Death threat alert

"The government asks for the courts and independent organisations to perform their duties to the best of their ability, without fear of anything. The government will provide full safety for you," Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva vowed in Davos, Switzerland, where he is attending the World Economic Forum.

Abhisit instructed authorities to determine whether the remarks by the rogue soldier could be deemed an act of intimidation. Such a warning was improper, he was cited by the Thai News Agency as saying.

Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said security has been tightened at the homes of prominent judges and members of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NAAC) and the now-defunct Assets Examination Committee (AEC).

Suthep, who is in charge of security affairs, said the measures were precautionary and not out of worry about the outspoken soldier's remarks.

There is a "strong chance" that Khattiya will be put in jail, he said. Last week, Khattiya was charged with illegal possession of weapons after police seized a cache of arms and ammunition during searches on his and his aides' military quarters.

The raids followed a grenade attack on Army headquarters. The assailants remain unknown, but Khattiya - a supporter of Thaksin and his red-shirt movement, and the prime suspect in the alleged bombing - denies any involvement.

Khattiya - also known as Seh Daeng - had said judges and NACC members, as well as former AEC members, would become targets of assassination. He said the motive could be anger related to Thaksin's Bt76-billion assets-seizure case, in which the verdict is due to be handed down on February 26.

The controversial general also said his warnings were usually correct.

Khattiya yesterday reiterated that he had nothing to do with the assassination plot.

"I want to warn judges to be careful both before and after judgement day because I don't know when they're going to shoot you. The gunman may be a professional killer or a hit man hired by people, because now the red shirts have become fanatical with patriotic sentiment as they feel they do not receive justice," he said.

Sak Korsaengruang, who was the AEC spokesman, demanded that the government put Khattiya under investigation for his revelation of the "assassination plot".

Sak said Suthep must question law-enforcement agencies on how Khattiya was allowed to make such a menacing statement.

"Khattiya must be summoned for interrogation on what intentions he had and, if it is not true, he must be subjected to legal action for intimidation and inciting political turmoil," he said.

Kaewsan Atibhodi, another former AEC member, said he wondered how Khattiya had found out about the purported assassination conspiracy.

"He acts like he knows a lot. Though sometimes what he says is true and other times not true. Where did he hear it, or will he do it by himself?" he said.

Kaewsan said he did not mind if police provided him extra protection, though he would rather not make it a big issue.

AEC chairman Nam Yimyaem said he did not believe Khattiya's sabre-rattling, but he would pay extra attention and not be careless.

"People who make such a statement do not carry it out, but those who do it will not say it," he said.

"The intention is to scare judges so that they yield [in Thaksin's assets case]. I don't think that is going to work, but it will make those who are intimidated determined to perform their duty," he said.

Ex-AEC member Udom Fuangfung said he was not frightened. He and the AEC have proven that they carried out their activities objectively, he said.

Klanarong Chantik, a member of the NACC and an ex-AEC member, said he had devoted his life and work for the country and if he must pay with his life, so be it. He said he would not seek any special protection, as he believes nothing can prevent such a fate.

Democrat spokesman Buranat Samutrak said the party had some concern over the observations by retired General Panlop Pinmanee and Khattiya about possible assassination attempts against agencies, courts of justice and independent agencies, since their offices had been targeted by grenades.

"Khattiya's predictions always turn out to be true. The government must take action because such action creates a climate of terror. This is an act of terrorism," he said.

Former intelligence chief Prasong Soonsiri warned the government not to ignore the assassination-plot revelation, as he personally believes it is possible if there is an opportunity for people to carry it out.

"We cannot be careless. There are many things we cannot see," he said.

If there is really an assassination plot in the making, Khattiya cannot do it alone, he said.

"If there are no other people behind it, would Seh Daeng be this brave? He is only a small fish in a big gang," Prasong added.