Government revives fears of plot to assassinate PM

By David Ogan

22 August 2006

Speculation was reignited yesterday about a plot to assassinate caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra after Interior Minister ACM Kongsak Wanthana admitted the rumors, which first emerged several months ago, could be true.

However, ACM Kongsak said security measures in place to protect the premier were sufficient and would not be strengthened.

“I received information [about the assassination plot] from intelligence sources following their investigation into the rumors,” he said.

“However, there is no need to strengthen Thaksin’s security as it is sufficient.”

When rumors started circulating in June that hired foreign assassins or members of the special forces were planning to kill Thaksin, security around the premier and his family was significantly stepped up.

ACM Kongsak’s comments followed clashes between security forces protecting the prime minister and anti-Thaksin demonstrators at the Siam Paragon shopping mall in Bangkok on Saturday.

ACM Kongsak claimed the anti-Thaksin People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) – which is demanding the premier step down from politics – was behind the protest and said future demonstrations – which analysts are predicting will become increasingly violent – must follow the government’s lead and be law-abiding.

“I want to ask all sides to respect the rule of law – as the government has strictly done,” he said. “There will be no problems if both sides are careful. I must ask PAD to respect the rules as well.”

An official at the National Intelligence Agency made headlines in June when he said an investigation had been launched into reports that Thaksin’s opponents had pooled resources and hired foreign assassins to kill the premier.

However, despite beefing up his personal security, Thaksin has consistently shrugged off rumors of an assassination plot.

Thai Day

Interior Minister admits reported assassination attempts against PM

BANGKOK, Aug 21 (TNA) - Interior Minister Air Chief Marshal Kongsak Wanthana conceded here Monday that recent reports on assassination attempts against Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra have grounds.

The minister said, however, that the 'information' he received had not yet probed by intelligence units.

"I was reported on the 'information', but it's still considered a rumour as it has yet verified by any official intelligence unit," he told journalists.

The interior minister stressed, however, that there would be no reinforced security measures for the caretaker prime minister at places he would visit, saying the "VIP-level" security preparedness for the Thai leader was considered sufficient.

Responding to journalists over continued anti-Thaksin movements, particularly those of the premier's arch critics formed themselves as the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), ACM Kongsak said: "The government has fully respected the rules and we'd like to see reciprocal practice from all other parties."

TNA

Thaksin says he knows about attempts on his life two weeks ago

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra claimed Thursday that he had known about a plot to assassinate him for two weeks.

Thaksin also claimed to know the identities of those who made attempts on his life.

He said he left home earlier than normal schedule Thursday because he had a meeting at 8:30 am.

The Nation