source : bangkokpost.comPolitics
UDD to submit petition on Aug 17
Writer: BangkokPost.com
Published: 3/08/2009 at 02:40 PM
Bowing to a barrage of criticism that Aug 7 is inappropriate, the UDD has set a new date to submit its petition for a royal pardon for fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra,
The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship has settled on Monday Aug 17, the same day the Supreme Court is due to deliver its verdict in the rubber saplings corruption case, which involves many former Thaksin cabinet ministers including Bumjaithai defacto leader Newin Chidchob.
Originally, the red-shirted group planned to submit the petition and lists of supporting signatures on Aug 7. However, the choice of the date was slammed as being inappropriate by critics who pointed out that it is known as “Gun Explosion Day” -- the date the outlawed Communist Party of Thailand launched its war of liberation against the Establishment in 1965.
UDD core leader Veera Musikhapong said on Monday that so far 5.4 million people had signed the petition. Another leader, Natthawut Saikua, said he would file a complaint with the National Anti-Corruption Commission against Interior Minister Chavarat Charnvirakul and his deputy, Boonjong Wongtrairat, accusing them of abuse of authority for attempting to prevent Thaksin’s supporters signing the pardon petition.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Sunday that he would have the signature lists checked to find out any of those who signed the petition did so under duress or after being misled.
The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions is due to deliver its verdict in the rubber saplings corruption case on Aug 7. The case concerns a government project to provide 90 million rubber saplings to farmers at a cost of 1.440 billion baht.
The saplings were provided by Charoek Pokphand, Resort Land and Ek Charoen companies.
A total of 44 former cabinet members of the disbanded Thai Rak Thai party and government officials were charged in the case and put on trial. They include former deputy prime minister Somkid Jatusripitak in his capacity as chairman of the committee to assist farmers, former finance minister Varathep Rattanakorn, former agriculture minister Sora-ath Klinprathum, former commerce minister Adisai Potharamik and Newin Chidchob, who was then deputy agriculture minister in the Thaskin government.
The UDD has claimed the Bhumjaithai party’s recent role in organising a campaign against the signature collection drive might be intended to influence the Supreme Court’s decision in the case.
This suggestion that the verdict may be somehow compromised is widely viewed as an insult to the court.
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