Thaksin's cousin seeks royal pardon over boxing match
Former Supreme commander General Chaiyasit Shinawatra has sought a royal pardon for using "King's Cup" title in a boxing match without having received a royal authorisation.
Chaiyasit, a cousin of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, said he had sent a letter to the Office of His Majesty Principal Private Secretary to seek the royal pardon.
The controversial boxing match was held in Macao and the match was broadcast live on state-run NBT Channel.
Chaiyasit explained that actually no King Cup was given, but the Lt Col Kulthorn Prachupmoh, an organiser, incorrectly spoke on the stage that that the King Cup would be handed out to the winner.
Chaiyasit said the Office of His Majesty’s Principal Private Secretary demanded that he issue a letter asking for a royal pardon for using the title “King’s Cup” without prior authorisation.
“The Office of His Majesty’s Principal Private Secretary reminded us about the issue several days ago. As the chairman of the event, I had to take responsibility. I’ve sent a letter to seek a royal pardon,” Chaisit said.
“What happened was another matter with Thaksin going live on NBT.”
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) on Friday assigned a subcommittee to look into a controversial broadcast featuring Thaksin.
“The subcommittee will gather more information on the case,” an informed source said.
It said the next meeting on the issue would take place on January 7.
NBTC member Supinya Klangnarong raised the issue at the broadcast and telecom regulator’s meeting Friday.
The controversy erupted on Sunday after state-run Channel 11 aired a boxing match from Macao presided over by Thaksin, who made a speech rebutting critics who questioned his loyalty to the Thai monarchy.