Rumors thicken of plot to assassinate Thaksin

By Martin Petty

13 July 2006

Five teams within the armed forces have plotted to assassinate caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra because of resentment of his conduct during recent royal celebrations, intelligence sources said last night.

In a bulletin on the Manager Online website, an anonymous military intelligence official said five separate teams from within the army, navy and air force had planned to kill the premier, and the plot was “well known” among the top military brass.

The source did not disclose whether the assassins were following orders from their superiors or if they were rogue factions acting independently.

The Manager website quoted the intelligence source as saying top generals were upset by Thaksin’s “inappropriate behavior” during the 60th anniversary celebrations of His Majesty the King’s accession to the throne.

Government officials were unavailable for comment last night.

Intelligence chiefs were yesterday investigating initial reports of a plot to assassinate Thaksin, while security around the embattled premier and his family was beefed-up in response to the rumors.

An aide to National Intelligence Agency chief Chumphol Manmai said an investigation had been launched into earlier reports claiming Thaksin’s opponents had pooled funds to hire foreign assassins to kill the premier.

“We are aware of these rumors and are looking into their validity,” the aide told ThaiDay.

The report claimed the issue was discussed at a June 25 meeting of top security chiefs, although the aide insisted it was never raised. “This was not discussed,” he said.

Army chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratakalin offered to provide security for Thaksin, if requested, saying it was the army’s responsibility to protect the country’s leader at all costs.

“Reports are reports, but everyone must be on the alert,” he told reporters. “If the government wants protection from the army, it is our duty to provide it.”

Government Spokesman Surapong Suebwonglee said Thaksin was unperturbed by talk of hired hitmen and would carry out his duties as normal.

“The prime minister has told me he is not shaken by these reports,” he said. “He sees this as a danger he is always faced with as a prime minister.”

Asked if Thaksin’s security had been increased, he said: “It is normal for this to happen in these situations.”

A National Security Council official said security teams would be sent to key locations several hours ahead of visits by Thaksin, while two cars each with five bodyguards armed with automatic weapons would follow the premier’s vehicle.

Rumors of the plot came amid a turbulent few months for Thaksin, who is under fire for saying a “charismatic individual” was trying to engineer his downfall.

Analysts and commentators regard the comment as a veiled reference to His Majesty’s most senior aide, Gen Prem Tinsulanonda. Thaksin has refused to name the individual. – Additional reporting by Tonghathai Suddee

Thai Day

Interior Minister downplays rumoured plot to assassinate Prime Minister

BANGKOK, July 12 (TNA) - Interior Minister Kongsak Wanthana dismissed rumours of a plot to involving foreign assassins alleged to have been hired to kill Thailand's caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, saying such hearsay only serves to sow fear and confusion among the public.

Though the interior minister categorically rejected the rumoured plot to assassinate the embattled Mr. Thaksin, a plot which purportedly would be carried out by unidentified foreign gunmen, Air Chief Marshal Kongsak assured the public Wednesday that security officials are remaining diligent, nonetheless.

Security officials must pay careful attention to any circumstances which is rumoured or otherwise comes to light, he stated.

No government can be careless when rumours of such a sensitive nature affecting the highest levels of the state are being passed around by word of mouth.

For that reason, Interior Ministry security officials will work harder on such rumoured intelligence.

The interior minister declined to comment if the so-called assassination attempt might have been connected with Mr Thaksin's earlier remarks made about a certain "charismatic figure who remains beyond the reach of the Constitution."

Meanwhile, Marshal Kongsak played down concerns that a gathering of members of the Dharma Gaya religious sect, scheduled early next week at its temple in Pathum Thani province, had been designed to thwart a massive gathering of the anti-Thaksin People's Alliance for Democracy set for Friday in the capital.

Neither had the Dharma Gaya gathering been designed to show massive support for the embattled prime minister as alleged, Marshal Kongsak said.

Nonetheless, a hundred thousand people are expected to show up at the temple next Monday.

According to the interior minister, the Dharma Gaya members rally was only meant to celebrate His Majesty the King's 60th anniversary of his accession to the throne.

TNA

Military ready to give support to keep safety for PM, says army chief

BANGKOK, July 12 (TNA) – Royal Thai Army Commander-in-Chief Gen. Sonthi Boonyarattakalin on Wednesday reiterated that the army is ready to give support to keep safety for Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra if the government want it to do so.

His remarks came amidst an intelligent report that there is an assassination attempt against the premier by an unidentified group of dissidents.

Giving an interview before leaving for an official visit to Singapore during July 12-14, Gen. downplayed a report that security agencies had called on the Interior Ministry and the army to supervise the safety of Prime Minister Thaksin.

“It is just a report. However, all sections must already have preventive measures. Should the government want us to help, it is our duty to give the support,” he said.

The army chief added that he did not give any additional suggestions on an approach to solving the unrest in the country's deep South because he had already done that for several occasions.

Officials concerned had already been given a policy for their action toward the situation, he said.

TNA

PM Thaksin downplays security threats, high-level resignations

BANGKOK, July 13 (TNA) - Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Thursday played down a rumoured plot to assassinate him, saying that there was no cause for serious concern--even though security measures for his personal safety have been stepped up.

Mr. Thaksin admitted he had been advised by National Intelligence Agency director-general Pol. Gen. Jumphol Manmai to have security measures stepped up at Government House and elsewhere in the face of the supposed assassination bid.

Given more beefing up of his security personnel, the premier asserted, everything would remain under control and the public need not panic about such unconfirmed reports.

Nevertheless, Mr. Thaksin said the authorities, especially intelligence-gathering units, will collect any tip-offs and leads to threats possibly being hatched against him.

Gen. Jumphol said he earlier submitted recommendations to the Prime Minister's secretary general Prommin Lertsuridej for stepped-up security.

Meanwhile, Mr. Thaksin dismissed rumours that several key cabinet members--Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, Deputy Prime Minister Surakiart Sathirathai and Prime Minister's Office Minister Suranand Vejjajiva--will resign.

The premier said he had just talked by telephone to the three ministers, including Mr. Suranand, who was returning from the United States, on Thursday.

TNA