RED SHIRTS' SIGNATURE CAMPAIGN

Petition damned as divisive ploy

By The Nation
Published on July 31, 2009

Move drags the monarchy into politics: govt. Army alert amid 'plans of unrest'

After an initial delay, Abhisit Vejjajiva's government has started a campaign to counter the red shirts' move to collect 3 million signatures for the petition of a royal pardon for ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The government has instructed state-run media outlets to remind the public about the impropriety of involving the monarchy in politics, PM's Office Minister Satit Wongnongtaey said yesterday.

"The issue of a royal pardon has caused so much confusion, and organisers of the signature campaign have been flouting the law," he said.

Satit added that the red shirts were using their move to seek a royal pardon as a pretext for deepening social and political divisions. He urged the public to be cautious, or else they might play an unwitting hand in miring the monarchy in a political game.

Red-shirt leaders Jatuporn Promphan, Veera Musigapong and Natthawut Saikua have vowed to collect 3 million signatures and present the petition to the Royal Household Bureau or the Office of the Private Secretary to His Majesty the King next Friday. The move is seen as yet another attempt by Thaksin's supporters to weaken the revered monarchy.

Thaksin was found guilty in absentia of corruption over the Ratchadaphisek land scam and sentenced to two years in prison last October. He fled the country last August and has been a fugitive ever since.

Under Thai law, criminals can only petition for royal amnesty after they have served time for a certain period and expressed repentance. Thaksin has not served any time in prison or admitted to any wrongdoing. Instead, all he has done is vow to return and lead the country again.

Meanwhile, Interior Minister Chaovarat Chan-weerakul told all provincial governors and district chiefs to set up tables in front of their offices from today and persuade people who had signed the petition to withdraw their signatures.

"Anyone who wishes to withdraw his or her signature can do so. But they must come in person with their ID cards, in order to prevent any confusion," the minister said.

Yesterday, national police chief General Patcharawat Wongsuwan and National Intelligence Agency (NIA) chief Adul Kowattana briefed Prime Minister Abhisit about the movement for amnesty. Adul said in reality, fewer than 1 million people had signed the petition, because the process of authenticating names, backgrounds and profiles was far too complicated, while some had changed their minds.

The NIA believes the red shirts will probably start creating political chaos from next Monday - the day Abhisit turns 45.

"I don't think we can stop the red shirts from rallying or submitting a petition. They can allow them to do that, but I'm concerned they're trying to bring the monarchy into politics. They're free to attack me, but they should not touch the monarchy," Abhisit said.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan yesterday ordered the armed forces to monitor the signature campaign.

He said the armed forces were obligated to uphold the monarchy and that the pardon petition was affecting the country's revered institution.

Prawit ordered military leaders to ensure peace in society and safeguard the monarchy.

(www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/07/31/politics/politics_30108760.php)