Channel 11, run by the Public Relations Department, was not at fault for the live broadcast of a boxing event in Macau on Sunday during which former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra appeared and made a speech, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said on Tuesday.

Ms Yingluck said she did not know until after the live broadcast that her elder brother Thaksin had presided over the event, Muay Thai Warriors, organised to mark His Majesty the King's birthday, and made a speech in which he lashed out at the 2006 coup leaders and Pitak Siam's former leader Gen Boonlert Kaewprasit, who made allegations against him during the group's anti-government rally on Nov 24..

It was a matter for the Public Relations Department and the cabinet minister concerned to decide whether the event was a national security issue or not, she said. The government could not interfere in every matter.

Ms Yingluck said she believed there was nothing wrong with the broadcast because it was a sports event, not a security matter.

Deputy Commerce MInister Nattawut Saikuar,  a United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship leader, also said he saw nothing wrong with Channel 11's decision to broadcast the event. What Thaksin said was mainly an expression of loyalty to His Majesty the King.

The event was an opportunity for Thais far away from home to show loyalty to the King and for foreigners to see how His Majesty was highly placed and respected, he said.

The red-shirt leader said the organisers did not know in advance that Thaksin would attend the  evening.  When Thaksin showed up he was invited to chair the event and make the opening speech. He was after all a former prime minister who had gained worldwide recognition, he added.

Ong-art Klampaiboon of the Democrat Party thought differently.

He said what happened was not a coincidence, but pre-planned. The organisers could not even agree on their story, he said. 

Pol Lt-Col Kunthon Prachuabmoh, secretary of the organising committee, said Thaksin's appearance was not planned in advance.  He just happened to meet Thaksin in Hong Kong and invited him to chair the event.

Gen Chaisit Shinawatra, a former supreme commander, said preparations were made for Thaksin to chair the opening of the event, Mr Ong-art said.

He said Sansanee Nakpong, the PM's Office minister in charge of the PRD, must be held responsible for the mess.

Related search: politics, channel 11, broadcast, thaksin