Thai junta says 'not concerned' about ousted PM Thaksin's Asia tour

By Aukkarapon Niyomyat and Panarat Thepgumpanat

 

FILE PHOTO: Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra looks on as he speaks to Reuters during an interview in Singapore February 23, 2016. REUTERS/Edgar Su/File Photo

 

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand is not concerned about the movement of fugitive former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his sister, also an ousted former leader, after recent visits by the pair to several Asian cities and meetings with members of their party.

 

The Shinawatras have dominated Thai politics for nearly two decades and wield significant influence through allies and relatives despite both living in self-exile. They are likely to be a significant factor in a general election the junta has promised for November.

 

FILE PHOTO: Ousted former Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra arrives at the criminal court in Bangkok, Thailand, September 29, 2015. REUTERS/Chaiwat Subprasom/File Picture

 

Critics say the military, which took power in a 2014 coup that removed Yingluck Shinawatra's government, wants to end the family's political influence - something that is reflected in a new, military-backed charter, party laws and restrictions on political parties.

 

Thaksin and Yingluck visited China and Japan this month and met at least 30 members of parliament from their Puea Thai party in Hong Kong on the weekend, party members said after returning to Thailand.

 

The two were spotted in a Singapore hotel on Tuesday, meeting a group of unidentified men, and were in the city state on Wednesday, party sources said, adding they were having "business meetings".

 

Political observers say their Asia tour is a sign that their party is gearing up for the election.

 

A spokesman for the junta, known as the National Council for Peace and Order, said it was not focused on the two Shinawatras.

 

"Monitoring those who have an arrest warrant is the job of relevant agencies. We are not concerned about this," the spokesman, Piyapong Klinpan, told Reuters.

 

Former telecommunications tycoon Thaksin was prime minister from 2001 to 2006 when he was overthrown in a military coup supported by the Bangkok-based establishment.

 

He left Thailand in 2008, shortly before a court convicted him of corruption and sentenced him to a two-year jail term. He said the conviction was politically motivated.

 

He is based in Dubai.

 

Yingluck was elected prime minister in 2011 but was forced from office by a 2014 court ruling, shortly before the military ousted her government.

 

Yingluck fled from Thailand in August, weeks before the Supreme Court found her guilty of negligence in mismanaging a rice-buying scheme and sentenced her to five years in prison.

 

She is based in Britain and has not spoken publicly since she left Thailand.

 

Several Puea Thai members told Reuters Thaksin did not discuss politics when he met party members of parliament in Hong Kong.

 

"We didn't talk about politics because we know better than Thaksin what's going on. He's been out of the country so long," said Wattana Muagnsook, a former commerce minister.

 

He said met Thaksin for a meal.

 

Phumtham Wechayachai, Puea Thai's secretary-general, said the party has not held meetings because a junta ban on political gatherings was still in place.

 

Lawmakers might be trying to play down meetings with Thaksin because they fear legal action.

 

Legislation on political parties that took effect in October prohibits those "who are not party members" from "controlling or directing" a party.

Thaksin led the Thai Rak Thai (Thais Love Thais) party before a court dissolved it in 2007. He is not a member of its reincarnation, the Puea Thai party.

 

(Reporting by Aukkarapon Niyomyat, Amy Sawitta Lefevre, Panarat Thepgumpanat and Patpicha Tanakasempipat; Writing by Amy Sawitta Lefevre; Editing by Robert Birsel)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-02-21

Thai Junta not concerned about Thaksins Asia tour.

No they are just s++++ing bricks.

18 minutes ago, webfact said:

 a general election the junta has promised for November.

Which November ?

27 minutes ago, webfact said:

We are not concerned about this," the spokesman, Piyapong Klinpan, told Reuters.

 

But they had to make a point of saying it though. Hilarious!

 

Thai junta "not concerned" about Thaksin? 
The usual 180° exact opposite of reality, more fake news pathetic comedy. Thaksin remains THE primary reason why Mr. Junta insists on retaining power, delaying elections, and pushing "Thai-style democracy". Both sides are ugly but one denying the other is just stupid. 

Just now, Captain_Bob said:

Thai junta "not concerned" about Thaksin? 
The usual 180° exact opposite of reality, more fake news pathetic comedy. Thaksin remains THE primary reason why Mr. Junta insists on retaining power, delaying elections, and pushing "Thai-style democracy". Both sides are ugly but one denying the other is just stupid. 

Yes, but they are good at stupid, you can't deny that.

My default setting with the little general and his minions is that anything they say is a lie, ergo any time one of the mouthpieces makes an announcement the truth is the opposite of what they are saying, try it it works really well the only time it doesn't work is when they have made such a glaring thuck up they are forced into an immediate about turn straight away.... 

1 minute ago, mark131v said:

My default setting with the little general and his minions is that anything they say is a lie, ergo any time one of the mouthpieces makes an announcement the truth is the opposite of what they are saying, try it it works really well the only time it doesn't work is when they have made such a glaring thuck up they are forced into an immediate about turn straight away.... 

Sounds like they're back to doing square bashing with all those about turns.

Must feel right at home.

2 minutes ago, bluesofa said:

Sounds like they're back to doing square bashing with all those about turns.

Must feel right at home.

True that, must get very dizzy...

 

I believe there must be a special recruitment process for junta spokesperson's they must be completely none emotional when instructed to give contradictory announcements within hours of each, come to think of it I think it is known as a frontal lobotomy and seems to be a very popular procedure with the junta 

1 minute ago, mark131v said:

True that, must get very dizzy...

 

I believe there must be a special recruitment process for junta spokesperson's they must be completely none emotional when instructed to give contradictory announcements within hours of each, come to think of it I think it is known as a frontal lobotomy and seems to be a very popular procedure with the junta 

I think I'd rather have a full bottle in front of me than a full frontal lobotomy.

If you're not worried about it you sure show a strange way of getting the message across...............................

The junta is worried sick; period. 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Thai junta says 'not concerned' about ousted PM Thaksin's Asia tour

Shows how stupid they are then, because they should be.

Oh yes they are! 

Whistling in the dark!

I think the junta is suffering from an acute case of accismus.

1 hour ago, darksidedog said:

Shows how stupid they are then, because they should be.

Agreed. They just don't do cocky self-assuredness at all.

16 hours ago, Eric Loh said:

The junta is worried sick; period. 

Yes, but don't they just let Suthep do all the worrying for them?  They know when things are down, Suthep will think of something.  He was quoted as saying the junta leaders will lose in the election, so what did he do ?  He is starting a pro junta party.  Suthep will do anything for these guys. 

17 hours ago, webfact said:

"Monitoring those who have an arrest warrant is the job of relevant agencies. We are not concerned about this," the spokesman, Piyapong Klinpan, told Reuters.

either the spokesman, professional liars all, is doing his thing or the junta is remarkably stupid,

this article details why they Should be concerned

19 hours ago, johng said:

Which November ?

Please, check reality.

Elections are just a sop for people thinking they have any influence.

Everywhere in the world "democracy" has just become a word.

 

 

"wise men speak because they have something to say; fools because they have to say something" - Plato.

It's still a pain in the ass....... Definitely 

Not concerned, yet have been releasing statements about it on a daily basis so far. 

Thai people don't give a toss about the P character and would.vote Thaksin all.day long..If they go to polls.even his done deals would turn on him. A waste of 4 years. Only heartake and suffering was delivered

Edited February 22, 20188 yr by Media1

19 hours ago, Eric Loh said:

The junta is worried sick; period. 

On heart meds 

20 hours ago, mark131v said:

True that, must get very dizzy...

 

I believe there must be a special recruitment process for junta spokesperson's they must be completely none emotional when instructed to give contradictory announcements within hours of each, come to think of it I think it is known as a frontal lobotomy and seems to be a very popular procedure with the junta 

Same recruitment process as Trump spokespersons. Must be able to lie through your teeth. 

2 hours ago, Media1 said:

Thai people don't give a toss about the P character and would.vote Thaksin all.day long..If they go to polls.even his done deals would turn on him. A waste of 4 years. Only heartake and suffering was delivered

 

I think you're wrong. I think are large number of Thais couldn't give a toss about the Junta, the Dems, Suthep, Thaksin, the Shin clan or any of their cronies. They know them all for what they are, more and more. 

It's slowly, perhaps very slowly, becoming more difficult for the party faithful and hired organizers to orchestrate votes - and that included all sides and all traditional regional clan based old political powers. 

People want change, they're fed up with a biased justice system, untouchables getting enormously richer off their backs, lack of opportunity for their kids and the entrenched corruption. Trouble is, there doesn't seem many if any who'll do anything about it. 

The mega rich elites, and that includes the Shins, don't want change, real change. The only change they're interested in is whose in charge of the trough. If the Shins get back in charge, the cycle of events will start again.

Sounds a bit like the Beverly Hillbillies. Jed, Elie May, I wonder who is Jethro; he always wanted to be an Army Type. 

1 hour ago, Baerboxer said:

 

I think you're wrong. I think are large number of Thais couldn't give a toss about the Junta, the Dems, Suthep, Thaksin, the Shin clan or any of their cronies. They know them all for what they are, more and more. 

It's slowly, perhaps very slowly, becoming more difficult for the party faithful and hired organizers to orchestrate votes - and that included all sides and all traditional regional clan based old political powers. 

People want change, they're fed up with a biased justice system, untouchables getting enormously richer off their backs, lack of opportunity for their kids and the entrenched corruption. Trouble is, there doesn't seem many if any who'll do anything about it. 

The mega rich elites, and that includes the Shins, don't want change, real change. The only change they're interested in is whose in charge of the trough. If the Shins get back in charge, the cycle of events will start again.

There is much in what you say. Yes fundamental reform is needed. Yes, the increasing numbers dissatisfied with the system, for all the reasons you outlined need to make themselves heard. 

 

There are, to my mind two possible ways that this can happen, and here I know our views diverge. Free elections, or rather a series of free elections, together with the political freedoms which all the various past constitutions lining the bookshelves in Government House guarantee. With that political freedom will come the chance for change, the chance for new voices to be heard and for new political alliances to form, within or outside the existing parties. This will take time, yes Thaksin will probably win the initial elections, voted for by those who are enthusiasts for him, and by those who hold their nose and vote for him as the least bad option. He is not a young man, he has what, two parliaments "left in him"? The pressures for change, for reform, can/will take effect. Pressing the reset button and installing another junta, or rigging things to ensure they remain for the next 20 years (for which they seem to be planning) will change nothing. Under them Thailand, it's society and economy will ossify. Just look at what has happened in Burma for the last decades.

That leads to the second possibility. A violent end to the current regime. I don't want that, I doubt any sane person does, but as things go on it is becoming ever more likely. Don't forget the safety valve which defused the overstressed pressure cooker in the past has gone. A traumatic change also doesn't guarantee a less autocratic or more open regime following.

 

But it must start with elections, and the electorates choice must be respected.

Edited February 22, 20188 yr by JAG

Maybe they should be worried.

I was rather shocked to see this doing the rounds on FB. I was rather more shocked that people were feeling bold enough to post it.

Maybe the masses are beginning to stir?