Ex-Thai PM Abhisit ready to explain 2010 protest crackdown decision

BANGKOK, February 25 (TNA) - Former Thai prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who is leader of the Democrat Party, assures that he is ready to explain his decision on ordering crackdowns on political demonstrators in 2010 to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). Abhisit insisted on Wednesday that he had complied with legal procedures and was confident of his innocence in the past decision. Abhisit stressed that he is ready for any examination by NACC, claiming that weapons were used and there were terrorist acts in the demonstration; so, he, as the then prime minister, had had clear policies and adjusted government actions to do his best to avoid losses. Besides, his Democrat Party-led government had kept warning people to stay away from demonstration sites. Abhisit said he would consult the issue with former Democrat deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban, who is currently Phra Suthep in monkhood, who then directed responses to demonstrators, and would also discuss the matter with then defence minister General Prawit Wongsuwan, then army chief General Anupong Paojinda and then deputy army chief General Prayut Chan-ocha, saying that NACC would receive useful information from the persons. The anti-graft panel resolved on February 24 to charge Abhisit and Suthep with dereliction of duty for the crackdowns on red-shirt protesters in 2010, killing 99 people. (TNA)