Picture courtesy: Naewna

 

Controversy erupted in Thailand as former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra faced sharp criticism for his recent remarks made during an election campaign event in Chiang Rai province. On Sunday, Thaksin spoke in support of a Pheu Thai-backed candidate for the upcoming Provincial Administrative Organisation election on 1st February. However, his comments, perceived as racist by many, quickly overshadowed the political gathering.

 

Thaksin suggested that promoting Thai women, renowned for their beauty, as international models would be straightforward, controversially implying that even African women, with their "bad features" and skin colour, earn substantial sums. Such statements drew immediate condemnation.

 

Senator Angkhana Neelapaijit, a former National Human Rights Commission member, has called for Thaksin to withdraw his remarks and issue a public apology, arguing that his words are discriminatory, racist, and in violation of human rights protections.

 

 

This issue has struck a chord with many citizens and sparked widespread discussion online. Netizens have voiced that Thaksin’s remarks not only damage his reputation but also threaten the electoral success of the candidate he intended to bolster.

 

Adding to the complexity of the situation, Thaksin’s role in campaigns is viewed cynically, with some sceptics suggesting he still holds significant sway over the country's political landscape. His daughter, the formal leader of the Pheu Thai Party and current prime minister, is seen by many as a nominal figurehead, leading to claims that the nation operates under the influence of two leaders.

 

This incident highlights ongoing tensions surrounding leadership optics and the impact of personal remarks on political ventures, significantly influencing public discourse and electoral prospects.

 

-- 2025-01-06

 

 

I thought he was banned from politics.................

But yet almost every Thai beauty queen I have seen has gone under the knife. Cannot think of a single African/Black model that has done so.

Guess he's not a fan of African women, oh well.   People are allowed to give opinions 

 

"“African women can earn millions of baht, despite their ‘bad features’, including their skin colour.” 

Unfortunately many Thais, and Asians in general, have this type of mindset regards skin colour. It is institutionalised in them and is typically seen as not a big deal to knock people (Thais included) of colour. 

 

 

He obviously hasn't met David Bowie's widow. 

 

He's his own worse enemy, doesn't know when to shut his gob.

10 hours ago, KhunLA said:

"“African women can earn millions of baht, despite their ‘bad features’, including their skin colour.” 

Right. Half the foreign prostitutes arrested recently in Thailand were African. Hey, after a few beers, "bad features" disappear -- it's only in the morning that you realize the errors of your ways.

22 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Thaksin suggested that promoting Thai women, renowned for their beauty, as international models would be straightforward, controversially implying that even African women, with their "bad features" and skin colour, earn substantial sums. Such statements drew immediate condemnation.

 

Thank God he didn't utter, "Ai Farang!" 

10 hours ago, KhunLA said:

People are allowed to give opinions 

Not racist ones though.

2 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

Not racist ones though.

It's called free speech.  Sad you don't understand it, or maybe not allowed to exercise it, where you come from.

 

Even in TH ...

 

Just now, KhunLA said:

It's called free speech.  Sad you don't understand it, or maybe not allowed to exercise it, where you come from.

 

Even in TH ...

 

Sad you ignore the "but there are some restrictions" as they are the same as in your country.

10 minutes ago, FritsSikkink said:

Sad you ignore the "but there are some restrictions" as they are the same as in your country.

I didn't ignore them, or cut the part out that states there are some.   

 

The restriction are irrelevant to what was said, and he has the right, the freedom to express his opinion.

 

That you disagree with that right, doesn't negate it, simply means your implication that it's not allowed, is wrong.

 

Now you know, and happy to enlighten you ... time to move on.

 

Have a nice day 

Just now, KhunLA said:

I didn't ignore them, or cut the part out that states there are some.   

 

The restriction are irrelevant to what was said, and he has the right, the freedom to express his opinion.

 

That you disagree with that right, doesn't negate it, simply means your implication that it's not allowed, is wrong.

 

Now you know, and happy to enlighten you ... time to move on.

 

Have a nice day 

You clearly don't understand the law.

Is he telling off his grandchildren in that photo? He can't be on the campaign trail, surely?

Just now, FritsSikkink said:

You clearly don't understand the law.

Please enlighten me with some facts, and not your opinion.  

 

I understand the law perfectly.  And AI seems to point that out.  Unfortunately, I explained it to you, but I can't make you understand it.

16 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

It's called free speech.  Sad you don't understand it,

Its sad you don't understand racist hate speech. Just look up the speech on the net - from it translated as  "… and noses are so flat… difficult to breath… but apparently, they’re hired to be world class models, making millions… but our people are better looking…" doesn't seem like free speech to most reasonable thinking people.

1 minute ago, Hamus Yaigh said:

Its sad you don't understand racist hate speech. Just look up the speech on the net - from it translated as  "… and noses are so flat… difficult to breath… but apparently, they’re hired to be world class models, making millions… but our people are better looking…" doesn't seem like free speech to most reasonable thinking people.

That many consider it racist, and many don't agree with what he stated, including myself, knowing more than a few fine looking mamas, certainly does not mean he doesn't have the right to state his opinion.

14 minutes ago, Hamus Yaigh said:

Its sad you don't understand racist hate speech. Just look up the speech on the net - from it translated as  "… and noses are so flat… difficult to breath… but apparently, they’re hired to be world class models, making millions… but our people are better looking…" doesn't seem like free speech to most reasonable thinking people.

Can you point out the racist and hateful parts please (and then you can tell K. Thaksin how racist and hateful he is. note: include your visa and passport number so that he can get back to you on this).

Sir two tier Keir will brand him ultra far right and issue an arrest warrant on any future arrival 🤔 

On 1/6/2025 at 5:44 PM, snoop1130 said:

in violation of human rights protections

 

It would be interesting to know exactly how saying that Black women are ugly is a violation of their human rights.

"even African women, with their "bad features" and skin colour, earn substantial sums."

 

Heck, even vertically challenged, corrupt Sino-Thais can earn substantial sums.

 

Fair is fair, no?

 

Anyway, we all can't be a looker and babe magnet like that little guy.

 

I can say that, right? After all, free speech. Plus, it isn't like he is royalty, except in his own mind.

3 hours ago, Hamus Yaigh said:

Its sad you don't understand racist hate speech. Just look up the speech on the net - from it translated as  "… and noses are so flat… difficult to breath… but apparently, they’re hired to be world class models, making millions… but our people are better looking…" doesn't seem like free speech to most reasonable thinking people.

Thais have a a thing about "dtung boeng" or "dtung maep" as they say in Isarn. This is a strict hierarchical social structure, in case you didn't know and noses and skin colour are part of it, whether right or wrong. 

1 hour ago, BangkokReady said:

 

It would be interesting to know exactly how saying that Black women are ugly is a violation of their human rights.

I think Swedish/Venezuelan women are the most beautiful and perhaps Chinese/Mongolian the least, we are allowed an opinion. Fair play to square head.

Some of those African girls on Suk are pretty gnarly

In a way he is like Trump. There are idiots all over the world. But in most countries people ignore those idiots. (At least that was the case before social media.)

16 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Please enlighten me with some facts, and not your opinion.  

 

I understand the law perfectly.  And AI seems to point that out.  Unfortunately, I explained it to you, but I can't make you understand it.

Hate speech laws by country - Wikipedia

16 hours ago, KhunLA said:

That many consider it racist, and many don't agree with what he stated, including myself, knowing more than a few fine looking mamas, certainly does not mean he doesn't have the right to state his opinion.

We've all come across racist bigots mouthing off from bar stools and the like, but where do you draw the line on the right to spout such on public platforms at government rallies? Absolutely anything is fare game for you, or do you have some boundaries?

18 minutes ago, WorriedNoodle said:

We've all come across racist bigots mouthing off from bar stools and the like, but where do you draw the line on the right to spout such on public platforms at government rallies? Absolutely anything is fare game for you, or do you have some boundaries?

I have no boundaries to free speech, expression of 'opinions'.

 

@FritsSikkink

TH & USA, the 2 that I referenced are NOT on the list of tyrannical, freedom restricting countries in your link. 

 

So you've shown me NO facts, that I requested for enlightenment.

 

Simply verifying my facts, that free speech exists in TH.

 

If you banned bigotry speech ... AN wouldn't exist