Chaturon continues to protest innocence over trip
Thai Rak Thai Party caretaker leader Chaturon Chaisang, right, greets key member Sutham Saengpratum at a news conference yesterday.
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Thai Rak Thai Party caretaker leader Chaturon Chaisang continues to deny he violated a junta ban on political activity by visiting Northeast provinces last weekend.
Chaturon called a news conference to deny allegations he had engaged in politics. He denied he had deliberately violated the ban to seek public sympathy. The Council for National Security (CNS) intends to prosecute Chaturon for alleged breach of two orders made immediately after the September coup. Chaturon said he would fight the charges. He has cancelled a planned visit to the North this weekend. The former deputy prime minister insisted his trip was in response to invitations to visit a herbal garden and deliver a speech. He vows to make more journeys to the provinces, arguing they are not challenges to the CNS but an exercise of his rights in accordance with the interim constitution. "The CNS does not have the authority to stop one from visiting the provinces or abroad,'' he said. Chaturon criticised the CNS for discrimination, saying it appeared to take action only against himself and the Thai Rak Thai. "I am not asking why don't they take action against other parties. I am only asking why only me and my party,'' he said. Leading party members Pongthep Thepkanchana and Pongpol Adireksarn joined Chaturon at the news conference. CNS chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin does not believe Chaturon intentionally violated the ban or was attempting to generate conflict. However, if Chaturon breaks the law he must face legal action, he said. Chat Thai Party leader Banharn Silapa-archa said Chaturon's actions were inappropriate. "Chaturon should keep quiet for a while and wait until the constitution is complete,'' he said. Banharn opposes calls to scrap the political ban, counselling caution until "political undercurrents have died down". He accused Chaturon of launching a political campaign and disguising it as a personal matter. "This is a directly political matter,'' he said. In addition, Banharn suggested the Anti-Money Laundering Office investigate funding of between Bt50 million and Bt100 million for rebel broadcaster PTV, or People's Television. "The previous government used AMLO to check assets of the Nation Group. This government has not used AMLO [to crack down on opponents],'' he said.
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