Weekend news round-up
Democrat Party investigation: The TPI donation case against the “Democrat Party for having allegedly obtained unlawful [Bt258 million] donation and abused political party development fund” has been delayed yet again (The Nation, 30 January 2009). Election Commission Chairman Apichart Sukhagganond said that case “could not be concluded within next month.” No surprises there.
Justice Ministry voluntary spies: On ThaiPBS television news (29 January 2010), the Justice Minister appeared at a ceremony for the fourth group of volunteers who the Ministry wants to help locate threats to “democracy with the king as head of state.” Volunteers must be committed to this form of democracy and must watch out for threats against the monarchy and report them. No surprises there.
Seh Daeng, assassination plots and Abhisit: As anyone who follows Thailand’s politics will know, when assassination plots are alleged or carried out, there are seldom any arrests and convictions. As evidence, think of the attempt on Sondhi Limthongkul’s life, that the current government said would be solved by the end of last September. Or the alleged plot against a privy councilor last year. Now the government is taking comments by Seh Daeng (Khattiya Sawasdipol) as revealing a real plot against those involved with the Thaksin Shinawatra assets case (The Nation, 31 January 2010). All grist to the political mill as Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjaiva pushes for Seh Daeng’s arrest on weapons charges. These charges, if they come, will be based on the grenade attack on the army chief, where there is no evidence of an attack available. The subsequent searches of houses and vehicles, which turned up weapons, showed senior police handling all the supposed evidence at the scene. There seemed few efforts being made to collect and protect evidence integrity.
Military demonstrations: VOANews.com (29 January 2010) has a report that refers to the now multiple gatherings of military leaders to support their chief against Seh Daeng and to deny that the military is divided. Of course, it is. Otherwise there wouldn’t need to be such demonstrations. At the King Prajadhipok Institute a retired military officer, Ekkachai Srivilas, agrees: “This is natural for the military because it has a conflict in the Royal Thai Army, because they take sides.” But he doubts Thaksin has much support “among active duty officers.” Chris Baker is reported as citing vague threats from both sides, while Sunai Pasuk, Thailand representative for Human Rights Watch, says “Thaksin’s supporters may threaten violence to pressure the government to drop the cases against him and allow him to return home.” He adds: “In the current political context without bloodshed Thaksin may not achieve this. That’s why it’s quite worrying to me…”. He warns the military against falling into the Thaksin “trap.” PPT believes that any violence from the red shirts would be welcomed by the military and government as they seek a final solution to their Thaksin problem.
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