Tension as Thaksin addresses supporters

Tensions rose in Thailand today as ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra made a video address to supporters who have been holding daily protests against the country’s coup leaders, and said he was being persecuted by those who replaced him.

A night-time rally in the capital, Bangkok, drew thousands of Thaksin supporters anxious to hear their deposed leader speak from exile in London.

Shortly after 9pm his image appeared on several large video screens at the demonstration site, setting off enthusiastic cheering by his supporters.

Organisers said Thaksin taped his speech in London, where he maintains a residence.

The protest also drew other opponents of the current military-installed government who do not like Thaksin but would like to see a quick return to democracy.

Thaksin’s appearance was a direct challenge to the government that replaced him and which has made clear to the mainstream media that he should not be given publicity.

Thaksin’s video speech, which began with a litany of complaints that he had been treated unfairly by his successors, came after he suffered two strong blows against his legacy.

Last month a court ordered his Thai Rak Thai party dissolved because of earlier electoral law violations. Last week a special anti-graft panel ordered the freezing of his bank accounts in Thailand, containing more than 52 billion baht (€1.2bn), because of suspicion the money might have been obtained by corruption.

“It is the justice system which is very unjust. I will fight to regain my dignity,” Thaksin said, also urging a return to democracy.

The crowd appeared almost as large as at a similar protest last Saturday, at which police estimated 13,000 people took part. There was a heavy presence of police as well as army personnel and their vehicles, with some roads blocked off to traffic.

Coup leaders, who removed Thaksin from power in a bloodless takeover last September while he was overseas, said they would allow the speech to be shown at the rally but warned they might impose emergency rule if there was violence.

“If the situation deteriorates, the government will have to declare a state of emergency to allow the security forces to control the situation,” Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont told reporters.

No violence was reported.

The anti-government protests, while slowly growing in size and enthusiasm, have so far failed to have a significant impact on political affairs.

They have, however, contributed to a sense of uneasiness that the risk of confrontation is growing between Thaksin’s supporters and those who overthrew him for alleged corruption and abuse of power.

The government has been issuing repeated warnings about potential violence, as rumours of another coup or military clampdown have circulated.

Reflecting the heightened sense of confrontation, Jakrapob Penkair, a protest organiser and former government spokesman in Thaksin’s administration, told reporters tonight that he had learned of an alleged assassination plot against Thaksin.

His unsubstantiated allegation followed a warning Wednesday by army commander Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratglin – who led last year’s coup – that Thaksin might be in physical danger from his enemies if he returned to Thailand now.

Both Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont and Sonthi Boonyaratglin said authorities would not block the address and that Thaksin had every right to speak to the public as long as his speech did not instigate violence.

Bangkok police commissioner Lt Gen. Adisorn Nontree said he was bracing for a large crowd at Sanam Luang, an open field near the Grand Palace, and that 15,000 police officers and soldiers would be on hand to provide security.

Thaksin meanwhile remains interested in buying English Premiership team Manchester City and hopes the freezing of his assets in Thailand will not affect the deal, Noppadol said, adding that negotiations are under way and the status of the deal should be known “in a matter of days”.

Manchester City’s board issued a statement earlier this week saying that it was in discussions with Thaksin’s representatives over the implications of the action against him.