Thailand – Thaksin wants to make deals, says Thai Democrat

Thailand's veteran Democrat politician Suthep Thaugsuban insisted yesterday that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra had sent negotiators over to see him and ask the party to stop opposing his sister, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Suthep said he responded by saying that if he were Thaksin, he would stop going against the will of the public and would withdraw the charter amendment and reconciliation bills. He said withdrawing these bills would secure Yingluck's job through to the end of her four-year term.

When asked if he was sure Thaksin had sent these negotiators, Suthep said: "Certainly! These mediators have been used by Thaksin several times."

Meanwhile, Thida Thawornseth, chairwoman of the red-shirt Democratic Alliance against Dictatorship, said she believed that the former PM had spoken to everybody, including the Democrats, the Army, businesspeople and even the ammart (elite).

"This is called a game at the top of the pyramid, because it involves talking to the elite. I know that the elitists don't want the reconciliation bill or the charter amendment. Therefore, I'm not surprised that they have exchanged proposals as they [the elite] had worked hard on the 2006 coup before gaining the 2007 Constitution," she said.

However, she said she did not think the Pheu Thai Party would make such deals, because as long as the 2007 Constitution stays in place, the people will remain under the power of the ammart.

Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit said he thought Suthep was making up stories, otherwise he should provide evidence.

"It appears Suthep is making this up, because it is just part of a political game. It is ridiculous! Who would be naive enough to contact Suthep? And even if they contacted Suthep, I don't believe he can make decisions for the Democrat Party," Prompong said.

Meanwhile, Thaksin's legal adviser Noppadon Pattama said yesterday that the former PM was indeed in Hong Kong as reported by the media and it was normal for people to fly over and meet with him or have meals with him.

However, he said, these visitors were not likely to discuss the Cabinet reshuffle, because Thaksin respected his sister's decisions.

He added that he did not know where Thaksin would be headed next, but confirmed that it would be in Asia.

News Desk

The Nation

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