Fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday used his Twitter account @thaksinlive to demand the coup makers “return happiness” to the public and offer justice to all sides of the political divide.
Thaksin said he felt sad about the coup and the fact the kingdom had faced years of conflict.
“I appeal to the NCPO (National Council for Peace and Order) to return happiness, enabling people to turn and smile at one another like they did 10 years ago,” he said.
He urged the junta to ensure justice for all groups in the political crisis and view all those involved as fellow Thais, whether they agree or disagree with the coup.
“I want the NCPO to adhere to international standards based on the rule of law, respect of human rights and straightforward judicial process to make Thailand respectable in the eyes of civilised countries,” he said.
Meanwhile, the NCPO is considering taking legal action against Thaksin’s legal adviser Robert Amsterdam for inciting unrest by writing online postings about plans to establish a government in exile abroad following the coup, Col Winthai Suwari said.
The army deputy spokesman said the NCPO will ask the Foreign Affairs Ministry to handle the matter since the suspected offence happened overseas.