Navy Chief : Thaksin’s phone-in will not affect Govt’s work
The Navy Commander has expressed his belief that the former Prime Minister’s phone-in will not affect the government’s operation and that Thai people will use their discretion when receiving information through the media.
In response to the ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra’s planned phone-in on March 12 from the Foreign Correspondents’ Club in Hong Kong, the Royal Thai Navy Commander-in-Chief Admiral Kamthorn Phumhiran deemed the information to be included in his speech as merely a personal viewpoint. He concurrently voiced his confidence that all Thai citizens would be capable of exercising their judgment and referring to past experiences while hearing such controversial statement. The Navy Chief also assured that the move would not disrupt the government’s administration by any means.
As for the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) protest against the Prime Minister and Cabinet members during their provincial visit, Admiral Kamthorn reminded that every individual has the right to express opinion as long as it is in compliance with the law. In addition, he believed that the majority of Thai citizens understand and realize the government’s determination in driving the country forward.
National News Bureau of Thailand
10 March 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Navy Chief : Thaksin’s phone-in will not affect Govt’s work
Defense Minister to visit Chiang Mai, no worries about UDD protest
Defense Minister to visit Chiang Mai, no worries about UDD protest
Defense Minister Gen.Prawit Wongsuwan will be visiting Chiang Mai province today (March 10th) to acknowledge problems of the locals while declining to comment on former premier Thaksin Shinawatra’s frequent phone-ins to his supporters.
Prior to his provincial visit in Chiang Mai, Gen.Prawit said that he would observe operations of military personnel there and listen to local people's problems in order to find solutions for them without paying special attention to particular problems. The minister said he was not worried about protests against him by the red-clad United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) supporters.
Gen.Prawit further stated that he might not need to make any special orders if Mr Thaksin would return to Thailand since there are existing legal procedures to deal with the fugitive former prime minister. He also said Mr Thaksin's phone-in is a personal matter.
National News Bureau of Thailand
10 March 2009
Monday, March 09, 2009
DPM satisfied with security during provincial visits
DPM satisfied with security during provincial visits
Deputy Prime Minister for Security Affairs Suthep Thaugsuban expresses his satisfaction with security measures for Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and the ministers during their provincial visits last weekend.
The deputy premier lauded the governors of the provinces the Cabinet's members had visited during their provincial tours, especially Lop Buri province where the prime minister visited yesterday despite the slight chaos by the anti-government United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) supporters.
Mr Suthep also dismissed the criticisms about the large deployment of police and military officers to provide security during the provincial tours, saying that the deployment was up to each province to arrange with no instructions from the government. He said people who threw objects towards the premier's motorcade would be punished, not the governor.
Meanwhile, Mr Abhisit said that he was not discouraged by the red-clad UDD’s attack in Lop Buri yesterday and he believed that people who threw bottles of water at his cars did so due to tensions caused by heat. The premier affirmed the government is obliged to be patient with protesters.
09 March 2009
National News Bureau of Thailand