Royal Grounds off limits for fugitive politician's birthday bash

Asia-Pacific News

Jul 7, 2009, 8:16 GMT

Bangkok - Supporters of fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will not be allowed to hold a planned birthday bash later this month for their hero at Bangkok's Royal Grounds, the capital's governor said Tuesday. Leaders of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) movement announced last week that they would hold a mass celebration to mark Thaksin's 60th birthday on July 26 at Sanam Luang, or the Royal Grounds, an open space outside the gates of Bangkok's Grand Palace. But Bangkok Governor Sukhumbhand Paribatra said such an event would be illegal. 'The law states that Sanam Luang can be used only for royal and state ceremonies,' Sukhumphand said. 'The grounds have never been used for a private party before.' He said that if the UDD put in a formal request to the Bangkok Metropolitan Authority to use the Royal Grounds for Thaksin's birthday party, it would be rejected. Thaksin, who has been living in self-imposed exile since August, has been accused in absentia of abuse of power during his premiership in 2003 and faces a two-year jail term in Thailand. Despite his fugitive status, Thaksin remains popular among Thailand's rural poor and those disgruntled with the status quo. The pro-Thaksin Puea Thai Party won two by-elections in Thailand's north-east region last month, demonstrating the former premier's ongoing popularity and political clout. Thaksin, a former telecommunications tycoon, introduced populist politics during his 2001-6 tenure, winning himself a huge following among the country's long-neglected rural poor.

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Royal Grounds off limits for fugitive politician's birthday bash

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