'Al-Qaeda' issues Thaksin threat

[buksida]

A YouTube video claiming to be an al-Qaeda threat against fugitive ex-premier Thaksin was removed by the video service on Saturday as too violent, and then appeared again hours later.

The 2-minute, 45-second video is entitled "Al-Qaeda video against former Thailand Prime Minister".

It showed three men in Arab-type clothing, one armed with what appears to be a toy rifle, with the "leader" in the centre, reading the death threat. Later in the video, the other two men also were shown with rifles, which appeared to be real or replica AK-47s.

The third man held a photo of Thaksin.

The English language commentary included threats to kill Thaksin, "to avenge the killing of Muslims in the South in 2004". It referred to the killings at Tak Bai district town, while Thaksin was premier. "You have killed our Muslim brothers in Tak Bai, south Thailand," the video stated.

(Some media reports stated incorrectly that the video criticised the killing of southern militants in 2004 at Krue Se mosque.)

"We will get you any time, anywhere in the world," said the speaker.

There was no other context provided in the video. The first upload to YouTube was removed after a few hours with the notice: "This video has been removed as a violation of YouTube's policy on violence".

It appeared again from a different uploader several hours after that.

The second upload of the video also was removed.

But the anti-Thaksin posters played tag with YouTube. Early Sunday, a third version of the video was also posted on YouTube, with a Thai-language soundtrack played over the original. It also was taken down by YouTube after a short time.

Southern militants have denied they have any connections with al-Qaeda or similar foreign terrorist groups.

Source: Bangkok Post

[richard]

Not 'Ali G' then?

[StevePIraq]

It's still on You Tube

[Lung Per]

It's still on You Tube

The guy to the left is Borat, not Ali G. (Yes, I know.)

[sandemb]

Normally don't get involved in political issues, but!!!

[Takiap]

No comment other than to say I'm surprised there weren't serious repercussions following the event mentioned in the threat.

Between that and the war on drugs, well........

[STEVE G]

....one armed with what appears to be a toy rifle

Not really too much of a threat then!

[StevePIraq]

Lots of real AK's in circulation in the south so I would see no reason to assume it is fake. I have used many and there is nothing to indicate it is fake.

Thaksin took a very hard line with the insurgents and could rightly expect there to be repercussions some day.

[buksida]

There are rumours that Thaksin orchestrated this himself to garner more sympathy and keep himself in the limelight ...

Nothing would surprise me with this lot.

[Lung Per]

[quote="buksida"]There are rumours that Thaksin orchestrated this himself to garner more sympathy and keep himself in the limelight ...

Nothing would surprise me with this lot. [/quote

Thaksin was disguised as a terrorist in the video?

[Takiap]

I thought that chap in the center looked familiar. It must have been filmed in Dubai.

[buksida]

Thaksin was disguised as a terrorist in the video?

I said 'rumoured' and 'orchestrated' - not 'appeared in'.

Of course the govt are blaming the opposition and those pesky 'foreigners'.

Foreigners 'had a hand in Thaksin death-threat clip'
Deputy Prime Minister Pracha Promnog yesterday said anti-government groups with both Thai and foreign members were responsible for a YouTube clip in which a death threat was issued against ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra by a man dressed to look like a terrorist.
Pracha refused to reveal the nationality of the suspected foreigners, saying it could damage bilateral relations, though he insisted they did not come from Malaysia. Meanwhile, intelligence officials have obtained information identifying the three men in the clip, two of whom had their faces covered and were armed with assault rifles.

He said police would first check with intelligence community sources in several countries before deciding whether to prosecute those featured in the clip, especially since one of the men revealed his face.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politic ... 11450.html