In free translation: Thaksin talks out of his neck with the claim that he talks to judges about bail for the red shirts still imprisoned.
"He must have said it to impress his supporters," said Sitthisak Wanachakit, spokesman for the court. "But the truth is, no such conversation ever took place."
Thaksin made this claim over the phone on Saturday at a gathering of about 300 red shirts in Rattanaburi (Surin). He promised to pay bail out of his own pocket.
But Sitthisak points out that bail is considered on a case-by-case basis by a panel of judges. It is impossible for a judge to influence 100 cases. When making a decision, the judges look at the behavior of the suspect, the seriousness of the accusation and the risk of flight.
Sitthisak would not comment on whether Thaksin's remarks can be regarded as contempt of court. In such cases, courts can ask for a further explanation or prosecute the person who made the statement.
Opposition leader Abhisit (Democrats) says Thaksin's remarks imply that the justice system can be influenced. They are proof that Thaksin wants such justice. But does society want this kind of justice?, Abhisit wonders rhetorically.
Green Politics Group coordinator Suriyasai Katasila sees Thaksin's pledge to secure bail for the red shirts as an attempt to maintain support. Many red shirts wonder if they were abused to pave the way for Thaksin's Pheu ภาษาไทย party to come to power. But their grievances about social inequality remain unresolved, according to Suritasai.
www.dickvanderlugt.nl – Source: Bangkok Post
I think he is losing support. 300 red shirts during his speech is of course 2 x nothing. I think they are getting smarter.
Thaksin's publicity campaign slowly starts to take off. In the north of Thailand I saw posters everywhere of the man (with thumbs up) in the company of sister lief. Yesterday in Pattaya two cars preceded by a motorcyclist with red flags and lots of blaring Thai music and words blaring from the loudspeakers. The cars on both sides are wallpapered with Thaksin's photo and of course that thumbs up again. And if the farang can't read the Thai texts; under his portrait are the words “I love you” in bold.
Posters along the road have been appearing everywhere in the last week. It looks like seed that has now germinated. Usually with the local representatives of PT and with Thaksin(, thumbs up) in the middle