Threat to seize assets of sponsors of anti-govt rallies
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Laws against 'money laundering' may be brought to bear against business people backing protests
THE GOVERNMENT will enforce anti-money-laundering laws and seize the assets of capitalists who sponsor anti-government rallies, the prime minister’s deputy secretary-general, Suporn Atthawong, warned yesterday.
Suporn said he would call on the Anti-Money Laundering Office (AMLO) to check and stop the routing of protest funds.
Once the payment of protest sponsorship was checked, he would ask the AMLO to enforce the law on money “laundering” and seize people’s assets, as he said moves to topple an elected government were illegal. Some groups of “capitalists” were giving support to the protest, he said.
Suporn said that although the Department of Special Investigation had talked to certain suspected rally financiers, they had denied giving financial backing to the protests.
He said the DSI told him the money routes would be exposed by the end of this month. The businesspeople involved would be summoned for interrogation.
Suporn also said military weapons had been smuggled from the Thai-Malaysian border while vans with “Thanapat” stickers were used for transport. He claimed a certain protest leader would incite violence.
He said he had asked an informant to give a statement to Deputy Prime Minister Pracha Promnog and National Security Council (NSC) secretary-general Paradorn Pattanatabutr in the next few days.
Commenting on the protests, he said the crowds had dwindled despite Suthep Thaugsuban’s plea for more protesters.
Pracha said the government was ready to engage in talks with protesters to resolve the situation. He urged Suthep and Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva to step forward and outline their demands.
“I want to know if the two can wait until the next general election in two years,” he said.
He voiced concern about the involvement of a “third hand”, as he had received information about the alleged mobilisation of the unemployed and drug addicts from upcountry to boost the protests.
But NSC secretary-general Paradorn said police had detected no transportation of arms from the South to Bangkok, despite intensified road checks as a precaution. He also played down a claim about the presence of snipers, saying this might be based on a rumour.
Rally spokesman Akanat Promphan denied Suporn’s statement, saying reports about weapons being transported was a fabrication against the protests.
“The government should disclose true information and promptly take legal action against any wrongdoing,” he said.
National Human Rights Commission member Niran Pitakwatchara made an inspection of the rally site on Rajdamnoen Avenue in Bangkok and found no suspicious activities.
“Protesters have assembled peacefully on their own accord and they are not hired hands,” he said.
Niran said he wanted to ensure the police complied with the right to peaceful assembly.
“Society should learn from past lessons on violence because in a democracy, differing sides should be able to talk to the other without having to become enemies killing one another,” he said.
