Govt nothing to do with strip of Mr Thaksin´s rank

BANGKOK, 28 October 2009 (NNT) – The government does not intervene in the stripping of police lieutenant colonel rank and the recall of the royal decoration of ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, according to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

Prime Minister Abhisit stated that the Royal Thai Police proceeded with the matter itself following its regulations. He added that the move was not a counter action of the government following Mr Thaksin’s support for the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) to oust the government.

The PM said that the government would try to explain the stripping of Mr Thaksin’s rank and royal decoration to the anti-government UDD in order to prevent political turmoil.

Regarding a movement of Mr Thaksin to sent SMS messages to Thai people and his supporters, Prime Minister Abhisit said the sending of such messages could be done in line with law and they must not negatively affect national security.

Former PM Thaksin earlier said he would start sending SMS messages about news and his movements to Thai people, especially his supporters, from 1 November 2009 onwards, free of charge.