Abhisit open to amnesty for Thaksin's supporters

PM briefs diplomats on political situation

By: PRADIT RUANGDIT

Bangkok Post

Published: 17/04/2009

Newspaper section: News

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva says an amnesty will be considered for banned politicians to try to promote reconciliation after months of political turmoil boiled over into street violence this week.

Foreign diplomats leave Government House after a briefing on the political situation by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. It was Mr Abhisit's first day back in his office after red shirt protesters surrounded the compound on March 26. THITI WANNAMONTHA

Mr Abhisit yesterday told the diplomatic corps he would discuss means to promote reconciliation with his coalition partners, including an amnesty for politicians linked to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Mr Abhisit held a closed-door briefing for Bangkok-based diplomats to explain the country's political situation following the political violence of the past week.

The briefing was aimed at restoring confidence among foreign countries after United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) demonstrators stormed the Asean summit in Pattaya and instigated riots in Bangkok.

He denied that any UDD protesters were killed by security forces mobilised to disperse the crowds.

The government source said foreign diplomats asked about the role of police and the military during the early stages of the riot.

Security authorities were widely criticised for being passive in enforcing the law against demonstrators.

The envoys also asked about the proposed amnesty for politicians who were found guilty of political crimes, the source said.

Mr Abhisit replied he would raise the issue with coalition partners, as well as other matters to achieve national unity.

The envoys also expressed concern over security measures protecting foreigners and tourists travelling here in the future, he said.

According to official records, 135 protesters and security officials were wounded in the clashes.

Two people in the Nang Loeng area were killed in clashes between red shirts and residents.

Speaking after the Government House briefing, Mr Abhisit said he told the foreign diplomats about the political situation and government policy.

He said he also explained measures taken to disperse the demonstrators in Pattaya and Bangkok.

The prime minister said the diplomatic corps asked about the deaths of two men whose bodies were found floating in the Chao Phaya river.

He said police were investigating but so far there was no evidence linking their deaths to the street protests.

Mr Abhisit admitted security at the Pattaya summit was lax and the government needed to review its measures when hosting international events.

The summit came to an abrupt end when thousands of UDD demonstrators stormed into the venue.

The prime minister declared a brief state of of emergency in Pattaya to evacuate the visiting Asean and regional leaders.

British ambassador to Thailand Quinton Quayle expressed hope the political strife would be resolved through dialogue.

He said the use of violence - be it airport seizures by the anti-Thaksin yellow shirts, or the storming of the summit venue by pro-Thaksin red shirts - cast Thailand in a bad light.

He said the prime minister's briefing helped restore confidence.

Meanwhile, Suriyasai Katasila, coordinator of the People's Alliance for Democracy, yesterday warned of possible renewed violence by red shirt demonstrators.

Now the government had revoked Thaksin's Thai passport, he would be forced to run secret campaigns against the Democrat-led government.

The United States was unhappy with the red shirt protest, which could affect Thaksin's credibility in the international community, he said.

"It is the first time the US has sent a signal about the political crisis, which has dragged on for three to four years.

"Even though Thaksin now carries a Nicaraguan passport, it is not easy for him to make a move," Mr Suriyasai said.

He said he was opposed to a national unity government as it was not the best way to cure the political malaise.