Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva (above) accused the opposition on Wednesday of inflaming political tensions by 'whitewashing' the crimes of their de facto leader, fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra. -- PHOTO: AFP
BANGKOK - THAI Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva accused the opposition on Wednesday of inflaming political tensions by 'whitewashing' the crimes of their de facto leader, fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.
Mr Abhisit is in the midst of a tough electoral battle against Thaksin's allies in the Puea Thai party, who want an amnesty for politicians who have been charged or convicted if they win the July 3 vote.
This would potentially pave the way for the return of Thaksin, who was ousted in a 2006 coup and lives abroad to avoid a jail term for corruption. He is also charged with terrorism in relation to unrest in Bangkok last year.
Mr Abhisit, who heads the establishment-backed Democrat Party, said it did not make sense for political parties to 'try to introduce fresh points of contention", such as 'whitewashing Thaksin'.
'I don't believe their (Puea Thai's) plan is one for reconciliation,' Mr Abhisit told foreign correspondents in the capital.
He said one of the Puea Thai leaders, Chalerm Yubamrung, 'has been very clear about that. He wants Thaksin back, basically whitewashing Thaksin, and we offer the country to move beyond that problem.' -- AFP
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