By The Nation
Fugitive ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra (pictured) claimed on Monday that the interview published on Times online was a total lie and distorted, adding that it had caused misunderstanding among readers and Thais.
He was referring to the interview conducted in Dubai by Richard Parry, whose article was published with a headline that touched upon the royal successor.
In an urgent statement, Thaksin claimed the headline was totally unfounded and that he had never touched up on the subject during the interview.
"I did not say anything like that," he said.
He also denied that he said that he had "called for reform of the country's revered monarchy and spoken of a 'shining' new age after the era of the ailing King, Bhumibol Adulyadej".
He reiterated that he never had never spoken to the press about the monarchy, adding that he has always been loyal and protective of the royals, and believed they should never be linked to politics.
He said the article was a lie and caused confusion, adding that he had told the journalist several times that the monarchy issue was very sensitive and that the report should be as accurate as possible.
"I condemn Times online for reporting lies and causing confusion on the matter. I want everyone to know that I and my family are loyal to Their Majesties and are ready to sacrifice our lives," he said.
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Govt: Thaksin interview 'offensive to the monarchy'
Published: 9/11/2009
Bangkok Post
Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra made very offensive references to the monarchy in an interview with The Times published online on Monday and gave inaccurate, misleading information, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said on Monday.
Thaksin was interviewed by the Asia editor of The Times, Richard Parry, at his home in Dubai and the transcript was published on the Timesonline website on Monday.
The foreign minister said he found many of Thaksin's comments in the interview to be strongly offensive, inaccurate and unacceptable by the majority of people.
The interview reflected Thaksin's uneasiness about not being able to persuade people to be on his side, Mr Kasit said. He believed Thaksin, in giving the interview, had a hidden objective.
The Foreign Ministry would issue a statement to the foreign media setting the facts straight, he said.
The Justice Ministry would decide whether Thaksin would be charged with lese majeste, Mr Kasit said.
Thepthai Senpong, spokesman for Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, also slammed Thaksin over his latest interview, saying it was most offensive to the royal institution.
Richard Lloyd Parry, the asia editor for The Times , interviewed Thaksin in Dubai. He reported that Thaksin called for reform of the monarchy and had spoken of a future "shining" era when HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, the son of His Majesty the King, takes the throne.
Mr Thepthai called on all parties to take action on this matter, saying that it affected the feelings of Thai people.
Democrat Party spokesman Buranat Samutarak said that this is not the first time Thaksin has offended the high institution.
In the interview, Thaksin said that His Majesty the King was above politics but that "circles" around the palace were interfering with the running of the country.
"That's the problem in Thailand. The monarchy is not the problem. The monarchy is good for Thailand. Thailand needs to have a monarchy but it should not be abused or played by the palace circles," he was quoted as saying.
Asked if the "royal institution" needed reform, he said: "Yes, yes."
"I can assure you His Majesty is above [politics], but those in the circle have a network," he said.
"They want to get rid of me because they say I am trying to turn Thailand into a republic and topple the monarchy. That's not true. I have a very high respect for the monarchy and royal family."
Thaksin later issued a statement saying his interview as reported was a "complete distortion'' of his comments and caused misunderstanding and confusion to readers and the Thai people.
"It (the article) was a complete distortion of my interview. The falsified article has caused confusion among the readers and the Thai people. The headline made by Times Online is not true. I never said that in the interview," Thaksin said in the statement.
The fugitive politician said that his comments made during the interview were not offensive to any institution. On the contrary, during the interview he defended the monarchy as being above politics and said the Thai people adore the institution. Nobody should implicate the monarchy in politics, he said.
"I am very upset with the way Timesonline treated my interview. This happened despite the fact I stressed to the interviewer that the monarchy is highly-placed and delicate and that he should report exactly what I said.
"Therefore, I condemn Timesonline for publishing this false and confusing article.
"I would like to repeat again that my family and I are loyal to His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen and, like all Thai people, ready to sacrifice our lives to protect the monarchy."
Fugitive ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra (pictured) claimed on Monday that the interview published on Times online was a total lie and distorted, adding that it had caused misunderstanding among readers and Thais.
He was referring to the interview conducted in Dubai by Richard Parry, whose article was published with a headline that touched upon the royal successor.
In an urgent statement, Thaksin claimed the headline was totally unfounded and that he had never touched up on the subject during the interview.
"I did not say anything like that," he said.
He also denied that he said that he had "called for reform of the country's revered monarchy and spoken of a 'shining' new age after the era of the ailing King, Bhumibol Adulyadej".
He reiterated that he never had never spoken to the press about the monarchy, adding that he has always been loyal and protective of the royals, and believed they should never be linked to politics.
He said the article was a lie and caused confusion, adding that he had told the journalist several times that the monarchy issue was very sensitive and that the report should be as accurate as possible.
"I condemn Times online for reporting lies and causing confusion on the matter. I want everyone to know that I and my family are loyal to Their Majesties and are ready to sacrifice our lives," he said.
------------------------------------
Govt: Thaksin interview 'offensive to the monarchy'
Published: 9/11/2009
Bangkok Post
Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra made very offensive references to the monarchy in an interview with The Times published online on Monday and gave inaccurate, misleading information, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya said on Monday.
Thaksin was interviewed by the Asia editor of The Times, Richard Parry, at his home in Dubai and the transcript was published on the Timesonline website on Monday.
The foreign minister said he found many of Thaksin's comments in the interview to be strongly offensive, inaccurate and unacceptable by the majority of people.
The interview reflected Thaksin's uneasiness about not being able to persuade people to be on his side, Mr Kasit said. He believed Thaksin, in giving the interview, had a hidden objective.
The Foreign Ministry would issue a statement to the foreign media setting the facts straight, he said.
The Justice Ministry would decide whether Thaksin would be charged with lese majeste, Mr Kasit said.
Thepthai Senpong, spokesman for Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva, also slammed Thaksin over his latest interview, saying it was most offensive to the royal institution.
Richard Lloyd Parry, the asia editor for The Times , interviewed Thaksin in Dubai. He reported that Thaksin called for reform of the monarchy and had spoken of a future "shining" era when HRH Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, the son of His Majesty the King, takes the throne.
Mr Thepthai called on all parties to take action on this matter, saying that it affected the feelings of Thai people.
Democrat Party spokesman Buranat Samutarak said that this is not the first time Thaksin has offended the high institution.
In the interview, Thaksin said that His Majesty the King was above politics but that "circles" around the palace were interfering with the running of the country.
"That's the problem in Thailand. The monarchy is not the problem. The monarchy is good for Thailand. Thailand needs to have a monarchy but it should not be abused or played by the palace circles," he was quoted as saying.
Asked if the "royal institution" needed reform, he said: "Yes, yes."
"I can assure you His Majesty is above [politics], but those in the circle have a network," he said.
"They want to get rid of me because they say I am trying to turn Thailand into a republic and topple the monarchy. That's not true. I have a very high respect for the monarchy and royal family."
Thaksin later issued a statement saying his interview as reported was a "complete distortion'' of his comments and caused misunderstanding and confusion to readers and the Thai people.
"It (the article) was a complete distortion of my interview. The falsified article has caused confusion among the readers and the Thai people. The headline made by Times Online is not true. I never said that in the interview," Thaksin said in the statement.
The fugitive politician said that his comments made during the interview were not offensive to any institution. On the contrary, during the interview he defended the monarchy as being above politics and said the Thai people adore the institution. Nobody should implicate the monarchy in politics, he said.
"I am very upset with the way Timesonline treated my interview. This happened despite the fact I stressed to the interviewer that the monarchy is highly-placed and delicate and that he should report exactly what I said.
"Therefore, I condemn Timesonline for publishing this false and confusing article.
"I would like to repeat again that my family and I are loyal to His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen and, like all Thai people, ready to sacrifice our lives to protect the monarchy."
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