bannork

Jatuporn says the same. He says being pardoned is not as straightforward as some make out, especially for corruption cases. There can be objections to the release of the prisoner. And once Thaksin has handed himself over to the authorities, he has lost all autonomy. Can he trust them to keep their side of the deal? Time will tell.

The problem is the kids are addicted to the phones from a really young age. They can't imagine life without them whilst us oldies don't remember getting bored in our youth. Card games, board games, cards on rainy days, and on sunny days mother would tell us to get out of the house and enjoy some sunshine. But the article here is about scams, bogus companies, impersonating famous figures. Constant warnings on state media is one answer but online transfer of money is so easy, the predators only need one victim in a hundred to make it worthwhile. A personal example of internet mystery - this month my AIS bill jumped from its standard 640 baht to 840 baht. Upon making enquiries, the staff pointed to one evening in July where my phone apparently sent 24 international SMS messages at 9 baht apiece in the space of one or two seconds apart, all to the same number! I pointed out I most certainly never sent these messages and my phone was definitely in my possession at the time (9.00 pm). But what can a poor boy do? Pay up or get cut off

As Pheu Thai move to the right to gain power and break their election pledges, MF stand firm as the only party with steadfast ideals and policies to reform Thailand. . They can only get stronger whatever the authorities throw at them.

He gave police, provincial and district chiefs targets to meet, in the business sales style he used building up his telecom empire. A certain number of arrests had to be made monthly, otherwise a transfer for the hapless official(s). Arrests for possession and arrests for dealing. Absolutely no mercy was to be shown to dealers, some suspects were found shot dead. The police said by other gang members How did they know he was a dealer? He was found with 2 amphetamine pills in his pocket. This scenario happened time and again. Some authorities placed suggestion boxes outside their office where members of the public could anonymously drop names in on a bit of paper. Hey! I don't like my business rival down the road, he sells more motorbikes than I do. So I put his name in the box. Hundreds of innocent people must have been killed but Thaksin naturally refused any investigation.

I hope it's true as it will leave egg on the face of his silly daughter and in fact the whole PT party who are beholden to the man If true, and it's a big if, what a shambles! Jatuporn was explaining yesterday that gaining a pardon for Thaksin's crimes wasn't as easy as has been suggested. Perhaps Thaksin feared the key being turned in his cell and then thrown away. He created many enemies whilst in Thailand.

Always loved the melody to 'These Tears of a Clown'.. I'm still in LOS Proton but only for another 6 weeks. I'm gonna be like this guy when I leave, spent the last 2 years every day with my grandson, a hell of a wrench for me. Music starts at 2:26

The establishment working together secretly but visible. This can only generate more disdain and hatred.. As so often, Dr Thitinan was so on the ball with his article today.

They felt rightly that their government elected democratically, had been illegitimately usurped by Abhisit and Newin. Not illegal but illegitimate.. So they were fighting for the restoration of their government which offered benefits to the working man. Imo, they were fighting for democracy in the sense that they wanted their democratically elected govern ment back. But if you ask them about the exclusion of the party with the most votes, MF, from governance, then democracy may take a back seat in their thinking, as all that counts is the return of their hero and the expectation of more populist policies to benefit them. Thaksin corrupt? Never mind we benefit too. Thaksin joins hands with junta parties, coups that destroyed PT governments and its previous parties, is this okay?! Never mind, just give us some money The attitude of some PT supporters, not sure how much

In the past Thaksin was vilified by mainly the middle aged and the old. Now he's going to be hated by the young and they've got balls that still work. It may not be flour but I'm sure he's going to be in for some surprises.

Pass the sick bag Alice. Hey PT leaders, you swore you would never join with the junta uncles. So Pravit is not joining right?

I respect your realism SB but I believe there has been a fundamental change in Thai society the last decade that is having an irreversible effect on Thai politics. As we all know, the ubiquitous, irreplaceable, reverential, charismatic force known as Father, and imbued in Thai life as long as anyone can remember, left some time ago. At the same time we saw the emergence of a political party not actually run as the plaything of an oligarch. Okay Thanathorn was super rich but the executives were young professionals, intelligent and passionate about reforming Thailand. The same can't be said for Pheu Thai, Bhumjaithai, Chart Thai Pattana, all run by clans. Take those families out and the parties collapse. The inroads made into their fiefdoms by MF show their cracks and weakening of power My point is this social change, the desire for reform in Thailand is unstoppable and unless the traditional parties adapt, I can only see their voting base shrinking further and further Once MF or its inheritor obtains over 200 seats, I believe the authorities will have to yield. As Pita says, the future is theirs

RIP Randy. You wrote one of their most memorable numbers, imo. Still sounds great today.

A formula I saw that Chuvit reckoned was durable was: Pheu Thai 141 Bhumjaithai 71 Palang Pracharat 40 Chart Thai Pattana 10 Prachachat Thai Sang Thai these 2 parties I can't remember if they were included or not Anyway, the above gives a total of 272. Of course we should remember these parties, especially Bhumjaithai, have many MPs under investigation for electoral offences which could mean yellow or red cards. Apparently the deal depends on Thaksin being freed from jail. If he's not, the deal is off. Isn't all this a blatant example of interference in political matters of a party by someone who holds no executive position or is perhaps not a member due to his criminal convictions Mr Ruangkrai, get down to the EC immediately and demand the dissolution of PT.

Jintara still going! How's her voice these days Proton? She's sung so many concerts for so many years. When I first arrived in LOS in 1988 or was it 89, she was already on her second or third album.

Cholnan, the nominee leader, said he would resign if PT joined the junta parties. One has to realise only some MPs in PT have any democratic bones in their make-up. Thaksin bought up anybody in the past, there are many MPs and clans in PT with dodgy reputations. In between there a few idealists such as Chaturon Chaisaeng and Nattawut, Adisorn who all claim democracy drives them and is the heart of PT. So if we assume most of the spineless PT MPs will go along with joining their 'enemy' who deprived them of governance and killed scores of red shirts demanding an election, what will PT supporters think? Those who only think of bread and butter issues, populist policies and handouts ( where's that 10,000 baht promised?), will probably not give a hoot whom PT team up with, ( just give us the money now!) but others will be disgusted and join MF. One thing- Thaksin sounds old, he's 74, once he croaks, PT will disintegrate, the party has no ideology to sustain itself, especially if it joins the junta parties

I'm with you Greg, I've lived here since the late days of PM Prem, and whilst not a few corrupt and incompetent PMs followed Prem, none could match him for heartlessness and arrogance. All he understood was dominance, he set the Deep South on fire by abolishing the long standing agencies set up for understanding between the locals and government. He killed hundreds of innocents in the drugs war and quite a few activists disappeared during his tenure. Journalists called Thailand a police state. Poster who are recent to Thailand can only compare him to Prayuth! Thailand desperately needs decent politicians to run the country, not Thaksin in cahoots with the junta..

A voice to make you cry

Sad news. Too many demons, and then her 17 year old son killing himself. Too much for many to bear. Thank you for your beautiful voice Sinead, in many ways, nobody compared to you.

Spot on in my view.

Err, PT and Bhumjaithai is not a majority. The junta's parties will have to join too. Which is what PT promised they would never do. Lying weasels who deserve to get hammered at the next election.

Thaksin will not come home to go to jail. At the most a day or two. No, the junta are allowing him back because they face a far greater threat, MF. Thaksin will have to support Pravit's party and possibly Prayuth's in exchange for his freedom. Note PT have already announced they will not nominate Pita as a PM candidate again. The junta are banking on Thaksin's popularity to save their skins. A few populist policies to prop up their votes. Will it work ? He's never been a good speaker and listening to him last night he really sounded old, no match for the youthful Pita? Will PT's embrace of the coup leaders damage the party? Hopefully otherwise there is truly no hope for democracy in LOS

The same as Seripisut of the Thai Liberal Party. A one man show who's been mouthing it off of how MF should sacrifice themselves by leaving the coalition.

Pita can stand as a PM candidate despite the temporary suspension of his MP status