No Thaksin contact, says PM Surayud
Government and military leaders are on damage control following Thursday's meeting between Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda and Khunying Pojaman Shinawatra.
Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont yesterday dismissed talk Thaksin Shinawatra had sought a meeting with him at the Asean-China summit in Nanning tomorrow and Tuesday. "I have not been approached by Thaksin," he said. Thaksin is rumoured to be trying to cut a deal with the government to end his exile in London and escape graft prosecution. A Thaksin supporter and activist claimed the Prem-Pojaman meeting illustrated the "truth" behind the September 19 coup. "It is clear that Thai democratic rule has been subjugated by the elite and the military and is not a genuine democracy representing the people," Phromsak Saenpo said. Phromsak, chairman of the Northern Grassroots People's Federation, argued Thaksin must be free to return home without conditions. "Thaksin is a Thai citizen and there is no law to prevent him from coming home," he said. Authorities have no justification to block Thaksin's return although they fear a possible backlash after usurping his power, Phromsak added. Supreme Commander General Boonsang Niampradit said the Prem-Pojaman meeting had been blown out of proportion. "It is far-fetched to speculate Prem was the mastermind of the military coup simply because Pojaman called on him," he said. It's normal for a junior figure like Pojaman to seek sympathy during troubled times, he said. "I believe it is in line with Thai traditions that an elder often shows compassion towards a troubled young one," he said. The situation remains fragile and it is reasonable for Thaksin to keep his distance, he said. "Let me just say if I were Thaksin, I would not find it convenient and appropriate to be home at this juncture," he said. Meanwhile, the Council for National Security would review three allegations of arbitrary law enforcement on Tuesday. They are the Tak Bai incident, the assassination attempt on Thaksin and the disappearance of Muslim lawyer Somchai Neelaphaijit. The meeting could be an attempt to boost the image of the coup leaders, seen as slow to act against activity they claimed had forced them to take over power.
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