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Former premier Thaksin Shinawatra's address to Pheu Thai Party via Skype on Monday once again proved that he is the leader, something Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has been consistently denying, at least in public.
Thaksin spoke on a number of topics, from personal to political issues, in a manner that shows he is in full command. His orders to the Pheu Thai Party were testimony to the fact that it is he who calls the shots.
During his address, he instructed the party to push for charter amendment, especially provisions related to party dissolution, and also on the amnesty bills.
Thaksin said MPs and senators should not waste time but amend Articles such as Article 68 on party dissolution and Article 190, which requires parliamentary approval for agreement with a foreign country. "When an amendment of these laws is being deliberated, MPs must ensure they attend House meetings. Whoever is responsible for a lack of quorum in Parliament will face an allowance cut,'' he warned.
Both articles authorise Constitution Court to rule on problematic cases.
Thaksin also ordered ministers to clarify against allegations that he owns a massive number of PTT shares, saying it is not true because PTT is a public company.
Thaksin also touched on the current controversial issue of the government seeking to raise Bt2.2 trillion for infrastructure. He told the government to clearly explain to the public that they would benefit from the infrastructure development, for which the government needs loans. He asked them to point out benefits of mass-transit systems linking neighbouring countries like China and having high-speed trains linking remote Northeast provinces such as Nong Khai.
"The Democrats will definitely stage an all-out war against the move to get the loan. They are attacking us with judo-like strategies while we do not know how to defend ourselves. We must have knowledge as our weapon,'' he said.
Regarding the recent gubernatorial defeat, Thaksin complimented some Bangkok constituencies that worked hard, resulting in the party gaining more votes and popularity. He also threatened not to field candidates in constituencies that showed poor results such as those that support Sudarat Keyuraphan.
His speech also showed that his desire to return home is as strong as ever. "As for the amnesty, MPs can do whatever they decide but be united and well-rounded … I am as if floating in the ocean. I ask myself I push for this person to be in this post and that person for that post but what about me? How can I come back home?'' he said.
During the Skype meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung's face dropped when Thaksin criticised his anti-drug measures saying they were not good enough. "During my time, I had the police run a tight ring; there was checking and rehabilitation so they do not use or sell drugs again,'' he said.
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Government urged to ignore Thaksin
Listen to the country, army chief, Abhisit say
Army Commander Prayuth Chan-ocha and Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva called Tuesday for the government to step out of the shadow of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
They were responding to news reports that the ex-premier had ordered the Pheu Thai-led administration to adamantly pursue its policies, particularly on amnesty and charter amendments.
Gen Prayuth said the government should instead listen to the public and make decisions based on the constitution and the law.
"We should listen to people who live here in the country and leave the person who stays overseas alone," he said.
An army source said Thaksin's influence has left Gen Prayuth feeling uncomfortable because it has created doubts over Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's leadership.
Mr Abhisit said the more strings Thaksin tried to pull, the more conflicts he would generate.
"If the government is serious about reconciliation, it should stop thinking about its own interests. If Thaksin continues to pull strings, the country remains at risk [of conflicts]," he said.
Prime Minister Yingluck Tuesday denied Thaksin was pressuring the government to press for an amnesty.
"The public wants to see a solution. I sympathise with the people [facing prosecution for their part in political clashes] so I support any talks to find a solution," she said. The House had several amnesty bills to consider and would work out how to proceed.
The latest was an amnesty bill submitted to parliament last week which has the backing of 42 Pheu Thai MPs.
Pheu Thai MP and red-shirt leader Worachai Hema has said he would ask the House to speed up amnesty bill deliberations once this bill was included on the House agenda. Pheu Thai MP for Ubon Ratchathani Somkid Khongchua said Tuesday Thaksin had offered advice on how to handle the amnesty issue.
"So when Mr Worachai asks the House to move the bill forward, I will support it and I believe all 42 proponents will," Mr Somkid said.
He noted House speaker Somsak Kiartsuranont had asked for 7-10 days to examine the legitimacy of the bill before putting it on the House agenda.
"If we back down, it will be a wasted opportunity and we will lose support. I think the other side wants it too, but they just won't admit it," he said.
He said an amnesty bill should be passed as an act, not an executive decree, to keep the pressure off the government.
Mr Worachai said the amnesty was an urgent issue despite government chief whip Amnuay Khlangpha saying it would not be brought forward on the agenda. "I will ask the House to speed up deliberation. Senior party members don't oppose my move. Those who disagree have that right," he said.
He would need the support of at least 250 MPs to bring the bill forward for urgent consideration.
Meanwhile, Democrat Jurin Laksanavisit said the opposition had decided not to take part in Deputy House Speaker Charoen Chankomol's forum to discuss the amnesty bills because it did not see any merit in it.
The party was concerned the forum would be used as a rubber stamp for an amnesty bill.
He said the party would boycott the forum as long as there was no assurance it would not be used to justify an amnesty.
Bhumjaithai spokesman Supachai Jaisamut said an amnesty bill was not a priority issue.
"So far we don't see how it can lead to reconciliation. But it is hard to say if the party will support it or not. It depends on the people and the timing," he said.
House speaker Somsak said it was not within his capacity to withdraw the four reconciliation bills currently on the House agenda. He was responding to the Democrat leader's call for the withdrawal of the bills as a goodwill gesture before any talks on an amnesty proceed.
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