THAILAND: Pro-Thaksin supporters deliver demands to interim government
Updated
Protesters linked to Thailand's ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra have delivered a letter to the country's military rulers demanding that the interim government resign and hold immediate elections. Members of the Democracy Alliance against Dictatorship submitted the letter to the secretary-general of the Thai army amid tight security in front of army headquarters in Bangkok.
Presenter: Ron Corben in Bangkok
Speakers: Yongyuth Mayalarp, Thai government spokesman; Mr Virot, human resources manager; Dr Pat, Mr Virot's aunt who is a medical practitioner; Mr Pi-Pun, businessman
CORBEN: The offer by military-appointed Prime Minister, Surayud Chulanont, for talks with Thaksin Shinawatra, came during Mr Surayud's weekly address on radio and television and amid overt pro-Thaksin rallies in central Bangkok.
Government spokesman, Yongyuth Mayalarp, quoting the prime minister, said Thaksin, ousted in a coup in September last year, could raise any issues he wished.
YONGYUTH: He is ready to have dialogue with Khun Thaksin. In the past, it was
Khun Thaksin who contacted the prime minister. So it's up to Khun Thaksin which topic he would like to talk about with the prime minister. Khun Thaksin is a Thai citizen, so he's entitled to return to Thailand as a Thai citizen whenever he likes.
CORBEN: The offer came after 10,000 Thaksin supporters at a rally watched and cheered a 28-minute speech by the former prime minister, recorded in his exile home in London, and played on large video screens.
Thaksin accused the junta of undermining the country's reputation and economy, and abuse of the law. Commentators say the speech marked a new stage in Thaksin's battles with the junta and that it was clear he would not abandon a bid to regain power.
But he faces several corruption investigations. A committee set up by the junta to investigate Thaksin's activities as prime minister last week froze 21 bank accounts, with some US$1.6 billion, linked to his family. Thaksin told the rally the asset freeze was a ploy by the junta to isolate him politically.
In May Thaksin's party, Thai Rak Thai, was dissolved by a constitutional tribunal after being found guilty of fraud during the general elections in April 2006.
But Thaksin's supporters are not dissuaded.
His pro-poor populist policies remain a powerful magnet. Mr Virot is a 40 year old human resources manager and his aunt is a 69 year old medical practitioner, who called herself Dr Pat.
CORBEN: So why do people still love Thaksin - despite all these [corruption] charges?
VIROT: Because of his contribution to the Thai people.
PAT: Because I think he's sincere, right. One thing is he's sincere and does a lot of things that he's promised. When he promises something he do it because for the other party we do not see any result in the past, just keep talking.
CORBEN: Thaksin also told supporters he would continue to fight to clear his name. But army chief Sonthi Boonyaratglin has warned Thaksin against returning saying he might be killed. Dr Pat feels there are real threats for Thaksin's safety.
PAT: We would all like him to come back but we're not sure about his safety - about the assassination - it's maybe or maybe not. But if he come back right now, its not safety for him.
CORBEN: 58 year old businessman Mr Pi-Pun believes there has been too much attention on Thaksin and not enough to revive the economy.
PIPUN: I think they have been on the wrong track. It feel like they try to get revenge of the past government. They're not emphasise on the economy or the trade.
CORBEN: So do you think we'll have elections at the end of the year.
PIPUN: Yes I hope so, I do hope so.
CORBEN: And do you think Thailand will get through this difficult time?
PIPUN: I'm not sure about that - it's very hard to predict.
