Thaksin call would prove divisive

If convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is allowed to make a phone-in speech from London to a gathering of his supporters in Bangkok on November 1, it will drive a deeper wedge into the political divide, critics said yesterday.

The government argues,however, that Thaksin's teleconference address would exercise his civil right to air his views.

News reports claim Thaksin plans to place a long-distance call to greet his supporters during the rally, which is an offshoot of the pro-government "Today's Truth" show on NBT.

The event at Rajamangala National Stadium is being organised by anti-coup activists, including government spokesman Natthawut Saikua.

Academic Hohmadsomboon Bualuang said yesterday that Thaksin is trying to undermine the judiciary - and his conviction in the Ratchadaphisek land case - by flaunting his support from the crowd.

"I call on the government to put a brake on Thaksin's plans, otherwise the turmoil will intensify," he said.

Thaksin was acting in an irresponsible manner by trying to save himself at the expense of society, he said.

Sodsri Phao-inchan, dean of mass communications at Chiang Mai University, said Thaksin should do nothing since he is a fugitive.

"The better way for Thaksin is to surrender," she said. "It's for sure that Thaksin's talk will create more tension in our country. So he should not pour gasoline on a campfire."

The "Today's Truth" show on NBT should also be pulled because it created more tension in society, she added.

Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat said his government had no involvement in the rally nor Thaksin's planned telephone call. Somchai dismissed speculation that Thaksin might stir up problems if he was allowed to talk to the audience.

"I am confident there will be no impact and everyone should respect one another regarding freedom of speech," he said.

Thaksin is acting in his personal capacity, which has nothing to do with the government, he said.

Government spokesman Natthawut said Thaksin is entitled to give his opinion as a Thai citizen.

Natthawut said rally organisers would outline the details of the programme next week. The format of Thaksin's participation will also become clearer as organisers have only just heard about his idea to place a call, he said.The rally should not cause any civil disturbance since it would be held inside the stadium.

The rally was independent of a plan by former deputy national police chief , General Salang Bunnag to lay siege to Government House in order to force the People's Alliance for Democracy to end its protests there, he said.

Rally organisers and Salang might have a common goal in opposing the PAD but they did not coordinate their activities, he said.

Democrat Party chief adviser Chuan Leekpai said the government was required to safeguard the judiciary from Thaksin's mud slinging. If the government opts to turn a blind eye to the smear campaign against the bench, then it is being negligent, he said.

Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva repeated his call for Thaksin to accept his conviction and two-year jail sentence instead of stirring up trouble to aggravate the political polarisation. Thaksin should think about the country rather than act in his own interests, he said.

PAD leader Chamlong Srimuang said the rally would backfire by undermining the government rather than having an impact on PAD.

He reminded the government that it should not allow the state-run television station to broadcast the rally live since it is a private, non-government, function.

PAD co-leader Pipop Thongchai said he saw no cause for using the state-run station to air the private views of Thaksin.