Hacking of Thai PM's twitter a desperate move

The hacking of Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra's twitter Sunday morning reflects the frustration of yellow shirts who are failing to contend with the administration in conventional means. A hacker hijacked Yingluck's twitter account @pouyingluck for about twenty minutes and posted eight tweets criticizing Yingluck' s policies and accusing her of incompetence. But analysts say the move is set to be futile as it is both illegal and immoral. And it will cost the hacker dearly -- a jail term of two to five years. Thailand's Information and Communications Technology Minister Anudith Nakornthap said the government has identified the hacker. "I know who and where you are and it's just a matter of time before police arrest you," Anudith said. The hacking came in a time when yellow shirts fear Yingluck's administration is preparing for a royal pardon for her ousted ex- Prime Minister Thaksin. Critics say the government is planning to seek amnesty for Thaksin through a collective pardon of prisoners on Dec. 5, King Bhumibol Adulyadej's 84th birthday. They also accused the government of interfering with judiciary by speeding up the proceeding of a petition to pardon Thaksin. Thaksin's supporters petitioned for the royal pardon in August 2009. But it was delayed by a process of signature verification until Thaksin's sister Yingluck was elected Prime Minister. About two million names have been verified. However, the criticisms were shrugged off as political noise as the government has extensive grassroot support and solid legal ground in seeking the royal pardons. Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit said the Yingluck administration would not resort to legal changes or take any action that could be perceived as serving just one man. In addition, Thailand's Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul said his ministry was considering giving Thaksin back his passport last Thursday. His remarks were deemed by yellow- shirt activists as a move to pave way for Thaksin's return. Compared to the administration's long firm strides, responses from the opposing Democrat Party are inconsequential. Democrat Member of Parliament Thepthai Senpong complained about the weak voice of the opposing party and said government should allocate equal airtime for opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva to respond to Yingluck's radio show. The hacking succeeded in putting yellow shirts' opposition against Yingluck under spotlight, but more of a farce than a legitimate protest. As Yingluck said, the hijacking of the Prime Minister's account had tarnished the country's reputation.