Thailand Demands Telecom, Satellites Back From Singapore

[gummy]

Ummmm where is Margaret Thatcher these days?

Still living, I'm afraid.

but unfortunately, without power. Otherways, she knew how to take care of Sonthi: the same way she took care of Argentina junta in the Falklands.

just like she took care of the UK manufacturing industry, 85% disappeared, did more damage than Hitler ever did in WW11 and what's more even ugglier than him

[Sing_Sling]

Ummmm where is Margaret Thatcher these days?

Still living, I'm afraid.

but unfortunately, without power. Otherways, she knew how to take care of Sonthi: the same way she took care of Argentina junta in the Falklands.

just like she took care of the UK manufacturing industry, 85% disappeared, did more damage than Hitler ever did in WW11 and what's more even ugglier than him

There have bee 11 World Wars?

Having said that, I can tell you the feeling here in Singapore is that Thailand has turned into a true banana republic.

This little island cannot afford to make too any enemies, especially not where they have huge investments, so saying that they were aware of the wrongs of the Shin deal is ludicrous - Singapore would not jeopardise countless billions in investment for a short-term shady deal.

(As for Malaysia battling Thailoand in defense of Singapore? Mate, they'd be the first ones to cross the causeway if it ever came to that - - - - not that it would, of course)

[marshbags]

Sat, February 17, 2007 : Last updated 17:59 pm (Thai local time)

The Nation

Quote

Govt downplays Gen Sonthi's remark over satellites

The government downplayed on Saturday the junta leader's latest remarks, where he stated a desire to retrieve national assets, especially satellites, sold to the city state by ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Government spokesman Yongyuth Maiyalarp said Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin was just expressing his opinion.

"Gen Sonthi just expressed his opinion which I think many Thais agree. However, details have to be discussed if we really want to retrieve the satellites from Singapore to see whether it would be worthwhile. The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology will be in charge if we decide to do so," the spokesman said.

Both Yongyuth and Foreign Minister Nitya Pibulsonggram said Sonthi's remarks would not harm relations with the island state, although Nitya admitted matters were strained between the two countries.

Unquote.

For the full article please go to the following url.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/02/17...es_30027146.php

There are lots of alledged statements being taken out of context and consequently causing further confusion.

How different to the last gov. policy of total censorship and their vetted/ bias news reporting.

marshbags

Edited February 17, 2007 by marshbags

[wintermute]

Sat, February 17, 2007 : Last updated 17:59 pm (Thai local time)

Government spokesman Yongyuth Maiyalarp said Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin was just expressing his opinion.

"Gen Sonthi just expressed his opinion which I think many Thais agree. However, details have to be discussed if we really want to retrieve the satellites from Singapore to see whether it would be worthwhile. The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology will be in charge if we decide to do so," the spokesman said.

Uhh..it doesn't sound like he's downplaying it that much. In a way he's giving it tacit approval and even saying that it might be a viable plan of action.

[penguin]

Thailand's Sondhi Wants Assets Back From Singapore

BANGKOK: -- -- Thailand's Army chief said he wants to take back about 140 billion baht ($3.9 billion) of assets from Singapore, escalating a diplomatic spat between the Southeast Asian nations.

``Singapore is a very small country, but it is so rich that it can buy 140 billion baht of our national assets,'' said Sondhi Boonyarataklin, who led a September coup that toppled the government of Thaksin Shinawatra. ``I am thinking about whether we can take those assets back. I want our national assets back, especially the satellites.''

Singapore's state-owned Temasek Holdings Pte last year bought a controlling stake in Thailand's biggest mobile-phone company and its only satellite operator from investors including Thasksin's family. The deal exacerbated protests and a political stalemate in Thailand that led to Thaksin's ouster.

``I thought things had calmed down on the subject, but this does suggest that maybe things took a turn for the worse,'' said David Cohen, a Singapore-based economist at Action Economics. ``It is difficult to anticipate which direction the politics in Thailand would go right now. There are uncertainties there.''

Temasek and Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs declined to comment in separate e-mailed statements.

Recouping Assets

Temasek gained control of phone company Advanced Info Service Pcl and Shin Satellite Pcl when it led a group of investors in acquiring Shin Corp., the holding company founded by Thaksin.

Rachadawan Sanitwong Na Ayuttaya, Shin's spokeswoman, also declined to comment.

Sondhi's speech, at the Royal Army Convention in Bangkok, was broadcast today by army radio.

``I don't know how to get those assets back, but that's my wish,'' Sondhi said. ``We have to see whether we can bring those assets back. As a soldier, I need to recoup those assets.''

Sansern Kaewkamnerd, spokesman for the National Security Council, which consists of Sondhi and other junta leaders, confirmed Sondhi's comments.

``It has been his wish to bring back any assets that are key to national security,'' said Sansern. ``Satellites are a very important asset.''

Shin also controls ITV Pcl, the nation's only television network operator not owned by the government or military, and CS Loxinfo Pcl, an Internet company.

Sondhi last month accused Singapore of using its Thai assets to listen to the military's phone calls. Advanced Info and Shin Satellite denied the claim, saying it's not technically possible.

Complex Dynamics

``The current state of our relations with Thailand has its basis in the complex dynamics of Thai domestic politics since the coup,'' Singapore Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo said in a speech in Parliament on Feb. 12. ``We have to take the current unpleasantness in our stride.''

Thailand's commerce ministry asked police in October to investigate the takeover of Shin, and new watchdogs have been set up to probe other suspected breaches of foreign ownership rules, including the practice of overseas partners funding local nominee companies in the kingdom.

The purchase of Shin was ``completely above board and can withstand any investigation,'' Singapore's Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, who was the city-state's prime minister from 1959 to 1990, said on Nov. 3. ``Nobody doubts that, nobody within the system doubts that. People who man the system are completely, absolutely above board.''

Temasek directly owns 41.7 percent of Shin, while a group of investors, including Temasek units, holds 54.6 percent, Jimmy Phoon, Temasek's chief investment officer, said Sept. 29.

ITV's Fines

Thailand's government is also seeking about 100 billion baht from ITV. The broadcaster has been given a 30-day deadline to pay back fees and fines or risk having its broadcast license revoked, the government said on Jan. 30. ITV Chairman Niwattumrong Boonsongpaisan has said the company won't be able to pay.

Thaksin's family last year sold its entire 49.6 percent stake in Shin Corp. for $1.9 billion tax free to investors led by Temasek. The Temasek-led group increased its stake in Shin to more than 96 percent through a tender offer.

--Bloomberg.com 2007-02-16

The Nation reporting the same topic.

Sonthi wants satellites back

Council for National Security chairman General Sonthi Boonyaratglin yesterday vowed to regain control of Thai satellites bought by Temasek Holdings, the Singaporean government's investment arm.

"I am thinking about Bt140 billion worth of national assets bought [by Singapore] that I want back, particularly the satellites," he said.

Sonthi made the remark when speaking to a group of 2,000 students under the territorial defence programme, during the launch of a patriotism-awareness campaign.

He asked fellow Thais to reflect on why a small country with no arable land like Singapore could become so wealthy as to be able to afford Bt140 billion for Thai assets.

The Kingdom has not moved forward as it should because patriotism has not been instilled in its citizens to brace them for nation-building, he said, urging everyone to sacrifice their individual interests for the good of the country. He said the Army would spearhead a movement to raise awareness of the safeguarding of national territory and assets.

"The armed forces will take the lead in the restoration of social unity bound by patriotism," he said, lamenting the prevailing divisiveness triggered by lopsided development.

He pointed to Japan, Israel, Germany and Vietnam as models of nation-building and patriotism.

Sonthi also voiced the hope of seeing the country develop economically in his lifetime.

Meanwhile, a source said one option for the government was to amend the law so as to classify satellites as strategic weaponry, which would give the Defence Ministry control of them. Shin Satellite Plc executives yesterday declined to comment.

Telecom expert Anupap Tiralap said the government could take control of the satellite concessions only if the satellite-operators broke the law by for instance wire-tapping or if their foreign shareholding exceeded the legal limit of 49 per cent.

ShinSat operates the broadcasting satellites Thaicom 1, 2, and 5 and the broadband satellite iPSTAR, all under concessions from the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology.

The company had a market capitalisation of Bt7.8 billion as of the third quarter last year and total assets of Bt33.48 billion.

Shin Corp controls 41.34 per cent of ShinSat.

A telecom-industry observer said yesterday that if the government took inappropriate means to retrieve the satellites it would scare away foreign businesses, as they would feel that there was no effective legal protection for their investments.

[Thaising]

Those that suggest war should not forget the five power defence treaty, unless these treaties have been withdraw.

The Five Power Defence Agreement (FPDA), which groups Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand and Britain, was set up in 1971 to reassure Singapore and Malaysia following the withdrawal of British forces East of the Suez. The initial underlying rationale for the arrangements was that the defence of Singapore and Malaysia remained indivisible and that they still faced common threats.

In the early 1970's there was a concern that the pull out of the British from the region would leave a gap that could be exploited off by an unfriendly power. What was needed was a message sent that any attack on Singapore or Malaysia could be successfully repelled with the assistance of British, Australian and New Zealand Forces.

[wintermute]

He asked fellow Thais to reflect on why a small country with no arable land like Singapore could become so wealthy as to be able to afford Bt140 billion for Thai assets.

The Kingdom has not moved forward as it should because patriotism has not been instilled in its citizens to brace them for nation-building, he said, urging everyone to sacrifice their individual interests for the good of the country. He said the Army would spearhead a movement to raise awareness of the safeguarding of national territory and assets.

Ahh yes Thai patriotism will be the cure-all. That worked so well for North Korea and Nazi Germany after all. The reason why Thailand has plenty of arable land and fails to progress is because of ignorant numbskulls like this in charge of things. Duh..there are other ways to ensure your country progresses aside from agriculture. Japan has little arable land as well but they are the 2nd largest economy in the world. I guess he should direct snide remarks at them too.

"The armed forces will take the lead in the restoration of social unity bound by patriotism," he said, lamenting the prevailing divisiveness triggered by lopsided development.

He pointed to Japan, Israel, Germany and Vietnam as models of nation-building and patriotism.

That's hilarious. Those countries were built after years of war and learning from their mistakes. They didn't happen because of "patriotism" I guess he hasn't gotten to the chapters about imperial Japan or Nazi Germany yet or the current conflict in the middle east with Israel as the centerpiece.

Sonthi also voiced the hope of seeing the country develop economically in his lifetime.

I guess he hopes to live for 100+ more years.

A telecom-industry observer said yesterday that if the government took inappropriate means to retrieve the satellites it would scare away foreign businesses, as they would feel that there was no effective legal protection for their investments.

No kidding, this is nothing but corporate looting by a government entity. Maybe Sonthi should talk with Russia sometime they are pretty good at that.

Edited February 17, 2007 by wintermute

[wintermute]

Those that suggest war should not forget the five power defence treaty, unless these treaties have been withdraw.

The Five Power Defence Agreement (FPDA), which groups Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand and Britain, was set up in 1971 to reassure Singapore and Malaysia following the withdrawal of British forces East of the Suez. The initial underlying rationale for the arrangements was that the defence of Singapore and Malaysia remained indivisible and that they still faced common threats.

Singapore is a very important strategic point in SE asia for the U.S. as well. There is a reason why the U.S. has sold a lot of high tech hardware like Apaches to Singapore only. I really really doubt the west would stand by idley if a military junta controlled country like Thailand planned aggressive actions against a 1st world developed nation. Thailand would be slapped back into reality fairly quickly and it wouldn't be pretty.

[marshbags]

Just forget the why,s and who,s of this situation for a minute and look at it from a common sense approach and give it a reality check.

If anyone, let alone the Prime minister of any country had done a deal like this he would in the free world have been in deep s***, and thrown out of office immediately, not only for criminal actions but most importantly

For compromising national security

marshbags

[gummy]

Those that suggest war should not forget the five power defence treaty, unless these treaties have been withdraw.

The Five Power Defence Agreement (FPDA), which groups Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand and Britain, was set up in 1971 to reassure Singapore and Malaysia following the withdrawal of British forces East of the Suez. The initial underlying rationale for the arrangements was that the defence of Singapore and Malaysia remained indivisible and that they still faced common threats.

In the early 1970's there was a concern that the pull out of the British from the region would leave a gap that could be exploited off by an unfriendly power. What was needed was a message sent that any attack on Singapore or Malaysia could be successfully repelled with the assistance of British, Australian and New Zealand Forces.

Mate, you can forget the British. With the run down of her armed forces since the 1960's that has accelerated under Blair the armed forces are already stretched too far. The only chance with Tony that he will come rushing to your aid and shoot the shit out of your enemies is if your enemies happen to be a Muslim nation and that Uncle GW Bush sez he has to.

[brahmburgers]

Dear General Sonthi,

build another satellite and launch it.

While you're at it, apply the law the Shinawat family. Start by seizing their assets - that will get their attention. Implement a speedy and fair trial, and if the bad guys are found not-guilty, give 'em back their assets and bid adieu.

[seagull]

Those that suggest war should not forget the five power defence treaty, unless these treaties have been withdraw.

The Five Power Defence Agreement (FPDA), which groups Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand and Britain, was set up in 1971 to reassure Singapore and Malaysia following the withdrawal of British forces East of the Suez. The initial underlying rationale for the arrangements was that the defence of Singapore and Malaysia remained indivisible and that they still faced common threats.

Singapore is a very important strategic point in SE asia for the U.S. as well. There is a reason why the U.S. has sold a lot of high tech hardware like Apaches to Singapore only. I really really doubt the west would stand by idley if a military junta controlled country like Thailand planned aggressive actions against a 1st world developed nation. Thailand would be slapped back into reality fairly quickly and it wouldn't be pretty.

Yap, and if I may add, Singapore Air Force fighter pilots are station in 2 or 3 airbases in the US, training side by side with their US counterparts.

[wintermute]

Dear General Sonthi,

build another satellite and launch it.

They never built a satellite to begin with they don't have the technical expertise. I believe they purchased it from China and had them launch it or purchased it from another agency.

[richard10365]

Maybe this is all life imitating art. Thailand's coup leader, Sonthi Boonyaratglin, saw the new Thai movie about King Nasaran and he is having delusions of grander and fantasizing that he is playing the leading role in 2007.

[wintermute]

Maybe this is all life imitating art. Thailand's coup leader, Sonthi Boonyaratglin, saw the new Thai movie about King Nasaran and he is having delusions of grander and fantasizing that he is playing the leading role in 2007.

Instead of Thailand versus Burma it's Thailand versus Singapore and next..the world! After all they're Thai and they've "never" been colonized and are by virtue undefeatable right?

[MiG16]

and this is the man who thinks he can run the country. in thai this is behaviour that we call 'len khai khong' which means children playing buy and sell. you pretend to sell, then at the end of the day the 'goods' goes back to the first person..and next day they start the same game all over

shin corp was a private entity...its a business...was never a 'national asset' the owners chose to sell it for a profit (thats what businesses exist for) temasek happened to buy it. end of story.

now move on. geee. makes us thais look like fools.

[lannarebirth]

and this is the man who thinks he can run the country. in thai this is behaviour that we call 'len khai khong' which means children playing buy and sell. you pretend to sell, then at the end of the day the 'goods' goes back to the first person..and next day they start the same game all over

shin corp was a private entity...its a business...was never a 'national asset' the owners chose to sell it for a profit (thats what businesses exist for) temasek happened to buy it. end of story.

now move on. geee. makes us thais look like fools.

I see your point, but it's important to remember, that the businesses Shin operates are almost entirely government granted concessions. Government granted concessions, carry with them rules to abide. Shin clearly did not with ITV and Shin's satellite arm. Satellites are not private. They require permissions to use bandwidth, and in exchange for these permissions obligations are often incurred. Shin's satellites were also used by the AThai military and it's not unreasonable for them to be peeved that the military satellites are now under the control of a foreign power. Clearly the time to address these issues was as they arose, but they do need addressing still.

[Gaudente]

and this is the man who thinks he can run the country. in thai this is behaviour that we call 'len khai khong' which means children playing buy and sell......

now move on. geee. makes us thais look like fools.

It indeed does. If you are Thai, nice to see one with functioning brain. Unfortunately, you are RULED by persons (?) who actually have very malfunctioning ones.

[Maestro]

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's coup leader, Sonthi Boonyaratglin, says he wants to reverse the sale of the telecommunications giant founded by ousted prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra... "I want my belongings back."

If these statements were designed to support the Bank of Thailand’s ongoing efforts to weaken the Baht against the US dollar and other foreign currencies, they don’t seem to have worked. Stronger stuff seems required.

--

Maestro

[kuma]

If they were not aware of the gamble then they would be fools of the highest order

They were 100% aware of what they were trying to do - and of the potential downside, they just came to the conclusion that thaksin had the place under his thumb and everyone sufficiently cowed, but guess what...

Ummmm where is Margaret Thatcher these days?

Still living, I'm afraid.

but unfortunately, without power. Otherways, she knew how to take care of Sonthi: the same way she took care of Argentina junta in the Falklands.

just like she took care of the UK manufacturing industry, 85% disappeared, did more damage than Hitler ever did in WW11 and what's more even ugglier than him

There have bee 11 World Wars?

Having said that, I can tell you the feeling here in Singapore is that Thailand has turned into a true banana republic.

This little island cannot afford to make too any enemies, especially not where they have huge investments, so saying that they were aware of the wrongs of the Shin deal is ludicrous - Singapore would not jeopardise countless billions in investment for a short-term shady deal.

(As for Malaysia battling Thailoand in defense of Singapore? Mate, they'd be the first ones to cross the causeway if it ever came to that - - - - not that it would, of course)

[kuma]

thank you

and this is the man who thinks he can run the country. in thai this is behaviour that we call 'len khai khong' which means children playing buy and sell. you pretend to sell, then at the end of the day the 'goods' goes back to the first person..and next day they start the same game all over

shin corp was a private entity...its a business...was never a 'national asset' the owners chose to sell it for a profit (thats what businesses exist for) temasek happened to buy it. end of story.

now move on. geee. makes us thais look like fools.

I see your point, but it's important to remember, that the businesses Shin operates are almost entirely government granted concessions. Government granted concessions, carry with them rules to abide. Shin clearly did not with ITV and Shin's satellite arm. Satellites are not private. They require permissions to use bandwidth, and in exchange for these permissions obligations are often incurred. Shin's satellites were also used by the AThai military and it's not unreasonable for them to be peeved that the military satellites are now under the control of a foreign power. Clearly the time to address these issues was as they arose, but they do need addressing still.

[MiG16]

lannarebirth

i personally think the paranoia about the military intelligence secret is all a play on the nationalistic sentiment. think back in the days when thailand DID NOT own its own satellite. what did they use back then? was it issue? why does it become one now.

and to say something like he wants whats 'his' back? even if we did entertain the thoughts that the satellite should belong to 'thailand'....since when did one general have the right to claim it as 'his'?

I personally believe in freedom, including economic freedom. this means limited government interference. citing reasons such as national security are reasons government often use to maintain power over something they should not be involved in. if not security then they cite other reasons like protection of local/domestic infant industry, etc etc

but dont wanna turn this into a debate on government's role in the economic sphere. besides...i dont even accept this military installed rule as government...

they came in with certain fixed mandate, but they cant even stick to that, but insist on meddling into things that would have long term implications, (sufficiency economy as the country's economic policy for instance?...granted the philosophy is one that is good to instil into many thais, but a policy adopted by government anyone clearly able to explain what it involves? ....i could go into details on this...but better stop myself before I continue with my rant might take it to my blog instead....

anyhow.....for now on this forum i guess i need to calm down

[Mai Krap]

and this is the man who thinks he can run the country. in thai this is behaviour that we call 'len khai khong' which means children playing buy and sell. you pretend to sell, then at the end of the day the 'goods' goes back to the first person..and next day they start the same game all over

shin corp was a private entity...its a business...was never a 'national asset' the owners chose to sell it for a profit (thats what businesses exist for) temasek happened to buy it. end of story.

now move on. geee. makes us thais look like fools.

Other than the fact your without a clue concerning this matter of business your Thai might be OK. What do you think would happen if G.E. decided to sell of strategic assets to the Chinese? Halliburton is a private company, What if Singapore wanted to buy and take over all the government contracts and know the secrets that Halliburton knows? A good example was the deal that was held up when Dubai Ports was not considered a trustworthy company to deal with U.S. security issues. Personaly I saw it (Dubai Ports Terrorist Threat) as a very stupid and childish argument but the argument was made by the democrats no less.

The fact of the matter is Thailand has every right to pick and choose who has top secret clearence to deal with their military communications.

[Mid]

Mr Alongkorn suggested that the government should allow TOT company to sell bonds to people in order to raise funds to buy back shares related to the Shin Corp telecommunications enterprise.

CITE

[MiG16]

It indeed does. If you are Thai, nice to see one with functioning brain. Unfortunately, you are RULED by persons (?) who actually have very malfunctioning ones.

gaudente...the problem is they arent at all stupid!! every move they make is a calculated one. what we sit here and discuss and wonder if they are such fools to do certain things, Id say they have thought it all out...but they still do it cos they got something to gain from it.

cracks in suvannabhum? shut it down? discredit who? more repair work? more contracts? who controls the decisions who the contracts go to?

re-opening of DonMuang? who owns the land to DonMuang?

ermmm, Im going back to watch football.

[lannarebirth]

I personally believe in freedom, including economic freedom. this means limited government interference. citing reasons such as national security are reasons government often use to maintain power over something they should not be involved in.

You don't understand I think. This is something the government IS involved with. In every country the government controls the bandwidths and issues concessions to operators who must abide by the restrictions imposed by the government. Shin has not abided. It's a voidable sale on legal grounds, not because some dopey general says so (poorly), because it's the Attorney Generals (or whomever) job to protect the interests of the government on behalf of the citizenry.

[nick2k]

Just forget the why,s and who,s of this situation for a minute and look at it from a common sense approach and give it a reality check.

If anyone, let alone the Prime minister of any country had done a deal like this he would in the free world have been in deep s***, and thrown out of office immediately, not only for criminal actions but most importantly

For compromising national security

marshbags

yeah. except for the southern muslims, who wants to take over thailand?

if you are so worried about national security, why aren't you focusing on telenor of norway? don't you consider them a threat to national security? they own 70% of DTAC/Ucom. or how about malaysia's cut of the pie including their cut of Samart? let's not forget the huge participation of japan in this country.

let's put it another way, one Mr. Pridiyathorn wrote in a recent AsiaMedia article wrote quote,

"There are altogether 2,428 foreign businesses (in Thailand). Of these, only 1,337 businesses will be affected," he said."

Mr. Pridiyathorn was referring to the number of companies having more than 50% ownership in thailand.

national security? ...sounds more like paranoia to me.

you want supporting links, enjoy!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telenor

http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=60830

http://sanpaworn.vissaventure.com/?id=207

http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=38004

http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=38308

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capital_gains_tax

http://bdo-thaitax.com/publications/pub_ta...us_2006_mar.pdf

http://www.angkor.com/2bangkok/2bangkok/fo...php/t-1448.html

[Johpa]

Having said that, I can tell you the feeling here in Singapore is that Thailand has turned into a true banana republic.

This little island cannot afford to make too any enemies, especially not where they have huge investments, so saying that they were aware of the wrongs of the Shin deal is ludicrous - Singapore would not jeopardise countless billions in investment for a short-term shady deal.

Oh please, Singapore is no virgin to shady deals in the region, especially up in Burma. But the folks in Singapore are very astute business people and those involved would have known and gamed that this deal with the sitting Thai Prime Minister was, from the Thai perspective due to the lack of taxation on Shinwat, a very shady deal indeed, and decided that the profits were worth the risks.

But I do find it humerous that the Chinese down in Singapore feel the Chinese in Thailand are running a "banana republic".

[macular]

It indeed does. If you are Thai, nice to see one with functioning brain. Unfortunately, you are RULED by persons (?) who actually have very malfunctioning ones.

gaudente...the problem is they arent at all stupid!! every move they make is a calculated one. what we sit here and discuss and wonder if they are such fools to do certain things, Id say they have thought it all out...but they still do it cos they got something to gain from it.

cracks in suvannabhum? shut it down? discredit who? more repair work? more contracts? who controls the decisions who the contracts go to?

re-opening of DonMuang? who owns the land to DonMuang?

ermmm, Im going back to watch football.

BULL'S EYE !!!

Local Thais are still very nice people in general context. It's a pity that most of the common people have no or little say in their political, economic and infra-structure situation.

Thais do have functioning brains. They know that they cannot afford to offend some guys who are more powerful (applies to many other countries), that's why they would prefer to go back for the football game.

[amarka]

Having said that, I can tell you the feeling here in Singapore is that Thailand has turned into a true banana republic.

This little island cannot afford to make too any enemies, especially not where they have huge investments, so saying that they were aware of the wrongs of the Shin deal is ludicrous - Singapore would not jeopardise countless billions in investment for a short-term shady deal.

Oh please, Singapore is no virgin to shady deals in the region, especially up in Burma. But the folks in Singapore are very astute business people and those involved would have known and gamed that this deal with the sitting Thai Prime Minister was, from the Thai perspective due to the lack of taxation on Shinwat, a very shady deal indeed, and decided that the profits were worth the risks.

But I do find it humerous that the Chinese down in Singapore feel the Chinese in Thailand are running a "banana republic".

hi...

banana republic... headless chickens....

what do you expect from this government.... they overthrow the elected leader and then start all sorts of issues..... they dont have the experience or know how to govern... or make economic decisions...

try to undo legal business deals that are already completed - finished!

call currently legal business setups illigal

deny foreigners any way of owning more than 49% in thai companies....... ( actually there are still ways... lol )

most business communities are against thailand rignt now and that is a great shame....

did one good thing though... getting rid of the expat wasters with no real jobs or income... but that was on the cards anyway...

only what - 7 months to go.....

lets see what happens next!

amarka