Monday, 23 November 2009

Times refuses to hand over Thaksin tape


Published: 22/11/2009

(CAAI News Media)

The London newspaper that printed an interview with Thaksin Shinawatra focussing on the monarchy has "unofficially" refused to turn over the original tape to the Thai government, PM's Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey said on Sunday.


Mr Sathit speaks to the media on Sunday

The government "requested" a copy of the original tape of the interview between The Times newspaper and the fugitive ex-premier, the miinster said.

The interview took place earlier this month, and according to Mr Satit it is "thought to contain material considered offensive to the monarchy."

Mr Sathit told repoerters the daily did not provide a reason why it would not provide the taped interview, but merely said it had the right not to comply with the request.

Mr Sathit said he had again ordered officials to send a request again and ask the daily to "reply officially". He claimed the article hurt the feelings of the Thai people.

The interview was conducted in Dubai where Thaksin is staying in self-imposed exile. The newspaper said the interviewer was Richard Lloyd Parry, a British foreign correspondent who is Tokyo-based Asia editor of The Times.

The ex-premier has claimed the online edition of The Times "distorted" his remarks.

Thaksin was sentenced in absentia in October last year by a Bangkok court to two years' imprisonment for abuse of power by helping his then-wife acquire a parcel of prime Bangkok commercial property at a price far below its market value. (TNA)

1 comment:

  1. Do you have any video of that? I'd want to find out more details.

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