Thursday, June 19, 2008

PAD: Thaksin may have derived business benefits in exchange for Thailand's support of Cambodia's efforts to register the Preah Vihear

A protest by any other name: PAD gathering turns multi-lingual

Thursday June 19, 2008
Thanida Tansubhapol
Bangkok Post

The People's Alliance for Democracy knows how to adapt its strategy to make sure its message hits the right target.

In a demonstration in front of the Foreign Ministry yesterday by about 2,000 protesters, the anti-government group began what PAD members called an "international rally".

"Today, we come to the Foreign Ministry. Anybody who can speak foreign languages, please show up," Anchalee Paireerak, a PAD member, said.

Protesters in the crowd took up her invitation. Normally, their protest message is delivered in Thai.

But yesterday it was in seven languages - Cambodian, German, English, French, Japanese, Chinese and even Bahasa Malay.

All foreign-language speakers had their messages translated into Thai.

The substance was basically the same in that they wanted Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama sacked from his job.

A statement handed to permanent secretary for foreign affairs Virasakdi Futrakul by PAD member Somsak Kosaisuk, explained why Mr Noppadon, formerly a legal adviser to ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, is no longer suitable for his job.

Mr Noppadon, who was not at his office during the demonstration, had ordered ministry officials to return Mr Thaksin's red official passport, which was seized after the coup.

That annoyed PAD members, as did his failure to send his former client a warning after Mr Thaksin's name was widely seen, printed on a Thai flag at the Manchester City stadium in England last month.

Mr Thaksin may have derived business benefits in exchange for Thailand's support of Cambodia's efforts to register the Preah Vihear temple as a World Heritage site, the group said.

The PAD said they backed ministry staff who had tried to protect the "national interest", and called on them not to follow orders from politicians if they believe they are unlawful.

"Ministry staff must protect Thai sovereignty and reveal the facts about oil and natural gas found in the overlapping zone in the Gulf of Thailand, as well as not allow conflicts of interest to benefit former prime minister Thaksin's investments," said Mr Somsak.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

thank all friends comment, siem historical and siem present nothings changed, our khmer news childrend AND poeple should remember for ever. Preas vihear temple is in khmer land but siem intefer strongley.

Anonymous said...

We used to Admired Ai Maew through the money paid by Ai Newin ...

However ... after we have seen Ai Nopphadon giving away the land to Cambodia for Oil Concession, we would no longer accept Ai maew's Money .... How shameful we are if we still get paid by the one who are willing to sell out Thailand to Foreigners for theri own selfish interests! We have to correct this NOW!

If necessary, Chopping the head of PPP men alogn with Ai maew and Cronies and Ai Samak , Ai Chaloem and pouring the blood from severed heads to wash Hais majesty's feet! After that, put thte severd bodies into rafts and floating them away from the land of Siam because their bodies are unworthy to get cremated on our Motherland!

Anonymous said...

5:56 you are right 100% by chopping the head of PPP men and pouring their blood to wash His Majesty's feet! Go ahead do it now. I want to see Siameses have a civil war and God Buhhda bless Cambodia. PREAH VIHEAR in KHMER land.

Anonymous said...

obviously this pad group are using political attack on its opponents, typical of the asian way, i guess. they forget that cambodia is making our own decision to list our preah vihear temple with unesco. instead, they claim mr. thaksin traded his business offer to allow cambodia to list our temple. what a dumb accusation that really is! haven't they forgotten that cambodia is a sovereigned nation? why do cambodia have to get permission thailand to list our temple which belongs to us and in our territory all along. what kind of stupid, idiot excuses is that?

Anonymous said...

another one of the thai thugs' tricks; be wary cambodia. they will soon run out of tricks for it seems like a regular pattern already.

Anonymous said...

obviously, these pad thugs have something against cambodia.

Anonymous said...

look who's talking unashamely. the thai thugs always used and depended on foreigners to help them all the time in crisis, and they pretend to only point fingers at cambodia. what a hypocrits they are! also, they always talk bad about cambodia to foreigners that visited their country in order to scare them away from going to see cambodia for themselves. ah siems think they are better than khmer. what a low-life, scum-bags they really are. we can see their true colors, slowly but surely!