BANGKOK — Desperate to revive the sagging fortunes of his Manager Media and to return to the spotlight during the election run-up, controversial journalist Sondhi Limthongkul branded himself a “liar” and “traitor” yesterday in a stunning press conference at his Baan Phra Athit headquarters.
The brilliant self-promoter called for his own resignation and exile and said that he would hold a massive rally a week before the election if his demands were not met.
“I am a con-man and an opportunist who has taken this country down a complete dead-end,” said Sondhi. “I should leave the country forever and never come back.” He then shouted his trademark “Ok pai!” chant to delirious cheers from his employees and supporters.
The colorful “journalist” said that if he had not left the country before December 20 he would hold a rally that would make his previous rallies look tiny in comparison.
“Thais will pour into the streets by the millions demanding that I finally shut up. They will pay respects to Democracy Monument and then storm my residence in an unprecedented display of people’s power. I will personally lead the charge, arm-in-arm with my brothers, and then once they have spoken I will leave the country in disgrace.”
The other PAD leaders said that they backed the plan 100 percent. Spokesman Phipop Thongchai vehemently denied that suggested a split between Sondhi and the rest of the PAD’s leadership. “We are firmly on Sondhi’s side here. We all agree he is a fraud and a crook.”
This new strategy, he said, is also in line with the PAD’s overall goals, which are to hold rallies and get people all worked up in the name of democracy.
Chamlong Srimuang said he would lead his cult of vegetarian virgins in the march. “I will march with Sondhi and then I will hold a sit-in demanding he leave the country.”
At the end of the press conference yesterday, Sondhi called another press conference for Friday where he said he would answer the charges against him. He then led the assembled press corps to the local court house, where he asked his lawyer to launch a 700 billion-baht lawsuit against himself for slander.
