Coup inm Thailand
Photo: Reuters
Thai coup leader indicates fallen PM may be prosecuted
Army general who ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra says ‘Those who have committed wrongdoings have to be prosecuted according to the law’
The army general who ousted
Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra indicated Wednesday that the fallen leader could be prosecuted for wrongdoing and said a post-coup interim government would retain power for no more than one year.
Asked whether there would be moves to confiscate Thaksin’s vast assets, Army Commander-in-Chief Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratkalin told a news conference that “Those who have committed wrongdoings have to be prosecuted according to the law.” He did not elaborate.
Sonthi said that he would act as prime minister for two weeks until a new leader “Who is neutral and upholds democracy” is found. Then, the new government would not hold on to power for more than a year, he said. “I am the one who decided to stage the coup. No one supported me,” he said, referring to Thailand’s revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Sonthi said that general elections would be held in October 2007.
“Foreign policy and international agreements will not be changed,” he said.
General Sonthi said the Thai military plans to choose a new prime minister within two weeks and step back from power.
"We have two weeks. After two weeks, we will step out," Sonthi told a news conference.
'Thaksin would be welcome to return'
The military leadership was poring over lists of candidates for the prime minister's job.
"We want a person who loves democracy and constitutional monarchy," he said.
Meanwhile, Shinawatra has chartered a Russian plane to fly him and his entourage from New York to London, a Thai reporter accompanying him said on Wednesday.
The reporter, a member of the Thai press corps covering Thaksin’s trip to the United Nations, said other details of the his flight schedule were not known.
Thaksin was expected to travel to London with Surakiart Sathirathai, one of his deputy prime ministers who is also a candidate to succeed Kofi Annan as UN Secretary-General.
One of Thaksin’s daughters is studying in London, said the reporter who declined to be identified.
The other members of his family would join him later, according Thai newspapers.
General Sonthi told reporters Thaksin would be welcome to return to Thailand.
