Noppadon's claim 'groundless'
Council for National Security (CNS) spokesman Colonel Sensern Kaewkamnerd yesterday dismissed as "groundless" an accusation by Thaksin Shinawatra's lawyer that a wife of the CNS chief took "kickbacks" from Channel 5's programming.
Colonel Sensern said Channel 5 had a committee to decide on the station's programming and that the board also looked at the programme overview of the station every month. "It is impossible because the wife of CNS chief Sonthi Boonyaratglin is neither involved with the Channel nor has any position there," he added. He said Thaksin's lawyer Noppadon Pattama was just trying to divert public attention from the corruption allegations against the deposed premier. Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont on Tuesday expressed confidence that the government could "pin down" Thaksin as investigators would wrap up the graft probe against him by the end of the month. "Noppadon has been inventing new allegations, which are personal in nature, to divert public attention from his boss. If he had the evidence, he would have had to reveal the matter in public. He could have just gone ahead and lodged a complaint,'' Sensern said. Noppadon dismissed Surayud's statement and said Thaksin would have to face a court if he was charged. "The court has not ruled, so Thaksin is still innocent,'' he said.
|
