Govt must make sure that the charges stick

In the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks against the US, the then American president George W Bush told the world that "Either you're with us or with them" - and how we hated it.

If he is not careful, Prime Minister Ahhisit Vejjajiva may be taking Thailand down the same path as he shifts to a higher gear diplomatically in his attempt to bring Thaksin Shinawatra to justice for his alleged role in the mayhem last month when his red-shirt supporters torched more than 30 buildings around Bangkok.

Thaksin has been charged with terrorism, and the Department of Special Investigation has provided copies of the arrest warrant to 187 Interpol member countries, asking them to help capture the fugitive former premier, according to DSI chief Tharit Pengdit.

The DSI will also ask the Office of the Attorney-General to proceed with extradition requests to countries in which the ousted premier has been living since his self-imposed exile, while the Foreign Ministry will also circulate the documents through diplomatic channels to explain Thailand's position.

Thaksin, who has a residence in Dubai and holds Montenegrin citizenship, has been working to destabilise the Thai government at every opportunity. But his welcome in certain countries is running out, as foreign governments begin to see through his schemes. Allowing him entry is one thing, but using his host's hospitality to launch attacks on Thailand is another entirely.

In a post-September 11 world, terrorism conjures up images of towers crumbling and thousands of innocent lives lost. While one can argue that torching more than 30 buildings in one day is no small feat, it is not clear if the arson attacks in Bangkok and provincial capitals were merely a parting shot from the red shirts following their leaders' decision to call it quits, or part of an overall plan from the beginning by the pro-Thaksin camp.

Judging from the physical evidence, it is clear that many didn't want to return home empty handed, thus brand name goods were swiped from the shopping malls that were set ablaze.

Yes, there were statements to the effect that Bangkok would become a "sea of fire" and that the reds would "fight to the death". But these things are said at rallies to get people psyched up. But what happens when it becomes reality? Who pays the price?

The red leaders must share the responsibility. The two-month gathering was not a spontaneous act, as at Tian'anmen Square. It was thoroughly planned, with alleged financing by Thaksin from abroad.

The red leaders spent much of the time demonising the government, trying to cash in on the grievances of the country's have-nots. They lost whatever moral authority they possessed when they allowed armed men dressed in black into their rank and file. In retrospect it appears that these armed men were part of a bigger plan to create the needed chaos to bring about the fall of the government and the return of Thaksin.

But when it became clear to the red leaders that nothing had worked, and that it was time to pack up and leave, the hardcore demonstrators had different ideas. It didn't occur to the red leaders that their statements of hate were being taken to heart. Perhaps they thought free food and pocket money was enough to keep the rioters at bay.

And now, with the flames doused, the authorities must render justice to the so-called terrorists and arsonists. Someone has to pay. Given the political nature of the crisis, red shirts arrested on arson charges or other acts of violence may have to serve time in jail.

Still, that leaves Thaksin and the terrorism charges and the ongoing humiliation of not being able to get foreign countries to cooperate. Thaksin will probably continue to irritate Thailand for the unforeseeable future. But let's face it, he is not Osama bin Laden.

The government needs to prove beyond reasonable doubt Thaksin's involvement in the arson attacks. And if other countries continue to permit him to stay, let them do so at their own peril. The payback could be nasty.