Thaksin's Unofficial Involvement in Myanmar Conflict Questioned

[webfact]

 

Rangsiman Rome, Chair of the House Committee on State Security, Border Affairs, National Strategies & Reforms, has raised concerns about Thaksin Shinawatra's engagement in the ongoing conflict in Myanmar.

 

Thaksin Shinawatra, the ex-Prime Minister of Thailand deposed in the 2006 coup and now a convict on parole, is suspected of having held undisclosed dialogues with various conflict parties in Myanmar. 

 

The clandestine discussions reportedly took place in Chiang Mai and involved representatives of different ethnic groups in conflict with Myanmar's government, such as the Shan State Army, Kachin National Organisation, Karen National Union, the exiled National Unity Government, and also representatives from the junta-led government in Naypyidaw. 

 

Although it is unclear what advancements, if any, were made at the informal meetings, questions are being asked about Thaksin's legal authority to represent the Pheu Thai-led government in any capacity.

 

It has been confirmed that Thaksin does not hold a government position and there's no record of the Pheu Thai-led government issuing him any duty in relation to the Myanmar issue.

 

Thailand's Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, and newly-appointed Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampong have remained largely silent on the matter. Meanwhile, Thailand's official stance on the Myanmar conflict has not yet been formally announced.

 

Rome stated that his committee strongly supports the Thai government's potential role as a mediator in the Myanmar conflict, although the lack of a concrete policy on the crisis has been pointed out.

 

The committee is scheduled to visit Mae Sot district, bordering Myanmar’s Myawaddy township, to inspect humanitarian aid efforts and the security situation.

 

TOP: Rangsiman Rome. Picture courtesy of Thai Rath

 

-- 2024-05-09

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[ezzra]

Wait, there will be a lot more questions about 'conflicts' and other moves that will raise an eyebrow or two

in the coming time, why do you think he came back? because he misses eating Som Tum?...

[stoner]

9 minutes ago, webfact said:

It has been confirmed that Thaksin does not hold a government position and there's no record of the Pheu Thai-led government issuing him any duty in relation to the Myanmar issue.

 

not officially anyways. 

[OneMoreFarang]

Arrest the criminal for meddling in state business!

 

Didn't he tell us he only wants to play with his grandchildren? That's what he should do. All day long, and they whole night, 24/7.

 

[watchcat]

What if he gets hit by a stray bullet, then what about his grandchildren?  No stay safe at your home....

[stoner]

hashtag....taksin just stay the hell home. 

[bamnutsak]

Thaksin knows that during conflicts/transitions, there is money to be made.

[Danderman123]

Always remember that the Shan state in Myanmar used to belong to Thailand, and most people there speak Tai Yai.

 

One solution for the civil war is to return the Shan state to Thailand.

[hotchilli]

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Thaksin Shinawatra, the ex-Prime Minister of Thailand deposed in the 2006 coup and now a convict on parole, is suspected of having held undisclosed dialogues with various conflict parties in Myanmar.

Who seems to have an extraordinary amount of freedom to do as he wishes.

[MrJ2U]

Trying to capitalize on the upcoming juntas collapse in Myanmar.

 

Smart enough to get in early while the current and pass Thai "governments" still back the horrific Junta.

 

 

[petedk]

And today's news... He had a meeting with Malaysian PM Anvar while he was in Phuket, but hey! he is prime minister of Thailand, he can have these meetings.

[mfd101]

So an experienced private citizen is not allowed to engage pro bono in assisting neighbours in negotiating their difficulties amongst themselves?

[John Drake]

Prayuth was better.

[thainet]

2 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Who seems to have an extraordinary amount of freedom to do as he wishes.

I didn't know that ankle bracelets were accessible that far away...learn something new every day.

[digger70]

11 hours ago, webfact said:

It has been confirmed that Thaksin does not hold a government position and there's no record of the Pheu Thai-led government issuing him any duty in relation to the Myanmar issue.

Yea right that may be so, But he will still pass on the outcome off the meetings to his Puppet and order him what to do.

[billd766]

The headline reads

 

Thaksin's Unofficial Involvement in Myanmar Conflict Questioned

 

If it is unofficial, why is there a hoo haa about it?

 

Is Thaksin not allowed to talk to anybody he wishes to?

 

It is not exactly as though Thailand and ASEAN have achieved anything positive in their talks with the Myanmar junta generals over the decades.

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, thainet said:

I didn't know that ankle bracelets were accessible that far away...learn something new every day.

He was excused having to wear an ankle bracelet... another little privilege awarded to him

[scorecard]

5 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Who seems to have an extraordinary amount of freedom to do as he wishes.

 

Did he share his plan to converse with these folks with any appropriate person from the Thai gov't.

 

Very doubtful, he sees himself above all. 

 

[Mannekenpis]

Why question the legality. He has more negotiating power with these people than anybody else in this government. Whether you like him or not 

[scorecard]

7 hours ago, mfd101 said:

So an experienced private citizen is not allowed to engage pro bono in assisting neighbours in negotiating their difficulties amongst themselves?

'pro bono' I very much doubt that's in the story (deal).

May take some time to be seen but have a little patience.

[Gknrd]

Cannot change spots on a leopard. Look at Thaksin and his family's history. This is not going to end well for the common Thai people. They can just wait now for the next hammer to drop.. Only question now is how , where , and when.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Well, Thaksin is the real prime minister for Thailand, right? 

 

Ever since the Pheu Thai party abandoned the Move Forward party and allied itself with the former regime, giving PT the catbird's seat.

 

I mean, the other guy is kinda just like a stunt double, filling in for appearances sake until it's time for the lead man to step foward into the limelight again, having miraculously returned from the proverbial death's door.

 

Edited May 9 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[soi3eddie]

11 hours ago, MrJ2U said:

Trying to capitalize on the upcoming juntas collapse in Myanmar.

Follow the money! Always a sure fire way of finding out what is going on. I expect that there is some sort of financial incentive for the criminally convicted former fugitive parolee Taksin conducting this excursion to meet the Burmese resistance. He aint doing it for the good of either country. Only to line his, or his buddies, pockets. Maybe, just maybe, to solidify some sort of future power, but money is the best guess. Ka-ching!

 

[MrJ2U]

9 hours ago, soi3eddie said:

Follow the money! Always a sure fire way of finding out what is going on. I expect that there is some sort of financial incentive for the criminally convicted former fugitive parolee Taksin conducting this excursion to meet the Burmese resistance. He aint doing it for the good of either country. Only to line his, or his buddies, pockets. Maybe, just maybe, to solidify some sort of future power, but money is the best guess. Ka-ching!

 

Myanmar's strategic location, vast minerals, and natural gas deposits make it an obvious choice.

 

Russia and China have been buddying up with the Junta since they over-threw the elected government.

 

Thailand just goes wherever the the winds blow.

[billd766]

18 hours ago, scorecard said:

 

Did he share his plan to converse with these folks with any appropriate person from the Thai gov't.

 

Very doubtful, he sees himself above all. 

 

Why not send him an email and ask him?

 

I don't think he would have confided to anybody on AN, so nobody here would know.

[scorecard]

I don't disagree.

 

Further I wouldn't believe the paymaster if he told me it was morning at 11.00 am.