They also called for political reform as well as constitutional amendments.

The statement said Thaksin had insulted people by not listening to them while repeatedly referring to the 19 million voters who re-elected him in the 2005 election. It also said that his administration is mired by nepotism and selective treatment, that he has blocked the people’s participation and he has conflicts of interest due to his family’s stake in Shin Corp.

It went on to say that Thaksin has interfered with the selection processes for members of independent organisations and has monopolised the media.

It added that he has also attempted to limit the public’s freedom to information, sell the country’s assets in the form of state enterprise privatisation, and make long-term contracts with powerful countries based entirely on autonomous decisions. Moreover, his policies have encouraged consumerism, which has resulted in an increase in household debt, it said.

The group submitted the open letter through Prinya Thaewanarumitkul, Thammasat University’s vice rector for student affairs, who once headed the Thai Students Association in Germany.

Piyanuch Tamnukasetchai

The Nation