PM Thaksin chooses number 888 for postal address for peace

[Norseman]

BANGKOK, March 1 (TNA) -

How pathetic.

Embattled Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has registered a post office box numbered 888 for mail from the public who want to show they love peace, democracy and want no confrontation having bloodshed.

Holding a card with the handwritten address -- PO Box 888, Government House, Bangkok 10320 -- Mr. Thaksin on Wednesday invited the public to send postcards or letters to the Government at the address.

"I'll collect all the postcards and letters and pile them in front of Government House to show that the Thai people still love democracy and peace and want everything in Thailand to go on as usual," Mr. Thaksin said, "not with conflict with each person wanting to defeat the other, which eventually will cause problems for the nation."

Asked why he used this way to get the people's responses instead of staging a pro-government rally in the capital as the anti-government campaign is doing, Mr. Thaksin said he did not want to disturb the public by asking them to travel to Bangkok since a large number of government supporters would cause traffic chaos.

He said that the PO Box 888 launch is not to evaluate the government's popularity. "It is simply to let the people who love peace and democracy to demonstrate their stance, and people who post their voices do not necessarily have to be Thai Rak Thai Party supporters," he said.

He said he wanted the public to send their messages to PO Box 888 as soon as possible. It would be best if the letters were received before March 5, the date the anti-government campaigners set for their big rally.

The caretaker prime minister said he is always ready for talks with opposition parties to find ways to resolve the political deadlock, but the opposition did not seem to accept any government proposals.

"I am fully open for talks but they don't want to talk," Mr. Thaksin said. "I have no idea what to do. We have proposed the way out but they don't accept it."

He said on March 3 he would fully open up his heart and clarify all details concerning the accusations against him.

[Jaime]

He is either desperate, or oblivious.

[Geordie Farang]

My heart bleeds for him. looks like Liverpool FC had a lucky escape!