Thursday September 18, 2008
BANGKOK POST and TNA
The People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) says it will not end its occupation of Government House unless prime minister-elect Somchai Wongsawat can give clear answers to five key questions.
Mr Somchai's nomination by House members yesterday did not put an end to the PAD's demonstration.
PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila said Mr Somchai, the brother-in-law of ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has to answer five questions.
First, Mr Somchai will have to prove there is no conflict of interest in him assuming the premiership although he is related to Mr Thaksin.
Second, he will have to explain how his government will prosecute Mr Thaksin over his alleged irregularities in office.
Third, he will be asked to demonstrate how he will untangle the controversy surrounding previous prime minister Samak Sundaravej's cabinet support of Cambodia's World Heritage listing for Preah Vihear temple, which sits on disputed border land.
Next, he will be challenged to address allegations he is a proxy of Mr Thaksin.
Finally, Mr Somchai will be expected to clarify whether his government will press ahead with plans to amend the 2007 constitution.
"I have to admit, it's harder to fight Mr Somchai than Mr Samak, because Mr Somchai is more polite and less aggressively outspoken than the previous prime minister," Mr Suriyasai said.
Still, Chamlong Srimuang, another PAD leader, said the alliance will not allow Mr Somchai a grace period to prove himself.
Maj-Gen Chamlong said it is useless for Mr Somchai to attempt to prove himself, as his past deeds were reason enough for the PAD to immediately reject him.
But he did concede Mr Somchai could take steps towards winning the group's acceptance by attempting to bring Mr Thaksin back to face corruption charges in court.
Mr Thaksin's diplomatic passport must also be seized, the PAD core leader said.
The former prime minister, his wife Khunying Potjaman and their three children are now living in Britain.
The couple are reportedly seeking political asylum from the British government.
Maj-Gen Chamlong alleged corruption in several practices in the previous government in which Mr Somchai was deputy prime minister and education minister, such as supporting the Preah Vihear listing, being a proxy of Mr Thaksin, and the decision to lease air-conditioned buses for commuters in Bangkok.
PAD leaders yesterday cancelled their decision to hold daily press conferences on the PAD rally stage.
Mr Somchai's nomination by House members yesterday did not put an end to the PAD's demonstration.
PAD coordinator Suriyasai Katasila said Mr Somchai, the brother-in-law of ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, has to answer five questions.
First, Mr Somchai will have to prove there is no conflict of interest in him assuming the premiership although he is related to Mr Thaksin.
Second, he will have to explain how his government will prosecute Mr Thaksin over his alleged irregularities in office.
Third, he will be asked to demonstrate how he will untangle the controversy surrounding previous prime minister Samak Sundaravej's cabinet support of Cambodia's World Heritage listing for Preah Vihear temple, which sits on disputed border land.
Next, he will be challenged to address allegations he is a proxy of Mr Thaksin.
Finally, Mr Somchai will be expected to clarify whether his government will press ahead with plans to amend the 2007 constitution.
"I have to admit, it's harder to fight Mr Somchai than Mr Samak, because Mr Somchai is more polite and less aggressively outspoken than the previous prime minister," Mr Suriyasai said.
Still, Chamlong Srimuang, another PAD leader, said the alliance will not allow Mr Somchai a grace period to prove himself.
Maj-Gen Chamlong said it is useless for Mr Somchai to attempt to prove himself, as his past deeds were reason enough for the PAD to immediately reject him.
But he did concede Mr Somchai could take steps towards winning the group's acceptance by attempting to bring Mr Thaksin back to face corruption charges in court.
Mr Thaksin's diplomatic passport must also be seized, the PAD core leader said.
The former prime minister, his wife Khunying Potjaman and their three children are now living in Britain.
The couple are reportedly seeking political asylum from the British government.
Maj-Gen Chamlong alleged corruption in several practices in the previous government in which Mr Somchai was deputy prime minister and education minister, such as supporting the Preah Vihear listing, being a proxy of Mr Thaksin, and the decision to lease air-conditioned buses for commuters in Bangkok.
PAD leaders yesterday cancelled their decision to hold daily press conferences on the PAD rally stage.
1 comment:
This new guy looks soft and polite. I hope he will handle the border dispute justly for the best interest of both countries.
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