Former Thai PM Thaksin: "I'm Calling It Quits"

[frodo]

How things have changed in a few years regarding his wife. With Thaksin, there has never been any real consistency with anything he says or does. If he really wants what is best for this country, he should leave politics for good. Then again, the same is true today as it has been for years; Thaksin is obsessed with power and will go through any measure or extreme in keeping that.

Thaksin says his wife is his reality check

BANGKOK: Responding to charges that he is obsessed with power, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra used a year-end speech to try to assure the public that there remains at least one force constraining him - his wife Pojaman.

"The person who reminds me [to keep my feet on the ground] all the time is my wife. And no matter how important I have become, I always listen to her," Thaksin said.

"My wife is not easily swayed by temptations. So there should be no worry. The public has my wife to serve as a reminder for me," he added.

2004

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thaksin-Wife...&hl=thaksin

Jatuporn also said the main reason Thaksin divorced his wife, Khunying Pojamarn, was because he decided to return to politics.

"Khun Thaksin and his wife had decided earlier, after the coup d'etat in 2006, that they would divorce if he decided to return to politic. It is a promise between them. So they decided to divorce now that Khun Thaksin will return to politics," he said.

2008

http://nationmultimedia.com/2008/11/18/pol...cs_30088708.php

[jbowman1993]

Fugitive ex-PM Thaksin to declare his return to politics

Convicted ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra will declare his return to politic and his eye-for-an-eye fight with his enemies next month in a controversial mobile TV talk show, People Power Party's MP Jatuporn Promphan said Tuesday.

"Khun Thaksin will announce on December 14 that he will return to politic to fight to defend his name. He will no longer stand still. He decided to come out to fight as he did not want to be attacked and cornered any more," Jatuporn said in an exclusive interview with The Nation.

"Thaksin will no longer wait to be attacked, he will fight back by all means, particularly by eye-for-an-eye strategy, from now on. Khun Thaksin now believes that the only way for him Thaksin to survive and to live is to fight for his name," Jatuporn said.

The announcement will be made in the Kwamjing Wannee Sanjon (Mobile Truth Today) to be held in Supachalasai National Stadium on December 14. The programme has been rescheduled from December 10 after the organisers learnt that the stadium is scheduled to host an Asean football competition on December 9-10.

Jatuporn also said the main reason Thaksin divorced his wife, Pojamarn, was because he decided to return to politics.

"Khun Thaksin and his wife had decided earlier, after the coup d'etat in 2006, that they would divorce if he decided to return to politics. It is a promise between them. So they decided to divorce now that Khun Thaksin will return to politics," he said.

"However their divorce does not mean that they are no longer in love," Jatuporn said.

- The Nation / 2008-11-17

:D :D

The man has just sealed his fate. Go with God Dr. Thaksin, lol.

Edited November 18, 2008 by jbowman1993

[ilyushin]

His return to politics!?! This is great stuff "Khun Thaksin will announce on December 14 that he will return to politic to fight to defend his name. He will no longer stand still. He decided to come out to fight as he did not want to be attacked and cornered any more"

Nothing about the country!?! He just realized his name is in trouble?

What a hoot?

[sriracha john]

Thaksin will declare return to politics on TV

BANGKOK, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's coup-ousted ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, now a fugitive, will declare his return to politics and his fight with his enemies next month in a mobile TV talk show, a Thai media reported Tuesday, quoting a ruling People Power Party (PPP) MP Tuesday.

"Mr. Thaksin will announce on December 14 that he will return to politics to fight to defend his name. He will no longer stand still. He decided to come out to fight as he did not want to be attacked and cornered any more," the PPP's Jatuporn Promphan told The Nation news website in an interview.

"Thaksin will no longer wait to be attacked, he will fight back by all means, particularly by eye-for-an-eye strategy from now on. Mr. Thaksin now believes that the only way for him to survive and to live is to fight for his name," Jatuporn was quoted as saying.

The announcement will be made in a program named Kwamjing Wannee Sanjon (Mobile Truth Today) to be held at Supachalasai National Stadium in Bangkok on December 14. The program has been rescheduled from December 10 after the organizers learnt that the stadium is scheduled to host an ASEAN football competition on December 9-10.

Jatuporn also said the decision to return to politics is the main reason why Thaksin divorced his wife, Pojaman.

Thaksin and his wife had decided earlier, after the coup d'etatin 2006 that ousted Thaksin from premiership when he was out of the country, that they would divorce if he decided to return to politics, said Jatuporn. "It is a promise between them."

Thaksin and Pojaman reportedly ended their 32-year-old marriage last Friday at the Thai consulate in Hong Kong. Some speculated that it was legally motivated as Thai authorities have frozen Thaksin's assets worth over 2 billion U.S. dollars, while much of the family's wealth was believed to be under Pojaman's name.

After the coup, Thaksin went into self-exile in Britain before his and Pojaman's visas were revoked by Britain, prompted by last month's verdict by the Supreme Court that sentenced Thaksin to two years in jail for abuse of power and acquitted Pojaman over conflict of interest charges in the a Bangkok land deal case in 2003.

[animatic]

Thaksin will declare return to politics on TV

BANGKOK, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's coup-ousted ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, now a fugitive, will declare his return to politics and his fight with his enemies next month in a mobile TV talk show, a Thai media reported Tuesday, quoting a ruling People Power Party (PPP) MP Tuesday.

"Mr. Thaksin will announce on December 14 that he will return to politics to fight to defend his name.

He will no longer stand still. He decided to come out to fight as he did not want to be attacked and cornered any more," the PPP's Jatuporn Promphan told The Nation news website in an interview.

"Thaksin will no longer wait to be attacked, he will fight back by all means, particularly by eye-for-an-eye strategy from now on. Mr. Thaksin now believes that the only way for him to survive and to live is to fight for his name," Jatuporn was quoted as saying.

Jatuporn also said the decision to return to politics is the main reason why Thaksin divorced his wife, Pojaman.

fter the

.....over 2 billion U.S. dollars, while much of the family's wealth was believed to be under Pojaman's name.

So lets see

High-Treason Tourism Outlook Bleak

but kicking off another ad campaign anyway.

He has been hopping from country to country, but thinks he's standing still....?

Is his mind racing that fast??

His main backer, and only voice of reason, has backed out after 32 years.

Or he just STOPPED LISTENING, and she bailed.

Or he dumped her because SAVING FACE is more important than saving a 32 year marriage...

One MUST have priorities!

She gets most of the VISIBLE money , i.e. held by the state till his trials get finished.

But he obvioously has great piles NEVER reported in Thailand, to buy teams and buy control.

He will do ANYTHING to get back control....

Suborn his brothers sisters and their families and their children.

He controls a "War Room" bound and determined to gain back control..

Even though he controls the GOVERNMENT executive,

he doesn't control the WHOLE judiciary too,

so he wants to come back and take over that too.

Why have a judiciary when he can just rule at court

and give thumbs up or down if he doesn't like your face,

or how much you donated to his party coffers.

I have rarely encountered a meglomaniac at this level

in any port of call I have drifted through.

Cesar Borgia you have company at the table.

It is in many ways breath-taking!

Edited November 18, 2008 by animatic

[phupaman]

HI All.

I know this is Thailand , but is it really possible that a convicted criminal could take the helm in government,I don't think so .

The best he can hope for is to stay as it is and have the entire cabinet in his pocket , same as now, so no change. But this is Thailand,Who Knows?.

[Plus]

His only option in this fight is an outright revolution.

And he plans it right on the heels of funeral ceremonies and shrotly after Dec 5 celebrations.

It's suicidal.

The man has lost his marbles, probably in Pojamarns handbag.

[animatic]

His only option in this fight is an outright revolution.

And he plans it right on the heels of funeral ceremonies and shrotly after Dec 5 celebrations.

It's suicidal.

The man has lost his marbles, probably in Pojamarns handbag.

Plus I am afraid you may be more accurate than we could possibly fear...

[mc2]

His only option in this fight is an outright revolution.

And he plans it right on the heels of funeral ceremonies and shrotly after Dec 5 celebrations.

It's suicidal.

The man has lost his marbles, probably in Pojamarns handbag.

Im not sure about a revolution. That would be too head on.

He has still got millions of people who will indirectly vote for him. I think he wants to present his side of the story to his supporters , consolidate his influence . I doubt he wants to encourage his supporters to instigate violence , this will not work for him at all. It will be a fight over information/influence.

[Plus]

Fight on via proxies? What good will it do?

He can't avoid facing the music, no matter how many relatives he sends to the cabinet, his conviction is not going to go away, and neither of the six or eight other cases that are already in courts.

Even constitutional amendment won't help him there.

The current set up makes him look like a monkey, jumping around the cage, throwing bananas, but completely harmless.

No, MC2, when he talked about people power to bring him home, he wasn't talking about muppets in departure hall at Don Muang, they can't help him, not anymore.

He doesn't have a plan. It's all just emotions. Let him vent it, let him rave, he's just making a fool out of himself.

[sriracha john]

Thaksin issues ultimatum through divorce tactic

Last week this column mentioned that it would take James Bond or Jason Bourne to keep abreast of what Thaksin Shinawatra is up to. That was quickly proven to be an understatement. Our real-life democracy hero, an increasingly hopeless fugitive with fewer places to hide, walked undisguised into the Thai consulate in Hong Kong, signed divorce papers, sipped a couple of cups of Chinese tea, then walked out and disappeared into the sunset.

Beat that James and Jason. And, may I add, Ethan Hunt from "Mission Impossible". Thaksin did this without an invisible car, a super-computer, or a perfectly real mask that comes with an imitation voice. He just walked in there with his wife and told awe-struck officials, "We want a divorce, please."

You have to feel for those guys. Of course, scepticism is getting louder after the two fugitive guests nonchalantly set foot on what is effectively Thai sovereign soil, amid worldwide talk about their arrest warrants, extradition proceedings and visa cancellation. Surely, the embassy officials must have had courses on international law, bilateral treaties and diplomatic etiquette and so on. In their defence, though, the officials may not have read any of those papers lately.

You would expect Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat to at least pretend to be concerned by the ease with which the fugitive couple popped into - and out of - the Thai Consulate. However, "I don't know that. It's a private matter" was the best he could offer publicly. The Thai Foreign Ministry outdid him with its deafening silence.

So much for "political persecution".

Having ripped apart textbooks on democracy, human rights, law and equality, and sovereign rights, Thaksin has written new ones on press freedom. His half-page ad in The Financial Times this week, a few days after the UK effectively made him persona non grata, defied all the rules and gave London a good slap in the face.

The ad seeks to recruit the world's best brains to help him create a foundation to serve as an international think tank to maximise Asia's potential and prospects, and thus build a better world. Question is, why did the UK throw out such an angel and lock the door?

As for the prestigious Financial Times, its future editorials on Thaksin will be interesting. That the ad appeared on the same page as news stories on Thailand (one on the political crisis and the other on the princess's funeral) can be presumed a coincidence, however.

Get ready for the "Building a Better Future Foundation" to hold an international conference in Manchester, with Thaksin addressing the participants via satellite from a beach somewhere in Africa. Another possibility is a workshop in Liverpool on subjects like "Taxation, Nominees and Corporate Ethics". Well, the Brits can't say we didn't warn them.

For Thailand, some of today's local headlines will aggravate the pain of learning his noble, global purpose. Thaksin is reportedly set to declare an all-out war on his enemies in the country, so we can kiss any lingering hope for a "better future" goodbye. He is hel_l-bent on revenge, sources say, and not even a veto from his think tank in the foundation can stop that.

His opponents are in a dilemma. One school of thought proposes a back-to-basics solution, a compromise. Give Thaksin part of what he wants - some money and some dignity. The other school says, "Look at what he has done 'without' the money; God help Thailand if he's armed with 40 Billion Baht."

So, all signs point to new turbulence. It doesn't matter whether the couple decided to separate because, 1) they want to make it easier to reclaim the frozen assets, or 2) Pojaman Shinawatra is through with his political obsession, or 3) Thaksin wants to protect her. All three possible motives carry the same underlying message: the man is going for broke.

And the message has been conveyed from the Thai Consulate in Hong Kong in the most defiant manner. It reminds us of Jason Bourne when he sneaked into the CIA and used a house phone to call those who were hunting him. The only difference is, Bourne was trying to rediscover his true identity, whereas Thaksin is fast losing his.

- The Nation / 2008-11-19

[sriracha john]

Convicted ex-Thai PM sets up financial foundation: Spokesman

BANGKOK (AFP) — Ousted Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who faces having billions of dollars in assets seized by the Thai courts, has set up a fund to help Asia weather financial turmoil, an adviser said Tuesday.

Multi-millionaire Thaksin, ousted in a 2006 coup, has set up the Building a Better Future Foundation, which his spokesman said aimed to bring together some of Asia's brightest financial brains to help struggling poor nations.

"His aim is to recruit bright, young and talented Asians who can work in countries that have asked for financial advice from Thaksin," Phongthep Thepkanjana, Thaksin's Spokesman in Thailand, said.

On the website for the organisation, which has offices in Hong Kong and Dubai, Thaksin writes: "Together we can uncover the potential and help address the financial, economic, and social challenges of developing nations."

Phongthep refused to say how much money Thaksin would plough into the venture, but said the tycoon -- who was last month sentenced to two years in jail for violating Thailand's corruption laws -- would be the sole backer.

The Supreme Court will on December 25 decide whether Thai authorities can seize about 2.2 Billion Dollars of assets belonging to Thaksin which were frozen by an anti-corruption panel soon after the coup.

Thaksin, fled Thailand in August as corruption charges mounted against him, and aides say he is staying in Dubai after authorities in Britain revoked his visa.

Agence France Presse (AFP) / 2008-11-19

Edited November 18, 2008 by sriracha john

[mc2]

Fight on via proxies? What good will it do?

He can't avoid facing the music, no matter how many relatives he sends to the cabinet, his conviction is not going to go away, and neither of the six or eight other cases that are already in courts.

Even constitutional amendment won't help him there.

The current set up makes him look like a monkey, jumping around the cage, throwing bananas, but completely harmless.

No, MC2, when he talked about people power to bring him home, he wasn't talking about muppets in departure hall at Don Muang, they can't help him, not anymore.

He doesn't have a plan. It's all just emotions. Let him vent it, let him rave, he's just making a fool out of himself.

You may be right. His last speech was nothing special . But now, after the divorce, I think we can expect him to really speak his mind. Some of his speeches in the past have been very good. Maybe he can pull it off this time ? Maybe he wants to rave .

If he still resonates strongly with his supporters , if he wants them and they want him, then he is still in the game . Now would be a good time for ABAC to conduct a poll , and then again after a few rounds of his speeches.

[sriracha john]

www.BuildingBetterFuture.org

Thaksin to announce his return

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will announce his return to Thai politics next month during another mobile TV talk show before his red-shirted supporters at the National Stadium, People Power Party MP Jatuporn Promphan said.

Thaksin will challenge his political enemies for an eye-for-an-eye fight because he is no longer going to sit still, he added.

"Thaksin will announce on December 14 that he will return to politics to fight and to defend his name. He will no longer stand still. He has decided to come out to fight as he no longer wants to be attacked and cornered any more," Jatuporn said in an exclusive interview with The Nation.

"Thaksin will no longer wait to be attacked, he will fight back by all means, particularly with an eye-for-an-eye strategy, from now on. Thaksin now believes that the only way for him to survive and to live is to fight for his name," Jatuporn said.

The announcement will be made in the Kwamjing Wannee Sanjon (Mobile Truth Today) to be held in Supachalasai National Stadium on December 14.

The programme was rescheduled from December 10 after the organisers learnt that the stadium is scheduled to host an Asean football competition on December 9-10.

Before going for a decisive political war, Thaksin has settled his family affairs and worked on a strategy to boost up his international image after the UK government dealt him a big political blow by denying his visa.

He has divorced his wife Pojaman and set up a foundation to build up regional leadership.

The Building a Better Future Foundation, www.BuildingBetterFuture.org, has been hastily put together, with offices in Hong Kong and Dubai. Its objective is to address the financial, economic and social development in the developing nations, but it is seen as Thaksin's attempt to win back his international image tarnished by the UK government's denial of his visa.

Jatuporn also said the main reason Thaksin divorced his wife, Pojamarn, was because he had decided to return to politics.

"Thaksin and his wife had decided earlier, after the coup d'etat in 2006, that they would separate if he decided to return to politics. It is a promise between them. So they have decided to part from each other now that Thaksin will return to politics," he said.

"However, their divorce does not mean that they are no longer in love," Jatuporn said.

Surasith Jiamvichak, a Chiang Rai MP of the People Power Party, said Thaksin's new foundation is not politically motivated.

"Thaksin is a man of action. He can't sit still and do nothing. He would like to contribute to the global society," he said.

"Whatever he does is subject to criticism. In a way, this can't be helped because Thaksin is really an international person."

He added: "It would be good for Thailand if Thaksin can return home because the country needs a capable person like him. There is a possibility that Thaksin will become prime minister again."

Thepthai Senphong of the Democrat Party expressed his concern that Thai politics might escalate into violence after His Majesty the King's Birthday in December. "They are adding wood to fire so that the country plunges into the deepest crisis," he said.

The only one word from Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat about Thaksin's planned phone-in was "I don't know". Although reporters tried to ask more questions about this issue, the prime minister, who is Thaksin's brother-in-law, said nothing.

- The Nation / 2008-11-19

[sriracha john]

"Whatever he does is subject to criticism. In a way, this can't be helped because Thaksin is really an international person fugitive."

Edited November 19, 2008 by sriracha john

[mc2]

He has divorced his wife Pojaman and set up a foundation to build up regional leadership.

The Building a Better Future Foundation, www.BuildingBetterFuture.org, has been hastily put together, with offices in Hong Kong and Dubai. Its objective is to address the financial, economic and social development in the developing nations, but it is seen as Thaksin's attempt to win back his international image tarnished by the UK government's denial of his visa.

Is your resume up to date ???....

http://buildingbetterfuture.org/files/dr-t...open-letter.pdf

His letter:

An open letter to Asia's future leaders from Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra,

Chairman of the Building a Better Future Foundation

November 17, 2008

Subject: Finding opportunity in crisis

Dear Leaders of Tomorrow

You know who you are. You are the ones with new ideas and ambitious goals. You believe in them, and

strive until you achieve them. You have talents matched with courage, and even in this time of economic

adversity, you see the Asia opportunity.

If, like me, you have an unwavering belief in the bright prospects for this region, I would like to introduce

you to the Building a Better Future Foundation, with offices in Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates.

I set up the Foundation with two goals: First, to encourage and nurture the next generation of Asia's business

and financial leaders. Second, to nurture start-up projects in Asia that will stimulate development in the

region. Together we can uncover the potential and help address the financial, economic and social challenges

of developing nations.

And the Foundation is now also actively recruiting an exclusive Think Tank group of rising stars. As one of

the new leaders, you will work with the Foundation to help tackle the current economic crisis in the region

and some of the most pressing problems facing developing nations.

More information on the Foundation, the Think Tank, and the capital support program can be found at

www.BuildingBetterFuture.org.

I am passionate about achieving the goals of this new Foundation. If you think you share my passion, please

submit your resume in confidence to /////////

Yours sincerely

Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra

Maybe he will be the Donald Trump replacement in the Asian version of The Apprentice......

Edited November 19, 2008 by mc2

[sriracha john]

Thaksin's proudly boasted bio from www.BuildingBetterFuture.org:

"In 1973 Dr. Shinawatra joined the Royal Thai Police Department and was promoted to Police Lieutenant Colonel in 1987."

"Dr. Shinawatra holds the following royal decorations: Knight Grand Commander of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao (2002); Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of the Most Admirable Order of the Direkgunabhorn (2001); Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant (1996); Knight Grand Cordon (Special Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand (1995)."

following his ultimately unappealed conviction....ALL of the above are now gone...

Thaksin willing to return royal decorations

Ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will likely agree to return all of his royal decorations if required to by law, Government Spokesman Natthawut Saikua said yesterday.

If Thaksin fails to appeal the Supreme Court's guilty verdict and two-year jail sentence against him in the Ratchadaphisek land case, the Knight Grand Commander (Second Class, higher grade) of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao would need to be recalled.

A PM's Office decree endorsed by then-PM Thaksin in August 2005 gives eight criteria for the recalling of royal decorations, including if a person is convicted by the highest court and ordered to serve time in prison.

If Thaksin does not seek a retrial within 30 days, the PM's Office must seek royal approval to demand the royal decorations be returned.

Thaksin has received nine royal decorations, starting with the Member (Fifth Class) of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand in 1974. The highest was the Knight Grand Commander (Second Class, higher grade) of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao, bestowed in 2003.

Thaksin may lose his rank

Police are considering stripping former PM Thaksin Shinawatra of his rank of Lieutenant-Colonel for his conviction in the Ratchadaphisek land purchase case. Police Spokesman Police Lieutenant-General Watcharapol Prasarnratchakit said they would have to wait for 30 days before proceeding as Thaksin, convicted of violating the anti-graft law, could appeal if he can produce new evidence.

Under the National Police Act, commissioned officers can be stripped of their rank when found guilty of corruption or sentenced to jail.

Thaksin won't appeal corruption conviction

Ousted Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will not appeal his conviction and two-year jail sentence for corruption, his lawyer said as the deadline passed for any legal action.

Edited November 19, 2008 by sriracha john

[mc2]

I can't fault his vision...

Thaksins Vision, from www.BuildingBetterFuture.org

Our Vision

The Building a Better Future Foundation aims to contribute significantly to the quality of life in Asia by identifying and nurturing the next generation of Asia talent.

The Foundation will underwrite the activities of a carefully selected Think Tank of promising Asians, who together will work on developing Policy, and on economic opportunities to bring developing countries to the next level.

Inspired by the vision and accomplishments of Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra, the Foundation will be a driving force to advance the level of education, healthcare and economic well-being experienced by people across the region.

[mc2]

His Press Release:

Building a Better Future Foundation

Started by Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra

Foundation will address healthcare and education issues and

seek to create opportunities for developing nations in Asia

Hong Kong and United Arab Emirates, 18 November 2008 – Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra, former Prime

Minister of Thailand, today announced the formation of the Building a Better Future Foundation.

The Foundation, with offices in Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates, has been established

with two goals: First, to encourage and nurture the next generation of Asia's business and financial

leaders. Second, to support start-up projects in Asia that will stimulate development.

The Foundation, launched via half page advertisements in the Wall Street Journal Asia and the

Financial Times, invites talented individuals to be considered for the Foundation's Think Tank by

submitting their resumes in confidence to [email protected].

"Together we can uncover the potential and help address the financial, economic and social

challenges of developing nations," said Dr Thaksin Shinawatra, Chairman of the Foundation. "If,

like me, you have an unwavering belief in the bright prospects for this region, I would like to invite

you to join me in fulfilling the goals of the Foundation."

"We're looking for a new generation of leaders: the ones with new ideas and ambitious goals. They

should have talents with matching courage and should see the Asia opportunity even in this time of

economic adversity."

In addition to helping tackle the current economic crisis in the region and some of the most

pressing problems facing developing nations, the Foundation seeks to stimulate development in

the region.

The Building a Better Future Foundation is supported by the Thaicom Foundation.

More information can be found at BuildingBetterFuture.org.

Contact: ////////

Edited November 19, 2008 by mc2

[sriracha john]

Maybe he will be the Donald Trump replacement in the Asian version of The Apprentice......

Wrong television series...

try this one...

or perhaps this one...

[sriracha john]

the fantasy...

I can't fault his vision...

Thaksins Vision, from www.BuildingBetterFuture.org

Inspired by the vision and accomplishments of Dr. Thaksin Shinawatra, the Foundation will be a driving force to advance the level of education,

the reality...

That is why, over the past 8 years, there have been only two ministers in education who were qualified and praised by educators keen to see improvements in education. They were Kasem Wattanachai, who worked only for a short spell when Thaksin was PM in 2001, and Wijit Srisa-arn, who worked under PM Surayud Chulanont. Both were outsiders, not politicians. If the ONESQA were allowed to assess the performance of all education ministers, the rest would not pass the assessment. These include Thaksin himself, PM Somchai, and Srimuang. In fact, Dr Kasem decided to leave the post when Thaksin was the government leader because he realised that the former telecom tycoon was not serious about improving education as he had promised.

amplifying information...

The very first minister to resign from Thaksin's government was a very respectable academic Kasem Wattanachai, only after three months working with those clowns. He's a Privy Councilor now.

[mc2]

Maybe he will be the Donald Trump replacement in the Asian version of The Apprentice......

Wrong television series...

try this one...

or perhaps this one...

Survivor Thailand perhaps

Edited November 19, 2008 by mc2

[Plus]

Just look at this clown:

Acting Executive Director Sam Moon.

His resume includes The Economist, Dow Jones (publisher of Wall Street Journal), and Business Week.

http://www.tembusupartners.com/AboutTembus...44/Default.aspx

Edited November 19, 2008 by Plus

[animatic]

Why do I get the suspicion we are getting info from Moon, Crony #2 ....

Thaicom charity so ah, what's it done?

How many laptops got to these children.

I remember this big splashy kick off, then zip happened.

I have NEVER seen ONE of these laptops carried by ONE schoolchild.

They seem to list 7 schools helped since 1993.. TOTAL 7

And this traveling roadshow:

Youth Lifestyle Activities

+ Project Sport

# The Project to Support Thailand Premier League for World Cup Competition-Phase I

# The Project to Support Thailand Premier League for World Cup Competition-Phase II

# The Professional Golfer Training Center Project

# Thaicom Junior Golf Championship 2007

# Support Youths from 3 Southern Border Provinces to see Thai National Football Team vs. UAE

Seems to do nothing by promote his cronies golf and soccer clubs,

and of course UAE and Dubai are close... and bus a few kids to one game.

+ Project Music

# The Stage Performance and Art Exhibition under the theme "His Majesty the King The Great Musician" by Phattayakul School I

His stroking of HRM is so blatent, and then one concert in Germany and a few CD's.

Betchya his picture was on the cover too.

Then this gem :

Project You Can Do It

http://www.thaicomfoundation.org/projectE.aspx?project_id=24

Objective

Rationale

Thaicom Foundation realizes that the country development depends on the virtues of her young people while

learning to respect themselves and well as others. In collaboration with Save the Children,

a charitable organization, a youth development project called ‘You Can Do It’ has been put forth to involve them in

useful activities in within Thai culture and culture to cultivate the desired characteristics.

Objectives

• The project employs the ‘DISC’ behavioral theory.

The youth will learn they can live in harmony with other people

even though they may have some differences and it’s important to really know oneself.

• Teachers and parents will learn about the 4 types of people, namely D,I,S and C and the differences among them.

They will receive some advices in dealing with each type of people using different tactics.

• The volunteers from Thaicom Foundation will have learn how to be good trainers and facilitators by participating in the activity.

Activity modes

The various activities such as games, workshops, and group discussion are specially designed to suit all groups of participants: teenagers, parents, and teachers. They are based on the ‘DISC’ behavioral theory. Participants will learn the three important keywords, i.e. awareness, acceptance and adaptation. By doing the DISC Profiles, they will learn the 4 different types of people and understand that they can live in harmony by accepting the differences of those who may not have something in common with them. Four types of people according to the DISC Profiles are

1. Dominance (D)

The D typed people are hot, decisive, quick, active, straightforward, competitive, brave and very independent.

They are the natural born leaders and love challenges.

2. Influence (I)

The I typed people are talkative, lively, warm & friendly, outgoing, creative, and compassionate.

They are optimists and never lack friends.

3. Steadiness (S)

The S typed people are calm, diplomatic, and supportive. They are good listeners and organized.

They don’t like changes and love doing things routinely.

4. Conscientious ©

The C typed people are self disciplined, analytical, and industrious.

They are perfectionists who are good at planning, have a high standard of work and very attentive to details,

but rarely show emotion.

Scholarship project

Says it is putting 4 million baht in scholarships,

but the LIST of recipients is non existent, there's link but no list..

DID anyone actual GET a Thaicom scholarship, cash in hand?

It says:

Thaicom foundation has given a full scholarship (including tuition fee and materials) to a student for the academic year 2/2005 studying at Shinawatra University, a representative of Shincorps Group,

so he can continue his study with the university,

and a research grant to the university’s analysis and assessment research committee for the purpose of research development

So one un-named student to his own mini-university....

Might this be Chalerm's son or some crony's spawn?

*************************************

So this is not a way to convice people to act as they wish them too? Indoctrination.

Piggybacking on Save The Children.

Basically this is just a trravelling workshop inculcating existing Thai traits,

but labling children as types and teaching the teachers how to control them better as types.

On the surface it looks like a nice chartiy gig, but it's really just cheapo boilerplate mindcontrol,

masquerading as up country charity.

If Dr. T. had put ANY real money into this yearly since '93 this could have done a lot for many.

Dr T. seems to like putting up websites and starting projects that look like forward looking ideas.

But follow through, and actual benefit to anyone but his image and ego, seem negligible in the big picture...

So another splashy Thaksin website dedicated to burnishing his image and looking like a world player,

with one yank with conference organization skills and secretary doing the HK office.

And some yet to be named functionary in a Dubai office.

Woo woo I am psyched for a much better world now...

Another Think Tank...

Olerm is showing more THINKING lately ,

he must have gotten in the cabinet by shear accident!

And this is news?

Lets teach the children to live in harmony by an

Eye for an Eye attack on your enemy's who disagree with you....

If thine eye offendeth thee, pluck it out!

Edited November 19, 2008 by animatic

[Insight]

Folks, given the trend over the past few years of what to believe when Thaksin speaks, maybe this time he really is quitting?

[younghusband]

Just look at this clown:

Acting Executive Director Sam Moon.

His resume includes The Economist, Dow Jones (publisher of Wall Street Journal), and Business Week.

http://www.tembusupartners.com/AboutTembus...44/Default.aspx

I agree this guy hasn't exactly got an intelligent looking face!

But just for the record I don't think he has had any editorial or journalistic background on the newspapers/journals named, just organising conferences.

[Plus]

From the website I mentioned earlier:

"Over 21 years in Asia based mainly in Hong Kong, Sam spearheaded the effort of two global media companies, namely The Economist Group and Dow Jones, in transforming their respective conference activities into an actual growth-oriented and profitable business units. While in The Economist Group, Sam was also made responsible for The Economist Group’s conference business for the United States and Latin America, with the aim of facilitating a similar business turnaround for The Economist brand."

It's not "just" organising conferences. This guy has a lot of weight in these companies.

[Jai Dee]

Thaksin to announce his return

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will announce his return to Thai politics next month during another mobile TV talk show before his red-shirted supporters at the National Stadium, People Power Party MP Jatuporn Promphan said.

Thaksin will challenge his political enemies for an eye-for-an-eye fight because he is no longer going to sit still, he added.

"Thaksin will announce on December 14 that he will return to politics to fight and to defend his name. He will no longer stand still. He has decided to come out to fight as he no longer wants to be attacked and cornered any more," Jatuporn said in an exclusive interview with The Nation.

"Thaksin will no longer wait to be attacked, he will fight back by all means, particularly with an eye-for-an-eye strategy, from now on. Thaksin now believes that the only way for him to survive and to live is to fight for his name," Jatuporn said.

The announcement will be made in the Kwamjing Wannee Sanjon (Mobile Truth Today) to be held in Supachalasai National Stadium on December 14.

The programme was rescheduled from December 10 after the organisers learnt that the stadium is scheduled to host an Asean football competition on December 9-10.

Before going for a decisive political war, Thaksin has settled his family affair and worked on a strategy to boost up his international image after the UK government dealt him a big political blow by denying his visa. He has divorced his wife Khunying Pojaman and set up a foundation to build up regional leadership.

The Building a Better Future Foundation, www.BuildingBetterFuture.org, has been hastily put together, with offices in Hong Kong and Dubai. Its objective is to address the financial, economic and social development in the developing nations, but it is seen as Thaksin's attempt to win back his international image tarnished by the UK government's denial of his visa.

Jatuporn also said the main reason Thaksin divorced his wife, Khunying Pojamarn, was because he had decided to return to politics.

"Thaksin and his wife had decided earlier, after the coup d'etat in 2006, that they would separate if he decided to return to politics. It is a promise between them. So they have decided to part from each other now that Thaksin will return to politics," he said.

"However, their divorce does not mean that they are no longer in love," Jatuporn said.

Surasith Jiamvichak, a Chiang Rai MP of the People Power Party, said Thaksin's new foundation is not politically motivated.

"Thaksin is a man of action. He can't sit still and do nothing. He would like to contribute to the global society," he said.

"Whatever he does is subject to criticism. In a way, this can't be helped because Thaksin is really an international person."

He added: "It would be good for Thailand if Thaksin can return home because the country needs a capable person like him. There is a possibility that Thaksin will become prime minister again."

Thepthai Senphong of the Democrat Party expressed his concern that Thai politics might escalate into violence after His Majesty the King's Birthday in December. "They are adding wood to fire so that the country plunges into the deepest crisis," he said.

The only one word from Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat about Thaksin's planned phone-in was "I don't know". Although reporters tried to ask more questions about this issue, the prime minister, who is Thaksin's brother-in-law, said nothing.

Source: The Nation - 19 November 2008

[sriracha john]

Just look at this clown:

Acting Executive Director Sam Moon.

His resume includes The Economist, Dow Jones (publisher of Wall Street Journal), and Business Week.

I agree this guy hasn't exactly got an intelligent looking face!

But just for the record I don't think he has had any editorial or journalistic background on the newspapers/journals named, just organising conferences.

he's hired Gordon Gekko...as, thus far, the solitary employee of the scam...

Edited November 19, 2008 by sriracha john

[younghusband]

From the website I mentioned earlier:

"Over 21 years in Asia based mainly in Hong Kong, Sam spearheaded the effort of two global media companies, namely The Economist Group and Dow Jones, in transforming their respective conference activities into an actual growth-oriented and profitable business units. While in The Economist Group, Sam was also made responsible for The Economist Group’s conference business for the United States and Latin America, with the aim of facilitating a similar business turnaround for The Economist brand."

It's not "just" organising conferences. This guy has a lot of weight in these companies.

I know why you saying this -because of the Economist's sceptical line(to put in mildly) on PAD- but I'm afraid it's just paranoia.You just saw the word "Economist" in his background and little alarms went off

It's profoundly implausible he has any "weight" in these companies and absurd to believe he has any influence on the editorial line.I know you didn't say this but I sense the thought forming itself in your head!

If you have any evidence let's have it.If not don't be silly.