Thaksin's phoneinremarks 'awkward' for king

Addressing a massive crowd of tens of thousands gathering at the Rajamangala Stadium through a satellite interview, Thaksin said only either "royal kindness" or "the power of the people" could bring him home after the Supreme Court had sentenced him to two years in jail.

The statement and its possible underlying meaning have triggered strong criticism by his opponents, who viewed the remarks as a probable attempt to "pressure" the monarch.

The top brass meeting at the Army headquarters discussed whether the speech was "proper", said some of those present. The military leaders who talked to reporters declined to criticise Thaksin for putting the King under direct pressure, but they admitted it might create an "awkward" situation for him.

"It sounded as if Thaksin was begging for HM the King to step in and take care of things, while in fact Thaksin hasn't even received punishment yet," said General Apichat Penkitti, permanent secretary for defence.

However, a source said that according to views expressed at the meeting, Thaksin "did go too far" in his speech, first by showing complete disrespect for the courts and then by begging for royal kindness.

Meanwhile, Army chief Anupong Paochinda repeated his stand while presiding over a gathering of unit heads yesterday that the Army could not take sides in the current situation.

"The military, the Army in particular, has been under pressure from both sides. We can't take any side. We have to remain the country's pillar and choosing sides would make the public lose faith in us," he said.

Meanwhile, People Power Party spokesman Kuthep Saikrachang said any signature drive to seek a royal pardon for convicted former PM Thaksin was a matter for individual MPs and not a policy of the party.

Kuthep said after a special party meeting was held to discuss the matter that he was not sure if MPs or pro-Thaksin supporters could petition the King for clemency on Thaksin's behalf, as Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat - himself a former judge - said that had to be done directly by Thaksin.

"I need to look into the law first," Kuthep said.

The party's opponents are trying to "misinform" the public that it is the PPP that is behind the amnesty move, he said.

Those against the party are behind the slander, while people now want to see peace and reconciliation, he added.

The party is still determined to go ahead with the appointment of the new constitution drafting assembly, he said.

Although the party considers amending Article 291 of the charter as crucial, the drafting assembly will not be told what to do, he said.

"We don't know what issue will be touched [on by the assembly] ... We have no dummy [for the new charter] ... If we did, we would be accused of serving our own interests."