Thaksin Completes Man City Buyout

[sriracha john]

Flag bearing Thaksin's name upsets PM

Thaksin Shinawatra might not be happy with Saturday's home defeat of his Manchester City football club. But many Thais, including PM Samak, were upset for another reason; seeing a national flag bearing his name hanging at the stadium. The flag with Thaksin's name on it became a hot topic yesterday after a picture of it appeared in the Matichon newspaper. The focus was on whether it was appropriate. The PM felt it was not and called for an explanation from Thaksin. ''It is inappropriate,'' Samak said at Government House. ''It must not happen again.'' Under Article 53 of the 1979 Flag Act, affixing pictures, letters, numbers or other symbols upon the national flag is against the law with a maximum penalty of a year in jail and/or a 2,000 baht fine. A regulation of the PM's Office, issued by the Thaksin administration in 2004, also prohibits private entities from putting up the national flag for commercial proposes. *which would apply to Nov. 2007 scandal involving the MCFC logo on the National Symbol*

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/News/30Apr2008_news02.php

[Ricardo]

What will Thaksin say to all this?

He's got to explaing himself to the fans at some point, and he has to look for a new manager now, not in August.

Scholari is in the top heaven. That coveted Man City job is HIS! He dreamt about it his whole life, preparing with winning world cups and everything.

Perhaps as the current (for how much longer ?) holder of a Thai diplomatic-passport, he might go on-record as condemning the (clearly unrelated to him) fans, who created this flag, which upsets many Thais, as well as our already-nauseous PM ?

Or perhaps not, since some of them already appear to be slightly pissed-off with him, about sacking their fairly-successful if under-funded manager so easily & so publicly. Time for a few more hand-outs of Thai-fried-rice to molify the masses !

[Sandstone Art]

Flag bearing Thaksin's name upsets PM

Thaksin Shinawatra might not be happy with Saturday's home defeat of his Manchester City football club. But many Thais, including PM Samak, were upset for another reason; seeing a national flag bearing his name hanging at the stadium. The flag with Thaksin's name on it became a hot topic yesterday after a picture of it appeared in the Matichon newspaper. The focus was on whether it was appropriate. The PM felt it was not and called for an explanation from Thaksin. ''It is inappropriate,'' Samak said at Government House. ''It must not happen again.'' Under Article 53 of the 1979 Flag Act, affixing pictures, letters, numbers or other symbols upon the national flag is against the law with a maximum penalty of a year in jail and/or a 2,000 baht fine. A regulation of the PM's Office, issued by the Thaksin administration in 2004, also prohibits private entities from putting up the national flag for commercial proposes. *which would apply to Nov. 2007 scandal involving the MCFC logo on the National Symbol*

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/News/30Apr2008_news02.php

When it comes to inappropriate use of this nation's symbol, Thaksin is no stranger....

as his checkered history reveals...

And not fogetting him signing his Toxic name on those Thai bank notes last week!

[mrtoad]

What will Thaksin say to all this?

He's got to explaing himself to the fans at some point, and he has to look for a new manager now, not in August.

Scholari is in the top heaven. That coveted Man City job is HIS! He dreamt about it his whole life, preparing with winning world cups and everything.

Perhaps as the current (for how much longer ?) holder of a Thai diplomatic-passport, he might go on-record as condemning the (clearly unrelated to him) fans, who created this flag, which upsets many Thais, as well as our already-nauseous PM ?

Or perhaps not, since some of them already appear to be slightly pissed-off with him, about sacking their fairly-successful if under-funded manager so easily & so publicly. Time for a few more hand-outs of Thai-fried-rice to molify the masses !

Scolari is not going to City, IMO he's probably using it as a bargaining tool to either renogotiate a new contract with Portugal (as he has done on 2 occassions) or to alert interest to some of the real big jobs in Europe. There are going to be several of the top clubs looking, and Scolari has the credentials. Anyt self respecting Manager is going to see that Toxin is an intefering little scrote and steer well clear. Souness, McClown or Allardyce are more likely, but I don't think that Big Sam would want that hassle.

For Toxin it's welcome to the real world of football, the honeymoon is over and buying sdome fried rice this time is not going to placate the fans.

[Tony Clifton]

Eeeeeeverything he touches...

[Plus]

I just can't see Scholari wiping Thaksin's ass for money.

In fact I think Thaksin will have hard time finding anyone to take his abuse.

Ricardo, when I mentioned explanation to the fans I didn't think of a banner at all. Who cares, they are not Thai.

Just what kind of excuse can Thaksin offer to them? What kind of promises? He shot himself not in the head, not the foot.

[jackspratt]

Oasis star Noel Gallagher tells BBC Radio Five Live that Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra is "a nutcase" and "living in cloud cuckoo land" ..........

Presumably Mr Gallagher has not heard of the saying about kettles and pots.

[opengoal]

I am going to have a tenner on City to beat liverpool this weekend. Win or lose tonight Liverpool have nothing to play for at the weekend. They will only play half a team and they are guaranteed Champions League next season. On the other hand the boys in blue will be playing at 200% if the news this week is true. Lets send Sven off in style.... remember where you heard it first

[Plus]

Could be, but then Sven reportedly told them that now it's every man for himself, party's over, no one knows what will happen next season to the club or the players.

[sriracha john]

With his former personal employee who is now a Cabinet Minister, if Thaksin wishes to have a messages delivered, he doesn't use the brigade of personal spokespersons that he employs... he uses a government official...

Former Thaksin lawyer and current Foreign Affairs Minister and current Thaksin spokesman whenever the urge occurs to Thaksin to use him, Noppadon Patthama

Thaksin Sorry for National Flag with His Name

Former Prime Minister and owner of Manchester City Football Club, Thaksin Shinawatra has delivered an apology over the national flag displayed with his name on it at a recent match for his club in the English Premier League.

However, the Assistant to the National Police Chief points out that the action constitutes a crime. Assistant to the National Police Chief, Police Lieutenant General Watcharapol Prasarnratchakit says he personally believes putting Thaksin Shinawatra's name on the Thai national flag is a crime, as it violates article 118 of the Criminal Code. Violators are subject to a two-year jail term and/or a fine of 4,000 baht.

He says the police will have to look at the intent behind the action and if the culprit intended to defame Thailand, the Thai police can prosecute those involved, even if the case occurred outside the kingdom.

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Noppadon Patthama, as a former legal advisor for deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, revealed that the former prime minister and the owner of Manchester City Football Club urged him to deliver his apology to the Thai people over the Thai national flag being displayed with his name on it at a recent English Premier League match for Manchester City Football Club at the City of Manchester's City stadium.

Noppadon insisted the display was made by the club's football fans who admire the former prime minister and lack an understanding of Thai culture.

The Foreign Affairs Minister also said that Thaksin has instructed his club staff to prevent such displays of the Thai national flag in the future.

At the same time, PM's Office Minister, Jakrapob Penkae, condemns the press for presenting news coverage on the national flag with Thaksin's name without checking the facts.

He also asked the media to deliver impartial news coverage, rather than attack others, as its presentation could dampen social unity.

- Thailand Outlook (today)

[mrtoad]

They must be deluded if they think they can prosecute people outside of Thailand regarding the flag issue . It's about time that the Pitiful Proxy Party realised that their influence spans about as far as the paid for voters of Issan.

[sriracha john]

Finally, we can sort out all the nonsense as now we have the most definitive and credible source of information in all of Thailand clarifying Sven's status...

Thaksin Shinawatra's son says Sven-Goran Eriksson will lead summer tour

The son of Thaksin Shinawatra, Manchester City's controversial owner, says Sven-Goran Eriksson will lead the team on the end of season tour of Asia.

Eriksson had been expected to take charge of his final game away to Middlesbrough in the Barclays Premier League on Sunday week, after Thaksin told the former England manager he was not the man to take the club forward. However, Panthongtae Shinawatra, Thaksin's son, now claims Eriksson is to remain in charge for the club's tour of Asia in May.

"He will lead the squad to Thailand," Panthongtae said.

Manchester City are scheduled to arrive in Thailand on May 14 to open a club shop and hold a clinic. They are then due to play Thailand Premier All-Stars on May.17, before playing two further matches in Hong Kong.

- Times Online (today)

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

SO, there we have it.... straight from the horse's ass mouth...

However.... the article did continue with...

The process of attempting to find a “big-name” replacement for Eriksson will take place amid an expected backlash from fans and the LMA have now added their weight to calls for Thaksin to reconsider his decision. Richard Bevan, Chief executive of the LMA, insists Thaksin should honour Eriksson's contract.

He added: I think we have to remember that every time a manager gets sacked so do approximately two coaches. The public in Manchester want somebody looking after their club. Manchester City has been around for about a century, Shinawatra has been around for about four months."

- Times Online (today)

[Plus]

The best course of action for Thaksin is to reverse his decision, apologise to fans and beg Sven to reconsider. If, however, he doesn't have any significant funds for summer transfers, he can just leave the matter to sort it out itself and stay out of sight.

When businessmen like him scale down their ambitions they do it quietly, away from public eye.

City would still be better off than a year ago, or maybe not, but that's where they really belong. They can start thinking big again when the money is finally there.

[Colonel_Mustard]

The best course of action for Thaksin is to reverse his decision, apologise to fans and beg Sven to reconsider. If, however, he doesn't have any significant funds for summer transfers, he can just leave the matter to sort it out itself and stay out of sight.

When businessmen like him scale down their ambitions they do it quietly, away from public eye.

City would still be better off than a year ago, or maybe not, but that's where they really belong. They can start thinking big again when the money is finally there.

Not sure what decision he should reverse. I haven't heard him or anyone else at the club confirm that Sven has yet been sacked. All we've seen is Sven's agent and assistant come out and pour oil on the fire but even they stopped short of saying he had already been sacked (although it does look inevitable).

If he does get sacked, I don't believe it will be about the results or performances. People supposedly in the know are suggesting that the relationship was doomed from November onwards when Sven and Thaksin had a big falling out (though nobody is saying about what exactly but reading between the lines money, or the present lack of, is the issue).

[Plus]

Not sure what decision he should reverse.

You mean that at this stage it's only rumors? Sven's agent wasn't the first one who started them, the first reports came form "inside sources", not from him.

All the easier for Thaksin to come out and say it was one big misunderstanding. Of course he won't do that, he doesn't do apologies, and, perhaps, the line between him and Sven has been crossed already and they won't be able to work together ever again. Yet keeping Sven and staying the course is the best for the club, I don't believe for a second that Big Phil who turned down England job will be interested in working for a lunatic like Thaksin in a second grage club, especially after what happened to Sven.

No offence, but for Portugal/Brazil manager Man City is a BIG step down, and Thasin has proven to the fans last weekend that he IS a lunatic.

As for formal announcement itself - I believe it's cheaper for Thasin if Sven resigns himself.

Apparently the money won't be forthcoming this summer, there is even a quote somewhere here that Thaksin didn't want to spend this year but wait for the next year instead. If Sven really leaves, Thaksin will be in a really tough spot without a manager and without funds.

[sriracha john]

Anti-corruption group files charges against Thaksin

Veera Somkwamkid has filed charges against Thaksin Shinawatra for his alleged involvement in an incident involving the words "Thaksin" and "Welcome Thaksin" which was seen appearing on Thailand's national flag in England. The Secretary-General of the People’s Network Against Corruption filed charges on Thursday morning, urging authorities to bring those responsible for making the flags, which have offended the majority of the Thai people, to justice. He insisted that Thaksin deliberately turned a blind eye to similar incidents many times in the past. And up to this very day, Veera said Thaksin has failed to publicly express his disapproval over the issue or to condemn those responsile ever since it was publicised by the

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=127419

[sriracha john]

City fear Dunne will leave in fury over Eriksson

Manchester City believe the prospect of losing their captain Richard Dunne is a genuine one amid a mass revolt among players over Thaksin Shinawatra's decision to sack the manager, Sven Goran Eriksson.

Dunne is arguably closer to Eriksson than any player in the City squad – the two share the same temperament and soft-spoken style – and the Irishman is known to have led attempts for players to sign a letter of protest threatening to boycott City's imminent end-of-season tour of the Far East.

Eriksson persuaded Dunne and others that, flattered though he was by their gesture, this was not an appropriate course of action to take and the tour will go ahead. But the future of one of the club's most consistent players now looks in severe jeopardy because he may find the prospect of lining Thaksin's pockets too unpalatable to go on.

Sources suggest that there has not yet been an approach from Newcastle for the player, contrary to some reports, but some at City fear "other clubs may try to capitalise" in his case.

As things stand, the departure of Dunne, who has just a year left to run on his current contract, is considered more likely than that of other players at the club, with reports already linking Michael Johnson with Arsenal and Micah Richards with Manchester United. But a wider exodus is quite possible.

City were looking every bit a crisis club last night and will invite direct comparisons with the sinking ship Liverpool have become under foreign ownership by this morning cancelling Eriksson's usual weekly press briefing.

The club's reason is they do not want "a repeat of Rafa Benitez, with the manager fielding questions about the owner". Liverpool cancelled a Benitez press conference on 11 April after co-owner Tom Hicks had launched a verbal onslaught at chief executive Rick Parry.

Eriksson's agent Athole Still has not ruled out a move to Benfica. "The door is not closed for Benfica," Still told the Portuguese newspaper O Jogo. "The question of money is important. He is unlikely to continue, but it is still not 100 per cent certain that he will leave Manchester City."

The indignation of some players towards Thaksin was compounded when they learnt that video messages, recorded before Eriksson was told on Sunday that he was to be sacked, have been used by the Thai billionaire to promote the forthcoming club tour of the Far East and the new Manchester City superstore he is opening on the ground floor of his own office complex in Bangkok.

Joe Hart and Darius Vassell are among those whose video messages, played at a tour launch press conference on Tuesday, said how much they were looking forward to arriving in the Thai capital for a match against a Thai all-stars side on 14 May. That is not the feeling now and Thaksin, who enjoyed taking Daniel Sturridge and Casper Schmeichel with him on his return to Thailand after exile, may find players less compliant in the future.

The tour launch revealed what a farce Thaksin's ownership of the club has degenerated into. Thaksin left his son Panthongtae and daughter Pintongta, both installed by him as City board members, to field questions and when, inevitably, asked if Eriksson would lead the tour, Panthongtae froze, mumbled a "yes" then looked desperately to his sister for support. Both left the launch steadfastly refusing to answer questions by the foreign journalists who were in pursuit.

The Thai public has shown little interest in Thaksin's latest move at Eastlands, with the nation's press more wrapped up in the decision to fly a flag with Thaksin's name on it at City's ground for his arrival there last Saturday. In highly nationalistic Thailand it is considered disrespectful of the national flag to include a name on it and Thaksin is under fire for not having it taken down.

Sacking individuals is commonplace where Thaksin is concerned. A raft of top police and military officers have been removed from their postitions since the People Power Party, loyal to Thaksin, won December's elections in Thailand and many observers put this down to his influence. Eriksson has not offered the same threat to his political power base but he is considered equally dispensable.

- Associated Press (today)

[marshbags]

BBC,Sport U.K.

Page last updated at 17:48 GMT, Thursday, 1 May 2008 18:48 UK

Reid warns Thaksin over Eriksson

City owner Thaksin appointed Eriksson soon after buying the club

Peter Reid has launched a stinging attack on Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra, saying he must "get a grip" and keep boss Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Eriksson has turned around the club's fortunes, but BBC Sport understands Shinawatra still plans to replace the Swede at the end of the season.

Ex-City boss Reid told BBC 5 Live Sport: "If Sven goes it's ridiculous, you'd have to start from day one again.

"If you start to take the mickey out of fans there'll be a backlash."

Eriksson has guided City to a guaranteed finish of at least ninth.

However, his side have struggled in recent months after an impressive first half to the campaign and Eriksson has been told by Thaksin he is "not the right man for the job".

Any club that's successful has got stability and Manchester City at the moment hasn't got that

Peter Reid

Thaksin, the former Prime Minister of Thailand, handed former England boss Eriksson a three-year contract after buying the club last summer.

And his plans to look elsewhere for a manager to marshall the 2008-09 campaign have been condemned by Reid.

The former Everton and England midfielder, who managed City from 1990-93, said: "[Thaksin] has got to get a life.

"Any club that's successful has got stability and Manchester City at the moment hasn't got that.

"[Eriksson] has done brilliantly. When you bring in eight or nine players it's hard to gel them so he's done better than I thought he'd do.

"I just fear for Manchester City.

"Whatever you say about football clubs it's the fans that go through the gates who support them - they're the real owners.

606: DEBATE

It's absolutely crazy - I'm shocked

rommy123

"If they don't come through the gates them owners, them football clubs are worth nothing.

"I think [Thaksin] has got to get a grip. It's alright running a country, sometimes it's harder to run a football club."

League Managers Association chief executive Richard Bevan told BBC Sport on Wednesday: "Success for Manchester City is getting into the top 10 and Sven has done that.

"We implore Dr Shinawatra to rethink his strategy and to keep Sven."

Bevan urged the Thai billionaire to take the example of Manchester United, who have the Premier League's longest-serving manager in Sir Alex Ferguson, and stick with Eriksson.

"I'm sure Sven will deliver, not only for the players, the club and the owners, but most importantly the fans," he added.

"Just look across the way to Manchester United, one manager in almost 22 years, look what they have won and look what Manchester City have won in the last 20 years."

Unquote.

marshbags

Thaksin obviously thinks he can treat U.K.citizens / Man.City like he does his local supporters back home and more importantly as far as he,s concerned, the country of his birth, Thailand.

[marshbags]

Finally, we can sort out all the nonsense as now we have the most definitive and credible source of information in all of Thailand clarifying Sven's status...

Thaksin Shinawatra's son says Sven-Goran Eriksson will lead summer tour

The son of Thaksin Shinawatra, Manchester City's controversial owner, says Sven-Goran Eriksson will lead the team on the end of season tour of Asia.

Eriksson had been expected to take charge of his final game away to Middlesbrough in the Barclays Premier League on Sunday week, after Thaksin told the former England manager he was not the man to take the club forward. However, Panthongtae Shinawatra, Thaksin's son, now claims Eriksson is to remain in charge for the club's tour of Asia in May.

"He will lead the squad to Thailand," Panthongtae said.

Manchester City are scheduled to arrive in Thailand on May 14 to open a club shop and hold a clinic. They are then due to play Thailand Premier All-Stars on May.17, before playing two further matches in Hong Kong.

- Times Online (today)

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

SO, there we have it.... straight from the horse's ass mouth...

However.... the article did continue with...

The process of attempting to find a “big-name” replacement for Eriksson will take place amid an expected backlash from fans and the LMA have now added their weight to calls for Thaksin to reconsider his decision. Richard Bevan, Chief executive of the LMA, insists Thaksin should honour Eriksson's contract.

He added: I think we have to remember that every time a manager gets sacked so do approximately two coaches. The public in Manchester want somebody looking after their club. Manchester City has been around for about a century, Shinawatra has been around for about four months."

- Times Online (today)

Bangkok Post, breaking news, 02-05-08

Ref url :- http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=127428

for the full article

Man City players said in revolt against Thaksin

The British media reported on Friday that a mass revolt among players over Thaksin Shinawatra's decision to sack the manager, Sven Goran Eriksson means that Manchester City may also lose their captain Richard Dunne.

"Dunne is arguably closer to Eriksson than any player in the City squad," reported The Independent newspaper. "The Irishman is known to have led attempts for players to sign a letter of protest threatening to boycott City's imminent end-of-season tour" that includes a match in Thailand.

Eriksson persuaded Dunne and others that, flattered though he was by their gesture, this was not an appropriate course of action to take, claimed the newspaper report. "The tour will go ahead. But the future of one of the club's most consistent players now looks in severe jeopardy because he may find the prospect of lining Thaksin's pockets too unpalatable to go on."

Unquote.

marshbags

[Colonel_Mustard]

No offence, but for Portugal/Brazil manager Man City is a BIG step down, and Thasin has proven to the fans last weekend that he IS a lunatic.

No offence taken.

In prestige terms it is certainly a step down but I would guess in salary terms it would be a step up and managers these days are equally as mercenary as players (Saint Sven included).

I personally don't mind if he decides to sack Sven. If their relationship is as strained as is being said, then it is probably for the best all round.

If he does go (and according to his agent it still is an if), it will be interesting to see who replaces him. Scolari (possible), Mourinho (very doubtful) and Rjikaard seem to be the names in the frame according to the press. Knowing our luck we'll end up with Neil Warnock or BFS Allardyce.

[burman]

Couldn't they roll some tanks in from Salford and stage a coup?

[albertsproggins]

The fun will begin if and when Thaksin fires the manager, there is I think still two years to run on the contract.Thaksin perhaps does not realise he has to pay even if he fires the manager as the two year period is indeed a contractual obligation enforceable on both parties unless they both agree to a personal waiver of monies due either in full or part.

English judges are not as mallable as Thai judges and Thaksin and his son and daughter plus the psuedo spoksman/foreign minister will find that money can't buy everything.

Of course the fans may well become somewhat vocal and even physical as well,again democracy has a higher value in England and is supported by parliament,the army does not interfere,the police do to a degree to keep the peace,however they are not the pawns of the powerful.

However people don't just vanish:Mr Thaksin will find his opponents are indeed somewhat better educated than the average Thai and indeed more willing to defend their perceived rights too.Both in the streets and indeed the courts

The law in the U.K.is played out properly and Mr. Thaksin may do well to remember that although he travels on a diplomatic passport (why ?) his money and assets in the U.K. can and would be sequestered in lieu of any unpaid levies or court awards.

As an old matelot I should say "Storm cones are being hoisted " .

[mittheimp]

no sympathy for those Man City fans (and there were many) who attempted to defend Thaksins human rights and corruption allegations just because they wanted their footy team to have a bit more money to spend. I think the fact that Thaksn is meglomaniac and does not have the best interests of Man City to heart were fairly obvious!

[burman]

The fun will begin if and when Thaksin fires the manager, there is I think still two years to run on the contract.Thaksin perhaps does not realise he has to pay even if he fires the manager as the two year period in indeed a contractual obligation enforceable on both parties unless they both agree to a personal waiver of monies due either in full or part.

Sorry to disappoint but I think you'll find he'll just pay it out from his pocket change.

[TAWP]

According to some news-reports Sven apposed Thaksins over controlling behavior and need to try to micromanage or influence everything, including things outside his expertise.

It didn't take many seconds for one to think "Hey, I recognize that description of Thaksin".

And as Sven isn't a Thai Visa forum user I can only assume some of us aren't all that wrong when we right things about dear Thaksin.

[Tony Clifton]

[sriracha john]

no sympathy for those Man City fans (and there were many) who attempted to defend Thaksins human rights and corruption allegations just because they wanted their footy team to have a bit more money to spend. I think the fact that Thaksn is meglomaniac and does not have the best interests of Man City to heart were fairly obvious!

and 10 months ago...

THAKSIN: I'M HERE TO STAY

His mounting problems at home did not appear to worry Shinawatra yesterday as he met new boss Eriksson, the City players and the training-ground staff to outline his vision for the future of the club and assure them he will be very much a “hands-on” owner. *hahahahahaha.... good luck Man City....hope you guys are up for it....*

[sriracha john]

I like how he called Brits "stupid" .... :D

Samak to write to Man City over flag incident

PM Samak Sundaravej is preparing to write to Manchester City football club asking for clarification over the incident last Saturday when a Thai national flag with the name "Thaksin" on it was seen hanging at the stadium. Samak said yesterday in parliament he would protest against such an act in his letter and ask the English football club to give a thorough explanation. He did not give details of where the letter would be sent to. Thaksin Shinawatra is the club's owner. Thaksin was dragged into hot water again when his name appeared on the Thai flag while he and his family were watching the game between his club and Fulham that day. He left for Russia after the match and is scheduled to return to Bangkok today. Aides denied the former prime minister was involved in the case. But Samak said Thaksin must explain it to the public. "We'd better ask him when he arrives in Thailand," Samak said. "I don't believe Thai people would do it. No Thais are that stupid," he added.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/News/02May2008_news010.php

[plachon]

I like how he called Brits "stupid" .... :D

Samak to write to Man City over flag incident

PM Samak Sundaravej is preparing to write to Manchester City football club asking for clarification over the incident last Saturday when a Thai national flag with the name "Thaksin" on it was seen hanging at the stadium. Samak said yesterday in parliament he would protest against such an act in his letter and ask the English football club to give a thorough explanation. He did not give details of where the letter would be sent to. Thaksin Shinawatra is the club's owner. Thaksin was dragged into hot water again when his name appeared on the Thai flag while he and his family were watching the game between his club and Fulham that day. He left for Russia after the match and is scheduled to return to Bangkok today. Aides denied the former prime minister was involved in the case. But Samak said Thaksin must explain it to the public. "We'd better ask him when he arrives in Thailand,"

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/News/02May2008_news010.php

Samak said. "I don't believe Thai people would do it. No Thais are that stupid," he added.

So now Samak has turned his attention from insulting the intelligence of all Thais to insulting the intelligence of Britons and Man City supporters in particular!

He's just pissed off most of the partners in Asean by suggesting forming a rice cartel (OREC) with Thailand and Burma at its core, to fix rice prices to countries heavily reliant on Thai rice, and now he questions the intelligence of the football-loving British public.

Either he is playing a highly intelligent game of chicken with his former mentor and proxy given Thaksin, or the man is as dumb as his alter ego and majority of public comments from the day he took office suggest.

[mrbojangles]

Samak said. "I don't believe Thai people would do it. No Thais are that stupid," he added.

So now Samak has turned his attention from insulting the intelligence of all Thais to insulting the intelligence of Britons and Man City supporters in particular!

Nobody called the Brits stupid. They just said that no Thai is that stupid. i.e. a Thai national knows you can't do that, hence they would be stupid. A Brit (or any other nation for that matter) wouldn't know that you can't do that to the Thai flag. If you go to any football game, people all over the world write on their own national flags ALL the time.

If there is a story that specifically says that Samak called the Brits stupid, i will bow down to the above.

I've not posted on this thread for a while but as for my view on this situation. It's <deleted> ridiculous.