Poll shows interest in Thaksin trial, but 80% not overly fearful
Almost half of residents polled in Bangkok believe politics will remain fragmented no matter how the court decides on the foreclosure of the Bt76-billion assets amassed by ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.
About one in two even suspect tensions to escalate following the verdict scheduled for Friday, Abac Poll said in a survey released yesterday.
But eight in 10 said they were not overly concerned and would go about their lives as usual.
A majority of seven in 10 are closely monitoring news related to case. Should violence break out like the Songkran street riots last year, nine in 10 expect more extensive damage.
Meanwhile Pheu Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit lashed out at police for failing to unmask those behind the bombs planted at the Supreme Court complex and detonated near Government House.
The offer of a Bt2-million reward for information was proof that police were clueless about the perpetrators, he said, adding that the government failed to enforce the law for crimes linked to powerful figures.
The case may never be solved because men in uniform close to the government were behind the incidents, he said.
Those siding with the government might try to stir up trouble in order to frame the opposition movement as inciting violence, he said
The five days before and after the verdict on the assets case would be critical, as violence could erupt, he said.
"The crowd control drill on Saturday involving 4,000 riot troops was a signal of impending danger," he said, claiming the government was preparing for a harsh crackdown.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he suspected a bomb threat at the Education Ministry was an attempt to stir up trouble.
"The government is trying to ensure peace and order for the benefit of all parties and I would like to remind everyone that the matter of national security should not be taken lightly," he said.
In the face of growing anxiety over the upcoming verdict, all sides should act responsibly instead of condoning pranksters determined to inflame political hysteria, he said.
The government was fully prepared to prevent violence, he said, although he did not anticipate a downward spiral into upheaval.
Thailand could get over the travel warnings issued by some 20 countries once society could prove that it could prevail despite the asset case, he said.
The country would overcome all issues involving Thaksin upon reaching closure of the judicial proceedings. It is in the public interest to move beyond Thaksin's personal grievances, he said.
Even though Thaksin twittered the masses to rally in defiance of the upcoming verdict, the red shirts have to duty to obey the law, he said.
People could draw their own conclusion regarding Thaksin's pledge to distribute Bt100,000 to each individual if he could win a favourable ruling on his Bt76 billion fortune, he said.
Authorities were keeping a close watch on red-shirt leaders, including suspended Maj General Khattiya "Seh Daeng" Sawasdipol, in order to foil any attempts to provoke chaos, he said.
The government would not intervene so long as the red shirts did not turn unruly, he said. Authorities were keeping tabs on suspicious movements to transport upcountry protesters to the capital, he said.
The business community had put up the Bt2 million to help police solve the bomb cases. This is a good sign that all sectors of society want to help deter violence, he said.
A coup by the military was out of the picture, as the situation was not such as to warrant the seizure of power, he said.
Although retired General Boonlert Kaewprasit has warned about military intervention if attacks on the monarchy and the Privy Council continued, the government would not allow such attacks to become a serious threat and used to justify a putsch, he said.
Democrat Party spokesman Buranaj Smutharaks said his main coalition party was in full support of the government's five measures to thwart any bloody outbreak and ensure peace related to the upcoming verdict.
The government would
-Step up the awareness campaign to dispel concern for a repeat of the Songkran mayhem.
-Disseminate information about the integrity of the judiciary and the justice system.
-Counter any attempts to politicise the country's core institutions.
-Dispel lingering doubts about recurring coups.
-Boost confidence that the situation would not plunge into chaos.
