Bangkok, 01 November, (Asiantribune.com): Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra Phone in speech today is expected to create a furore in Thailand. In the meantime newspaper reports reveal that Thakshin has changed his plan of phone in speech to a pre-recorded message to tens of thousands of his supporters expected to show up today at Bangkok's Rajamangala Stadium.
Previously, Thaksin planned to phone in from overseas for a live speech to his audience. However, this was reportedly cancelled out of fear of worsening the political situation.
Despite reports to the contrary, People Power Party MP and event organizer Jatuporn Prompan said Thaksin's phone-in plans remained unchanged and he would address his supporters at 8pm today.
"Thaksin is free to speak out and will not be restricted by topics and time constraints," Jatuporn said.
Veera Musikapong, one of the major organisers of today’s gathering and staunch supporter of Thaksin, said he expected about 100,000 people would attend the gathering which is aimed at "demanding democracy by peaceful means."
Thailand’s Army chief General Anupong Paochinda has ordered close monitoring of the situation with the aim of preventing the opposing factions from clashing, said Army spokesman Colonel Sansern Kaewkamnoed.
On concerns by military chiefs that Thaksin's telephone call could rapidly deteriorate Thailand's political crisis Saturday, Veera said he personally believed Thailand could become more democratic.
The Supreme Court earlier this month sentenced Thaksin to two years imprisonment for violating the anti-corruption law over his wife Pojaman's purchase of land in Bangkok from the Bank of Thailand's Financial Institutions Development Fund. Mrs. Pojaman was earlier sentenced to three years in jail in another tax evasion case.
Supreme Court president Virat Limvichai expressed concern at the planned phone-in by Thaksin, saying that the convicted prime minister would face a maximum imprisonment of seven years or a fine of Bt14,000 or both in absentia if Thaksin made the speech considered as contempt of the Thai judicial system.
Abhisit Vejjajiva, leader of the opposition Democrat Party, said that the current political problems in Thailand could ease if Thaksin accepted his guilt and the court's verdict.
- Asian Tribune -
Rajamangala National Stadium
Around 1,500 police have been deployed to monitor and manage a mass pro-government rally in Thailand's Rajamangala Stadium. Another 2,000 officers are on standby in case of trouble following the rally. The event's highlight is expected to be a telephone address by ousted and now-fugitive ex-Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Dressed in red shirts, busloads of supporters of the former premier have been arriving in Bangkok all day. The rally has started several hours ahead of schedule and so far the "Truth Today" event has been peaceful and good-natured. It is expected that the rally will be broadcast as a political talk show during prime time, the event is billed as being pro-democracy and a counter to the ongoing protests by the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) who seek to have the current government removed due to claims of influence by Thaksin. The country's current Prime Minister, Somchai Wongsawat is Thaksin's brother-in-law and stands accused of being a proxy for the now-outlawed Thai Rak Thai party.

According to the event's organiser, Jatuporn Prompan, an MP with the People Power Party, Thaksin will speak at 8pm local time and, "is free to speak out and will not be restricted by topics and time constraints". Concern that the speech may exacerbate the country's current political crisis has led to army chief, General Anupong Paochinda, ordering that the event be closely monitored. Thailand's military have previously given assurances that there will not be a repeat of the bloodless 2006 coup which deposed Thaksin and his populist government.

Thai authorities are currently drawing up extradition paperwork for Thaksin following him being found guilty by a division of the Supreme Court of abuse of his powers over a land deal where his wife bought prime real estate in Bangkok. The court is expected to review Thaksin's broadcast message; should the content of his message to supporters be found as contempt of court an additional seven year jail term could be added to the two year sentence already handed down.

Earlier in the week anti-government protesters picketed the British embassy in Bangkok calling for Thaksin's extradition. It is expected he would fight this and has already claimed he cannot get a fair trial in Thailand. He alleges the country's judiciary is sympathetic to the opposition.

Tensions continue to increase in the months-long dispute. Thursday saw two attacks on anti-government parties take place. Security staff for the PAD protest outside Government House were attacked with a grenade and another explosive device was thrown into the garden of a senior member of the judiciary. According to Thai police the attack on PAD supporters injured ten.

Armed forces reinforcements are on standby for the end of today's "Truth Today" rally. With the national stadium able to hold 100,000 there is concern over what will happen when the event ends at 10pm. Bangkok police commander, Suchart Muankaew expressed concern saying, "anything could happen".