Opposition to ask PM to clarify blacklisting of 212 persons

BANGKOK, March 1 (TNA) — The opposition Puea Thai Party will on Tuesday submit a letter requesting Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to set up a committee to investigate whether his government has blacklisted 212 persons who are staunch supporters of fugitive, ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the party spokesman said Monday.

Spokesman Prompong Nopparit said he would submit the letter at Government House asking the prime minister to establish a committee to probe the issue after a number of persons on the alleged blacklist complained of being followed by unknown people.

If true, it could be considered a violation of individual rights, Mr Prompong said, adding  that the ruling Democrat Party had obviously denied knowledge of the preparation of the list.

He said some Buddhist monks whose names also appeared on the list would travel with him to Government House.

Leading members of the Democrat Party, led by Prime Minister Abhisit, have come out in full force and denied the allegations.

Thepthai Senpong, spokesman for Mr  Abhisit, said the government has “never done anything illegally”. The list, if it exists, could be published by anybody.

Democrat Party spokesman Buranaj Samutharak said the government had never violated anybody’s rights. He said the names of political activists and troublemakers are already held by courts. (TNA)