Generals 'can't bar Thaksin'
The Council for National Security (CNS) has no authority to bar deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra from entering the country to defend himself against fraud charges related to a land purchase, a Supreme Court judge said yesterday.
"The defendants must be present in court," said Justice Praphan Sapsaeng, chairman of the court's political-office holders division. He responded to a CNS claim that Thaksin should not enter the country at this time because he could cause trouble and destroy the road map back to democracy. The Assets Examination Committee recently asked the attorney-general to charge Thaksin and his wife Pojaman in relation to her purchase of land on Ratchadaphisek Road in Bangkok in 2003. Praphan, whose division will hear the case, said it was a universal standard that defendants be present in court. If the CNS prohibited Thaksin's return, the court would summon the CNS leaders to explain why, he said. If the CNS failed to convince the court it could punish them, Praphan added. Thaksin recently told the CNS and Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont that he looked forward to returning to the country to defend himself. Meanwhile, CNS deputy chairman Air Chief Marshal Chalit Pukphasuk said he was unsure where the case against Thaksin stood. If it reaches court, the CNS would have to consider allowing Thaksin to return to Thailand, he said.
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