Thailand: Activist claims he was hit by PM's security guard

**StrontiumDog** · 15-02-2012, 12:57 AM

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/poli...-30175819.html

Burning issue

Guess who's coming for lunch?

Avudh Panananda
The Nation February 14, 2012 1:00 am

A simple meal last week put Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra in the limelight for all the wrong reasons.

There were two confusing stories hyping up the drama, while Yingluck and her spokesman made matters worse by denying sexual misconduct even before salacious rumours started circulating.

The lunch in question was a private function scheduled well in advance. After all, it is not unusual for government leaders to set aside time for private and personal affairs.

The PM's security detail was using the walkie-talkie code Wo5, indicating that it was Yingluck's personal time, while reporters on the beat were kind enough to suspend coverage for that duration.

Yet last Wednesday Yingluck and her security detail made a grand entrance at the Four Seasons Hotel in full view of the public and hotel staff. She then proceeded to the lunch at a suite on the 8th floor, not the 7th floor as speculated earlier. The waiting staff and her bodyguards had her in their line of vision for the entire two hours.

The story should have easily ended once the lunch concluded. However, a second story emerged to fuel more intrigue.

Well-known government critic Akeyuth Anchanbutr started telling the world via social media about how he was assaulted by an unidentified man about 10 minutes after Yingluck had left the premises. In his remarks, he implied he had become a victim because he was curious about who Yingluck's luncheon host was, even though he never made any outright accusations or gave any names. However, he did provide enough hints for people to connect the dots.

Whether it was by accident or design, he happened to be in the hotel at the same time as Yingluck and was allegedly attacked without any provocation or clear reason.

Akeyuth was having a cup of coffee in the Parichart Courtyard - an area that the premier would not have had to pass when she arrived or departed, so he could not have seen Yingluck. Plus, he would not have been in a position to know what had transpired at the lunch, which was obviously off-limits to hotel guests.

As news of the attack began circulating in the social media-sphere, the name of real-estate developer Srettha Thavisin started coming up. Akeyuth had, after all, mentioned that Srettha was seen at the hotel and even hinted that maybe he had hosted the lunch.

Akeyuth also made sweeping remarks implying that his being attacked was linked with the luncheon, though he presented no evidence to back his allegations.

He said his attacker looked like a man who had close ties with former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, yet he refused to lodge a police complaint.

In addition, publicity about the alleged attack on Akeyuth increased exponentially after the Democrats started raising doubt about Srettha's land speculation and social-media users started gossiping about Srettha being Yingluck's old flame.

Ruling party and the government spokespeople rushed to deny there was a romantic angle to the lunch - but that only ended up stirring more prurient interest.

Speculation over the Yingluck-Srettha-Akeyuth saga is expected to swirl around for another week or so before the public moves on to a new drama. Like all previous political mysteries, the Akeyuth "attack" seems likely to end as a cold case.

**StrontiumDog** · 15-02-2012, 12:58 AM

Ombudsmen asked to look into PM's conduct at hotel - The Nation

Ombudsmen asked to look into PM's conduct at hotel

The Nation February 14, 2012 1:00 am

A political pressure group linked to the yellow shirts petitioned the Ombudsman's Office yesterday for an investigation into alleged misconduct by Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra in connection with her recent appearance at a Bangkok hotel.

The Green Politics group, represented by Jaturan Boonbenjarat, asked the agency to investigate whether the premier had violated any code of conduct for doing "personal business during work time" and failing to provide a satisfactory explanation to the public.

Sa-ngad Patthawi, deputy secretary-general of the Ombudsman's Office, said after accepting the petition he would forward it to the ombudsmen at their next meeting - tomorrow, when they will decide whether to investigate the matter.

Last week, government critic Akeyuth Anchanbutr said that he saw Yingluck on Wednesday afternoon at the Four Seasons Hotel. He claims he was assaulted by someone in the PM's security team, but this has been dismissed by many government figures.

Yingluck insisted later she "did not do anything wrong" during her visit to the hotel, and rejected Akeyuth's suggestion of indecent conduct.

Jaturan said yesterday that Green Politics had requested the Ombudsman's Office to urgently look into the matter. He said the prime minister's explanation failed to clear suspicion that she skipped a parliamentary meeting that day for personal business at the hotel.

"If that matter she was involved in at the hotel had something to do with public interest, why didn't she tell the public?" he said.

Akeyuth, a staunch critic of Yingluck's brother, ex-premier Thaksin, challenged Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung yesterday to conduct a joint press conference about his claim he was attacked by a man working for Thaksin. He was responding to Chalerm's denial of his claim.

Akeyuth said he might change his mind and file a complaint with police about the alleged attack.

Chalerm yesterday turned down Akeyuth's challenge for him to join a joint press conference. Chalerm said he had nothing to do with the matter and repeated his call for Akeyuth to file a complaint to police "to make things easier". He also dismissed Akeyuth's remark that Chalerm knew the identity of Akeyuth's alleged attacker.

**StrontiumDog** · 17-02-2012, 10:42 AM

Bedlam hits House after hotel query | Bangkok Post: news

Bedlam hits House after hotel query

Published: 17/02/2012 at 02:06 AM
Newspaper section: News

The parliament chamber was thrown into chaos yesterday when the opposition demanded an explanation from Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra as to why she had failed to attend last Wednesday's House meeting.

House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont told the meeting a question filed by Democrat MP for Samut Songkhram Rangsima Rodrasamee for Ms Yingluck did not meet the House's criteria because it concerned a personal matter.

The prime minister was also away yesterday on an upcountry tour inspecting flood prevention work, Mr Somsak said.

Ms Rangsima argued that her purpose for filing the interpellation was to ask about the "function" which the prime minister supposedly attended at the Four Seasons Hotel when she should have been present for a House meeting.

Ms Yingluck visited the hotel on Ratchadamri Road for about two hours, leaving around 4pm.

Ekkayuth Anchanbutr, a real estate businessman, has claimed he was assaulted by a person with a possible connection to former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, Ms Yingluck's elder brother, at the Four Seasons shortly after Ms Yingluck left the hotel.

Ms Yingluck has insisted she did nothing irregular during the hotel visit, but declined to go into detail.

Opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said since the interpellation was directed at the prime minister and it was about her function, she should answer it.

Deputy House Speaker Wisut Chainaroon objected, saying the question really concerned a personal matter and so was prohibited from debate under House regulations.

The deputy speaker gave Ms Rangsima an ultimatum to allow the PM's representative to answer the interpellation. Otherwise, it could be dismissed.

Arguments instantly erupted between government and opposition MPs.

Mr Somsak asked Ms Rangsima to leave the chamber. She refused.

The House Speaker instructed police officers to escort her out, which only intensfiied the scrapping between MPs and spurred a walkout by the opposition.

Mr Somsak ordered a break at 12.50pm and about an hour later declared the meeting closed, saying the MPs had spent enough time discussing matters.

-----
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/poli...-30176091.html

House breaks out in battle as Democrats question PM's hotel meeting

Photo : Sakol Sandhiratne February 17, 2012 1:00 am

A House meeting had to be adjourned yesterday after a war of words broke out after the opposition started asking why Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra had visited the Four Seasons Hotel during working hours last week.

In fact, things became so disorderly that the Speaker had to call on the security to escort defiant MPs out of the chamber, and about an hour later, the chairman adjourned the meeting.

The battle started when Democrat Samut Songkram MP Rangsima Rodrasami asked what the premier was up to at the hotel when she should have been attending a House meeting.

House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont responded by saying that Yingluck could not answer because she was away on a mission and that her deputy General Yuthasak Sasiprapha would speak on her behalf.

The prime minister is on a five-day tour on flood prevention and mitigation in the lower North and Central region, which will wrap up today.

Rangsima, seeming reluctant to pose the question, said Yuthasak might not be able to answer on Yingluck's behalf, especially if the meeting in question had resulted in a conflict of interest or if it did not directly concern the country.

Somsak then said that queries brought up on the House floor should not be of a personal nature and that Rangsima already knew that Yingluck had excused herself from the House meeting.

The House Speaker then said that Rangsima had been informed from the very start that Yingluck would not be present to answer queries on the agenda, so it was pointless arguing about the premier's presence.

A battle of words started when government chief whip Udomdej Ratanasathien said that Deputy House Speaker Visut Chainaroon had told him that Rangsima already knew that Yingluck would not be attending, yet she insisted on raising the question.

The Democrats immediately rose in defence as Rangsima insisted that her question was not of a personal nature. She also stated that she would not go to a hotel alone like Yingluck had done.

Somsak then asked Rangsima to withdraw this comment, but the Democrat MP refused.

"If Rangsima does not withdraw [the comment] and does not pose a proper question, I will have to drop this line of query," the Speaker said.

Many Democrat MPs then stood up to voice their disapproval of Somsak's co-mment, and refused to sit down when ordered. The Speaker then called on security officials to escort the defiant MPs out of the chamber.

However, the Democrats continued attacking Somsak, with party-list MP Issara Somchai shouting: "If you do this, then it becomes a dictatorship. This is the House, not a party meeting room."

In an attempt to calm the situation, Somsak ordered a 15-minute break.

An hour later, Deputy House Speaker Charoen Jankomol adjourned the meeting saying the government and opposition whips should discuss the issue and resolve the problem.

**StrontiumDog** · 17-02-2012, 11:14 AM

Democrats slinging mud at PM: Natthawut - The Nation

Democrats slinging mud at PM: Natthawut

February 17, 2012 10:33 am

The Democrats brought disgrace to the House by mudslinging at the prime minister who is working tirelessly on flood control, Deputy Agriculture Minister Natthawut Saikua said on Friday.

"The Democrats are trying to politicse everything and party leaders are indifferent to their disgraceful behaviour," he said.

Natthawut was commenting on the Thursday's House row in which the Democrats tried to query why Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra took personal time to visit the Four Seasons Hotel last week.

The Nation

**Tom Sawyer** · 17-02-2012, 08:59 PM

The fact Porntip sat next to Yellow Boy and his cries over the bitch-slapping he got tells me all I need to know about Dr Dykey Hair. She's a dyed-in-the-wool Yellow sheep. The fact she didn't give him a "medical certificate" is a minor point - the fact she helped him keep his sissy story alive by attending a joint news conference says it all.

**StrontiumDog** · 17-02-2012, 09:49 PM

Srettha: 'Yes, I met PM' | Bangkok Post: breakingnews

Srettha: 'Yes, I met PM'

Published: 17/02/2012 at 09:37 PM
Online news:

Property tycoon Srettha Thavisin admitted on Friday that he met Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra at the Four Seasons Hotel last week.

Mr Srettha, president of the SET-listed property developer Sansiri Plc, said he met with Ms Yingluck on the seventh floor at the Bangkok hotel with six or seven others.

He said they discussed several topics with the premier including the political situation, the economy, interest rates and finance.

Ms Yingluck has been under pressure from the opposition to explain her participation in what aides have said was a private meeting. The questions arose after businessman Ekkayuth Anchanbut claimed he was struck by a former security guard of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, the premier's exiled brother, at the hotel shortly after Ms Yingluck had left.

The Sansiri president came into the media limelight after Mr Ekkayuth said the premier might have had a meeting with a group of businessmen because he had seen Mr Srettha at the hotel shortly after the premier left.

Ms Yingluck did not attend the House meeting on Feb 8 and went to the five-star hotel instead, sparking speculation about whether the meeting might be a conflict of interest.

Mr Srettha said the talk was more like an “exchange of opinions”.

"I want all parties to honour the prime minister, especially given that she is a lady and the prime minister of the country,” he said.

Mr Srettha is related to Nalinee Taveesin, who was recently named a PM's Office minister, despite being on a US blacklist because of her business relationship with the wife of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.

**StrontiumDog** · 17-02-2012, 09:54 PM

"Mr Srettha is related to Nalinee Taveesin"

And therefore someone we should all trust implicitly

**sabang** · 18-02-2012, 12:05 AM

So if the salacious but totally devoid of evidence gossip is to be believed, Yingluck had a bonk in a luxury hotel

. Yawwwwwwwn. That has to be the most startling revelation since Prem is gay.

**Cujo** · 18-02-2012, 12:19 AM

lots of pointing.

**Scaramanga** · 18-02-2012, 08:57 AM

Originally Posted by Koojo

lots of pointing.

Including remarks by the messenger or in this case the poster, a totally neutral SD.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

"Mr Srettha is related to Nalinee Taveesin"

And therefore someone we should all trust implicitly

**StrontiumDog** · 18-02-2012, 09:19 AM

Blasts provide reality check | Bangkok Post: news

Hotel visit spurs security code puzzle

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's visit to the Four Seasons Hotel last week has left behind an air of mystery surrounding the security code Wor 5.

The visit grabbed public attention when controversial businessman Ekkayuth Anchanbutr, who is the former head of the collapsed Charter Investment pyramid scheme, claimed he was attacked inside the Four Seasons by someone in uniform whom he believed was connected to ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra shortly after Ms Yingluck had left the hotel.

Yingluck: Free to meet anyone

Ms Yingluck's appearance at the hotel on Ratchadamri Road apparently aroused Mr Ekkayuth's curiosity.

Mr Ekkayuth, a long-time political foe of Thaksin, has asked why the prime minister was at the hotel during working hours.

Ms Yingluck arrived at the hotel escorted by several bodyguards on the afternoon of Feb 8. At about 4pm she left the hotel and minutes later Mr Ekkayuth claimed he was assaulted.

A security source said the prime minister's security escort team had been exchanging information on their communication radios. The team had been informed that a Wor 5 security code would be in effect during Ms Yingluck's hotel visit.

Wor 5 signifies a classified, personal mission. The escort team was also told the prime minister did not wish to be disturbed during her visit to the hotel.

The security codes commonly used for the prime minister's engagements include Wor 21, a reference to Ms Yingluck's journey from her home in Lat Phrao to Government House. Once the premier's motorcade enters the compound of Government House, the security team flashes a Wor 22.

A wide range of codes had been allocated during Ms Yingluck's visit this week to the North to inspect flood prevention programmes. A Wor 40, for example, refers to ''accidents'' such as a boat with Ms Yingluck on board running into ducks in the river.

The source said that just as Wor 5 was being deciphered by some political elements, speculation started to circulate that Thai Airways International president Piyasvasti Amranand might be being replaced by Srettha Thaveesin, president of property developer Sansiri Plc.

The speculation came on the heels of Ms Yingluck's hotel visit, prompting observations that the replacement issue may have been discussed when the prime minister was at the Four Seasons.

The opposition also raised questions about the prime minister's presence at the hotel.

Democrat Party spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut said a property developer was seen while Ms Yingluck was in the hotel. Her visit raised the worry that if the developer knew where the government would locate a floodway, he would buy the land and wait to sell it when the land was expropriated.

Ms Yingluck said she was ''free to meet anyone'' at the hotel, which is a public place, and insisted there was nothing irregular about the visit.

**StrontiumDog** · 18-02-2012, 09:25 AM

Originally Posted by Scaramanga

Originally Posted by Koojo

lots of pointing.

Including remarks by the messenger or in this case the poster, a totally neutral SD.

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

"Mr Srettha is related to Nalinee Taveesin"

And therefore someone we should all trust implicitly

How is what I wrote not neutral?

Yingluck didn't attend parliament, which was in session, but did attend a meeting with at least one of the very powerful, very rich property magnates here....one of the elite, if you like. Said elite has jumped to her defense, but said elite is related to Nalinee, someone who has been blacklisted by the USA for her dealings with one of the most repugnant regimes on earth.

These are facts (as far as have been revealed) and not opinion. You do understand the difference, right? So how is my post not neutral.

It may surprise you to learn GJBKK, but in this current government, there are some less than honest people.....apparently you missed that memo.

You work it out.

**Scaramanga** · 18-02-2012, 01:04 PM

SD

#32 (permalink) has nothing whatsoever to do with the original copy and paste #31 (permalink).

#32 (permalink) is your own personal opinion and you assume that 'A' is evil because 'B' has been blacklisted by the USA for buying an US McDonald's for a nasty dictator’s kids.

It is always you that says you are neutral but here again you have a "dig" at the government and ignore the childish buffoons of the opposition in trying to make something out of this meeting.

Who cares who is related to who.

As for my own opinion Nalinee Taveesin should be shot for feeding McDonald's to kids

**StrontiumDog** · 18-02-2012, 02:34 PM

^ Actually I thought Nalinee was blacklisted because of a business relationship she has had with Mugabe for many years?

You have proof of the McDonald's thing? Or are you just trying to be funny?

As regards the meeting...Parliament was in session, but Yingluck chose to meet another property magnate (remember she is one too). I'm sure you see nothing wrong in such a thing, you know, the leader of the country being absent from parliament to meet with business associates. I'm sure it happens all over the world, all the time.....

However, you do appear somewhat naive to the reality of the certain individuals here.

For you, it is always that the Democrats are bad, Pheu Thai are better or even good. You rarely if ever criticise Pheu Thai. Such myopic thinking proves how little you know or understand. There is no 'better' side here.

**StrontiumDog** · 18-02-2012, 02:44 PM

^^ oh and just so you know....

Friend of Robert Mugabe appointed Thai government minister | World news | The Guardian

Unsurprisingly, it is her association with the Mugabes that has caused the most concern. The US treasury designated Nalinee as far back as November 2008 as one of four key "Mugabe regime cronies" who had repeatedly facilitated financial, real-estate and gem-related transactions on behalf of Grace Mugabe and Gideon Gono, the governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, according to the US treasury website.

Nalinee is said to be a major shareholder in 25 companies, ranging from book and CD sales to real estate, spas and agricultural products.

But also, just so you know....from the same article.....

"[Nalinee's] appointment means that patronage politics rules – this is payback time," says political scientist Thitinan Pongsudhirak of Chulalongkorn University.

"The Red Shirts did a lot of heavy lifting during the 2009 and 2010 protests, calling for democracy, protesting against the military and government, and suffering fatalities.

"This is a game of musical chairs that Thaksin is conducting … [which] allows Thaksin to pay back the Red Shirts by appointing Nalinee and their most fiery orator [Nattawut Saikua] to cabinet positions."

**Scaramanga** · 18-02-2012, 03:16 PM

SD

Sigh:

I don't care about the meeting when Parliament was in session but you are just avoiding what you wrote in your post #32 (permalink) (Thailand: Activist claims he was hit by PM's security guard).

This was your own personal opinion and you assume and sarcastically telling us that 'A' has to be evil and a liar because 'B' is related to 'A' who was blacklisted by the USA

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

"Mr Srettha is related to Nalinee Taveesin"

And therefore someone we should all trust implicitly

**StrontiumDog** · 18-02-2012, 04:08 PM

PT: Four Seasons meeting for information | Bangkok Post: breakingnews

PT: Four Seasons meeting for information

Published: 18/02/2012 at 03:59 PM
Online news:

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s meeting with businessmen at Bangkok’s Four Seasons Hotel last week was for gathering information for running the country, deputy spokesman of Pheu Thai Party Chalitrat Chantharubeksa said on Saturday.

As the prime minister, Ms Yingluck needs information from all sectors, including the business sector, for pushing the country forward. It is nothing wrong for the prime minister to meet with businessmen, said Mr Chalitrat.

Mr Chalitrat called on the opposition MPs to work in a constructive ways in monitoring the government. Otherwise, the country will not be able to go anywhere.

**Tom Sawyer** · 18-02-2012, 04:14 PM

...and Ekkayuth, the guy who received the bitch-slapping at the hotel for causing problems for Yingluck's security detail, is a real relaible character isn't he SD?

"a foe of Thaksin" and "the former head of the collapsed Charter Investment pyramid scheme"

"And therefore someone we should all trust implicitly"

**StrontiumDog** · 18-02-2012, 04:16 PM

Originally Posted by Scaramanga

SD

Sigh:

I don't care about the meeting when Parliament was in session but you are just avoiding what you wrote in your post #32 (permalink) (Thailand: Activist claims he was hit by PM's security guard).

This was your own personal opinion and you assume and sarcastically telling us that 'A' has to be evil and a liar because 'B' is related to 'A' who was blacklisted by the USA

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

"Mr Srettha is related to Nalinee Taveesin"

And therefore someone we should all trust implicitly

Ok, thanks for ignoring the rest of the post(s)......

Of course, I'm sure the "property tycoon" Mr Srettha is a genuine, straight up kinda guy, and would never stoop to covering for others.....and it was just a "meeting with businessmen at Bangkok’s Four Seasons Hotel" to push "the country forward", because of course, meeting with private property developers is just what the country needs right now....

It is strange how so many people associated with this current government all seem to be linked by blood and their ties/relationship to Thaksin. I'm sure that's all just coincidence......

**StrontiumDog** · 18-02-2012, 04:20 PM

Originally Posted by Tom Sawyer

...and Ekkayuth, the guy who received the bitch-slapping at the hotel for causing problems for Yingluck's security detail, is a real relaible character isn't he SD?

"a foe of Thaksin" and "the former head of the collapsed Charter Investment pyramid scheme"

"And therefore someone we should all trust implicitly"

No and I'm sure the incident with Ekkayuth was designed purely to draw the public's attention to Yingluck's presence at this meeting and her absence from parliament.

Still, she should've been at parliament.

And of course Ekkayuth isn't a reliable character.

And Miss crazy hair's presence at the press conference further erodes her already questionable reputation.....

Both these points I agree with you on.

**Tom Sawyer** · 18-02-2012, 04:23 PM

^
The PM doesn't need to be in Parliament during each and every session - how many times was Abhisit absent? What was he doing during those times? It's just because she's Thaksin's sister that they are making such a big deal out of this. The pro-yellow media are doing their part.

**Scaramanga** · 18-02-2012, 04:39 PM

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Ok, thanks for ignoring the rest of the post(s)......

No problem.

It was just useless dribble.

**StrontiumDog** · 18-02-2012, 05:18 PM

Originally Posted by Scaramanga

Originally Posted by StrontiumDog

Ok, thanks for ignoring the rest of the post(s)......

No problem.

It was just useless dribble.

I'll be sure to let The Guardian know.....

**noelbino** · 18-02-2012, 08:16 PM

Originally Posted by Tom Sawyer

^
The PM doesn't need to be in Parliament during each and every session - how many times was Abhisit absent? What was he doing during those times? It's just because she's Thaksin's sister that they are making such a big deal out of this. The pro-yellow media are doing their part.

I don't know. How many times wasn't he there and what was he doing?
Nothing to do with this thread.

**Tom Sawyer** · 18-02-2012, 08:28 PM

Of course it has.

Thread: Thailand: Activist claims he was hit by PM's security guard

Thread Tools

Display

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

Posting Permissions