"Powerful man wants to send powerful message" : Sondhi

People's Alliance for Democracy leader Sondhi Limthongkul yesterday blamed rogue soldiers for trying to kill him, attributing the motive to a desire to end the mass movement by the yellow and red shirts, but stopped short of naming names.

It was his first press conference after he was seriously wounded in the April 17 gun attack on his car.

"The attempt on my life is meant to send out a signal to mass movement leaders, regardless of red shirts or yellow shirts, to disband," Sondhi said.

He said he suspected the gun attack was also designed to threaten Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

"If I was killed, then this means Abhisit can also be the next target. In this country men with guns can do anything without thinking how Thailand will survive," he said.

He said he was picked as the assassination target for two reasons - one was to intimidate the media because of his dual role as a media professional and the other was to undermine the mass movement because he was the PAD leader.

Based on his eyewitness account of the gun attack, he said the gunmen were well-trained soldiers.

He said he clearly saw the men spraying bullets from assault rifles like M-16s and AK-47s from a distance of 20 meters.

The men sat on the back of a pickup truck to open fire like in military training, he said. About four trucks were involved in the gun attack and about 10 men were part of the operation.

It was a suspicious coincidence that all five security cameras at the scene were out of order at the time of the gun attack, he said.

"I suspect a powerful figure might be involved as an accomplice," he said.

It was unlikely that the attack would occur during the state of emergency were there not a green light from higher echelons, he said.

He said certain rogue soldiers carried out the attack, which he did not believe was condoned by the Royal Thai Armed Forces.

He said he noted that none of the top military leaders showed any concern or sympathy for his plight.

He pointed out that rogue soldiers did not just attempt to take his life but were also involved in grenade attacks at Don Mueang Airport, the Constitution Court and Government House during the street protests by the yellow shirts.

As to the masterminds, he said he did not suspect Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan, Army chief General Anupong Paochinda and philanthropist Thanphuying Viraya Javakul.

The use of military weapons has raised speculation about the military's hand in the attack, while Viriya has been forced to come out and deny any involvement after Sondhi claimed a certain high-profile woman was among those who chipped in to sponsor the assault.

Sondhi ended his news conference with the sarcastic remark that those responsible for the attempt on his life would have to live with the guilt for the rest of their lives even though they would be able to get themselves off the legal hook.

He vowed to continue leading the PAD-led mass movement after his recuperation in the United States. He said he was on doctor's orders to rest.

He also said he expects police to announce the arrest of the gunmen this month.