sriracha john

PM declines knowledge of birthday wish to Thaksin via Twitter

BANGKOK, 26 July 2009 (NNT) – Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has confirmed no knowledge of a birthday wish posted under his user-name on the Twitter account of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Wonder who was the impostor.

PM declines knowledge of birthday wish to Thaksin via Twitter

BANGKOK, 26 July 2009 (NNT) – Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has confirmed no knowledge of a birthday wish posted under his user-name on the Twitter account of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

During a football friendship match today between Thai cabinet members and foreign ambassadors to Thailand at Crystal Football Club, Prime Minister Abhisit insisted that he had no knowledge as to who had written such comment on Thaksin’s Twitter page on his behalf. He assured that he would look into the details of this issue.

Regarding the football match, the cabinet members wore blue shirts while the ambassadors were in yellow.

The Prime Minister wore number 9 while Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij was number 2. Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya was number 3, and Deputy Finance Minister Pradit Phataraprasit was number 10.

The ambassadors’ team consisted of those from various nations including the UK, the Philippines, Australia, Laos and Malaysia.

-- NNT 2009-07-26

Clear conscience, cloudy outlook

Special Branch Chief Theeradet Rodphothong faces losing his job if the National Police Chief is sidelined over the Sondhi Limthongkul case. National Police Chief Patcharawat Wongsuwon's job is thought to be on the line amid claims police have interfered in the case involving the attempt on the life of Mr Sondhi, a People's Alliance for Democracy core leader.

The Democrats have long been unhappy with Pol Lt Gen Theeradet. He has a proven track record but has made it clear he will not be subservient to the needs of any politicians.

He was assistant commander of the Border Patrol Police Bureau before serving two stints in charge of the Special Branch Police Division. His first stint (between October 2006 and February 2007) was cut short when national police chief Sereepisut Taemeeyaves transferred him to the inactive post of police inspector-general.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/2098...-cloudy-outlook

-- Bangkok Post 2009-07-27

Former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat helps a monk to cut a string binding a life-size cutout of Thaksin to a stick bearing thorns, to release Thaksin from bad luck.

Bangkok Post / 2009-07-27

Thaksin sings in 'big surprise'

'I will come back,' he croons to birthday bash

Thaksin Shinawatra's "big surprise" on his 60th birthday has failed to live up to the expectations of many people.

The ousted prime minister yesterday clearly avoided touching on politics and only performed a song as a treat for his supporters.

The much-hyped "big surprise" turned out to be a VCD of him carrying a monk's robes for making merit, accompanied by singing.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/2098...in-big-surprise

-- Bangkok Post 2009-07-27

Ousted Thai PM calls supporters on his birthday

Thousands of supporters of ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra celebrated his birthday Sunday with lavish Buddhist ceremonies, praying to cardboard cutouts of his image and chanting prayers to cleanse his karma of the misfortune they say has dogged him.

"Many people love him and would like to celebrate his 60th anniversary birthday, which is more special than any normal birthday," said Noppadol Pattama, Thaksin's lawyer.

The 60th birthday is important in Asian culture because it represents the completion of five 12-year cycles of the zodiac.

Part political rally, part religious ceremony, Sunday's birthday festivities were held in at least 10 temples, local media reported. The ceremonies were rich in symbolism, with one in Muang District handing out 2,492 cakes and a 2,492-foot (760 meter) -long birthday card for people to sign _ the number representing the Buddhist year in which Thaksin was born.

At the largest gathering, some 5,000 supporters spilled out of a temple in Nonthaburi province, offering Buddhist prayers _ normally reserved for the dead _ to rid Thaksin's karma of bad luck.

Since Thaksin couldn't attend, they prayed to several cutouts of the politician.

Photos of him were also placed in an empty coffin.

Several supporters visited Thaksin in Dubai, where he is staying, to deliver thousands of birthday cards, according to The Nation newspaper. One even wrote a song in his honor titled "I Will Return."

Speaking late Sunday night via video link, Thaksin, a former telecommunications billionaire, said he forgave his opponents, urged the country to unite and vowed to someday return home.

"Some people asked me whether I will give up after a long fight that seems to have no end," Thaksin said.

"I said to those people that money is nothing to me but the people's kindness is the greatest thing that ever happened to me," he said. "So I will fight for justice until I receive justice and then I will come back and return the favor."

He also celebrated the day by launching his own Twitter page, offering to help Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva "solve the problems of the country."

Thaksin's removal was supposed to end Thailand's political instability. Instead, it further polarized the country and led to competing protests by pro- and anti-Thaksin forces.

- Associated Press / 2009-07-26

Thaksin vows to come back

Fugitive Thai former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra treated his supporters to wine, food and song on his birthday yesterday, crooning about his political comeback in a video clip broadcast to his followers.

“Go ahead and step on me,” sang Thaksin in his birthday song titled “I will come back.”

“I’ll wait for the day the sky changes its colours. I have become a wanderer, sleeping in different places like a criminal,” sang the ex-premier who was ousted by a coup in 2006 and faces a two-year jail sentence in Thailand should he return.

Thaksin has been living in self-imposed exile since jumping bail in August 2008, travelling the world using various passports acquired after losing his Thai passport in April this year.

Despite his fugitive status, Thaksin remains a key player in Thai politics as the main decision-maker and financier behind the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), the so-called “Red Shirts,” and the Puea Thai opposition party.

His supporters yesterday organised various events nationwide to publicise Thaksin’s 60th birthday and keep him in the political limelight.

Yesterday morning thousands of Thais, sporting red shirts, gave alms to Buddhist monks and attended prayers at temples to mark the birthday of Thaksin. The UDD organised events to celebrate Thaksin’s birthday, including the baking of 2,492 cakes to mark the year of his birth according to the the Buddhist calendar, and the signing of a 2,492- foot-long birthday card, which they hope will make the Guinness Book of Records.

In Bangkok, a birthday banquet at the Royal Dragon Restaurant was held yesterday evening with 350 tables and about 3,500 guests for Thaksin’s relatives and political allies, who will be treated to the former telecommunications tycoon’s song and a call-in. Similar events were organized at Nonthaburi and Lopburi.

In an interview on Saturday, Thaksin bragged that he had stolen the limelight from current Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejajjiva, his arch-political rival. But Abhisit, when asked on his Sunday TV show about the hubbub over Thaksin’s birthday, only offered some religious advice to the ex-leader. “I would like to say ‘if you are enlightened and understand dharma, you will be much happier,’” said Abhisit. Dharma is the Buddhist belief in reaping what one sows, good or bad, either in this life or the next.

- DPA / 2009-07-27

Thaksin's big surprise: I'll return

Deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's big surprise on his 60th birthday on Sunday was a video clip of him singing "Chan Ja Klab Ma" (I Will Return).

The red-shirt supporters of the fugitive politician, including his brother-in-law and former premier Somchai Wongsawat, took part in a merit-making ceremony at Kaew Fah temple in Nonthaburi.

Thaksin made a brief phone-in address to his supporters. He thanked them for making merit for him on his birthday, and hoped he would return to work

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/15...ise-i-ll-return

-- Bangkok Post 2009-07-26

3 pm: It's official now, or so it seems. The "big surprise" is Thaksin singing "I'll be back" in a video footage played out to his supporters at the Kaewfah Temple

gosh... how impressive

PM 'needs more time' to look into evidence

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday that he needed another day or two to consider the conflicting evidence and evaluations in the attempted murder of Sondhi Limthongkul.

Abhisit said he would spend the weekend trying to find the missing facts in order to complete the picture.

The premier said he had received conflicting reports from those involved with the investigation.

He obtained police reports on Friday about the murder attempt in April on Sondhi, a core leader of the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD), and found that several items of information in the reports were contradictory.

Evidence given by Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, responsible for domestic security, had its own sources, Abhisit said, adding that he would not comment on the matter now.

Abhisit said that if he had to make a decision on the case, he would consider all the information and then take appropriate action. He insisted that he had no intention of interfering with the police investigation and was merely trying to eliminate obstacles.

On April 17, Sondhi's vehicle was ambushed by gunmen in a pick-up truck on his way to work. He was hit by gunfire but recovered after an operation.

The media magnate is a key PAD leader, the so-called yellow shirts, whose leaders now face charges related to the seizure of Bangkok's two commercial airports late last year in their mass protests against the then government of Somchai Wongsawat, a major ally of convicted former ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

Meanwhile, Suthep denied press reports on conflict with Abhisit over the plan to remove national police chief Police General Patcharawat Wongsuwan for the delay over the case.

Suthep said deputy national police chief Police General Thani Somboonsap, who supervised the investigation on the shooting of the media mogul, had reported to him on Friday on the progress of the investigation. He said Thani would continue to head the investigation team although he was about to retire from service soon as he believed more warrants could be issued.

Reports had it that Thani had informed the prime minister that Patcharawat stood in the way of the investigation. The reports led to speculation that the national police chief would be sacked.

In a related development, banned politician Chaturon Chaisang yesterday called on the prime minister to be decisive and courageous in dealing with the Sondhi case.

"If the police investigation hits a snag, the prime minister should support the police in their work so that the culprits are brought to justice," he said.

Chaturon, ex-leader of the disbanded Thai Rak Thai Party, is among the party's former executives stripped of their electoral rights for five years. He also called on the prime minister to offer protection to the police investigators, who he said were being threatened by the PAD.

PAD spokesman Panthep Puapongpan yesterday called on the prime minister to remove the national police chief for allegedly obstructing the investigation into the attempt on Sondhi's life.

"Indecision will certainly affect public confidence. The prime minister has to make up his mind. It is not his duty to just stay afloat day by day," he said.

-- The Nation 2009-07-26

The "big surprise" unveiled, apparently

Sunday, 10.10 am: Good morning everyone. Red-shirted members have been reported to rise up early in some provinces to give alms to monks. In Nakhon Panom, some 300 people took part in a solemn merit making insisting that they came together because of their love for Thaksin. Some 50,000 Nakhon Panom residents were said to have signed the pardon-Thaksin petition.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, in his weekly TV programme, said it was alright for Thaksin to hold such a large-scale "sae yid". "I guess he just wants to be happy," he said. Nice beginning, but then a little swipe. "If his eyes can see dhamma (Buddhist principles) now", Thaksin should know what to do, Abhisit said.

The prime minister woke up to some unpleasant news. His popularity rating, according to an Abac poll, is now one percentage point below Thaksin's (32.9 per cent against 34. It is quite a drop from March when the prime minister enjoyed more than 50 per cent rating whereas Thaksin's was barely above 20 per cent.

Still no more big news about the "big surprise", except that some of his aides claimed the thing would be so touching it would make you cry. Also, Thaksin is expected to heavily touch upon the government's "failure" in handling the swine flu.

On the superstition front, earth garthered from "all the eight directions" will be used in a ceremony to re-inforce Thaksin's stars. Is this against Buddhist teachings? No problem, a Buddhist monk in the province said, because this was a Brahmin ritual that had nothing to do with what Lord Buddha taught.

11 am: Meanwhile, Guinness World Records officials may have been invited to Chiang Mai because birthday organisers said they planned to break a world record on the number of cakes being brought to a birthday party. They plan to have 2,492 people bring one cake each, but it seems the auspicious number is in danger of being overwhelmed by other enthusiastic supporters who also want to bring their cakes. They want a piece of cake in the cake campaign, so to speak.

Reports are starting to come in from various provinces where Thaksin birthday celebrations are taking place. But morning activities have been mostly the same, with people giving alms to monks and performing basic Buddhist rituals. The Kaewfah Temple, hailed as the centre of celebration venue, has been crowded with red-shirted people.

Meanwhile, speculation that Thaksin would display humbleness as the big surprise has all but evaporated after his phone-in on Saturday. He vowed to come back to restore his reputation and "Thailand's dignity" which he said was destroyed by what happened to him over the past few years.

Thaksin is said to have been very touched by a song written for him, prompting new speculation that he would sing "I'll be back" for his supporters today as the big surprise. This matches the claims that the big surprise would be something so touching that tears will flow.

At a temple in Lampang, a "Ngai Baad" (To put an overturned monk's bowl back up) ceremony has been held. Since to overturn a monk's bowl (Kwam Baad) means to disown or boycott, the purpose of this ceremony is obvious.

12.10 pm: Former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, who is Thaksin's former brother-in-law, has joined the ceremonies at the Kaewfah Temple, where a "Ngai Baad" ritual has also taken place.

A lot of "Thaksins" are seen at the temple _ people wearing his masks, a human-sized cut-out of his photo, and a coffin bearing his picture. (Coffins are often used in "sadoh kroh" rituals to repel bad fortunes or turn them into good ones.)

Since private cars are not allowed to park inside the temple, red-shirted members have to park outside, causing quite a traffic nighmare around the venue.

More details on the Abac poll, Abhisit remains much more popular than Thaksin in the South and is still more popular in Bangkok. Thaksin, of course, scores big in the north and northeastern region. In his weekly TV programme, Abhisit said he was not worried by "democratic" competition to increase popularity, but he deplored attempts to block government politicians from many pro-Thaksin constituencies.

In Chiang Mai, rituals have taken place in several locations. One highlighted ritual was to "cut" or remove his karma.

3 pm: It's official now, or so it seems. The "big surprise" is Thaksin singing "I'll be back" in a video footage played out to his supporters at the Kaewfah Temple, who sang along.

Not much else happened when I got stuck in the rain and traffic. We have got hold of Thaksin's written birthday wishes. It was a short message written in his own handwriting. "If you ask me what I wish for on my birthday, I'll say I want to see national reconciliation and strong health and longevity for His Majesty the King," it said.

Thaksin is also known have twittered Abhisit, apparently in response to the latter's "If his eyes can see dhamma" statement. "I'd like to say big thanks and give you my full support for solving national problems. If there's anything I can do, I will be really pleased to help."

Well, I have to admit that both messages sound very nice indeed, which leaves us wondering why it still feels so miserable politically.

-- The Nation 2009-07-26

PM requires two days to find Sondhi case´s facts

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva demanded a couple of days to check Mr Sondhi Limthongkul's assassination attempt case, while Deputy Prime Minister denied conflict with the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister declared that he had received report on Mr Sondhi's case from Mr Suthep despite various different opinions from related-officials, but keen to search for the fact by himself within a couple of days.

Meanwhile, Mr Suthep denied any argument with the Prime Minister on removing Royal Thai Police Commissioner-General Patcharavat Wongsuwan from his post, while affirming that Royal Thai Police Deputy Commissioner-General Thanee Somboonsap will collect more evidence and witnesses and propose to the court for additional arrest warrants.

-- NNT 2009-07-25

Phuket Red-Shirts

About 50 supporters

Over 100 red-shirts in Lampang

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Some 200 red-shirts in Phitsanulok

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Some 20 red-shirts in Songkhla

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Some 1,000 red-shirts gather in Roi Et

Impressive nation-wide turn-outs

Over 100 red-shirts attend merit making ceremony for Thaksin in Lampang

Lampang - Over 100 red-shirt people gathered for a merit making ceremony to bless former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra at a temple here on the occasion of his birthday.

They gathered at the Wat Srichum Temple in Muang district at 10 am to perform a ceremony to cast Thaksin's bad luck away.

========================================================================

Some 200 red-shirts in Phitsanulok make merit for Thaksin

Phitsanulok - Some 200 red-shirt people gathered at a temple there to make merit for former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra on the occasion of his birthday.

The red-shirt people gathered at the Chulamanee Temple in Muang district at 7 am to make merit and pray for Thaksin's bad luck to go away.

========================================================================

Some 20 red-shirts make merit for Thaksin in Songkhla

Songkhla - Some 20 supporters of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra made merit at temple here to cast his bad luck away as part of nationwide celebrations.

The red-shirt people gathered at the Wad Muang Khom Tepmle in Hat Yai in the morning to make merit.

========================================================================

Some 1,000 red-shirts gather in Roi Et to pray for Thaksin

Roi Et - Some 1,000 red-shirt people gathered here Sunday morning to hold a Brahman s rite to cast away the back luck of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra on his birthday.

They gathered at the Klong Thom market in Art Samart district at 9:45 am to take part in a traditional rite to bless Thaksin.

They took sample of soil from locations Thaksin visited as part of his Cabinet mobile meeting from July 16 to 20 2006 to perform the rite.

During the ceremony, the red-shirt people chanted "Thaksin dear, please come back to Thailand".

-- The Nation 2009-07-26

Sondhi case to be clear next week

The Sondhi shooting case should be clear next week, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said on Sunday.

People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) leader Sondhi Limthongkul was ambushed by a group of gunmen in a pick-up truck while he was on his way to work on April 16.

"The case is still unclear due to the conflicting information and it will take some time to gather and combine information from all sides," Mr Abhisit said.

Continued:

-- Bangkok Post 2009-07-26

Phuket Red-Shirts Mark Thaksin's 60th Birthday

Happy Birthday to 60-year-old Thaksin Shinawatra, wherever you are. Perhaps today brings a romp through the dunes around Dubai, or a caper along a Pacific island beach, or a tapas treat somewhere in central America. At least you are free, even if you can't come back to Thailand.

About 50 supporters of the disgraced former Prime Minister gathered today at Wat Mongklonnimid, in Phuket City. Eight monks benefitted from the happy-birthday merit-making ceremony, being supplied with lunch.

The leader of the red-shirt group, Pimsuda Sabaijid, said she would like Khun Thaksin to return to Thailand and resume his position as Prime Minister. Not many people on Phuket would agree.

Continued here:

http://phuketwan.com/tourism/phuket-red-sh...birthday-11372/

- Phuket Wan / 2009-07-26

PM warns birthday celebrants of ousted premier Thaksin to respect law

BANGKOK, July 26 (TNA) - Urging convicted, ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra who celebrates his 60th birthday Sunday to return home from his self-imposed exile and fight legal charges, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said supporters who stage birthday parties must hold events under the legal framework.

Shrugging off press reports quoting Thaksin as saying Saturday that he apologised to Mr. Abhisit on media coverage of his birthday celebrations by his supporters which may have ‘stolen the limelight’ from the government, the prime minister said he had nothing to say to the ex-premier except that he should return to Thailand and face the legal charges against him.

The Thai government will do nothing as it understands fully well that Thaksin move frequently as he is living in less than desirable circumstances, Mr. Abhisit said.

Thaksin’s supporters now holding birthday parties for him in the country and also the anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) must conduct their celebrations under the legal framework and must not create divisiveness, Mr. Abhisit warned.

Ousted in a bloodless coup in September 2006, Thaksin now spends most of his time in the United Arab Emirates after his status as a visitor was rejected by a number of countries including both the United Kingdom and Germany.

Last year Thaksin was convicted and sentenced to two years in prison after he was found guilty of having a conflict of interest in his involvement in Bangkok’s Ratchadapisek land deal.

Meanwhile, Thaksin’s younger sister Yaowapa Wongsawat and her husband Somchai Wongsawat, a former prime minister, led opposition politicians and members of the UDD in performing Buddhist religious rites at Kaewfah temple in suburban Nonthaburi.

The rites were aimed at ridding Thaksin’s bad luck and to also bring him prosperity. More than 150 monks joined the ceremony, which was due to end at 1pm.

Meanwhile, supporters of the ex-premier in the north joined merit making ceremonies at temples in Lampang, Lamphun and Chiang Mai where religious ceremonies were conducted to ward off bad luck for Thaksin.

In Chiang Mai, a birthday party will be held at the Varorot Grand Palace Hotel. Among all evening’s activities are collecting 2,492 cakes and making 2,492 birthday cards for Thaksin.

The year 2,492 of the Buddhist Era (B.E.) is Thaksin’s birth year.

-- TNA 2009-07-26

From this:

flaming comment erased and ignored

Changed To This:

flaming comment erased and ignored

Wrong on all counts as ever. The comment was not a flame, it is not erased (I just read it) as you are not a mod. And you didn't ignore it as you obviously had a fit of pique and didn't print it in your reply.

Anyway, to get on topic again, Thaksin really keeps you guys dancing with his big surprise. I suppose he must thank you for all the publicity you give him by constantly cutting and pasting his life story.

From Forum Guidelines:

2. Please do not modify someone else's post in your quoted reply, either with font or color changes or wording. Such posts will be deleted and the user warned.

I see you're back to your normal mode of forum rules infractions on both font size AND color.

That's not a "big surprise."

snippets from:

Supporters of fugitive former premier mark his 60th birthday

In Bangkok, a birthday banquet at Royal Dragon Restaurant was scheduled to be held Sunday evening with 350 tables and about 3,500 guests for Thaksin's relatives and political allies.

Thaksin, never shy about publicity during his premierships between 2001 to 2006, is the main decision-maker and financier behind the UDD and the Puea Thai opposition party.

Although a fugitive from justice, he remains a central player in Thai politics and a threat to the current coalition government's fragile stability.

On April 11-12, red-shirted Thaksin supporters raided the venue of a South-East Asian summit at Pattaya beach resort, forcing current Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejajjiva to cancel the event.

Thaksin, through call-ins, urged his followers to stage a "people's revolution" at the time and was widely blamed for instigating the resulting violence and damage to Thailand's reputation.

- DPA / 2009-07-26

Supporters make merit for Thai ex-premier Thaksin

BANGKOK, July 26 (Xinhua) -- Supporters of ousted Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Sunday joined the merit-making ceremony on the occasion of his 60th birthday, local media reported.

Thaksin's brother-in-law and former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat presided over the ceremony at Kaew Fah temple in Nonthaburi province, just north to the capital of Bangkok. Thaksin was expected to make a phone-in address to his supporters later during the day, and had promised to unveil a big surprise to Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, the website of the Bangkokpost said.

Nonthaburi's Bang Kruay police inspector Prasong Sirithipvanich said two companies of policemen had been deployed to oversee security at the temple.

The United front for Democratic against Dictatorship (UDD), a pro-Thaksin group had planned to hold a birthday party for Thaksin on Sunday at Bangkok's Sanam Luang, which was banned by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA).

The government was again seeking Thaksin's whereabouts in the run-up to his phone-in birthday address.

- Xinhua / 2009-07-26

============================================================================

Red-shirts gather for religious ceremony for Thaksin's birthday at Nonthaburi temple

Nonthaburi - Hundreds of red-shirt fans of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra gathered at temple here since early in the morning to participate in a religious ceremony to cast away his bad luck.

They gathered at the Kaewfah Temple in Bang Kruay district to take part in the ceremony held on the occasion of Thaksin's 60th anniversary birthday.

-- The Nation 2009-07-26

TWO former air hostesses of the Indian airline Jet Airways say they are among more than 40 former employees "unfairly laid off." They claim the airline failed to keep its promise of Bt100,000 each to the laid-off workers.

The Nation / 2009-07-26

At the ritual, 20,000 masks with Thaksin's face picture on them will be given to participants.

That's a lot of big, square heads walking around if they are like this...

Thaksin Shinawatra (name-sake worn as a mask) and Surapong Towichakchaikul during his MP campaign trail

He said wearing face masks and adhering to hygiene guidelines would help reduce transmission of the virus for those who could not resist the urge to join the celebrations.

The mask theme continues...

RUBBER MASKS of Thaksin Shinawatra are on sale at a fair held by his red-shirt supporters in Roi Et yesterday to mark the ex-leader’s 60th birthday today.

The Nation / 2009-07-26

There is nothing in the report to suggest he does plan a black magic ceremony nor does the report back up the claims.

There is also a red shirt leader (an organiser perhaps) claiming it will not take place.

i see it as a sensationalist newpaper headline that will sell papers.

it could also be argued the local western media is doing a fair bit of black magic themselves in the form of mind control/brainwashing over their mislead farang readers.

perhpas the editors of these newpapers sacrifice chickens and chant daily to power the brainwashed farang to post their anti-thaksin nonsense here on thai visa .

You can attempt to blame the press and everyone else, but Thaksin's long history of ceremonies on the bizarre fringes of Thai beliefs is well-established and well-documented.

He believes deeply in it... perhaps you could give it a try.

oh i don't doubt he has done some things like this in his past, but the report is not about his past at all. It would be irresponsible for a newpaper to make a claim that Thaksin will have a black magic ceremony done on his birthday and not be able to back it up this claim, particularly if the organiser out and out denies it.

flaming comment erased and ignored

Do you understand that his birthday is today and that these black magic ceremonies are occurring today in his honor? To me, that's the present.

What you mention in regards to denial is from Chiang Mai. But he's got lovers from other areas, eg. the folks in Roi Et are having black magic ceremonies for him.

Why do you now wish to distance Thaksin from his well-established beliefs in black magic?

If he doesn't do it... why are you doing it for him?

reply moved to new mass emailed thread...

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thailand-eli...46#entry2897846

Thailand 'elite' Program In Tatters, Thaksin's dream of luring the elite lies in tatters

perhaps we should close this one to avoid further doubling up...

{quote}

Thaksin's dream of luring the elite lies in tatters

It started with a flourish and some wildly optimistic predictions but it looks like it may end with a whimper

{unquote}

I guess that's what they mean by the "No Entry" sign on their door at the airport...

In the first year of operation, the company sold 139 Elite Card lifetime memberships. However, the number so far this year is a measly two.

and Thaivisa has been privileged to hear from nearly all of these supposed members over the course of 82 threads covering the past five years.... and yet surprisingly....

Up to 200 complaints have been reported by TPC so far this year.

from all these alleged members posting, I can't remember a single complaint...

There is nothing in the report to suggest he does plan a black magic ceremony nor does the report back up the claims.

There is also a red shirt leader (an organiser perhaps) claiming it will not take place.

i see it as a sensationalist newpaper headline that will sell papers.

it could also be argued the local western media is doing a fair bit of black magic themselves in the form of mind control/brainwashing over their mislead farang readers.

perhpas the editors of these newpapers sacrifice chickens and chant daily to power the brainwashed farang to post their anti-thaksin nonsense here on thai visa .

You can attempt to blame the press and everyone else, but Thaksin's long history of ceremonies on the bizarre fringes of Thai beliefs is well-established and well-documented.

He believes deeply in it... perhaps you could give it a try.