The Deputy Prime Minister denies having problems with the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD)

The Deputy Prime Minister denies having problems with the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD)

The Deputy Prime Minister has confirmed on having no problems with the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD), deeming the recent argument as a misunderstanding, which should not affect the government’s operation.

Deputy Prime Minister for Security Affairs Suthep Thaugsuban affirmed today (March 10) that there has never been any conflict between him and the PAD or its core leader Sondhi Limthongkul. Following Mr. Sondhi’s words against him, the deputy premier viewed that it had been a result of a misunderstanding and admitted that his political role has posed a great difficulty for him to satisfy all sides. However, he expressed his readiness to listen to every voice while being confident that such personal issue would not impact the government’s operation.

Regarding the issuance of arrest warrants for 21 PAD members, Mr. Suthep assured that much progress has been reported. He further spoke of the possible transfers of Deputy Metropolitan Police Commander Pol. Maj. Gen. Umnuay Nimmano as well as around 30 director-generals and provincial governors within the Ministry of Interior, saying that they would be considered with the appropriateness and benefits taken into account.

In preparation for the red-shirted group’s movement to take place on March 27, the Deputy Prime Minister said he would adhere to the security measures, which had been adopted over recent rallies.

National News Bureau of Thailand
10 March 2009

Thai-Hong Kong extradition treaty to completed soon

Thai-Hong Kong extradition treaty to completed soon

An extradition treaty between Thailand and Hong Kong is soon to be completed but may not come up in time for former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s speech on 12 March.

The Sunday Morning Post, a local newspaper in Hong Kong reported that the extradition treaty between Thailand and Hong Kong was due to be completed soon.

Director-General of the Office of the Attorney-General's International Affairs Department Sirisak Tiyaphan said that the cooperation between Thai and Hong Kong was to bring criminals using loophole of the law to jump off their cases back to their home countries.

The treaty is known as one of the bids to bring the ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra back to Thailand. However, the treaty may not be in time with the speech that the ousted Prime Minister will deliver at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Hong Kong on 12 March.

A legal source said that there have been constant negotiations on the extradition treaty between Thailand and Hong Kong, but the process has been speeded up since last year. It is certain that the treaty will include Mr Thaksin in the list although the treaty in general is not initially made for any specific purposes.

Mr Phongthep Thepkarnchana, the personal Spokesperson of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said that Mr Thaksin will not go to give his speech on the stage at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Hong Kong on 12 March but will deliver it via video-link instead.

Deputy Secretary-General to the Prime Minister and acting Government Spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn said that the government would negotiate with countries, where traces of Mr Thaksin were found, to narrow down movements of the ousted Prime Minister.

Mr Panitan said that Mr Thaksin would be forced to go to some small countries and become less powerful until he had to return to Thailand.

Deputy Prime Minister for Security Affairs Suthep Thaugsuban asserted on the treaty that he always welcomed Mr Thaksin's return. Mr Suthep also said that Mr Thaksin’s phone-in talk during the anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) rallies was acceptable since Thailand is a democratic country.

National News Bureau of Thailand
9 March 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.

National News Bureau of Thailand
9 March 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