Kasit says comments 'violate the monarchy'The government has denounced ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra for offending the monarchy in an interview with the online edition of The Times of London.
Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya condemned the remarks as offensive and inappropriate.
He also questioned Thaksin's motive for giving the interview. Mr Kasit was a leading spokesmen for foreign affairs for the anti-Thaksin People's Alliance for Democracy before he was appointed as minister.
The Times quoted Thaksin as saying "circles" of the royal institution were interfering in administrative affairs and called for reform of the institution.
"That's the problem in Thailand. The monarchy is not the problem. The monarchy is good for Thailand. Thailand needs to have a monarchy but it should not be abused or played by the palace circles," Thaksin was quoted as saying in a story posted on the newspaper's website on Monday.
Asked if he was saying the monarchy was a good thing but the royal institution needed reform, he said: " Yes, yes."
Mr Kasit said Thaksin also made inappropriate comments about His Majesty the King and the Crown Prince.
"Thaksin's interview is a violation of the monarchy, which is the country's core pillar and a highly respected institution. It is unacceptable and should have never taken place," he said.
"Thaksin has also chosen to make a move when the entire nation is joining in wishing His Majesty the King a full recovery and good health. I wonder if he has a hidden agenda or is plotting an inappropriate move," Mr Kasit told a news conference.
He said the interview lacked credibility as it contained several false or distorted items of information regarding the role of the monarchy in politics and the bilateral spat between Thailand and Cambodia over the appointment of Thaksin as an adviser to Prime Minister Hun Sen and his government.
"We are not protesting Times Online because it ran the interview. If we are to protest, we have to protest against Thaksin," Mr Kasit said.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said he had ordered the Foreign Ministry to clarify the matter with The Times as the interview was inaccurate.
Mr Abhisit said the publisher may also have something to say about the interview.
PM's Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey said the government would seek the cooperation of The Times to obtain a record of Thaksin's interview with its reporter in Dubai.
Thaksin yesterday issued a statement condemning Times Online for false reporting, saying parts of the article were distorted on publication.
In his statement, the former prime minister said he never said any of the things which appeared in the first paragraph of the article about the reform and the future of the monarchy.
Thaksin said he never made comments that could be deemed offensive to the monarchy. Instead, he said the royal institution was above politics and no one should involve it in politics.
He also condemned Times Online for distorting the facts.
"I have repeatedly told the reporter that the institution [of the monarchy] is a sensitive matter and the reporting must be strictly accurate. I condemn Times Online for reporting lies and causing confusion."
Mr Thaksin confirmed he and his family were loyal to Their Majesties and were ready to sacrifice their lives to protect the highest institution.
But Mr Abhisit argued that Thaksin was fully aware of the inappropriate content otherwise he would not have issued his statement.
"I think the people who read it [the interview] know it is inappropriate. And he [Thaksin] must have known it too. That's why he is saying he didn't say what was reported," Mr Abhisit said.
Thaksin also issued an open letter defending his decision to advise Phnom Penh on economic issues and poverty.
The former prime minister said he would only offer insights on poverty and the global economic situation.
"I am not helping Cambodia to compete with Thailand. I will never do things to hurt my country no matter how badly I disagree with the government," he said.
Thaksin said he was due to leave for Cambodia yesterday. He did not say where he would be staying.
Source: Bangkok Post
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