Thaksin book lands author in hot water

Lieutenant Sunisa Lertpakawat, author of ‘Thaksin, Where Are You?’, beams as she shows a copy of her book. She later broke into tears, above right, when asked about an investigation into her travel to London to interview Thaksin without proper authorisati

A new biography of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has not only launched an Army lieutenant to instant fame but also landed her in trouble with her superiors.

Army commander-in-chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin has ordered an investigation into Lieutenant Sunisa Lertpakawat, who is the author of the newly published "Thaksin, Where Are You?"

The investigation will focus on Sunisa's visit to London to interview Thaksin for the book without prior approval from her immediate superiors, Sonthi said.

"Thaksin, Where Are You?" hit bookstores yesterday, offering a glimpse into the daily life of the former PM, who is now living in exile in London.

Sonthi said Sunisa, who is posted in the Army Secretariat Office, had not received proper authorisation from her boss to interview Thaksin in England.

Meanwhile, Sunisa told The Nation online that she travelled to England at her own expense and, after "crying and begging" and long negotiations with his secretary, was granted two interview sessions with Thaksin, each lasting about seven hours, in May and June.

Sunisa said she had always aspired to become a writer. She had saved her own money and paid Bt100,000 for her travel expenses to London. Learning that the Army would order an investigation into her and the book, Sunisa said she accepted any investigation or punishment from her superiors.

Source and more here:

http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/08/02/hea...es_30043377.php

LaoPo

Members of the military should stay either on the battlefield or in the barracks. This goes for two-bit "journalists" as well as junta operatives.

I read that she went AWOL for her visit to London. If this is the case she should be disciplined. Otherwise I see no reason for anybody to tell their CO where they are going on leave. I bet the CO doesn't tell his CO where he is going to spend his leave.

The book (paper back NOT a pocket book) is nothing to do with the army.

Thais like making problems and clearly her CO had not got enough work to do, After all Thailand has 10,000 generals for an army the same size as the UKs which has 1,000 generals.

Hope she makes a lot of money.

Thaksin book lands author in hot water

Meanwhile, Sunisa told The Nation online that she travelled to England at her own expense and, after "crying and begging" and long negotiations with his secretary, was granted two interview sessions with Thaksin, each lasting about seven hours, in May and June.

LaoPo

Two 7 hour interviews?

Well, she's quite cute of course.

Patrick

i remember not so long ago that there is an american author who published a book featuring the monarch in not so polite way. some people still thinks that someone in thailand financed the publication and the author itself. obviously, someone with LOTS of MONEY!!!

this book might have been financed as well.

i cannot believe the fact that this cute author was in a bus and saw a chinese looking man standing across the road that happened to be Thaksin's son... i don't think billionaire do this (stand on the street corner?)...

Embattled journalist tenders resignation

Embattled Lt Sunisa Lertpakawat has tendered her resignation to the army after coming under intense pressure for writing a pocket book about former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

She will also have to testify to the Assets Scrutiny Committee (ASC), which is investigating Mr Thaksin and his family on a variety of charges, including graft and abuse of authority.

A source close to Lt Sunisa said she has offered her resignation letter but Maj-Gen Veeran Chantasart-kosol, the army secretary who is Lt Sunisa's superior, has not approved it.

Lt Sunisa is facing a disciplinary panel appointed by Council for National Security (CNS) chief General Sonthi Boonyaratkalin for taking 21 days of unauthorised leave to interview Mr Thaksin in London.

The interviews with Mr Thaksin provided material for her book, Thaksin, Where Are You?, launched last Wednesday. The Channel 5 reporter claimed she spent 200,000 baht out of her own pocket to finance the trip to London.

Lt Sunisa refused to comment, saying she did not want to cause any more controversy.

Source: Bangkok Post, August 11, 2007

LaoPo