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Title: Ousted Thai PM: 'I Am a Jobless Man'
Source:
AP
URL Source: http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/s ... sia/2006/sep/21/092101210.html
Published: Sep 21, 2006
Author: SUTIN WANNABOVORN
Post Date: 2006-09-21 07:43:53 by A K A Stone
Keywords: None
Views: 184
Comments: 6
BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) - 0920dvs-thailand-latest Ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra lay low in London as the junta that overthrew him purged his followers Thursday and took steps to possibly go after the vast assets of the tycoon turned politician. Less than 48 hours after tanks rolled into the streets to overthrow Thaksin's regime, the Thai capital returned to normalcy, with all businesses reopening and Bangkok's notorious traffic jams returning with a vengeance. Despite condemnation of the coup by Western and some Asian governments, hope emerged on the homefront that the new government might have a chance to resolve a bloody Muslim insurgency that has led to the deaths of more than 1,700 people. An exiled rebel leader welcomed Thailand's military coup, saying that it could help resolve the country's bloody Muslim insurgency. Lukman B. Lima, an exiled leader of one of several groups fighting the central government for a separate Muslim state, said coup leader Gen. Sondhi Boonyaratkalin, a Muslim, was the "only one who knows the real problems" of the Muslim-dominated provinces of southern Thailand. "We hope that the political (situation) can be resolved under Gen. Sondhi Boonyaratkalin as the new leader," Lukman wrote in an e-mailed response to questions from The Associated Press. Lukman, vice president of the Pattani United Liberation Organization, or PULO, is in exile in Sweden. Thaksin arrived Wednesday in London from New York, where he had been attending the U.N. General Assembly. "I left Thailand as the prime minister and now I am a jobless man," the official Thai News Agency quoted Thaksin as telling reporters on the flight from New York. "Never mind, I can still keep in touch with my family. Everyone is fine." However, the agency said Thaksin was "grim-faced" as he spoke. It was not known whether Thaksin would seek to stay in London, where he has a residence, or return to Thailand, where he could face prosecution for corruption. "I haven't talked to him directly but judging from what I learned from seniors of our party, I don't think he will return in the near future," said Sansasee Nakphong, former spokeswoman for Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai party. Sondhi has said he would serve as de facto prime minister for two weeks and then the junta, which calls itself the Council of Administrative Reform, will choose a civilian to replace him. A constitution is to be drawn up and elections held in one year's time. The military leader received the imprimatur Wednesday of revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej, which should effectively quash any efforts at resistance by Thaksin's partisans. The coup-makers continued their purge of the fallen leader's loyalists, bringing in two cabinet ministers for questioning Thursday. Akara Thiproj, the army spokesman, said Newin Chidchob and Yongyuth Tiyapairat were being interrogated at the National Security Center and others have been "invited" to come. Earlier the Council for Administrative Reform said that Deputy Prime Minister Chitchai Wannasathit and Thaksin's top aide Prommin Lertsuridej had been detained. The Nation newspaper on Thursday published a 100-name "watch list" of additional politicians, business people and others close to Thaksin who could be investigated by the new power brokers. The junta empowered Auditor-General Jaruvan Maintaka to investigative government corruption, which could lead to the confiscation of Thaksin's assets. Jaruvan, dubbed "The Iron Lady" was one of the few government officials who tried to expose corruption during Thaksin's regime and would have lost her job if it had not been for backing from the palace. The Office of the Auditor-General announced Wednesday it would continue its investigation into 14 cases of alleged corruption that occurred during Thaksin's tenure. The U.S. government believes Thailand's first coup in 15 years is "a step backward for democracy," State Department deputy spokesman Tom Casey said. The European Union demanded "that the military forces stand back and give way to the democratically elected political government." Other Western governments have issued similar statements. Thaksin's ouster followed a series of missteps that prompted many to accuse the prime minister of challenging the king's authority - an unpardonable act in this traditional Southeast Asian nation, a popular vacation destination for Westerners. Many Thais appeared relieved at the resolution of political tensions festering since the beginning of the year, when street demonstrations demanding Thaksin step down for alleged corruption and abuse of power gained momentum. Thailand has had no working legislature and only a caretaker government since February, when Thaksin dissolved parliament to hold new elections in an effort to reaffirm his mandate. The presence of tanks and armed soldiers on the streets of Bangkok, a city of more than 10 million, was taken with good humor in an almost holiday atmosphere. The bloodless nature of the coup gave hope that the effects on Thailand's large tourist industry might be minimal. Schools, government offices and the stock market were closed Wednesday but reopened Thursday when Bangkok's notorious traffic jams reared up with a vengeance and daily life returned to normal. Although Thaksin handily won three general elections, opponents accused him of emasculating democratic institutions, including packing the state Election Commission with cronies and stifling media that were once among Asia's freest. --
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#1. To: A K A Stone (#0)
He is a corrupt gangster and U.S. lackey
If the bulls dont kill me, Dont put me six feet down, I'll be last man standin on top of the hill, If the bulls dont kill me then nothin will,---PBR-AllStars Buck@Roll
I don't know much about the man. I know I also read that the muslim opposition is happy about it. Although not a supporter of the WOT I do not care to much for the muslim religion. It is the path to satan.
this general that launched the coup is a muslim, but he's also a rightwinger and he has the king's support.
If the bulls dont kill me, Dont put me six feet down, I'll be last man standin on top of the hill, If the bulls dont kill me then nothin will,---PBR-AllStars Buck@Roll
And how does this effect the haberdashery business?
What are you babbling about, rebbe?
If the bulls dont kill me, Dont put me six feet down, I'll be last man standin on top of the hill, If the bulls dont kill me then nothin will,---PBR-AllStars Buck@Roll
Thai junta bans political meetings, new parties CBC September 21, 2006 Thailand's military rulers have imposed a ban on meetings of political parties and barred the establishment of new parties following a bloodless coup two days ago. The announcement was made Thursday on all Thai television stations. It also limited public meetings and placed restrictions on the media. Leaders of the ruling junta said the action was taken to maintain peace and order in the country, which saw tanks roll into Bangkok streets late Tuesday while Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was in New York. The announcement came as Thai schools, government offices and the stock market re-opened Thursday for the first time since the coup. The coup was led by Gen. Sondhi Boonyaratglin, who said he will act as Thailand's leader until his self-described Council of Administrative Reform appoints a new interim prime minister. Sondhi said that would happen within two weeks, and that full elections would be held next year. King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who is deeply revered in Thailand, has endorsed Sondhi. Thaksin arrived in London on Wednesday from the United States, where he had been attending the United Nations General Assembly debate. He called Thursday for speedy elections. In a statement released Thursday, Thaksin said he would be enjoying a well- deserved rest. He called for speedy elections, and for all parties to work together for national reconciliation. It was not known whether Thaksin planned to stay in London, where he has a residence, or return to Thailand. Junta leaders questioned two of Thaksin's cabinets ministers on Thursday and said other members of the former government have been "invited" to answer questions. On Thursday, The Nation newspaper published a "watch list" of 100 politicians, business people and others close to Thaksin who could be investigated.
If the bulls dont kill me, Dont put me six feet down, I'll be last man standin on top of the hill, If the bulls dont kill me then nothin will,---PBR-AllStars Buck@Roll
#2. To: continental op (#1)
#3. To: A K A Stone (#2)
#4. To: continental op (#3)
this general that launched the coup is a muslim, but he's also a rightwinger and he has the king's support.
#5. To: one_crazy_jew (#4)
#6. To: All (#5)
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