Poll: about 1/3rd sympathetic to Thaksin's plight

In the Suan Dusit Poll released yesterday, 6,143 respondents were split evenly on their reactions to Thaksin's remarks.

Among the sympathisers (38 per cent), some believed Thaksin was forced to make a direct plea to the people because he was a victim of injustice.

But sceptics (39 per cent) cast doubt on Thaksin's credibility. Among them, 11 per cent completely rejected Thaksin's remarks which they saw as a gimmick to incite the people.

In regard to Thaksin's whereabouts, chief prosecutor for foreign litigation, Sirisak Tiyaphan said police and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had never confirmed where Thaksin lived in exile.

Although the MFA notified Thaksin had made his remarks from the United Arab Emirates and Nicaragua, public prosecutors subsequently issued extradition requests to the two countries from April - but no progress was made, Sirisak said.

"The key to bringing back Thaksin is to locate his confirmed address," he said.

He said he could not speculate whether the extradition of Thaksin would be successful or not before the expiry of the statute of limitations.

According to news reports, Thaksin is constantly travelling and his mobility is the main obstacle to writing a clear and specific request for extradition, he said.

The issue is further complicated by Thailand having no extradition agreements with several countries where Thaksin is seeking safe haven, he said.

In commenting on the red-shirt demand for House dissolution, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the demand was a repeat of the red-shirts' stand.

"I have said several times I have no objection to a snap election pending the implementation of the economic revitalisation package," he said.

Abhisit said he will dissolve the House as soon as the economic package is on course and political polarisation has been dissipated to a point ensuring balloting will not trigger violence.

He refused to comment on the red shirts' plan to launch a signature campaign to solicit the support of one million voters asking for a royal pardon for Thaksin.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said he suspected the red shirts would continue to demand a snap election, even though the government had already spelled out a road map for returning the mandate to the people.

"I think the red shirts just want to stir up trouble regardless of what the government would say or do," he said. He urged parties concerned to unite in fighting economic woes instead of trying to deepen the political polarisation.

Democrat Party spokesman Buranaj Smutharaks said Saturday's rally was proof the red shirts wanted to drive a wedge in society and continue the polarisation.

Buranaj reminded the red shirts their plan for the signature campaign demanding a Thaksin royal pardon might be construed as offensive to the monarchy.

Two ranking Democrats, Sathit Pitudecha and Thepthai Senpong, voiced strong opposition to the demand for the royal pardon.

Thepthai said although Thaksin has the right to fight legally, he should not try to sway sentiment to pressure the judiciary, nor involve the monarchy.

He said Thaksin should reflect on his plight instead of trying to elude the law.

"Instead of complaining about living in exile for three years, Thaksin could have served his two-year jail term already and be a free man for a year now," he said.