Pracha looks after number one

MONGKOL BANGPRAPA

Puea Pandin leader Pol Gen Pracha Promnok raised several eyebrows yesterday when he cast a vote for himself, instead of abstaining as is the custom. Journalists in a press room monitoring the vote gasped in collective awe when the former police chief uttered ''Pracha Promnok'' during the roll call.

Candidates nominated for the prime ministerial post and the House Speaker traditionally abstain.

Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and House Speaker Chai Chidchob yesterday both abstained from voting.

It was speculated that Pol Gen Pracha decided to vote for himself because he was unsure he would receive adequate support _ as proved to be the case.

Hours before the crucial vote, both candidates could still not be sure of the outcome. But the Democrat party seemed to have a psychological upper hand.

Four small parties and a faction earlier held a press conference to voice support for Mr Abhisit. And members of Friends of Newin, a breakaway faction from the dissolved People Power party, were seated in a strategic position, surrounded by Democrat MPs during the vote.

Appointed Senator Prasarn Maruekpitak disagreed with Pol Gen Pracha's breaking from the traditional practice.

His view was echoed by former senator Chirmsak Pinthong.

''We should let others say whether or not we are fitted for the post. We do not say it ourselves,'' Mr Chirmsak said.

From www.bangkokpost.com

MPs held in safe hotels before vote

Democrat allies told not to use telephones

PRADIT RUANGDIT

The Democrat party-led alliance kept MPs in safe places yesterday to make sure they were not lured away to the rival camp led by the Puea Thai party ahead of today's vote in parliament for prime minister.

Reports of huge sums of money being spent to stop Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva becoming the next government leader prompted the party's allies to gather their members in well-guarded places yesterday.

Nonetheless, Puea Thai executives expressed confidence their choice for prime minister, Puea Pandin leader Pracha Promnok, would beat Mr Abhisit by about 10 votes.

A breakaway faction from the dissolved People Power party led by Buri Ram politician Newin Chidchob and four former government coalition parties - Chart Thai Pattana (the re-formed Chart Thai), Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana, Puea Pandin and Phum Jai Thai (the re-formed Matchimathipataya party) - have reaffirmed their support for Mr Abhisit.

A source from the Friends of Newin camp said rooms in the Pullman Hotel at Soi Rang Nam were arranged for its members to stay the night ahead of the extraordinary House session to choose a new prime minister today.

Its members were not permitted to carry mobile phones or use telephones, and were to travel together in the same vehicle to attend the House meeting to further limit their chances of coming into contact with "money politics", the source said.

A Puea Pandin source, at the same time, said 17 Puea Pandin party members were put in a safe place at a hotel under the care of party spokesman Chaiyos Jiramethakarn yesterday.

The source added influential Puea Pandin chief adviser Vatana Asavahame, a fugitive convicted of corruption in the Klong Dan scandal, had also given assurances to Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban that he supported Mr Abhisit as prime minister.

A Chart Thai Pattana source said its members were also lodged at a hotel in the Lan Luang area for the night before the vote today.

Suwat Liptapanlop, a key figure in Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana, and party secretary-general Pradit Phataraprasit were each looking after four MPs.

Pol Gen Pracha had met former police chief Pol Gen Pao Sarasin to seek advice on the political situation, a close associate said.

Acting Energy Minister Wannarat Charnnukul, the Ruam Jai Thai deputy leader, confirmed that all nine members of the party will raise their hands in support of Mr Abhisit.

Mr Suthep did not believe the pre-recorded video speech by Thaksin Shinawatra on Saturday would change the resolve of the four parties and the Newin camp who had decided to support Mr Abhisit.

"I am confident the Friends of Newin group are firm in their decision. They have made up their mind. What Mr Thaksin said was just about his own concerns," Mr Suthep said.

In the speech, Thaksin warned that politicians who "betrayed" people would face the consequences.

Mr Abhisit said if he is elected prime minister he will tackle problems facing the country head on, with the economy as his priority.

He would need a talented team to help him run the country.

He denied suggestions the military had played a hand in pushing him as prime minister.

"I have risen through democratic procedures, and never take short cuts. I am not in a position to set up a party of my own. I am only an MP who has the support of my colleagues," Mr Abhisit said.

However, Puea Pandin deputy leader Prapat Wisetjinda was confident that Pol Gen Pracha will be elected prime minister.

He predicted Pol Gen Pracha will beat Mr Abhisit by about 10 votes.

From www.bangkokpost.com

Thaksin bends to keep hopes alive

THE WORD: Supporters of Thaksin Shinawatra listen to his pre-recorded video speech during a rally at the national stadium.

PHONE-IN CANCELLED AFTER ALLIES THREATEN TO WITHDRAW SUPPORT
AEKARACH SATTABURUTH and WASSANA NANUAM

Ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra last night bowed to pressure from his political allies and cancelled his live phone-in speech to supporters at Suphachalasai National Stadium.

Veera Musikhapong, organiser of the Truth Today rally, said the phone-in was dropped at the request of Pracharaj leader Sanoh Thienthong and Puea Pandin leader Pracha Promnok.

Mr Sanoh warned that the phone-in address should not take place if Puea Thai, formed to accommodate the disbanded People Power party, wanted Mr Sanoh to lobby MPs to form a national government under the leadership of Pol Gen Pracha.

After it became clear Thaksin would not address the meeting, Mr Sanoh announced he would go ahead to lobby MPs to vote for Pol Gen Pracha.

The former prime minister nevertheless last night addressed tens of thousands of his supporters who packed the 40,000-seat stadium in a pre-recorded video message.

In the message recorded in Bali, Thaksin called on those who were interfering in the formation of the government to step aside.

"They should step back. They must admit the outcome [of the fight]. Those in power must stop interfering," he said.

He said a "silent coup" had been undertaken, with the justice system abused to get rid of the PPP despite its poll victory. The country would be the loser if the voice of the majority was not respected.

Thaksin said he had been the target of three assassination attempts and was the victim of constant intimidation.

He also voiced concerns about the economic problems facing the country, which he said were difficult to solve because of the political turmoil and divisiveness. He also warned politicians who "betrayed" the people that there would be consequences.

"The people know what you think, but they do not talk. They will show you on election day," he said. "If they betray people, their entire family will lose. No matter who they field [in the elections] they will not win."

Thaksin's comments were believed to be directed at MPs who had deserted him to support the Democrat party attempt to set up a coalition government.

Tens of thousands of Thaksin supporters started pouring into Suphachalasai national stadium in the morning, bringing traffic on Rama I to a standstill.

Puea Thai MPs and leaders of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) turned out in force.

Crowds cheered as party members criticised the Democrat party's efforts to form a new government and accused the military of exerting pressure to disband the People Power party.

Behind the stage hung a large banner reading "Against the Hidden Coup, Defend Democracy". Banners condemning Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva and the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) hung around the stadium.

The rally-goers were also urged to join a sign-up campaign accusing the PAD of terrorism. Organisers plan to submit the petition to the United Nations.

Mr Veera said Thaksin had consulted him about the phone-in. He advised the former prime minister to cancel the live speech if it would help Puea Thai win the nomination of the prime minister.

Mr Veera also warned Mr Sanoh and Pol Gen Pracha to keep their promise, otherwise they would be confronted by "red-shirt" people.

The House will convene a special session tomorrow to select a new prime minister. Mr Veera said if people wanted to drop by parliament to show support for people they like, that was their right.

A small commotion broke out at 3pm when an explosion was heard outside the stadium. Police found evidence of a explosion under the skytrain opposite the national stadium.

From www.bangkokpost.com

Thaksin phone-in cancelled

Thaksin supporters

BangkokPost.com

Tens of thousands of supporters packed into the old national stadium in downtown Bangkok were disappointed on Saturday when a scheduled live speech by fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra was cancelled at the last minute.

Originally, Thaksin's address was to include both the recorded message and a live telephone conversation with Mr Veera, and last about an hour.

According UDD leader and political talk show host Veera Musikhapong, Pracharaj party leader Sanoh Thienthong and Puea Pandin party leader Pracha Promnok earlier phoned Thaksin, asking him not to phone-in live at the rally as it could affect the establishment of the new government.

But in a speech recorded previously and shown to the crowed in jam-packed Supachalasai stadium on Saturday evening, Thaksin told the army to stop "interfering" in Thai politics, and he urged unity to solve political problems.

Once again, he blamed the military and the judiciary for unseating him and for keeping him away from the country.

"At the moment the army is interfering," Thaksin said in the pre-recorded speech. "Those people who interfere in forming the government must stop and withdraw."

Speakers told the enthusiastic, red-clad crowd of around 25,000 that army chief Gen Anupong Paojinda had interfered in trying to unseat Thaksin supporters and install a Democrat party-led coalition as the government this week.

Thaksin interjected a call for unity into his otherwise partisan speech.

"All parties must join hands, look to the future and work to solve the country's problems," said.

The ex-premier criticised his former close aide Newin Chidchob, leader of the Friends of Newin faction, for undermining the Puea Thai party by siding with the Democrats to set up the next government.

Referring to his present life, Mr Thaksin said he is like a cornered dog and he had already survived two attempted assassinations.

He also opposed the idea that the army could be involved in forming the next administration.

Mr Thaksin condemned the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) for laying siege to Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports in the beginning of December.

He expressed concern over the economy and the rising unemployment in the country.

He had promised to name names, but instead merely repeated and updated his old charges that the army was meddling in Thai politics.

The recorded message marked the second public address by the former premier since he fled his pending court cases in August. The first was to a similar stadium rally last month.

He has since been sentenced in absentia to two years in jail on corruption charges and refuses to confirm where he is living since he was forced to leave Britain in November when his visa was revoked.

Thaksin was ousted in a 2006 coup following months of protests by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) who took to the streets again this year, accusing the government of acting as his proxy.

After six months of demonstrations that culminated in a blockade of Bangkok's airports that left 350,000 travellers stranded, the PAD finally stood down on Dec 3 when a court ruling forced premier Somchai Wongsawat from power and dissolved his People Power Party (PPP).

The PAD threatened on Friday to return to street demonstrations if Thaksin supporters, regrouped under the newly formed Puea Thai (For Thais) party, form the next government.

Thaksin's loyal supporters in their trademark red shirts, many from the North and Northeast, headed to Bangkok's Supachalasai stadium, the former Sanam Keela in Phatumwan district.

Thaksin's address came as lawmakers prepare to vote for a new prime minister on Monday in a special parliamentary session that looks likely to elect a Democrat-led coalition and oust his allies from power.

The PPP's ruling coalition has unravelled since the court decision, with some of the party's former members defecting to the opposition Democrats along with four smaller parties.

The rally cheered as speakers on Saturday spoke for Puea Thai and criticised what they alleged was political interference by army chief General Anupong Paojinda, who has admitted "advising" lawmakers on how to best resolve the crisis.

The Democrat party claims to have the support of 260 of the 438 lawmakers for Monday's vote, leaving their leader Abhisit Vejjajiva as the current frontrunner to take the premiership.

But Puea Thai have refused to admit defeat, saying they can still muster the support to form a governing coalition. (with reports by AFP)

Earlier report:

Tens of thousands of supporters packed into the old national stadium in downtown Bangkok were disappointed on Saturday when a scheduled speech by fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra was cancelled at the last minute.

The former premier, living in exile to escape corruption charges, was to

phone in to the rally at the stadium Saturday evening, after his allies

in government were forced out by a court ruling that has splintered

their coalition.

He was expected to use his speech to accuse the army of meddling in Thai politics. Instead, in a pre-recorded address, he urged unity.

He criticised "political interference" by certain groups and people, but did not name them.

Instead, he said, "all parties must join hands, look to the future and work to solve the country's problems."

Rally organiser Veera Musikhapong claimed that authorities "blocked" the live speech, which has been anticipated for several weeks. The estimated 25,000 supporters who packed the stadium were obviously disappointed.

Originally, Thaksin's address was to include both the recorded message and a live telephone conversation with Mr Veera, and last about an hour.

The recorded message marked the second public address by the former premier since he fled his pending court cases in August. The first was to a similar stadium rally last month.

He has since been sentenced in absentia to two years in jail on corruption charges and refuses to confirm where he is living since he was forced to leave Britain in November when his visa was revoked.

Thaksin was ousted in a 2006 coup following months of protests by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) who took to the streets again this year, accusing the government of acting as his proxy.

After six months of demonstrations that culminated in a blockade of Bangkok's airports that left 350,000 travellers stranded, the PAD finally stood down on Dec 3 when a court ruling forced premier Somchai Wongsawat from power and dissolved his People Power Party (PPP).

The PAD threatened on Friday to return to street demonstrations if Thaksin supporters, regrouped under the newly formed Puea Thai (For Thais) party, form the next government.

Thaksin's loyal supporters in their trademark red shirts, many

from the North and Northeast headed to Bangkok's Supachalasai stadium, the former Sanam Keela in Phatumwan district.

Thaksin's address comes as lawmakers prepare to vote for a new prime minister on Monday in a special parliamentary session that looks likely to elect a Democrat-led coalition and oust his allies from power.

The PPP's ruling coalition has unravelled since the court decision, with some of the party's former members defecting to the opposition Democrats along with four smaller parties.

The rally cheered as speakers on Saturday spoke for Puea Thai and criticised what they alleged was political interference by army chief General Anupong Paojinda, who has admitted "advising" lawmakers on how to best resolve the crisis.

The Democrat party claims to have the support of 260 of the 438 lawmakers for Monday's vote, leaving their leader Abhisit Vejjajiva as the current frontrunner to take the premiership.

But Puea Thai have refused to admit defeat, saying they can still muster the support to form a governing coalition.

Potjaman back

By Post Reporters

The former wife of convicted ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra returned unexpectedly to Thailand on Friday night in a move linked to concerns about the formation of a new government as the momentum shifts in favour of the opposition Democrat party.

She was registered as Potjaman Damapong and arrived at Suvarnabhumi airport from Hong Kong on Thai Airways International flight TG607 at 10.30pm. She was immediately whisked away by the chief of the Immigration Bureau, Pol Lt-Gen Chatchawan Suksomchit, to avoid the media.

About 30 members of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship in red shirts and supporters of the disbanded People Power party (PPP) were seen at the airport waiting to greet her.

Acting Deputy Commerce Minister Songkram Kitlertpairoj confirmed Khunying Potjaman's return but refused to say where she would go from the airport.

Khunying Potjaman divorced Thaksin in Hong Kong on Nov 14 in what many believe was for political or business reasons. She no longer faces arrest.

Khunying Potjaman has to fight a tax evasion conviction in the Appeals Court. On Nov 21, her lawyer filed an appeal after the Criminal Court on July 31 found her, her step-brother Bannapot Damapong and her secretary Karnchanapa Honghern guilty of conspiring to evade tax in the transfer of 4.5 million shares in Shinawatra Computer and Communications, now Shin Corp, worth 738 million baht.

The court ruled the transaction did not take place in the stock market and was faked to avoid tax. The court ruled they intentionally avoided paying 546 million baht in tax for the shares transfer.

The Supreme Court on Oct 21 sentenced Thaksin to two years in jail for abuse of authority in the Ratchadaphisek land case, but acquitted Khunying Potjaman who purchased the plot.

Political sources said the real motive behind her return were the problems in forming a new administration, as a key faction led by Newin Chidchob appeared not to support a new prime minister backed by Thaksin and Puea Thai, the new party he supports.

The opposition Democrat party could lead the new coalition government if it is backed by rebel groups once loyal to Thaksin.

Democrat chief adviser and former prime minister Chuan Leekpai said Friday that some ex-PPP MPs with whom he was acquainted wanted to switch their support to the Democrats.

But he ruled out any possibility of him being prime minister in the next government. His party adhered to its rule that gave the prime minister's seat to its leader, Abhisit Vejjajiva, he said.

Any chance of the Democrat party leading the next government would depend on support from other political parties, Mr Chuan said.

Democrat secretary-general Suthep Thaugsuban has reportedly secured 243 House votes to support the Democrats forming the core of the next government. The figure is made up of 166 Democrats, 25 MPs from the PPP's Friends of Newin group, 10 from the PPP's Sora-at Klinprathum faction, 10 from Matchimathipataya, 23 from Puea Pandin and nine from Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana.

In the meantime Puea Thai, the new home for MPs from the PPP, Chart Thai and Pracharaj parties will have only 203 votes.

The Democrats say they will not change the portfolios of its potential coalition partners if they are satisfied with their cabinet seats in the PPP-led government, according to the sources.

The Newin group, Puea Pandin and other parties want to see an end to the political crisis, they added.

But Pracharaj leader Sanoh Thienthong said coalition parties in the PPP-led government would not support a candidate from the PPP or the Democrats as premier.

A government comprising either rival parties would not end the nation's problems, so an MP from among the five former coalition partners should become the next prime minister, Mr Sanoh said. He claimed many MPs from the disbanded PPP supported that position.

Mr Sanoh declined to comment on a report that Ruam Jai Thai Chart Pattana leader Gen Chettha Thanajaro and he were candidates for prime minister.

Representatives of the former coalition parties had only discussed their cooperation in the upcoming constituency by-election, Mr Sanoh said.

Chuwit Pitakpornpanlop, an Ubon Ratchathani MP from the Friends of Newin group, said MPs in the faction would oppose a prime ministerial candidate from Puea Thai for fear of renewed disorder.

Puea Thai is expected to meet tomorrow to select its new executive board and leader. The party leader should be Yingluck Shinawatra who will be appointed to retain her elder brother Thaksin's influence over the party.

Pracha Prasopdee, a Samut Prakan MP from the disbanded PPP, said if an agreeable government could not be achieved, he would propose a House dissolution.

---

Earlier report:

By BangokPost.com

Khunying Potjaman, the ex-wife of fugitive Thaksin Shinawatra, returned to Thailand Friday night and was whisked away from the airport in a van as political circles buzzed with speculation over the timing of her trip.

Rumours of her return have been going around for at least two weeks. Many believe that the couple divorced for convenience, since most of Thaksin's frozen assets are in his ex-wife's name.

Khunying Potjaman could start legal action to try to regain the 72 billion baht in frozen assets. Some believe she may also take a hand in the troubles of the ruling People Power party, now known as Puea Thai, and the efforts to name a new prime minister.

Parliament is due to meet on Monday to nominate and elect a new prime minister.

She arrived on a Thai Airways flight from Hong Kong, with her son and daughter. "She was on flight TG607. She travelled under her former last name "Damapong," an airline official said.

Former members of the People Power Party, the political party affiliated with Thaksin that ruled in coalition until its forced disbandment on Tuesday, were at Suvarnabhumi airport to greet Khunying Potjaman along with her son Pantongtae and daughter Pinthongta as they left through a private exit.

She will face legal action for her flight from justice last August, but authorities said she was not under an arrest warrant.

Khunying Potjaman was convicted on July 31 of evading billions of baht in taxes and sentenced to three years in prison. She appealed that case, was released on bail and left the country the same day.

She was declared innocent in the Ratchadaphisek land-sale case at the Supreme Court a month later. Judges found Thaksin guilty of influence peddling and he remains at large as a fugitive. The couple were divorced in Hong Kong on Nov 14.

From : www.bangkokpost.com