[The Nation] PAD: Don't Intimidate Investigators!
[New Politics Party secretary-general Suriyasai Katasila called on the government not to isolate the police team working on the case, saying it must draw a clear line between not interfering and leaving them isolated.
Thanee's team had taken the right path in finding the culprits in the attack of Sondhi, who also believed his attackers were men in uniform, Suriyasai said.
"What we worry about is whether the government will support this police team and make sure that this is not a phoney fight, especially when Thanee has revealed that some investigators let out secrets and there have been high-powered groups trying to intimidate investigators," he said.]
BP: And does not intimidating investigators extend to those officers investigating the PAD?[Bangkok Post] MATICHON Editorial
[Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's visit to Buri Ram province last Saturday was clear proof that national reconciliation remains a distant dream.
Democrat Party members may claim success for their leader's eight-hour stay in the northeastern province, but we wonder if the trip would have gone smoothly without the heavy presence of security officials deployed to protect the prime minister.]
BP: This is why Abhisit would be better served going to any area where the Dems are at least popular. We seem to be going from the extreme of Abhisit to having no security to having 4,000 security officials. Can't they find a middle ground? Also, if the red shirts act like idiots on such a visit then it only helps Abhisit.[Bangkok Post] THAI RATH COLUMNISTMUD LEK (IRON FIST)
[Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva cannot claim that his visit last Saturday to the northeastern province of Buri Ram was a success.
...
In fact, it was Mr Newin who scored political points last Saturday. Mr Abhisit's presence helped restore Mr Newin's confidence after two shocking defeats at the hands of the opposition Puea Thai Party in two by-elections in Sakon Nakhon and Si Sa Ket provinces last month.
Mr Abhisit did not look prime ministerial because he could not identify with the locals. I did not see him mingle with the crowds and exchange pleasantries with them. Instead, he was constantly surrounded by security officials].
BP: As couldn't really understand how the visit would help the Dems in the medium or long-term, was also wondering if Abhisit's visit was to benefit Newin (or at least Newin thought it would), but dismissed it as Newin using Abhisit made no sense. Anyone with a theory of how? Outside of Buriram and surrounding provinces, isn't Newin in a little bit of trouble up against the Thaksin machine?[The government will explain to the public via the TV pool that the signature campaign seeking a royal pardon for ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra is in contrary to the law and the prescribed procedures.
"The prime minister has instructed Justice Minister Pirapan Salirathavibhaga to appear in a live broadcast to warn about the wrongful campaign," PM's Office Minister Satit Wongnongtaey said on Thursday.
Pirapan is expected to clarify that a royal pardon is granted only to a convicted who has served part of the punishment and that only a convict is allowed to submit a pardon petition, Satit said.]
BP: Section 191 of the Constitution states "[t]he King has the prerogative to grant a pardon". Up until now, the words "inappropriate" and "should not" have been used as to imply that morally or politically it should not be done. So which law is being breached by the petition? Or it is merely a "wrong campaign"? (i.e the govt disagrees with it)
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