PM believes some groups will continue to gather; urges public to retain faith in court verdict

BANGKOK, Feb 27 (TNA) – Prime Minsiter Abhisit Vejjajiva said he believed that varied group will continue their anti-government campaigns even though the Supreme Court Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions ordered the seizure Friday of Bt46.37 billion of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra frozen assets.

The court ordered the confiscation of Bt46.37 billion of the total Bt76.6 billion in frozen assets claimed by the Thaksin family. The court ruled that Mr Thaksin and his former wife had concealed their declarable assets and that the ex-premier had abused his position as premier to enrich their businesses.

Mr Abhisit admitted as he recorded his weekly television programme ‘Confidence in Thailand with Prime Minister Abhisit’ that after this, there will still be groups of people dissatisfied with the verdict and not agreeing with the ruling but he urged the public to respect and to accept the court verdict.

The premier said it was the government’s responsibility and agencies concerned’s duties to monitor situation and prevent any untoward incident.

Regarding the planned mass protest of the anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) Red Shirts to topple the government March 14, Mr Abhisit said the security committee chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban would oversee maintaining law and order in the kingdom.

Asked on goverment’s measures after Mr Thaksin did not accept the verdict, the premier reiterated that everybody should respect the court and its verdict, saying that in the past Mr Thaksin had won some cases even there were some doubt.

Fugitive former premier Thaksin said in his statement, read out by legal advisor Noppadon Pattamathat, that he did not accept the court’s verdict to seize his Bt46 billion baht in assets, saying it was like being robbed.

Mr Abhisit said his government had not robbed anyone but the Court ruled that Mr Thaksin had committed an offence and caused damage to the country.

It was not issue between the government and Mr Thaksin but the seizure would be carried out because of the wrongdoing, he said.

The premier suggested that the seized Bt46 billion of Thaksin assets could help stimulate the Thai economy and reduce loan burden. (TNA)