Foreign researcher criticised Thai PM's planned speech at Oxford U

Lee Jones, a foreign researcher in International relations of the Oxford University has expressed "deep concern" on Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's plan to give a speech at the St John's College.

Abhisit is scheduled to visit the St John college where he was graduated to deliver speech on democracy and Thailand's situation on March 14.

In his letter to dean of the college, Lee Jones said he was very deep concern about the reports that St John's has invited Abhisit to speak at the college.

"Although it is understandable given his education at St John's, I do not believe it is appropriate to ask someone like him to address the Oxford community on the subject of 'democracy'.

As you may be aware, the Abhisit administration has only come to power in Thailand following a period of naked manipulation of Thai politics by cynical political elites, including the leadership of Abhisit's own 'Democrat' Party."

He also alleged that Thai courts were used to dismantle the democratically elected government by forcing ministers, including Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, to resign, to create a lethal confrontation with Cambodia over Preah Vihear temple for purely domestic political reasons, and to disband the People's Power Party, the party of the legitimately elected government.

Jones chaired Giles Ji Ungpakorn's talk at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford, in February 2009. Giles who is facing lese majesty charges had spoken in the forum, criticising Thai government and the monarch.

Jones' letter