Govt watching out for sabotage

There is still a possibility for armed elements to conduct underground activities and sabotage in Bangkok and some other provinces, acting government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said on Tuesday.

Mr Panitan said that, for Bangkok and nearby provinces, the Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situation had prepared rapid deployment units which could be dispatched to various locations on receiving reports on suspicious movements.

He said the CRES would assess the situation on a daily basis and would consider lifting the curfew in provinces where the situation was under control.

The spokesman said that by May 30 foreign diplomats in Thailand would be invited by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to Government House to attend a briefing on the government's operation to end the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD)'s rallies to ascertain them that it was carried out in line with international practice.

The diplomats would be informed of the government's remedial measures and plan to rehabilitate the country as well as the court's approval of a warrant for the arrest of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra on terrorism charges.

On that occasion, the prime minister would give a special interview to foreign news media, Mr Panitan said.

The spokesman said the arrest warrant for Thaksin would enable the Foreign Ministry, Office of the Attorney General, and Royal Thai Police Office to coordinate with other countries to seek an extradition of the convicted former prime minister.

"The prime minister has called all along for Thaksin to return to Thailand to prove his innocence instead of going on the run," Mr Panitan said.

Court issues Thaksin terror warrant

The Criminal Court on Tuesday approved the Department of Special Investigation's request for an arrest warrant for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra on terrorism charges.

The court approved the warrant after examining testimony given by DSI chief Tharit Pengdit, his deputy Pol Col Narat Savetanant and Pol Lt-Col Thawal Mangkhang, the DSI chief investigator, on Monday.

The three presented the court with additional documents and clips of Thaksin speaking from abroad via video link to red-shirt rallies.

The court examination on Monday was held in camera. No reporters were allowed in the courtroom.

Pol Col Narat said after the court approved the warrant that the DSI would find out Thaksin's whereabouts. After that the Office of the Attorney General would contact the countries concerned to seek Thaksin's extradition.

The government earlier asked several countries, including the United Arab Emirates where Thaksin has stayed in Dubai, to send him to back Thailand to answer to a two-year jail sentence given by the Supreme Court in the Ratchadapisek land case, but to no avail.

Thaksin was lately reported to have be sighted in many countries, the latest being France where he was seen in Cannes during the film festival.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he believed the fact that Thaksin is now wanted on terrorism charges would make it easier for Thailand to obtain his extradition.

United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) leader Jatuporn Prompan reported to the Department of Special Investigation (DSI) to acknowledge terrorism charges shortly after 1pm on Tuesday.

Mr Jatuporn, a Puea Thai Party-list MP, was accompanied by his lawyer Kamrop Poltaklang and opposition Puea Thai MP for Udon Thani province Wichien Kaokam.

Mr Kamrop said beforehand that Mr Jatuporn would deny the terrorism charges, and would request permission to give a written statement within 30 days.

Mr Jatuporn is protected from arrest by parliamentary immunity while the House is in session and was not detained.

Mr Kamrop said his client would try to explain to the court that the anti-government protest was politically motivated and not an act of terrorism.

A group of supporters were reported to have gathered at the entrance to the DSI building, near the government complex on Chaeng Wattana Road, while he was there.

The Criminal Court agreed on Tuesday to a police request to detain five UDD leaders charged with breaking the emergency law for another seven days for further questioning.

The five are Natthawut Saikua, 35, Kwanchai Praipana, 58, Wiphuthalaeng Pattanaphuthai, 58, Yoswaris Chuklom or Jeng Dokchik, 52, and Nisit Sinthuprai, 54.

They were the first group of red-shirt leaders to surrender to police, on May 19, after declaring the end of the UDD rally at Ratchaprasong.

The court approved their detention by police for another seven days from May 26 to June 1.

The five core members were not taken to the court for security reasons. The hearing was held by video conference.

The gallery below shows UDD leader Jatuporn reporting to the DSI to acknowledge terrorism charges
from bangkok post

Udon Thani red shirts under watch

UDON THANI : Officials in this northeastern province are monitoring red shirt supporters after their return from Bangkok for fear they will hold another rally to oust the government.

"If the government fails to achieve the five-point road map for reconciliation soon, I believe the red shirts will come back and grow bigger to fight against the government," Udon Thani governor Amnart Pakarat said yesterday.

Udon Thani is one of the main strongholds of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).

Mr Amnart said provincial authorities had launched a campaign to inform red shirt supporters in the province why it was necessary for the government to use force in last Wednesday's dispersal.

While the breaking up of the protest on Wednesday was under way in Bangkok, about 3,000 red shirt protesters in Udon Thani were gathering at Thung Si Muang in front of the provincial hall to protest against the government.

The provincial hall and the Udon Thani municipality building were set on fire, with the total damage estimated at 400 million baht.

Almost 1,000 soldiers remain stationed at important government offices, shopping areas and some residential zones in the province.

"Life in the province has not yet returned to normal," Mr Amnart said.

"Even though the situation seems peaceful, there is still an underground movement of hard-core red shirt protesters in every tambon and community who are ready to instigate violence at any time."

Mr Amnart said he was also concerned that red shirt leaders in the province would use community radio stations to incite people against the government. Five stations under detained UDD leader Kwanchai Praipana have already been taken off the air.

Red shirt supporters here say the use of force to disperse protesters had deepened the divide between authorities and UDD supporters in the province.

Nitra Chorsungnoen, a red shirt supporter, said UDD members were waiting for an election to be held.

Thongsuk Puthamma, another red shirt supporter, said: "I would join a peaceful rally to restore democracy."

from bangkokpost