Thaksin's Live Performance June 15, 2007

[cclub75]

Err.., Cclub, did you not notice they have frozen his assets in preparation for prosecution in at least three cases?

Do you remember how long it took to indict Ken Lay of Enron? Two years, not eight months. It took another two years to reach conviciton, four years altogether.

Well, you are right. And wrong.

Right because it's indeed a good step. A first one. Wrong, because it came too late. And too little.

The best proof : one week prior to the decision, the Thaksin Gang siphoned some of their accounts.

Strange, isn't it ?

We still have no reliable information on what exactly happened.

Since september, the junta say that Thaksin was corrupted and they wanted to prove it, and prosecute him. Why they didn't freeze his assets just after the Coup ? Again we can smell the fishy smell of action and "neutral gear mode", mixed alltogether...

Anyway, a freeze of assets is not a decisive action. It can be undone.

People are complaining that Thaksin would create chaos if he comes back. And Sonthi has to use some mafioso style tricks (the famous "his live might be in danger" or "we can't garantee his security")...

But a prosecution, a real one, and a conviction, a real one, will prevent him to return to Thailand.

It's as simple as that.

And no Thailand doesn't have time -this time- for a lenghty process. Unless... the junta wants to use and abuse of a perpetual state of tension and fear, in order to remain in power...

As for Enron.... that's a bit too much for a comparison. The accounting traces of the Thaksin system should be more easier to understand than thoses of Enron...

[ratcatcher]

What a circus...

Rumors, counter rumors.

The bottom line : the junta is still unable (or unwilling) to charge Thaksin.

8 months since Thaksin was ousted. What are the results of the investigations (dozen) against him and/or his regime ?

Let's see what happens when his fat cow wife goes to court on Monday.... She's first up on the hit parade.

Assuming she's back from Singapore, of course.

Regards

PS Wouldn't just 'wife' be sufficient.

Thaksin's wife & friends. Is that better?

See S.R.J it's so much easier to be polite.

[sriracha john]

The Brits are allowing him to stay as presumably he has a visa, and is not in breach of it. If he were to launch a real political offensive from the UK they may reconsider that,

Why do think it is illegal to start a real political offensive against another country under military dictatorship from an exile?

Sorry this seems to be very reasonable, moral and legal for me (speaking in general not in this particular case).

When you are a guest in a country I think there are things you cannot do which may interfere with the host countries diplomacy and relations with other countires or maybe you can do them but then the host country may not want you as a guest! Remember the west has pretty much restrained itself from criticisizing the current Thai government. There certainly hasnt been much sympathy for Mr. Thaksin or any call for a return of him to power, just some vague we hope for a swift return to democracy, which is what the Junta have said will happen.

In this case it may well be academic if elections are held this year. We should also remember that Mr. Thaksin is not a refugee in the UK too. He is presumably on a tourist visa or family visit visa (his daughter studies in the UK I think, and he has also been told by the PM of Thailand that he can return whenever he wants although admittedly the military did intimate they may not be able to protect him as so many dislike him.

"The Brits are allowing him to stay as presumably he has a visa, and is not in breach of it. If he were to launch a real political offensive from the UK they may reconsider that,"

We do have a proud and long tradition of letting our guests speak out against governments in other countries.

Hope that never changes

The USA is prosecuting Lao's for plotting against the communist state of Laos.

As for Thaksin... he's really playing up the martyr bit... first by appealing to the UN for protection... and now... a "government in exile." I think eventually he's going to wear out his welcome in the UK:

Noppadol denies Thaksin plans to set up exile government

Noppadol Patama, a legal advisor of Thaksin Shinawatra, denied Saturday that the former prime minister planned to set up a government in exile.

"Thaksin has never thought of seeking asylum and has never planned to set up a government in exile," Noppadol said.

"Had he wanted to set up an exile government, he would have done it for months."

- The Nation

================

yes, of course, the shifty one denied it.... but a fair basis for determining what's going on with the slimy one is to take the statements of the shifty one and apply the opposite.

Edited June 16, 2007 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

What a circus...

Rumors, counter rumors.

The bottom line : the junta is still unable (or unwilling) to charge Thaksin.

8 months since Thaksin was ousted. What are the results of the investigations (dozen) against him and/or his regime ?

Let's see what happens when his fat cow wife goes to court on Monday.... She's first up on the hit parade.

Assuming she's back from Singapore, of course.

Regards

PS Wouldn't just 'wife' be sufficient.

Thaksin's wife & friends. Is that better?

See S.R.J it's so much easier to be polite.

*cow removed for reasons of politeness*

[sriracha john]

Some 2,000 people of the Silent Forces Who Love His Majesty rally at the Lumpini Park Saturday morning to counter protests of pro-Thaksin demonstrators. They demand the pro-Thaksin groups to stop demonstrations at Sanam Luang for the sake of the country.

The Nation

=====================

[sriracha john]

Some 1,000 people protest against junta at Sanam Luang

The pro-Thaksin alliance resumed its demonstration against the junta at Sanam Luang Saturday evening.

At 6 pm, about 1,000 gathered at the ground to hear leaders of the Democrat Alliance Against Dictatorship speak.

The group set up a stage on the Thammasat University side and the stage faces the Supreme Court with six projectors set up.

The Nation

[Mid]

Number of protesters at Sanam Luang rise to 7,500 at 8 pm

Police estimated that the number protesters at Sanam Luang has rose to about 7,500 at 8 pm.

The leaders of the protesting group planned to make an announcement by 8 pm whether to march from Sanam Luang to the Army headquarters or not.

The Nation

[sriracha john]

Silent force urged to join peace run Sunday

The "Rak Prathet Thai Lerk Talorkan" (Love Thailand, Stop Fighting One Another) network Saturday appealed to all Thais to join Sunday's run for peace at 9.30am, while academics called on the "silent force" to make their voices heard.

Leading network member Narong Thiammek said the political situation showed signs of degenerating into violence, prompting social organisations including the Volunteer Spirit Network and the Family Network Foundation to form a united front.

The coalition wants to appeal to compatriots to stop creating an environment for violence and seeking power that might come at the cost of fellow Thais' blood.

The movement - based on the belief that if all Thais joined in demanding an end to the political crisis, it could stop the divisive tendencies - does not want to take sides or support any group, said Narong.

The network invites members of the public to join in at any point of the run, which starts at the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and proceeds to the National Theatre, passing through Bang Lamphu and the Democracy Monument before reaching the Royal Plaza.

Participants are urged to tie a yellow ribbon around their wrist as part of the anti-violence campaign.

Jiraporn Witayasakphan, a mass communications expert from Chiang Mai University, said the government should provide stages for people of different opinions to hold rational discussions on ways to solve the current crisis of confidence.

She urged the "quiet" groups observing the political disorder to break their silence, saying it was time they expressed themselves to bring peace back. However, they should opt for public forums instead of holding protests - as many mobs are getting too emotional and violence could erupt.

Government Spokesman Yongyuth Mayalarp encouraged the "silent force" to submit opinions via the media or Post Office Box 111 to reveal their wish to see peace restored in the country.

He advised against a rally for national reconciliation, for fear of possible confrontation with other demonstrators.

He also asked people not to be misled by rumours and said authorities could control the situation.

- The Nation

[teejay]

I was told by an inside source that bangkok is under 'code red' tonight, and was told to stay home.... is something gonna go down?

[hammered]

Number of protesters at Sanam Luang rise to 7,500 at 8 pm

Police estimated that the number protesters at Sanam Luang has rose to about 7,500 at 8 pm.

The leaders of the protesting group planned to make an announcement by 8 pm whether to march from Sanam Luang to the Army headquarters or not.

The Nation

They dont have the numbers. There will no doubt be a barrage of frustrated accusations and announcements but basically their rally doesnt look like hitting even their freshlt lowered predicted amount. There are still some quite fanantical groups there though so it could still be unprdictable. The rain may help.

[hammered]

The going rate for attending this rally is 300 baht in Chonburi.

[Mid]

Number of protesters at Sanam Luang rise to 13,000 by 8:15 pm

June 16, 2007 : Last updated 09:39 pm (Thai local time)

The number of anti-junta protesters at Sanam Luang rose to about 13,000 at 8:15 pm.

The heavy downpours failed to disperse the protesters.

The Nation

Sonthi, Saprang wait for protesters inside Army headquarters

June 16, 2007 : Last updated 09:49 pm (Thai local time)

Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin, chairman of the Council for National Security, and his assistant, Gen Saprang Kalayanamitr, went to the Army headquarters to command the army units to deal with protesters.

About 20 companies of several battalions have been deployed to keep security inside the compound of the army headquarters in anticipation that the protesters would march there from Sanam Luang.

The Nation

Urgent: Protest leaders promise not to move demonstrators to Army headquarters

June 16, 2007 : Last updated 09:54 pm (Thai local time)

Leaders of the Sanam Luang rally promised not to move the protesters to rally in front of the Army headquarters.

Leaders of the anti-junta rally met Metropolitan Police Commissioner Lt Gen Adisorn Nonsee Saturday night and promised not to march to the Army headquarters as they have earlier threatened.

They promised that they would not move rally site from Sanam Luang for at least three days.

The Nation

Edited June 16, 2007 by Mid

[chownah]

The military dictatorship is handling this very poorly....it is showing how truly politically inept they are. The only good I can see coming out of their actions is the eventual collapse of the baht which will give me a better exchange rate.

[Grover]

The military dictatorship is handling this very poorly....it is showing how truly politically inept they are. The only good I can see coming out of their actions is the eventual collapse of the baht which will give me a better exchange rate.

Dismal.

Well, I see light at the end of the tunnel. I'm hoping that the recent speech by the PM will be taken to heart by all Thais.

[Tony Clifton]

The military dictatorship is handling this very poorly....it is showing how truly politically inept they are. The only good I can see coming out of their actions is the eventual collapse of the baht which will give me a better exchange rate.

Thaksin, is that you?

[hammered]

Rally fizzles in the rain

BangkokPost.com, Agencies

A heavy monsoon downpour and a blanket of police put a damper on a Saturday night Sanam Luang demonstration to demand that the military junta step down. Instead of 50,000 protesters, organisers barely mustered 10,000.

The rally organisers hoped to march on Army headquarters on Rajdamnoen Avenue and the residence of Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda to demand the dismantling of last year's coup and the restoration of the Thai Rak Thai party under the leadership of deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra.

But with an estimated 2,000 police outside Army Headquarters and at a bridge on Rajdamnoen Avenue to block the anticipated march, and another 4,000 positioned around Sanam Luang Plaza - the Royal Grounds - a site for many past protests in Thailand's recent history, the demonstration appeared to lose its fighting spirit.

Full story:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/topstories/tops...s.php?id=119480

[rychrde]

The going rate for attending this rally is 300 baht in Chonburi.

Yes, just heard tonight from a good Thai friend, just back from bkk, that friends of his have been getting paid. Actually looks like they've been paying people to attend all these 'protests'. My friend is actually going back to bkk Sunday for a family day out, so he's not worried!

On reflection, this probably limits the taste for any confrontation. Why risk the next day's pay by having a riot?

rych

[rychrde]

This sounds like Wimbledon: Rain Stops Play!

[John K]

As the getting paid to attend word is getting around it sends the message don’t be worried deeply about what brought them there, but be concerned as to what they may have been paid to do.

I am sure Thaksin will try to make it look like he is broke to make the illusion they are coming on their own. I can’t help but wonder how much cash was in Que prior to the freezing of Thaksin’s accounts.

I also noted a change in what they are calling the rally. It has gone from being called anti junta to pro Thaksin rally.

Edited June 17, 2007 by John K

[torrenova]

No wonder the crowd were angry. If Toxin has no money, how can he pay for his supporters ?

[hammered]

From Bloomberg

Thailand Rally Draws 4,000 People; No Violence Seen (Update1)

By Shanthy Nambiar

June 16 (Bloomberg) -- More than 4,000 Thais staged a rally against the nation's military-installed government in the capital Bangkok today, according to police estimates.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=206...&refer=home

From what I hear the estimate is a bit low, but it does raise the point that PTV have totally failed with every one of their threats of numbers. Fill Sanam Luang by the end of May or go home. Didnt achieve it. No longer talk about it. Revised down estimate of 50,000 yesterday. Got nowhere near that by any esitmate, and that is with widespread payments to attend being thrown around. If they are failing to reach anywhere near critical mass it wont be long before they are seen as a fringe extremist group. Now would be a good time for the government to do a deal or two with some more moderate ex-TRT people further isolating PTV.

[hammered]

This interview with PTV face Jakrapob is worth checking out if you need a new definition for meglomania, utter hatred, political opportunism and something verging on insanity. This is where blind faith based politics get you. In this case the deity being Mr. T.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2007/06/16...es_30037021.php

[jumnien]

The right-wing military junta is more scared every day. The writing is on the wall. Shouldn't be long now! Liberation is possible!

[hammered]

The right-wing military junta is more scared every day. The writing is on the wall. Shouldn't be long now! Liberation is possible!

Yes there will soon be an election from which the country will emerge with no more military leadership and no more murderous Thaksinista regime. That will be nice.

[chownah]

The military dictatorship is handling this very poorly....it is showing how truly politically inept they are. The only good I can see coming out of their actions is the eventual collapse of the baht which will give me a better exchange rate.

Thaksin, is that you?

All Toxin's buddies have to do is to get a few people to gather in a park to watch a short video of Toxin which contains nothing of importance and THE ENTIRE GOVERNMENT OF THE KINGDOM OF THAILAND goe into panic mode!!!! This military dictatorship is out to lunch politically...even a rice farmer can see that....wonder why those big city intellectuals can't.....

[chownah]

The right-wing military junta is more scared every day. The writing is on the wall. Shouldn't be long now! Liberation is possible!

Yes there will soon be an election from which the country will emerge with no more military leadership and no more murderous Thaksinista regime. That will be nice.

Yes...it will be great...we will have the military dictatorship's man running the country and they will dissappear never to return. Once they are gone they won't care what the gov't does and they won't be watching every move from behind the scenes, you can rest assured of that. After they've gone for good they won't even read the newspapers to see what is happening and they will stop having lunch with all the people who run the gov't....and stop playilng golf with them too....and stop having a few martinis after work with them....and intermarrying with them....yes, it will be great when the military dictatorship is gone!!!!

[jumnien]

To get rid of Thaksin took 14 presumably unarmed tanks the better part of a morning. To get rid of the right-wing military junta's involvement in Thai politics will take decades and perhaps centuries.

[hammered]

The right-wing military junta is more scared every day. The writing is on the wall. Shouldn't be long now! Liberation is possible!

Yes there will soon be an election from which the country will emerge with no more military leadership and no more murderous Thaksinista regime. That will be nice.

Yes...it will be great...we will have the military dictatorship's man running the country and they will dissappear never to return. Once they are gone they won't care what the gov't does and they won't be watching every move from behind the scenes, you can rest assured of that. After they've gone for good they won't even read the newspapers to see what is happening and they will stop having lunch with all the people who run the gov't....and stop playilng golf with them too....and stop having a few martinis after work with them....and intermarrying with them....yes, it will be great when the military dictatorship is gone!!!!

and hopefully we wont have a government killing its own people without trial too. Thailand wont have a perfect democracy after elections but then again it had a fatally flawed one before the coup unless one believes it is democracy to deny ones own citizens such rights as innocence until proven guilty, due proces and the right to not be killed by state edict. It will take a long time for a country that was feudal only a few decades ago to develop into a western style democracy with civil society. Returning from Junta to a partial democracy is only the first stage.

Edited June 17, 2007 by hammered

[John K]

Try to look past the mind games here. From what I see at least 50% of the news in the last week has all been mind games one way or another. That has to do with Thaksin finding reasons to stay away while making it look like he can’t. Paid people at the rally and some of the underlying stories around that. From what it looks like the mind games are directed at causing panic and chaos, and the government must respond even if it turns out to be a false alarm. It is a bit like a bomb threat, the building is evacuated as a precaution even if there is no bomb. In this case the government is putting police and military out, and that although intended to stop problems, it adds to the anxiety. For the moment the only stop looks like waiting for the pro Thaksin people to break the law and lock them up.

[Mid]

For the moment the only stop looks like waiting for the pro Thaksin people to break the law and lock them up.

oh , what a wicked web we weave ...................................