POLITICS / Royalists warn of subversive movement
Written by Writer on Wednesday, November 12th, 2008
POLITICS / Royalists warn of subversive movement
SURASAK GLAHAN
Recent comments by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra imply the existence of an underground movement against the monarchy, royalist academics and senators said yesterday. Thaksin had told his supporters at Rajamangala Stadium on Nov 1 he could not return home because of a two-year jail term ordered by a person he identified by the vague Thai term ”khao” _ which can mean he, she or they.
”This term is ambiguous. But to me it is clear that Thaksin referred to one particular person, who he implied could wield power over the judiciary,” Chulalongkorn University linguist Anant Laulertvorakul said.
”He could have chosen another term, puak-khao, if he really meant the judges or his opponents.”
Mr Anant, a supporter of the anti-Thaksin People’s Alliance for Democracy, was speaking at a forum on ”The King and the Country” at the university.
He said Thaksin’s interview with Reuters, when he said he would name his political foes in future live broadcasts, was questionable and worrying.
It was public knowledge who his opponents are, Mr Anant said.
Thaksin could only be referring to a previously unidentified enemy.
Former senator Nipattha Amornratmetha said Thaksin was implying to his supporters that he meant His Majesty the King.
In the speech, the convicted politician kept saying there had been interference in the judiciary.
This could be implying a link to the King’s speech to judges of the Administrative Court in May 2007, when His Majesty urged them to prevent the country from collapsing, she said.
Others who took part in the forum included retired academics MR Yongyupalak Kashemsanta and Praphanphong Vejjajiva, who identified themselves as royalists.
They said Thaksin’s speech could be regarded as lese majeste in a number of points.
They felt it was just part of a recent underground movement to discredit and weaken the monarchy.
Bangkok Post
Wednesday November 12, 2008
