VVIP met with Thaksin

Winai denies having met with Thaksin

(BangkokPost.com) - Council for National Security secretary-general Winai Phattiyakul on Thursday denied that he had met with ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra when he took his Songkran vacation in Europe.

Gen Winai said he went to France, not England.

"Sources of rumours that I went to meet Mr Thaksin were probably from ill-intentioned people," he said.

Gen Winai said he went to Paris with National Legislative Assembly president Meechai Ruchupan and NLA members Visanu Krue-ngam and Borwornsak Uwanno, and had informed CNS chairman Sonthi Boonyaratkalin before the vacation.

Gen Winai, however, admitted that he had run into Mr Thaksin's brother-in-law Somchai Wongsawasdi, former permanent secretary of the Justice Ministry, in Paris. He said they had greeted briefly - for only about five seconds - and nothing more.

Blog master said.... I was read in website of the Thaksin's opposite www.akeyuth.org . Its try to tell about VVIP of Thailand went to London last week and Thaksin have met with him , It 's not identify that who is he , but he 's not Gen.Winai certainly. In Thai political website gossip about that VVIP was The Crown prince , Thaksin tried to met him in the Hotel's lobby among the prevention of Thai official in London , Thaksin argue with them that he 's Thais , He could have met him , Thaksin have met him finally , had a chance to greet with him a little. This is the special event , and have to watch closely , may be forecast the future of Thai Political that What happens next.....

Thaksin wants poll to go ahead: Surapong

Surapong Suebwonglee yesterday tried to distance his Thai Rak Thai Party from the anti-coup protests and defended ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra as wanting to see the general election take place rather than derail it.

"If my party was behind the anti-coup activities, I believe the protests would be on a much larger scale: just look at the mass rallies we organised ahead of last year's general election," said Surapong, a key party member.

The organisers of PTV's demonstrations, the nucleus of the anti-coup movements, have resigned their party memberships, he said.

Thaksin agrees with Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont's road map to restore democratic rule, he said.

"I think Thaksin has made himself very clear that he does not encourage any party members to get involved with anti-coup activities," he said, admitting that he has not had any direct contact with the former party leader lately.

Surapong said the coup-makers should concentrate on fixing the country's problems instead of wasting time plotting another coup.

He also opposes the plan by the People's Alliance for Democracy, a key anti-Thaksin coalition, to pressure Surayud into quitting.

"The key issue is to call the general election as soon as possible, otherwise the country will regress," he said.

The party is sure to win its election-fraud case, he said. A guilty verdict by the Constitution Tribunal on May 30 could mean the end of the party.

Election Commission chairman Apichart Sukhagganond confirmed that election day would be December 16 or 23.

"This is an auspicious marked by His Majesty the King's 80th birthday, a good rallying point for awareness of righteousness to deter vote-buying," he said.

The campaign for clean and fair polls may lose momentum if the general election is delayed till next year, he said.

It would be even better, he said, if the drafting of the new constitution and the referendum on it finish ahead of schedule and the election can take place even earlier.

The EC is reviewing a plan to transport voters to balloting stations free.

To forestall anti-coup campaigners, the Interior Ministry has instructed all governors to beef up security in their provinces for Songkran and beyond.

The CNS's General Sondhi Boonyaratglin yesterday insisted that he would not become premier if PM Surayud Chulanont resigned as critics forecast.

"I see no reason for me to become prime minister," he said.

Sondhi also said he would take a close look at all political movements after Songkran and find out who was behind them.

Sondhi said he would leave any Cabinet reshuffle to the prime minister. (from The Nation)

Blog master.... political Surapong always have a good comment , I don't care what 's real relation about Thai rak Thai with PTV. I went to Sanamluang last Sunday for rally with PTV , they speech like a previous , to aim to CNS , for the military junta they attacked a little. This is mean that the situation was changed , from Thai webboard explain that Gen.Prem compromised with Thaksin and then he sent Gen.Chaowalit went to London last week for deal with Thaksin. Gen.Prem would try to stay away from The coup-makers because he was heavily engage by the Anti-coup activists. It's mean that the coup-makers was isolated and sacrificed. And CNS always conflicted with the military junta in many case also prove that argue because the head of military junta was appointed by Gen.Prem.

Splash! Happy new year, Thai-style

BANGKOK (Reuters Life!) - Water fights broke out all over Thailand on Friday as thousands of locals and tourists shrugged off security fears and celebrated the Thai new year.

Armed with buckets, hoses and water pistols, Thais and visitors fought pitched battles at the start of the three-day Songkran festival under the watchful eye of scores of policemen on alert for possible bomb attacks in the capital.

Thais believe water washes away bad luck and helps usher in prosperity.

"This is crazy, but it's a very fun way to experience Bangkok," said American tourist Katie Bradley.

Thai police have said they would deploy extra forces in Bangkok for the celebrations to prevent a repeat of the December 31 blasts that killed three people.

Many Thais said they refused to let the security situation dampen their festivities. "Everybody has just come out to play like every year," said Suriyan Chantarakamol. "I am not worried."

Apart for the revelry, the new year is also a time for family gatherings, prayer and visits to the graveyard to pay respects to deceased relatives.

Many countries have advised their citizens to exercise a high degree of caution if visiting Thailand over the Songkran holiday because of threats of terrorist attacks.

Blog master said.... Take a look these pictures , It 's the extreme , Bangkok 's aerospace of this year is lonesome because the weather is no good , Its rainy day and the military junta have new rules as block the pick-up truck which carry buckets for splash , it can't going to the inner of Bangkok etc. , its silly rules. And many Bangkokrians go to vacate in rural.

I think Thais are very serious for more than year from the political stress , this celebrate could be slake them , Thais should have known that political Armageddon be waiting for them in near future. After this drunk festival , we will make history together.