Ex-Thai PM to file lawsuit against public prosecutor

Bangkok – Former prime minister of Thailand Abhisit Vejjajiva Tuesday said he would file a lawsuit against the Office of Attorney General for its unjust indictment against him on murder charges stemming from the 2010 political unrest.

Abhisit, leader of the opposition Democrat Party, made the announcement together with his deputy Suthep Thaugsuban, who is also involved in the case, reported Xinhua.

They said the real purpose of the indictment by the Office of Attorney General is to force them into accepting the controversial Amnesty Bill, which is set to offer blanket amnesty to all involved in political protests after the Sep 19, 2006 coup which ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, including them.

Abhisit said the Democrat Party stood against the Amnesty Bill tabled by the ruling Pheu Thai Party in a bid to whitewash its de-facto leader Thaksin Shinawatra.

The opposition leader vowed to intensify the protest against the bill and petition the Constitutional Court.

Moreover, Abhisit said he and Suthep made their commands in 2010 unrest in their capacities as state officials and they should be investigated by the National Anti-Corruption Commission, instead of the Office of Attorney General.

More than 90 people were killed and about 2,000 injured during a massive anti-government protest in the capital Bangkok in 2010 when the Abhisit administration ordered military crackdown on the pro-Thaksin red-shirt protesters.