Former PM has options to avoid facing justice

Sopon Onkgara mentioned that there are at least thirteen criminal cases being brought or prepared against former prime minister Thaksin, with a slim chance for him to win acquittal in all cases. Sopon did not think that Thaksin would face jail time.

But here are a set of options for Thaksin if he is convicted and exhausts all appeals.

First, even with his questionable loyalty to the monarchy, it is not above him to petition the King for clemency.

Second, he may choose to leave Thailand and become a fugitive from justice. This option is not altogether undesirable. A permanent exile would remove him from the axis of polarisation in Thai society.

Third, he may go all out and "engineer" a military coup to grant him amnesty for the sake of national unity. If due process is accorded Thaksin, and justice is carried out, it is unlikely that a pro-Thaksin coup could be staged in the face of a possible mass uprising. But a pre-emptive coup ahead of the verdict cannot be ruled out, especially if the PAD is weakened.

We are witnessing high drama unfolding while hoping that our political and social institutions endure.

Netirat Intira

Bangkok

Govt and opposition are as bad as each other

Re: "Anti-govt demonstrations inflame political situation", Letters, July 22.

Heang Bun's letter made me think I have been misinterpreting all the recent' views of the behaviour of the current inept crop of government ministers. The second paragraph of his letter slating the leaders of the PAD could equally be applied to the PPP. I quote:  "These extreme, unconscionable leaders should have no place in civilised Thai society. They are trampling upon their people's consciences, they are making up history, and they are looking down upon the international community which knows that Preah Vihear belongs to Cambodia. Stop the political madness and stop fooling the innocent Thai people!" 

This is truly an apt description of many of those currently in power today.

The antics of both the PAD and PPP regarding Preah Vihear  are best described as pathetic and juvenile. When will common sense ever prevail?

Chris Kaye

Chonburi

Unesco critics need to check their facts

PAD co-leader Maj General Chamlong Srimuang is calling for Thailand to withdraw from Unesco, evidently over the Preah Vihear issue. If so, the general should check his facts and publicly apologise to Unesco - for as Mr Sheldon Shaeffer, director of Unesco, Bangkok noted earlier this month in the English newspapers: "Unesco does not control the World Heritage Committee". It merely serves as a neutral, non-voting secretariat. To punish it because we didn't like the outcome would be to kill the messenger. Hardly a mature act for a major general.

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok

Thailand will be a successful Asean chair

Thailand is more than capable of leading Asean, given the charisma and fair-minded wisdom of the highly-respected, always diplomatic Asean secretary-general, Surin Pitsuwan. This distinguished gentleman deserves our fullest confidence, trust and support, moving full-speed ahead to ratify the new Asean charter. Pax vobiscum.

Chanchai Prasertson

Bangkok

An interesting look at recent Thai history

The 1996 book "Angels and Devils", by David Murray, published by White Orchid Press, deals with Thai politics from February 1991 to September 1992. Is a good history of the timeframe of General Suchinda Kraprayoon. On page 210, Plate 8.5 - "Samak justifies the killings of May" - is very interesting. On page 209 it outlines the re-formation of the Muan Chon, Prachakorn Thai and Rassadorn parties. All three parties backed Suchinda.

Tom Klong 3

Bangkok

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