Thaksin linked to
protests
Adviser leading rally against
government
Bangkok Post, Aug 6, 2000
The Democrat Party has accused rival Thai
Rak Thai of orchestrating an anti-government campaign, one day after Chuan
Leekpai ruled out any possibility of an alliance with Thaksin Shinawatra.
The premier's personal secretary, Alongkorn Polabutr, yesterday blamed
the anti-Democrat movement on activist Auychai Watha, one of Mr Thak-sin's
advisers.
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More than 500 Pak Moon dam protesters yesterday
began a three-day fast to show support for villagers already on a
hunger strike at Government House. _ APICHART JINAKUL |
Thai Rak Thai distanced itself from Mr Auychai, but admitted he is a
key party member.
Mr Auychai, a former president of the Assembly of Small-scale
Northeastern Farmers, is heading an anti-government campaign in Khon Kaen
which he intends to expand to other provinces, Mr Alongkorn said.
"I've received reports that if the campaign in Bangkok failed it
would be moved to the Northeast, and my information is correct because Mr
Auychai launched the campaign in Khon Kaen on Aug 3," he said.
Mr Auychai was appointed an adviser to Mr Thaksin during the Thai Rak
Thai general assembly on March 26 and was a potential candidate in the
coming general election.
Mr Alongkorn said he had doubts about Mr Thaksin's sincerity and urged
him to clarify the matter.
"Mr Thaksin once denied his party had anything to do with the
anti-government movement, but now his adviser is involved. "Isn't
this an act of hypocrisy?" he said.
Suranand Vejjajiva, the Thai Rak Thai spokesman, said Mr Auychai was
acting alone and the party had nothing to do with his actions.
"We were aware the government would make such accusations, so we
decided not to get involved despite the fact we are concerned about the
protesters' plight," he said.
Mr Suranand admitted Mr Auychai is an adviser to Mr Thaksin, but said
they have not seen each other recently.
Mr Alongkorn's accusations upset protesting villagers, who said the
government was simply mud-slinging.
"The Assembly of the Poor is disappointed that a new-blood
politician like Mr Alongkorn is resorting to mud-slinging as a tactic.
"We are not politicians. We do not have any political backing.
Otherwise we wouldn't be here," they said in a statement.
Hundreds of villagers joined the hunger strike yesterday, beginning a
three-day symbolic fast and bringing the total number to 543 after three
quit because of health problems.
Led by Noo Khonsri, the new group began their fast at noon after
praying.
They were assisted by former strikers including Khamnian Sithanuan, who
had resumed eating after five days.
Thawee Harnchai, 34, a Rasi Salai dam protester, ended his fast after
10 days, due to internal bleeding. Five other hunger strikers were in a
bad condition but they insisted they would continue.
On Friday, 80 villagers joined the fast following accusations by
Special Branch police chief Pol Lt-Gen Yothin Mattayomnan that students
had been paid 300 baht each to join in.
At that time there were only 12 hunger strikers left.
Pol Lt-Gen Yothin said yesterday he did not need to produce any proof
to back his claims and he would let the public be the judge.
He maintained the movement against the government was engineered by
groups with a vested or personal interest.
He also expressed concern about leaflets calling on the public to join
the rally at Sanam Luang, saying they were reminiscent of communism.
Interior Minister Banyat Bantadtan yesterday called on the Assembly of
the Poor to accept the government's proposed venue for a public forum to
discuss their dispute over last week's cabinet resolutions on the
problems.
The two sides are in a deadlock over the venue, with the activists
adamant it be held at one of the universities, to allow greater public
attendance and access to other news media.
Mr Banyat said the Channel 11 studio had been proposed in the best
interests of the assembly. "If it's not at Channel 11 we are afraid
the forum will not be broadcast live," the minister said. If the
protesters wanted a change of venue they should talk to Amnuay Patise, the
prime minister's deputy secretary-general, he said.
Wanida Tuntivittayapitak, the villagers' leader, said yesterday the
protesters would boycot the forum if it was held at Channel 11.
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