New “Thaksin’s wave” peculiar in its timing

[Anton9]

13 minutes ago, it is what it is said:

 

better for who? my thai friends were very happy to see the back of her

Much better for me and for most people I talk to.

Guess your thai friends are enjoying the post coup era.

[bendejo]

2 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I remember when Thaksin started in politics. He told the people he is already rich and he does not need to get richer in politics.

When he returned from exile briefly, before going off to the 2008 Beijing Olympics and never returning, he said he was returning home and was no longer interested in politics.  The hostess of the English language news on Thai TV (I forget what the station was called) said "I don't believe that for one second."

 

There are different classes (for lack of a better term) of corruption.  Mr T here is his own priority to be sure, but he at least knows he has to show something, if for no other reason than to have something to point to when he is accused of doing nothing.  This is what separates him from the Mugabes and Bolsonaros. 

 

New “Thaksin’s wave” peculiar in its timing

Yes, suddenly the Redshirt leadership is becoming visible in Thai media again, as is talk of The Return II.  My own suspicion is Team Thaksin is hoping (or, perhaps, tacitly supporting) Future Forward, in hopes they will weaken the current crew, the age-old tactic of divide and conquer.

Will the Redshirts regroup?  Giving 300b to every  Issan family worked wonders last time, didn't it?  Be assured he still has plenty of $$$, probably doubled his wealth in the past 10+ years. 

But there is also a health issue (he revealed via jumbotron to the Redshirt crowd that he was in chemotherapy and lost his hair).  No one mentions this.  Perhaps his motivation is he wants to die in his native native country and live on as a national hero, as opposed to a scoundrel who died in exile.

 

 

Edited August 11, 2021 by bendejo

[david555]

2 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

... in the red villages.

And how long would he survive in Bangkok?

And how long would it take to  Bangkok start " burning " if that would happen to him  ....?

Edited August 11, 2021 by david555

[candide]

3 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

They have to exist and a majority must vote for them.

But that is not what is happening in Thailand. The masses vote again and again for corrupt politicians or family members of those corrupt politicians. And then they are somehow surprised when they have a corrupt government.

A few years the could habe voted for Abhisit. And honest highly educated guy. But he was obviously not what most Thais wanted... (and yes I know Suthep was part of that deal)

And on top of Suthep, this honest politician is also the one who rejected early elections in order to make sure he could appoint Prayut as army chief, for reasons which were already obvious at that time

[candide]

4 hours ago, david555 said:

(and yes I know Suthep was part of that deal)

 

Here lies already a very big reason for Thailands mess ..... P. should have  ordered him to a Budhist  monastery high in Tibet for the rest of his life .... one problem solved 

As much as I dislike Suthep, there's no particular reason to single out Suthep. Suthep played the part assigned to him (he probably volunteered) in the partition, just as the other components of the yellow/green network: the judiciary, the semi- judiciary, the other agencies (ex the EC), the army, etc.... while his role was more noticeable  the others have been just as guilty as him in preventing people from choosing their government.

Edited August 11, 2021 by candide

[Rampant Rabbit]

As  is  now the  way of Thailand  and its  laws which even Asean Now  must  follow I  think the current govt is  excellent and that other  fella  should  be locked up forever, there is  no  corruption and Mr Prayut  is doing an excellent  job, I dont want to be overly  positive though so Im going to add I think he might need a  little  less  hair  dye. 

[mrmicbkktxl]

8 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I remember when Thaksin started in politics. He told the people he is already rich and he does not need to get richer in politics. And the people believed him. And then, not much later, he had to admit what he called an "honest mistake", hiding assets in the name of his maids, drivers, etc. Yeah, very honest.

And then he did all the time those honest mistakes. And he was not only corrupt, he showed to all Thais and the world that he is corrupt and can get away with it. Obviously he gave the masses a few crumbs and the masses loved him. Stupid! 

I was here when Thaksin brought people hope when he started and I was here in the years when many people saw when Thaksin enriched himself. And I was here when the "first" coup happened and people gave flowers to the soldiers because they were happy that finally someone stood up against Thaksin. That was a joyful time.

 

It seems many people who think Thaksin is good were not here or closed their eyes to reality. He is a criminal and he always was a criminal. What is so difficult to understand about that obvious fact?

And who are you?You are a farang, different views and understanding how things work here.Maybe everything correct what you say,but still a majority of Thais would vote for thaksin.They don't really care if he fills his pockets as long they get a tiny bit of the cake.The low end of Thais had more money with thaksin and that is what counts from Thai view.Im not a thaksin fan because he came up with a lot of shi. what made the life of farangs unpleasant in Thailand.And just by the way have a look where Thailand was economically under thaksin and compare where Thailand is now

[vandeventer]

10 hours ago, KhaoNiaw said:

He's certainly not what the new generation of demonstrators are looking for. 

But he never called us stinky dirty animals, as he only had a love for our money.

[jacko45k]

11 hours ago, Rookiescot said:

While I would prefer Thaksin to the current administration you have to ask the question.

Can Thailand really not find better leaders than this?

Seems to be a global problem.

I just recollect the Thaksin times seemed more positive, his picture was everywhere you went and the locals were optimistic, feeling they were on the up and up.

Edited August 12, 2021 by jacko45k

[crazykopite]

I was living Living here when he was PM in those days the Thai people seemed to be very happy I cannot say the same today maybe he wasn’t the rogue he was made out to be and maybe a lot of Thais wish he was back in charge of running the country I’m sure he wouldn’t be wasting money on submarines or other defence equipment but spending the money on those in need of it 

[mtls2005]

He's never coming back, he should save some money on the PR firms and let it go.

 

Most of the people driving the current rise in political awareness are far too young to remember his brief reign. And if they study him at all they know he's no better than most wanna-be headmen. Same country, different jockey as they say here.

 

 

 

Yes, he might come back at the very end of his life, or even posthumously, but that's it.

 

 

[hotchilli]

11 hours ago, Rookiescot said:

While I would prefer Thaksin to the current administration you have to ask the question.

Can Thailand really not find better leaders than this?

Thaksin is not the answer to Thailands woes, bringing him back just re-writes history.

Thailand needs something or someone new and enterprising, not another large family monopoly.

[chilli42]

11 hours ago, david555 said:

No problem for me when he "could " come back , as i remember in his era Thailand was fun , as the Thais smiled more than now the grim smile under P. already so many years 

Agree, he was running things for the good of the Thai people.  OK, well maybe not.  Perhaps for the good of himself and the Oligarchy he ran.  His ambition, foolishly, led him to believe he was more powerful than the One.

[Nojohndoe]

I would  not say that the new "Thaksin wave" is peculiar or even significant. I see it as a convenient reference.

Thaksin used the insight gained by his Master's Degree in Criminology to manipulate the weakest and poorest by way of populist tactics to elevate himself and  his allies to a position that compromised the old established elite. The pushback from that outed him and in the end result of the confusion  Yingluck

managed to insert herself by way of residual populist policy appeal.

Problematic was that both were not immune to the scrutiny and public revelations of not so covert corruption.

This provided an opportunity for social agitation that culminated in yet another intervention by way of a coup.

The resulting Prayut Government initially held some dubious appeal with promises of massive reforms that if had eventuated may have enhanced any genuine wide spread public credibility.

Unfortunately that was rapidly exposed to be a facade.

Now the current regime is under extreme pressure from every sector due to the impact of the pandemic with economic fallout effecting many of the  elite, new or old.

Were it not for the pandemic it is likely Thailand would continue to have the current style of Governance it has now.

Sadly the political situation is becoming justifiably agitated again but in a way that I doubt even Thaksin would willingly poke his head into ! But that does not mean he is not willing to poke it with a toxic stick from afar even for the sake of retaliation !

 

 

[khaowong1]

9 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

I remember when Thaksin started in politics. He told the people he is already rich and he does not need to get richer in politics. And the people believed him. And then, not much later, he had to admit what he called an "honest mistake", hiding assets in the name of his maids, drivers, etc. Yeah, very honest.

And then he did all the time those honest mistakes. And he was not only corrupt, he showed to all Thais and the world that he is corrupt and can get away with it. Obviously he gave the masses a few crumbs and the masses loved him. Stupid! 

I was here when Thaksin brought people hope when he started and I was here in the years when many people saw when Thaksin enriched himself. And I was here when the "first" coup happened and people gave flowers to the soldiers because they were happy that finally someone stood up against Thaksin. That was a joyful time.

 

It seems many people who think Thaksin is good were not here or closed their eyes to reality. He is a criminal and he always was a criminal. What is so difficult to understand about that obvious fact?

 

Amen.. I was here then too.  You are correct.  

[peleid]

Thaksin had faults, just like every leader of countries worldwide BUT I do not think he would have allowed this shambles to have happend we are going through at the moment

[recom273]

12 hours ago, david555 said:

No problem for me when he "could " come back , as i remember in his era Thailand was fun , as the Thais smiled more than now the grim smile under P. already so many years 

It was a lot fun before he arrived, I only knew Thailand as a tourist, but pre-Taksin, bars closed when they wanted to, Taksins government imposed the 2.00 am closing time. Immigration was a lot more “flexible” their job wasn’t so serious.
 

I would love Taksin to remove this current clown, just saying, things were certainly a lot more fun, maybe it was down to the exchange rate.

[jesimps]

I think it would be difficult for any civilian government to survive for long here with the military, backed by the Bangkok elite scrutinising every move. I'm sure that in the past a lot of good policies have been shelved because of a shake of the head from the military.

 

Whoever's in power, be it Thaksin or otherwise, should be given at least the period between elections to prove themselves.

Edited August 12, 2021 by jesimps

[HaoleBoy]

If Thaksin wants to come back this month, then all he has to do is go to Germany BioNTech and procure a substantial allotment of BNT (Pfizer) vaccine to bring back to Thailand.

 

Easier said than done, but Foxconn, TSMC, and some buddhist org Tzu Chi did this for CCP / Taiwan.
       https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4254073

[HaoleBoy]

6 minutes ago, jesimps said:

I think it would be difficult for any civilian government to survive for long here with the military, backed by the Bangkok elite scrutinising every move. I'm sure that in the past a lot of good policies have been shelved because of a shake of the head from the military.

There is 1 above the military that could nullify them and the HISOs in Bangkok.  If enough Thai's take to the street then this person could step in and dictate direction.  It would be this or possibly lose their place in Thailand.

[Card]

12 hours ago, david555 said:

No problem for me when he "could " come back , as i remember in his era Thailand was fun , as the Thais smiled more than now the grim smile under P. already so many years 

Fun? Are u serious. Under his watch, bars and clubs had to shut by midnight! It was much more fun before he arrived. You obviously weren't here then. He started the trend that has descended more and more ever since.

 

https://www.euromoney.com/article/b1320swzn2b1zz/thaksin-hits-thailands-legendary-nightlife

Edited August 12, 2021 by Card

[sikishrory]

Let's not forget Thailands best mate is China.

Does China have influence in Thailand? Yes  

Does China like democracy? Nope

Mr. Xi started dressing like Mao. Notice anyone else who wears the same shirt?

 

 

 

 

 

[Teddy3943]

A "leader" with too much self interest and willing to conduct severe corruption should not be the "savior" of this vunerable nation. So many quality actions have to be taken by the Thai government. Only a true and wise people and country loving person and a progressive similar cabinet can bring Thailand forward as a modern quality state. In my view is Thaksin not that kind of statesman.

[SCOTT FITZGERSLD]

Thaksin is the thai answer to...HERCULES !!!

[Teddy3943]

15 minutes ago, sikishrory said:

Let's not forget Thailands best mate is China.

Does China have influence in Thailand? Yes  

Does China like democracy? Nope

Mr. Xi started dressing like Mao. Notice anyone else who wears the same shirt?

 

 

 

 

 

Actually China's financial imperialism is a threat to not only Asia, Africa and the poor eastern Europe countries are already "invaded" by huge Chinese companies which influence local government decissions...

[khunpeer]

many years ago he founded the part "Thai Rak Thai", but locals here often said smiling: Thaksin Rak Thaksin!

in other words: if you think about no corruption, honesty and justice equal for all, then don't vote for him. there's a big solid reason he doesn't want to leave Dubai!

[JBChiangRai]

Kleptocracy’s like Thaksin and his cohorts are a necessary step on the way to an uncorrupt government.

 

He understood the power of the 3 legged stool here and was hacking away at the legs of the army and the Elite, it’s why he and his sister were ousted.

 

like him or hate him, Thailand prospered enormously under his leadership.

 

Had his leadership continued, inevitably a people’s party would have emerged with stamping out corruption as it’s manifesto and with luck corruption would decline to Singapore levels.

 

The coup set the country back around 50-80 years on the path to an uncorrupt, fully democratic nation.

[david555]

39 minutes ago, HaoleBoy said:

If Thaksin wants to come back this month, then all he has to do is go to Germany BioNTech and procure a substantial allotment of BNT (Pfizer) vaccine to bring back to Thailand.

 

Easier said than done, but Foxconn, TSMC, and some buddhist org Tzu Chi did this for CCP / Taiwan.
       https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4254073

Do you really THINK a moment the present powers would allow him to do that ...?????

 

They would like to see more dyings than let him Thaksin to help them with his money to make a serious vaccinating program ....

 

Get real ....it would be the worst humiliation for the present "leader" ????

[Bangkok Barry]

13 hours ago, david555 said:

No problem for me when he "could " come back , as i remember in his era Thailand was fun , as the Thais smiled more than now the grim smile under P. already so many years 

Up to a point. But it was his government who introduced restricted alcohol selling times, and tried to close down nightclubs at midnight and bars at 10pm. Not much fun there.

[spidermike007]

Many would choose Thaksin over Prayuth. In comparison, Thaksin is a giant, who accomplished much for his people, and is beloved to this day, by millions. On the other hand, Prayuth has succeeded in sabotaging Thailand to the point where it might be on the verge of being a failed state. He may be liked by 1 to 2% of the population. Maybe. At most. No positive policy. No good ideas. No forward vision. Nothing but oppression, repression, suppression, lies, fabrications, deflection, a total unwillingness to man up and take responsibility for anything, enrichment for the army, and his buddies, a totally failed leadership, a failed vaccination drive, a failed Covid recovery plan, economic destruction, and stunning sabotage of the once vibrant tourism industry. And little to no assistance to the millions who are now living on scraps. If you had tried to reduce your nation from a once powerful giant tiger shark, to a tiny, insipid, sickly minnow, you could not have done a better job. 

 

He has devastated millions of lives, with his failed policy and lack of leadership, and this is not just about Covid. That will be used as the excuse. But, we all know better. Thailand was going backwards for years, prior to Covid. There is no need to stick with the dinosaurs, or attempt to put a heroin dealer in charge. This will only increase the backwards spin the nation is experiencing now, and reinforce the corruption and rot. 

 

However, it would be a far better path if Thailand could find someone like Thanathorn. A younger, brighter, more progressive person who can lead Thailand into the future, arrest the severe backward trajectory, inspire confidence, attempt to restore tourism (I do not think it will ever come back, to even 20% of what it was before Covid, for a dozen reasons), and encourage foreign investment. Also, it is likely a younger statesman would not possess the kind of toxic xenophobia that is rampant in this administration. It would be better on so many levels. So, who is this new person going to be?

 

This is what our Thailand has become under the devastating leadership we are saddled with at this time. 

 

 

 

 

Edited August 12, 2021 by spidermike007