'Time is past' for talks with government

Ousted expremier Thaksin Shinawatra last night ruled out the possibility of talks with the government, saying that it was too late.

"The time for talks has passed. This matter is not about me; it's about the country, democracy and the future of our children and grandchildren," he told his red clad supporters through a video linkup during their gathering outside Government House.

He instead warned the government of a "people's revolution".

Thaksin also called on people who want "true democracy and justice in Thailand" to take part in a gathering of the "red shirts" next Wednesday (April 8) at the Royal Plaza.

He advised those in the provinces who are unable to join the rally in Bangkok to protest at the local provincial halls.

He expected to see "a revolution by the people" that is larger than the ones in October 1973 and May 1992.

Thaksin also rejected rumours that he had been arrested and was killed after his nightly speech disappeared for two consecutive days.

"I was absent to hear what people said [about his previous speeches]," he said. "I am still fine."

The exleader blamed Thailand's frequent military coups and a "lack of true democracy" for the country's poor competitiveness against other countries.

He said the Thai politics now is dominated by aristocrats and the Bangkok middle class, and "not truly for the people".

There were interruptions throughout his speech last night, during the broadcast through the satellitebased D Station television and its website.

Meanwhile a privy councillor accused Thaksin of trying to overthrow the monarchy.

Privy councillor General Pichitr Kullavanijaya called on the authorities to take action, saying that the government was "a bit too slow" in dealing with the matter.

The rare political remark by the privy councillor came as the ruling Democrat Party expected Thaksin to tone down his attacks on certain royal advisers following a meeting with someone he respects.

Democrat Party deputy spokesman Boonyod Sukthinthai said yesterday that the political situation would improve because Thaksin had listened to a senior figure he deeply respects.

Boonyod said he had received reliable information that Thaksin was about to meet that person in a European country. The exleader had left Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates, where he has lived in exile, on Thursday night.

The Democrat spokesman said Thaksin was expected to tone down his aggressiveness in future addresses to his redshirt supporters. In his previous addresses through a video linkup, Thaksin repeatedly attacked Privy Council president General Prem Tinsulanonda and another privy councillor, General Surayud Chulanont, accusing them of political intervention and masterminding the 2006 coup that overthrew his government.

According to Boonyod, the person Thaksin was to meet is a former ambassador in his 80s, who is a distant relative and has been close to Thaksin's family for generations.

Pichitr, the privy councillor, said during a function at the Defence Ministry yesterday that he thought Thaksin acted in contempt of His Majesty the King when he said in his speech that he would act whatever the King would "whisper in my ear". Pichitr said it was improper to make such a remark.

The privy councillor also said he had learned from former American ambassador Ralph Boyce that Thaksin had a bank account on the Cayman Islands, which is known as a major haven for money laundering. He called on authorities to look into the matter.

"He was in office for five to six years and he had as much as Bt100 billion in deposits. Just think about it," Pichitr said.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said yesterday that he would look into the suspicion of money laundering regarding Thaksin.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said that he and his government were ready to hold talks with Thaksin in order to ease the political tension caused by the ongoing rally by the redclad supporters of the exleader.

Speaking from London, Abhisit said that he expected the offer would help the country move on. He added that the move was based mainly on the national interest. He was speaking at the side of the G20 summit of major economies.

Deputy Premier Suthep, who on Wednesday extended an olive branch to Thaksin, reiterated yesterday that he was ready to be engaged in a talk with the ex-leader.

Thaksin's personal spokesman Pongthep Thepkanchana said yesterday that the former prime minister was willing to hold a talk with Suthep. But Theptai Senapong, Abhisit's spokesman, said he would be convinced only when that offer came from Thaksin's mouth.