February 26, 2009
Bangkok (ASTV Manager Online) – Former army chief Gen Chaisith Shinawatra and Thaksin’s younger sister Yaowaret Shinawatra both said they knew nothing about ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra’s special citizenship.
Nicaragua and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) reportedly planned to grant Thaksin special citizenship.
Gen Chaisith said he had no idea about this news since he has not talked to Thaksin for a big while. He added that he did not want to get involved in political situation.
Gen Chaisith was earlier criticized for attending a ceremony to extend Thaksin’s life in Chiang Mai.
Yaowaret also denied knowing anything about the news, saying she was preparing to travel abroad.
Thaksin reportedly planned to give his speech to the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand in Hong Kong next Monday.
Sathit Wongnongtei, PM’s Office Minister, said the government did not pay attention to this issue and considered it as news to add color to politics.
He also said that relating officials were responsible for taking Thaksin back to face legal actions so that it would not look like he was treated out of the government’s spite.
Putthipong Punnakan, deputy government’s spokesman, urged Thaksin to consider the sake of the country.
He said bringing Thaksin back to face legal actions needed to be done carefully as the issue could be an excuse for the pro-Thaksin group to cause a political turmoil.
PM Abhisit Vejjajiva told the reporters that the government would coordinate with the Chinese government to bring Thaksin back for legal process.
