature collection campaign seeking a royal pardon for the ex-premier amid objections from many parties.
The signature collection campaign asking for a royal pardon for Mr Thaksin to be allowed to return from his self-imposed exile – without prosecution or serving out the term of his conviction last year – is spear-headed by the anti-government United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), the so-called ‘Red Shirts’, and it began at noon, with the movement’s supporters criticising the six-month performance of the Democrat-led coalition government.
UDD key leader Jatuporn Prompan, also a member of parliament for the opposition Puea Thai Party, said he believed more than three million signatures have been collected and that it will take about seven days to verify the names.
Those wanting to sign their names in support of the royal pardon for the former prime minister can also give their signatures at Sanam Luang until midnight, Mr Jatuporn said, adding that the date to submit the petition will be announced later.
The UDD core leader also said Mr Thaksin will phone in to express gratitude to his supporters at 8.30pm and the gathering will be held until 6am Saturday, with various activities being held and the group's active leaders taking turns to address the crowd.
Meanwhile, Chart Thai Pattana Party, a coalition partner, on Friday expressed its objection to the UDD move, urging Mr Thaksin to ask his supporters to stop their action.
The party said the law stipulates that only the convicted prisoner or relatives are entitled to seek a royal pardon. The prisoner must also serve punishment before asking for a royal pardon. But in this case, Mr Thaksin never comes back to Thailand to serve his jail term.
Mr Thaksin was sentenced in absentia to a two-year jail term for violating the country’s conflict of interest law regarding his role in a Bangkok land deal last October.
The Chart Thai Pattana party's stance is similar to that of former prime minister Chuan Leekpai who also warned the government not to underestimate the UDD's action.
"I have warned the government not to ignore the move of the Red Shirts. They had announced that the government could not last more than three months, and then chaos happened in April, the third month of government in office," the former prime minister said.
"Now they are moving again," Mr Chuan said. "The government should not underestimate them. Some groups of people are trying to topple the government."
Meanwhile, Vichai Srikwan, Permament Secretary for Interior, signed an urgent order instructing provincial governors to facilitate petitioners who want to withdraw their names from the petition.
Mr Vichai said that the ministry's action was not ordered by any politician, but it is in line with the ministry's policy to protect the establishment.
He said the signature collection campaign will only further divide the country. (TNA)
The signature collection campaign asking for a royal pardon for Mr Thaksin to be allowed to return from his self-imposed exile – without prosecution or serving out the term of his conviction last year – is spear-headed by the anti-government United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), the so-called ‘Red Shirts’, and it began at noon, with the movement’s supporters criticising the six-month performance of the Democrat-led coalition government.
UDD key leader Jatuporn Prompan, also a member of parliament for the opposition Puea Thai Party, said he believed more than three million signatures have been collected and that it will take about seven days to verify the names.
Those wanting to sign their names in support of the royal pardon for the former prime minister can also give their signatures at Sanam Luang until midnight, Mr Jatuporn said, adding that the date to submit the petition will be announced later.
The UDD core leader also said Mr Thaksin will phone in to express gratitude to his supporters at 8.30pm and the gathering will be held until 6am Saturday, with various activities being held and the group's active leaders taking turns to address the crowd.
Meanwhile, Chart Thai Pattana Party, a coalition partner, on Friday expressed its objection to the UDD move, urging Mr Thaksin to ask his supporters to stop their action.
The party said the law stipulates that only the convicted prisoner or relatives are entitled to seek a royal pardon. The prisoner must also serve punishment before asking for a royal pardon. But in this case, Mr Thaksin never comes back to Thailand to serve his jail term.
Mr Thaksin was sentenced in absentia to a two-year jail term for violating the country’s conflict of interest law regarding his role in a Bangkok land deal last October.
The Chart Thai Pattana party's stance is similar to that of former prime minister Chuan Leekpai who also warned the government not to underestimate the UDD's action.
"I have warned the government not to ignore the move of the Red Shirts. They had announced that the government could not last more than three months, and then chaos happened in April, the third month of government in office," the former prime minister said.
"Now they are moving again," Mr Chuan said. "The government should not underestimate them. Some groups of people are trying to topple the government."
Meanwhile, Vichai Srikwan, Permament Secretary for Interior, signed an urgent order instructing provincial governors to facilitate petitioners who want to withdraw their names from the petition.
Mr Vichai said that the ministry's action was not ordered by any politician, but it is in line with the ministry's policy to protect the establishment.
He said the signature collection campaign will only further divide the country. (TNA)
