Times Online rejects transferring Thaksin´s taped interview to Thailand

BANGKOK, 22 November 2009 (NNT) – The “Times Online” has unofficially refused to comply with a request by the Thai government to hand over the controversial taped interview with former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra to Thailand, which contained parts that are deemed lese majeste, according to the Minister to the PM’s Office Satit Wonghnongtaey.

Mr. Satit stated that the British news website did not elaborate on why it could not provide the taped interview of the ousted prime minister to the Thai goverment. He said Thai authorities would re-submit the official request.

The interview was conducted between the Thai former prime minister and Mr Richard Lloyd Parry, a British reporter and the Tokyo-based Asia editor of the Times Online earlier this month. Mr Thaksin later claimed that his interview was distorted by the reporter after the Thai government found his remarks in the interview contained inaccurate and misleading information which was also considered strongly offensive to the Monarchy.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen recently appointed former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra as economic advisor to the Cambodian government. Mr Thaksin, who was ousted in the 2006 military coup, has been a fugitive from Thailand to evade the 2 year jail sentence handed down to him for abuse of power and corruption. Cambodia’s recent appointment has currently sparked tension between the two nations.

Regarding the recent death threat against the Prime Minister made by a community radio station in Chiang Mai during the week, the legal punishment and criminal action must be taken against the offenders, said the minister, adding that the station must be closed down if found unregistered. The threat stated that the Prime Minister would be assassinated upon arrival in Chiang Mai province, hometown of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to attend the provincial Chamber of Commerce’s meeting in Chiang Mai on 29 November. The visit is aimed at restoring confidence in the private sector. However, he reconfirmed the plan to visit the northern province despite an assasination threat.