BANGKOK, Dec 13, (AFP) -Ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra will address a major rally from exile Saturday as political tensions rise ahead of Monday's crucial vote for a new prime minister, a rally leader told AFP.
The former premier, living in exile to escape corruption charges, will phone in to a packed Bangkok stadium Saturday evening, after his allies in government were forced out by a court ruling that has splintered their coalition.
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| A supporter of Thai ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra shouts slogans during a rally at the national stadium in Bangkok on December 13- AFP |
He will use his speech to accuse the army of meddling in Thai politics, said the rally leader.
“Thaksin's speech will concentrate on the current political situation, especially the forming of a new government that the army has got involved in by snatching MPs,” said Jatuporn Prompan, a leader of the pro-Thaksin “Truth Today” group.Thaksin's address will include a recorded message and live telephone conversation with another rally leader Veera Musikapong that will begin at 8pm (1300 GMT) and last about an hour, Jatuporn said.
It will be Thaksin's second public address since leaving Thailand in August.
He has since been sentenced in absentia to two years in jail on corruption charges and refuses to confirm where he is living since he was forced to leave Britain in November when his visa was revoked.
Thaksin was ousted in a 2006 coup following months of protests by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) who took to the streets again this year, accusing the government of acting as his proxy. |
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