Panthongtae handles the media scrum

Panthongtae handles the media scrum.

It was a pretty hectic scene at the office of the Assets Examination Committee (AEC) yesterday during the appearance of Panthongtae Shinawatra, the 27-year-old son of the ousted prime minister Thaksin.

More than 100 reporters and photographers flocked to the compound. Some were hurt and pushed to the ground in the scrum that formed around Panthongtae as they tried to snap pictures and get a quote from him before he entered the building.

Off to one side were more than 50 supporters who had arrived individually or in groups. They tried to give red roses and encouragement to Panthongtae, who had to face the investigation alone without his father.

Reporters and supporters pushed and shoved each other, with some being bruised and losing shoes, while decorative arches as well as pot plants to celebrate His Majesty the King's 60 years of accession to the throne were damaged or knocked over.

It has been almost a month since the AEC summoned Panthongtae and his sister Pinthongta, as well as their mother's secretary Kanjanapa Honghern, to testify over the controversial tax-free sale of Shin Corp shares to Singapore's Temasek Holdings.

Having postponed the first meeting on December 27, the AEC warned Panthongtae that he could face a penalty if he failed to attend yesterday.

Panthongtae had asked his appearance to be deferred to yesterday at 11am.

Security measures at the AEC office were tight with additional officers on duty. Vehicles were banned, including the media's broadcasting van.

When Panthongtae arrived with his younger sister Paethongtarn in a blue Volkswagen van slightly before the appointed time, accompanying them were a lawyer and 10 former Special Branch police officers with three female followers - a total of 16 people and four vehicles.

To get through the media and the crowd, Panthongtae covered his sister with his arms.

Panthongtae had changed his spiky hairdo some time ago for a more conservative look. He wore ordinary glasses instead of the fashionable sunglasses he used to wear. He wore a yellow polo shirt, which symbolised his loyalty to His Majesty the King, under a blue-grey jacket and black trousers.

Paethongtarn wore her Chulalongkorn University uniform.

The look of the two siblings, together with the red roses brought by their supporters, might have made some people consider them as victims.

Panthongtae's supporters called for sympathy shouting, "Poor kid. His parents are far away", and "Oak [Pantongtae's nickname], fight on, fight on!"

They blamed the media for forcing Thaksin out of office - and out of the country.

Not surprisingly, Panthongtae looked stressed and said nothing before the investigation session except, "Excuse me", while helping a female reporter to her feet after she had been pushed over in the ensuing scrum.

Although the military and police officers couldn't hold back the crowd from following Panthongtae and Paethongtarn to the lift, the siblings finally reached the office through a side door that is normally off limits.

Before going into the investigation room, the AEC officers checked both Panthongtae and all AEC panel members with metal detectors, to prevent anyone from bringing recording devices into the room.

Panthongtae reportedly paid respects to the panel for giving him the chance to offer information. He spent about three hours in the investigation room. He asked for a short break three times - two for a cigarette.

The AEC ordered a lunch box set from a local McDonald's for him but he only he had something to drink.

He looked exhausted when he came downstairs and then told reporters that the sale of Shin Corp to Singapore's Temasek Holdings was in accordance with the law. He was consulted over the process with his father, who is currently in Beijing.

His supporters tried to give him red roses but he didn't accept them - although he did flash a brief smile. Security officers then lined up to make a human wall to protect him and he ducked straight into his van.

Budsarakham Sinlapalavan,

Bancha Khaengkhan

The Nation
Thu, January 11, 2007