Sonthi warns crisis likely in May

[Old Man River]

Adelman, Edelman...

Jewish conspiracy.

Easy. Religous/racist comments are a bit below you, aren't they?

[Abrak]

Thaksin becomes Thai golf president

[GOLF] Deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was elected president of the Professional Golf Association of Thailand (PGAT) yesterday, vowed to keep out of politics and spend money from his foundation to develop the country's education and sports.

Despite his absence overseas, the former premier, who was forced to give up power in the military coup last September, received unanimous votes from 71 members present during the PGAT General Assembly Meeting at The Legacy Golf Club.

Only two names - the other being Torpong Chiyasarn - were nominated for the post. Torpong, a Thai Rak Thai Party member, withdrew from the race. Professional golfers Prom Meesawat and Thammanoon Srirot were among those who cast votes for the former premier.

Thaksin, who was invited by the PGAT's previous president Pongsak Ruktapongpisal, his close political ally, to succeed him when they met during the Pine Valley Beijing Open golf event last week in Beijing, agreed to accept the offer.

"He had two messages for the members. First, he intends to wash his hands of politics. Second, he plans to use some of his money from the Thai Com Foundation, which has approximately Bt2 billion in its coffers, to help improve education and sports,'' said Pongsak, whose term ended yesterday.

When asked how the new president would run the association while in exile, Pongsak said a team would be set up on Thaksin's behalf to run his policies.

"Although he is not in Thailand, work will proceed effectively,'' Pongsak insisted.

Source: Nation

I suspect this news clipping says more about underlying support for Thaksin than low turnout at the PTV organised rallies...

Edited May 1, 2007 by Abrak

[Plus]

Adelman, Edelman...

Jewish conspiracy.

Easy. Religous/racist comments are a bit below you, aren't they?

Do you think it might be a conspiracy but we are not allowed to talk about it?

[ColPyat]

Adelman, Edelman...

Jewish conspiracy.

Easy. Religous/racist comments are a bit below you, aren't they?

Do you think it might be a conspiracy but we are not allowed to talk about it?

I believe he means that your comment goes into a rather nasty anti-semitic corner, and the lack of smilies does not make it clear if that was a sarcastic comment or if you were serious.

So, yes, i wouldn't mind a clarification from you as well.

[Tony Clifton]

Thaksin becomes Thai golf president

Nice cover...

When asked how the new president would run the association while in exile, Pongsak said a team would be set up on Thaksin's behalf to run his policies.

Blew your cover already.

[LaoPo]

Thai coup leaders hire PR company

The government of Thailand, which came to power after a military coup last September, is to hire a public relations firm to improve its image.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont said Thailand would pay the unnamed US firm $600,000 (£300,000) over three months.

It signals a battle over the image of the country, which has been the subject of some recent negative publicity.

Its ousted and exiled former Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, has hired lobbyists and PR agents in the US.

He has reportedly asked them to examine the legal situation surrounding his overthrow, though he has also denied having any further political ambitions.

Gen Surayud indicated that one reason for taking on the PR firm was to counter the lobby for Mr Thaksin, the Associated Press news agency said.

The Thai government was also attacked last week in an advertisement in the Wall Street Journal, placed by a lobby supporting the US pharmaceutical industry, which criticised Thailand's move to disregard patents held on HIV/Aids drugs by US firms.

General Surayud Chulanont wants to counter bad publicity

The action has dismayed pharmaceutical firms but has won approval from some patients' groups and development workers.

Gen Surayud said the PR firm acting for the government would clarify Thailand's policies.

"The company will explain [Thailand's political situation] to people in the US and other countries," he said.

"The money isn't much, but we have to do what we have to do. It is better than not doing anything at all," he added.

Investors worried

The Thai military sparked international alarm when it deposed Mr Thaksin last year, and has since worried foreign investors with some of its economic measures.

Two weeks ago the government completed its draft for a new constitution that will be put to a referendum.

It puts limits on the powers of the prime minister, reduces the number of MPs, and makes senators appointed, not elected.

It is bound to provoke strong criticism that it is far less democratic than the constitution the generals threw out when they seized power last year, says the BBC's Jonathan Head in Bangkok.

Its backers say the intention is to prevent the kind of abuses of power carried out by Mr Thaksin, who they allege used his enormous personal wealth to bypass the democratic system.

The government has pledged to hold fresh elections by October this year.

From:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6608181.stm

LaoPo

[Mid]

confucius says : Man who throw dirt, losing ground.

[Jai Dee]

CDA Chairman disagrees with the hiring of private foreign PR company to report on Thailand's political situation

The Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA) disagrees with the CNS's proposal to allow a private foreign company to act as a public relations facilitator for the government.

Constitution Drafting Assembly Chairman, Squadron Leader Prasong Sunsiri (ประสงค์ สุ่นศิริ), said that the Chairman of the Council for National Security's recent interview in which he said that Buddhism should become the national religion of Thailand was not a directive, but merely a suggestion. Mr. Prasong said that the drafting process for the new constitution would take into account all opinions and views of the public before the draft would be finalized.

Squadrong Leader Prasong expressed his opposition to the government's decision to hire a private American company to conduct public relation activities to explain Thailand's current political situation to other nations. He said that this was the duty of Thailand's embassies worldwide. Mr. Prasong believes that the government should instead attempt to create understanding among Thai citizens while creating concrete work progress.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 02 May 2007

[Abrak]

Sonthi 'to stay at Isoc helm after retirement'

Army chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratkalin is expected to retain directorship of the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) after his mandatory retirement in September, a source said yesterday. Following his retirement, Gen Sonthi will likely be appointed by the prime minister in October under a restructuring of the agency, the source said.

The decision, considered a break from tradition, is seen as a positive signal for the agency about how it will continue functioning after restructuring.

Traditionally, the army chief assumes command of Isoc after taking office.

The source said the Council for National Security is reviewing security laws to support Isoc after it assumes a structure expected to be similar to the US Department of Homeland Security.

Under the new structure, Isoc would attend to all security issues, including terrorism, and a new batch of officials would be selected to replace current officials, the source said.

Source: Bangkok Post

Seems Sonthi has no intention of retiring in September....

[Mid]

A personal foot note, other news sources placed the turnout around 2000. This adds to my concern that The Bangkok post is a pawn of the government just like the airport cracks.

Are you saying that the government uses a toadying press to conciously mislead the people?

considering the obvious selective editing of the headline in yesterdays story ( a reported in the Bkk Post ) about Thailand being the worlds top tourist destination

somebody is ...............................................................

[Tony Clifton]

Thailand in Bottom 10 on press freedom

New York (dpa)

Thailand has been listed by the Committee to Protect Journalists as one of the world's worst backsliders in freedom of the media in the past five years - countries that have turned from being relatively open into repressive and those where press conditions have worsened.

Ethiopia, Gambia, Russia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cuba, Pakistan, Egypt, Azerbaijan, Morocco and Thailand were cited by CPJ for government censorship, judicial harassment, criminal libel prosecutions, imprisonment of journalists and threats against the press.

In Thailand, once leading in press freedom, the military junta under Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont nationalised the country's only private television station and ordered radio to broadcast only military-prepared news, the CPJ report says.

more here on Bangkok Post

They obviously have not followed the ITV saga from a few years back or actually bothered making comparisons with press freedom post Sep. 19. Is this part of Thaksin's lobbyist cruisade, or, maybe a huge donation was made to the CPJ...

//Edit: see this separate topic (posted a little later) on press freedom ranking.

Edited May 2, 2007 by Maestro
Referral to other topic added

[younghusband]

Thailand in Bottom 10 on press freedom

New York (dpa)

Thailand has been listed by the Committee to Protect Journalists as one of the world's worst backsliders in freedom of the media in the past five years - countries that have turned from being relatively open into repressive and those where press conditions have worsened.

Ethiopia, Gambia, Russia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cuba, Pakistan, Egypt, Azerbaijan, Morocco and Thailand were cited by CPJ for government censorship, judicial harassment, criminal libel prosecutions, imprisonment of journalists and threats against the press.

In Thailand, once leading in press freedom, the military junta under Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont nationalised the country's only private television station and ordered radio to broadcast only military-prepared news, the CPJ report says.

more here on Bangkok Post

They obviously have not followed the ITV saga from a few years back or actually bothered making comparisons with press freedom post Sep. 19. Is this part of Thaksin's lobbyist cruisade, or, maybe a huge donation was made to the CPJ...

I too am sceptical that Thailand deserves this kind of condemnation for backsliding on press freedom , though obviously the position needs careful monitoring.To date it has been possible to vent criticism of the illegal junta, though I am sure some of the more Neanderthal elements in it resent this.My point to you however, made with all due respect, is that you might consider giving the Thaksin paranoia a rest.It's really a bit silly to see Thaksin blamed for financing every international development that's unwelcome to the junta.

[hammered]

Whilst Thailand has definitely slid backwards in terms of press freedom in the past 5 years under the governance of both regimes we discuss ad infinitum, it is to me a tad debatable whether it really is in the bottom ten worldwide.

Then again a quick read of the directors of the Committee to Protect Journalists lists a rake of those from a single country who failed the test of journalism in their unquestioning reporting of government propoganda and now proven lies in the run up to the Iraq occupation, so their relative judgement of what constitutes freedom of press maybe somewhat flawed in relative terms. Indeed judging from their own stated criteria of listing the worse - "countries that have turned from being relatively open into repressive and those where press conditions have worsened. " - one could easily argue that the US should be listed.

[Jai Dee]

Democrat Party leader says govt. does not need to hire PR company

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva says the government does not need to assign the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to hire a foreign PR company to counter criticisms and explain the political situation in Thailand. The company has been hired for three months with a monthly compensation of 1.9 million baht.

Mr. Abhisit says responding to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s comments is secondary. However, the government needs to create a better understanding and prevent violence from happening. Even though the government has to work proactively, there are many channels for the government to use to explain the Thai political situation to the global community.

The Democrat Party leader however refuses to comment on the appointment of Dr. Thaksin as the President of the Professional Golf Association of Thailand (PGAT). However, Mr. Abhisit observes that Dr. Thaksin wants to takeover Manchester City football club because he has an intention to take his assets out of Thailand.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 02 May 2007

[sonnyJ]

Adelman, Edelman...

Jewish conspiracy.

A classic.

Why not?

[Tony Clifton]

Thailand in Bottom 10 on press freedom

New York (dpa)

Thailand has been listed by the Committee to Protect Journalists as one of the world's worst backsliders in freedom of the media in the past five years - countries that have turned from being relatively open into repressive and those where press conditions have worsened.

Ethiopia, Gambia, Russia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cuba, Pakistan, Egypt, Azerbaijan, Morocco and Thailand were cited by CPJ for government censorship, judicial harassment, criminal libel prosecutions, imprisonment of journalists and threats against the press.

In Thailand, once leading in press freedom, the military junta under Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont nationalised the country's only private television station and ordered radio to broadcast only military-prepared news, the CPJ report says.

more here on Bangkok Post

They obviously have not followed the ITV saga from a few years back or actually bothered making comparisons with press freedom post Sep. 19. Is this part of Thaksin's lobbyist cruisade, or, maybe a huge donation was made to the CPJ...

I too am sceptical that Thailand deserves this kind of condemnation for backsliding on press freedom , though obviously the position needs careful monitoring.To date it has been possible to vent criticism of the illegal junta, though I am sure some of the more Neanderthal elements in it resent this. My point to you however, made with all due respect, is that you might consider giving the Thaksin paranoia a rest.It's really a bit silly to see Thaksin blamed for financing every international development that's unwelcome to the junta.

His lobbyists hitting hard a few days ago again, buying a football club, becoming the golf godfather of Thailand and now this. Even though it may not look obvious he is behind it, he is.

This report has nothing to do with consequences of the junta's actions but date from Thaksin's legacy.

I'll give up the Thaksin "paranoia'' when he goes up in smoke up a wat's chiney somewhere abroad.

[sriracha john]

Thailand in Bottom 10 on press freedom

New York (dpa)

Thailand has been listed by the Committee to Protect Journalists as one of the world's worst backsliders in freedom of the media in the past five years - countries that have turned from being relatively open into repressive and those where press conditions have worsened.

Ethiopia, Gambia, Russia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cuba, Pakistan, Egypt, Azerbaijan, Morocco and Thailand were cited by CPJ for government censorship, judicial harassment, criminal libel prosecutions, imprisonment of journalists and threats against the press.

In Thailand, once leading in press freedom, the military junta under Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont nationalised the country's only private television station and ordered radio to broadcast only military-prepared news, the CPJ report says.

more here on Bangkok Post

They obviously have not followed the ITV saga from a few years back or actually bothered making comparisons with press freedom post Sep. 19. Is this part of Thaksin's lobbyist cruisade, or, maybe a huge donation was made to the CPJ...

I too am sceptical that Thailand deserves this kind of condemnation for backsliding on press freedom , though obviously the position needs careful monitoring.To date it has been possible to vent criticism of the illegal junta, though I am sure some of the more Neanderthal elements in it resent this.My point to you however, made with all due respect, is that you might consider giving the Thaksin paranoia a rest.It's really a bit silly to see Thaksin blamed for financing every international development that's unwelcome to the junta.

It would seem Tony may actually be onto something as the other group lamenting Thailand's supposedly declining press freedom is exposed:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...t&p=1282123

[kratindaeng]

crisis my arse - the only crisis will come from Immigration when they decide to change the rules, yet again

[Jai Dee]

E-San People Network wants PM to be dismissed

The E-San People Network has submitted a letter to the Royal Thai Army Commander-in-Chief and Council for National Security (CNS) Chairman, Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratglin, requesting him to dismiss Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont.

More than 20 network members from 19 northeastern provinces, led by Mr. Chaiwat Sinsuwong, handed the letter to Gen. Sonthi yesterday (May 8). The letter asks Gen. Sonthi to remove Gen. Surayud as the Prime Minister and to form a new Cabinet.

Mr. Chaiwat claims that the E-San People Network considers that the current government as a failure, and politics, economy, and social issues will be placed on prejudices. Meanwhile, the network will follow up on the situation and will meet again by the end of this month in Roi Et province.

The E-San People Network has also delivered this letter to the Privy Councilor President and Statesman, Gen. Prem Tinasulanonda.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 09 May 2007

[John K]

And replace him with....?

[Prakanong]

And replace him with....?

Well until a return to Democracy it could well as be the postmans cat!

[John K]

And replace him with....?

Well until a return to Democracy it could well as be the postmans cat!

To complain is one thing, but doing so without a suggested solution does not say a lot about the group.

[Prakanong]

And replace him with....?

Well until a return to Democracy it could well as be the postmans cat!

To complain is one thing, but doing so without a suggested solution does not say a lot about the group.

And who were all the anti-Taksin groups promoting (naming) then?

[blaze]

This is a significant development.

Not included in the above posting is the fact that this particular group is virulently anti-Thaksin- for what ever reasons.

From today's Nation:

"The group alleged that Surayud had attempted to protect deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra from being scrutinised by the Assets Examination Committee. Mean-while, his government had perform-ed poorly since assuming power seven months ago, causing serious damage to the country, it said."

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/05/09...es_30033754.php

The welcome given these people by Sonthi is particularly worrying. Our 'second coup' might just be in progress.

[blaze]

And replace him with....?

...someone more to their- and perhaps your- liking.

[Mobi]

This is a significant development.

Not included in the above posting is the fact that this particular group is virulently anti-Thaksin- for what ever reasons.

From today's Nation:

"The group alleged that Surayud had attempted to protect deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra from being scrutinised by the Assets Examination Committee. Mean-while, his government had perform-ed poorly since assuming power seven months ago, causing serious damage to the country, it said."

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/05/09...es_30033754.php

The welcome given these people by Sonthi is particularly worrying. Our 'second coup' might just be in progress.

Yes, the Nation story is interesting, and also bears out other recent reports of a serious split between Sonthi and Sarayudh.

I think things are hotting up.

Watch this space.

[JR Texas]

And replace him with....?

...someone more to their- and perhaps your- liking.

JR Texas: And replace him with: Meechai Viravaidya. He did a good job with AIDS.....maybe he could do the same with the economy and foreign relations. I would vote for him if I could.

[Prakanong]

And replace him with....?

...someone more to their- and perhaps your- liking.

JR Texas: And replace him with: Meechai Viravaidya. He did a good job with AIDS.....maybe he could do the same with the economy and foreign relations. I would vote for him if I could.

He is a pretty exceptional human being but I would bet he would not touch the position with the longest bargepole in the world ;-)

[sriracha john]

Not included in the above posting is the fact that this particular group is virulently anti-Thaksin- for what ever reasons.

perhaps they had heard this was coming:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=119948

or they've been reading about his multiple exploits here:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=93701

or were disgruntled by:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=91684

or ticked off by:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=91769

or had heard enough of his crap here:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=104517

and had decided that this was the final straw:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=92482

[blaze]

Not included in the above posting is the fact that this particular group is virulently anti-Thaksin- for what ever reasons.

perhaps they had heard this was coming:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=119948

or they've been reading about his multiple exploits here:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=93701

or were disgruntled by:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=91684

or ticked off by:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=91769

or had heard enough of his crap here:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=104517

and had decided that this was the final straw:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=92482

Maybe I didn't read them thoroughly enough- but as near as I could tell your threads are all relating to Thakisn's malfeasance. It is Sarayuth's resignation that these people want. I don't see anything in your post that even suggests that Sarayuth is protecting Thaksin which is their espoused reason for petitioning the General.

Edited May 9, 2007 by blaze