Interview With Thai Foreign Minister: 'I'm Not Going to Run Like Mr. Thaksin'

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SPIEGEL: Why does the government fear Thaksin?

Kasit: We are not afraid of him. He ran away. He fears the law. But he has been instigating the unrest and trying to bring down the government unconstitutionally. I did not run away from all my court cases. I have so many cases against me. I did not jump bail.

SPIEGEL: Which role can the king play in this process of reconciliation?

Kasit: He is above politics.

SPIEGEL: Many people say he has the power to unite the people.

Kasit: It is not his constitutional obligation.

SPIEGEL: What is the role of the monarchy in Thailand?

Kasit: It is the symbol of the country.

SPIEGEL: In the United States, you said: "I think we have to talk about the institution of the monarchy, how it would have to reform itself to the modern globalized world." How should the monarchy reform itself?

Kasit: The institution of the monarchy is a self-evolving one. His Majesty the King introduced the philosophy of a sufficiency economy for the Thai people to meet the global challenges, and he has many thoughts on the preservation of the environment. As for the problem of the lèse majesté law (editor's note: legislation banning insults against the royal family), about six months ago, when there was international criticism of the law, we subsequently set up an advisory committee to advise the police department in order to prevent political interferences or the law from being used for political purposes.

SPIEGEL: So it has been abused in the past?

Kasit: Of course it has been abused! Many people abused it on all sides. One of the opposition leaders charged me with lèse majesté because of my speech in Washington. I think this is abuse. I must now go to court.

SPIEGEL: There have been 18 military coups since 1932. Can you really call Thailand a democracy?

Kasit: That is a very unfair question. It takes a lot of time to become a full-fledged democratic society. We are struggling with ourselves. Having said that, despite the challenges we have faced, we have never deviated far from the road to democracy which is what the Thai people want. Look at Germany: How did you end up with Hitler?

SPIEGEL: Is it correct that you compared Thaksin to Hitler?

Kasit: Well, that is my political opinion. He can charge me. He interfered in the judicial process. He mixed business with politics, he appointed his cousin as the army chief. He appointed his friends in all the independent bodies. He started to monopolize economic activities. He was on the way to having absolute power.

SPIEGEL: That's why you call him a terrorist?

Kasit: From his actions, he is a terrorist under Thai law.

SPIEGEL: Did he use arms to topple the government?

Kasit: He supported people. There should be no difference between shooting people yourself and having people shoot on your behalf.

SPIEGEL: During this conflict more than 80 people died, more then 2,000 people were injured. Many are believed to have been shot by the army ...

Kasit: I don't know about that. You should wait for the results of the investigation. We have nothing to hide. Let the truth come out. But one should not prejudge the outcome of the inquiry. Do not specify that the army killed the people without evidence.

SPIEGEL: What do you think? Who shot the people, if not the army?

Kasit: Look at German history: What happened when Joschka Fischer was on the streets in Frankfurt? Wasn't there shooting at that time? It is also possible that the Red Shirts were shooting among themselves in order to pass the blame to the government.

SPIEGEL: What political consequences might the outcome of the investigation have? Do you think the government might resign?

Kasit: We are a country with the rule of law. We are not a banana republic. The judicial process will go on and the professionalism of our judicial process is second to none. You should not have any doubt about that.

SPIEGEL: We are talking about political responsibility.

Kasit: If there is a judgment and if the prime minister is wrong, he will go to jail. If I am wrong, then I will go to jail. I am not going to run away, like Mr. Thaksin.

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• Part 1: 'I'm Not Going to Run Like Mr. Thaksin'
• Part 2: 'We Are Struggling with Ourselves'