BANGKOK - Thai authorities Thursday began shutting down three Bangkok radio stations after deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra went on air to urge a swift return to democracy in an apparent attempt to rally support here.

Thaksin, who has lived in exile in London since a coup last September, telephoned the three anti-military community radio stations, which broadcast his calls for early elections live on air.

He has previously only spoken to international media and the Thai military has threatened to close down local outlets that report his statements.

"I was shocked and speechless when I realised that the person on the other line was him," said Chupong Theethuan of "Confidante" community radio station.

"He urged quick elections and said the government does not have to worry about him as he will not travel near this region again," he added.

The prime minister's office confirmed on Thursday afternoon it had moved to shut down Confidante Radio, Saturday Voice Against Dictatorship and Taxi Driver Community Radio, saying they were operating illegally and were jeopardising national security.

Thailand's army-installed Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said he was not surprised by Thaksin's media blitz, but argued his deposed predecessor was using the radio shows in a bid to gain public sympathy.

"I think Thaksin wants sympathy from his supporters," Surayud told a Thai television station.

"I have nothing to say to Thaksin," the prime minister said.

Two community radio listeners had earlier called AFP and reported that the three stations had gone off air.

Speaking live on Saturday Voice Against Dictatorship, Thaksin said he was worried that some of his schemes for the rural poor had been scrapped by the military-installed government.

Thaksin told Confidante Radio he was concerned the government had scaled down scholarships for students and urged "children who are suffering" to contact his foundation, Chupong said.

He told Saturday Voice that he would return to Thailand, but said he did not want to come back home when it might cause a confrontation.

"I have spent almost one year abroad, but the country has not yet returned to normalcy. They always cite me as the problem, but as of now no one wants to reconcile with me," he told Saturday Voice.

Thaksin was in New York when tanks rolled onto the streets of Bangkok, and has since divided his time between London, the United States and Asia.

Despite insisting that he has no intention of returning to politics, the billionaire businessman has hired two political lobby groups in Washington.

This is the first time Thaksin has successfully contacted media based in Thailand, although he has regular posted video messages to supporters on his website and has given interviews to international media.

The military imposed a variety of censorship orders after it seized power and in January this year issued a specific warning that it would shut down broadcasters who carried statements by the deposed premier.

Government spokesman Yongyuth Mayalarp also warned that any move by Thaksin to appear on local television channels would not be tolerated.

"This would cause a security concern," he told reporters.

Pity on Thaksin he will spent his money on these mob until all gone.

Was that really necessary? O_o

Whatever works for them though

tell me khun AERO do you think there will be trouble on the streets?

Their number is just small and this mob is paid by the local political guy so i think there is so small chance for them go berserk like the real mob. Beside the money that the small money that the political guy pay them is not worth enough for them to get pain or go to jail.

All you have to be careful is avoid the traffic on the Rajdumneun road and the Grandpalace

What is the minimum wage in BKK?

200 Baht?

Let's do the math.

The press said there we about 10,000 ppl the other night.

If evryone get paid, Thakky had to pay 2,000,000 Baht.

Now, in exile and jobless,Thaksin (self-made millionaire ) makes 8.4 mil/day on interest alone[from his own declared bank accounts].

yeah the traffic is a killer!!
thats what i think too. i asked a taxi guy and he laughed and said bpen bpai mai daai

The Thai mob is annoy but they are much more sweeter than the European mob krap ,wish they still calm like this always


Thai


German G8 Mob

well i dont trust mobs of any type. but as long as there is peace. so basically thaksin supporters just have to accept the inevitable?
hard to take in any democracy

maybe that because the thai police are actually humane and know their rights compared to the british police (i've been to several protests and had run ins with the law and im not one to start rioting) - people guetting camera's taking off them, police using methods they shoudn't use to control crowds, its quite fascistic like. what you see on the media is only one side of what happens (and if you trust the bbc or cnn to be 100% accurate in the information then you've got alot of thinking to do - CNN has ratings to worry about and the BBC has the government shadowing over it.... ITV is just a f*cking joke... the media is there to make money after all) - there's always independant media out there to give the other side of the story. alot of these so called riots happen for a reason but that reason is never explained properly (just look at the G8 summit in genoa and the riots that happened..... someone here tell me that the italian police is clean when it comes to using necessary force and diplomacy ).

well as crooked as thai police are at least they prefer not to bash you out of the way.
i am always grateful for the police here, as long as they arent looking for a bribe they are superior to western police. (especially the Garda Siochana (the only un-armed people in Ireland )

In some what BKK is so peaceful they and these cops used to it but in some case they need to b more tough. What would happen if the BKK police got the call about some one get shot?



The first thought after they receive the call might be they think that the guy has too much drink or eat Yaba Then what would happen if the criminal is the well train special force or terrorist? The 1st police man who go there might injure or die cuz they under estimate how bad the guy with the gun can do


But what they think about the Muslim guy with the gun in the southern Thai is different story ,they might shot without asking any question


This news is about the Thai police even lost in gun fight with the gay boy who train to shoot gun on counterstrike.

http://www.asiafinest.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=121379

so there is a shoot-first attitude in the south?
yeah bangkok police are quite soft but i thin k you have to know someone to get a job in bkk