Abhisit: Violence won't triumph

Negotiations with Thaksin a possibility

2/01/2010
Bangkok Post

People should refuse to support anti-government demonstrators who hold the nation hostage, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva says.

The government wanted to see the nation progress in a climate of righteousness, peace and reconciliation, he told reporters at Government House yesterday.

"If people share the same goal, they should help the government achieve it," Mr Abhisit said, adding that if the public lets violent groups dominate the country, it would be plagued by unrest.

Mr Abhisit's call comes as the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship plans a rally this month to oust the government.

The UDD is also calling for a pardon for fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Thaksin was sentenced in 2008 to two years in jail for a conflict of interest in his former wife's purchase of land in Ratchadapisek in 2003, when he was the government leader.

"We have always stressed that if they exercise their rights properly, they can carry on protesting.

"But if they are about to move violently, the government has to enforce the law," the prime minister said, referring to Thaksin supporters.

"I would like to repeat that they are wrong to think that violence will bring them closer to their goal. No one will get what they want by using violence because Thai society is not a society that accepts violent means," he said.

Asked if he was prepared to enter negotiations with Thaksin, he said any talks would have to be held in accordance with the law.

But Mr Abhisit said he would not enter any negotiations intended to compromise the national and the public interest for an individual's interest.

Nor would the government discuss proposals to free a wrongdoer.

"I welcome negotiations as long as they concern the public interest. If negotiations are proposed and an individual's interests are raised, I will not negotiate.

"I will negotiate in my capacity as the representative of the national interest which cannot be traded for any individual's interest. If it is about the national interest in various respects, I can negotiate," he said.

Asked how he could protect the nation from violence, the prime minister said his government would respect people's rights under the constitution.

A government which violated people's constitutional rights would always lead the country to crisis, Mr Abhisit said.

The prime minister said Thaksin could continue to express his opinions as long as he did not break the law by doing so.

"If Thaksin violates any law, he will face more charges," he added.

Asked if the government will keep up its attempts to arrest Thaksin, Mr Abhisit said the government would seek the extradition of Thaksin if he visits countries which have extradition agreements with Thailand.

Thaksin visited Cambodia twice last year after being appointed by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen as his personal adviser and as an economic adviser to the government.

Thailand and Cambodia have an extradition agreement, but the Cambodian leader has refused to extradite Thaksin, as he regards Thaksin as a victim of Thai politics.