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Analysis: It all depends on Thaksin
2007-06-15 16:52:00
Analysis: It all depends on Thaksin By Veera PrateepchaikulEx-premier Thaksin is to speak to a Sanam Luang rally tonight, and the outcome of the pro-Thaksin, anti-CNS protest will dictate the state of political tension in the days and weeks ahead.For starters, it is likely that the planned speech by Internet web cast to the rally by former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra (at 9pm Thailand time) will draw a larger crowd.Apart from those organised to attend by the pro-Thaksin forces, the fact that Thaksin is speaking will draw both supporters and opponents, not to mention curious on-lookers.The Council for National Security (CNS) is not concerned about a rally that remains at Sanam Luang. It is more concerned about the potential for trouble if the rally moves to the Army headquarters. The CNS has discussed how to deal with a provocative crowd ? the pushing and shoving ? by using fire trucks and tear gas to disperse the rally. This is not their main concern.Their greatest fear is how t...
More About: Analysis , Epen , Anal

World champion boxer Samson finally walks free from prison
2007-06-14 15:52:00
World boxing champion Samson Sor Siriporn bade farewell to her fellow inmates as she was released from prison on parole yesterday as a reward for her sporting success.With tears in her eyes, the 24-year-old thanked the director of the Women's Correctional Institution for Drug Addicts, Siriporn Chutiguland, and Corrections Department director-general Nathee Chitsawang for giving her the chance of a new life.''I feel proud that Ms Siriporn guaranteed my release on parole even though I'm a prisoner. She will support and take care of me during my parole,'' said Siriporn Taweesuk, who won the World Boxing Council (WBC) female light-flyweight belt in April using the ring-name Samson Sor Siriporn.She said she would continue boxing, and would also train other boxers at the prison. She also plans to complete her secondary schooling and said she was open to finding a new job if the opportunity arose.Siriporn, who will stay at a house in front of the prison, has to report to the probatio...
More About: World , Free , Prison , Finally , Walks

ManCity ponders life without Thaksin
2007-06-13 16:20:00
ManCity ponders life without Thaksin BangkokPost.com from reportsThe freezing of his accounts for possible corruption charges poses a huge roadblock to the proposed purchase of Manchester City Football Club by ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra.One major hurdle is those possible charges. But according to the Guardian newspaper, there are others.The paper quoted sources close to Mr Thaksin as admitting the deal was "on the ropes".While the ex-premier and billionaire was said to be determined to press ahead with his takeover but the Premier League's intervention might prevent him taking any role in the top division even if he were still in a financial position to proceed.Every board member or controlling shareholder of a Premier League club must sign a "director's declaration" stating whether he or she has convictions for fraud, theft, corruption or associated offences, newspapers are pointing out this morning.Clubs with a director carrying such convictions are debarred from competing...
More About: Life

Thaksin fortune frozen
2007-06-11 16:16:00
Thaksin fortune frozensource:BangkokPost.comThe Assets Examination Committee has ordered that cash assets of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra and some of his associates be frozen for alleged corruption and misconduct.Thaksin family spokesman and lawyer Noppadol Pattama quoted Mr Thaksin as saying he will "fight until the end. I will bring the case to both the criminal and civil courts. This is not fair."The AEC decided to freeze Mr Thaksin's assets on the basis that he is under investigation on charges of conflict of interest.Affected immediately will be 21 bank accounts in the name of Mr Thaksin and his wife. The committee said they have deposits of 52.9 billion baht, or about $1.5 billion. Billions more had already been withdrawn, the AEC said, presumably moved abroad.According to AEC member Kaewsan Atiphot, who acted as a spokesman, Mr Thaksin is supposed to appear to defend today's allegations within 60 days. It was not clear how he could do that.Mr Kaewsan also said that the...
More About: Fortune , Fort , Thaksin , Frozen

Anti-coup protesters march on army HQ
2007-06-10 13:12:00
About 15,000 anti-coup demonstrators last night sought a meeting with the Council for National Security to present their demands, in front of the army headquarters amid tight security.The protest, engineered by the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship and joined by PTV staff began with about 500 people before building to 15,000 later last night. They vowed to continue their rally until its representatives saw CNS chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin or CNS deputy secretary-general Gen Saprang Kalayanamitr.The protesters were moving from Sanam Luang to the army headquarters on Ratchadamnoen avenue last night to protest against the coup. They clearly outnumbered the 1,000 police on duty.At Sanam Luang, speakers took turns to criticise the CNS. The Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship is an alliance of 22 anti-coup organisations.Veera Musikapong, PTV president, said the march to the army head office was not aimed at stirring up trouble. ''The move is to make clear our determinatio...
More About: Protesters , Coup , Army , March , Anti