This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6265857.stm
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Thaksin visit sparks Thai protest | Thaksin visit sparks Thai protest |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Thailand's military-backed government has summoned Singapore's ambassador to protest over ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra's visit to the city state. | Thailand's military-backed government has summoned Singapore's ambassador to protest over ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra's visit to the city state. |
Thailand's leaders, who have been trying to sideline Mr Thaksin, were angry he was able to meet Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister S Jayakumar. | Thailand's leaders, who have been trying to sideline Mr Thaksin, were angry he was able to meet Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister S Jayakumar. |
They are also thought to be unhappy at media interviews Mr Thaksin gave in Singapore, one of which was critical. | They are also thought to be unhappy at media interviews Mr Thaksin gave in Singapore, one of which was critical. |
Mr Thaksin's government was ousted in a military coup in September. | Mr Thaksin's government was ousted in a military coup in September. |
The military-backed government stepped up its campaign against Mr Thaksin's regime on Tuesday as the former ruling party, Thai Rak Thai, went on trial accused of electoral fraud. | The military-backed government stepped up its campaign against Mr Thaksin's regime on Tuesday as the former ruling party, Thai Rak Thai, went on trial accused of electoral fraud. |
'Enough is enough' | 'Enough is enough' |
Since being ousted from office, Mr Thaksin has travelled around Asia. The coup leaders fear these visits are politically motivated, and last week cancelled his diplomatic passport. | Since being ousted from office, Mr Thaksin has travelled around Asia. The coup leaders fear these visits are politically motivated, and last week cancelled his diplomatic passport. |
The Thai foreign ministry said it summoned Singapore's ambassador to discuss the meeting between Mr Thaksin and Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister, S Jayakumar, at the weekend. | The Thai foreign ministry said it summoned Singapore's ambassador to discuss the meeting between Mr Thaksin and Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister, S Jayakumar, at the weekend. |
"We informed the Singaporean (ambassador) that we are concerned by the political movements made by Thaksin," Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont told reporters. | "We informed the Singaporean (ambassador) that we are concerned by the political movements made by Thaksin," Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont told reporters. |
Singapore said the meeting was purely social and private. | Singapore said the meeting was purely social and private. |
But Thai officials rejected the explanation, withdrawing an invitation to Singapore's foreign minister to visit Thailand later this month. | |
In another sign that they are still worried by the former leader, the coup leaders asked broadcasters last week to limit coverage of comments by Mr Thaksin and his representatives. | In another sign that they are still worried by the former leader, the coup leaders asked broadcasters last week to limit coverage of comments by Mr Thaksin and his representatives. |
A CNN interview with Mr Thaksin, conducted in Singapore and broadcast elsewhere on Monday night, was not shown in Thailand. | A CNN interview with Mr Thaksin, conducted in Singapore and broadcast elsewhere on Monday night, was not shown in Thailand. |
During the interview, Mr Thaksin said he had no wish to return to politics. | During the interview, Mr Thaksin said he had no wish to return to politics. |
"Enough is enough," he said, adding that it was time to "contribute to the Thai society outside [the] political arena." | "Enough is enough," he said, adding that it was time to "contribute to the Thai society outside [the] political arena." |
Mr Thaksin also spoke to the Wall Street Journal, saying that the military regime that had replaced his government should not be in power for long. | Mr Thaksin also spoke to the Wall Street Journal, saying that the military regime that had replaced his government should not be in power for long. |
"We have tasted democracy, and we believe in democracy. So it's time for Thailand to restore democracy as soon as possible," he said. | "We have tasted democracy, and we believe in democracy. So it's time for Thailand to restore democracy as soon as possible," he said. |
He criticised the government's economic policies - such as sudden capital control measures which saw the stock market plummet, only to be partially rescinded the next day. | He criticised the government's economic policies - such as sudden capital control measures which saw the stock market plummet, only to be partially rescinded the next day. |
"Whether you like it or not, we have to live under a capitalist system," Mr Thaksin told the newspaper. | "Whether you like it or not, we have to live under a capitalist system," Mr Thaksin told the newspaper. |
"To live in it successfully, we have to open up our economy and our society... Competition is unavoidable, so we have to prepare for it." | "To live in it successfully, we have to open up our economy and our society... Competition is unavoidable, so we have to prepare for it." |
He also denied any involvement in deadly New Year's Eve blasts in Bangkok which killed three people. | He also denied any involvement in deadly New Year's Eve blasts in Bangkok which killed three people. |
"I'm not that kind of person," he said. "It's not my style." | "I'm not that kind of person," he said. "It's not my style." |
Party on trial | Party on trial |
Mr Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai party faces charges of illegally financing minor parties and misusing the election commission during controversial polls in April 2006. | Mr Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai party faces charges of illegally financing minor parties and misusing the election commission during controversial polls in April 2006. |
The polls were subsequently annulled. | The polls were subsequently annulled. |
The main opposition to Thai Rak Thai, the Democrat Party, also faces trial later this week for obstructing campaigning during the same elections. | The main opposition to Thai Rak Thai, the Democrat Party, also faces trial later this week for obstructing campaigning during the same elections. |
Both parties deny the charges against them, but face possible dissolution if found guilty. The verdicts for both trials are expected early in May. | Both parties deny the charges against them, but face possible dissolution if found guilty. The verdicts for both trials are expected early in May. |
Previous version
1
Next version