Thaksin And 30 Members Of His Cabinet Indicted

[Insight]

^ I'm sure I read somewhere over the weekend that the march on the embassy was planned for yesterday, not today.

[sriracha john]

^ I'm sure I read somewhere over the weekend that the march on the embassy was planned for yesterday, not today.

??? maybe an overzealous and premature implimentation of:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thailand-Adj...30-t206383.html

Thailand To Adjust All Regional Time 30 Minutes Forward Starting 23 August

[Tony Clifton]

^ I'm sure I read somewhere over the weekend that the march on the embassy was planned for yesterday, not today.

So did I.

[sriracha john]

The Supreme Administrative Court has decided to transfer the request for an injunction against the three Cabinet ministers, embroiled in the two and three-digit lottery case, to the Central Administrative Court. The Supreme Administrative Court said the case does not fall under its jurisdiction. The request for the injunction was filed by the People's Alliance for Democracy.

The three are Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee, Deputy Transport Minister Anurak Jureemart and Labour Minister Uraiwan Thienthong.

The qualifications of the three ministers were questioned following the Supreme Court's decision to accept the case questioning the legality of the two and three-digit lottery, whereby the ministers in the Thaksin Shinawatra administration all became defendants. The three current ministers involved all served in that Cabinet.

- Thailand Outlook / today

[sriracha john]

Surapong hands over GLO tasks to Pradit

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee said the tasks relating to the Government Lottery Office (GLO) will be transferred to Deputy Finance Minister Pradit Pataraprasit, and he will continue working until the Administrative Court orders him to suspend his duty. Surapong is one of the three cabinet ministers involving in the illegal two- and three-digit lottery program. The Supreme Administrative Court on Tuesday transferred the case lodged by the People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) to the Central Administrative Court, reasoning that the introduction of the digit lottery, initiated during the Thakin’s administration, was an exercise of administrative power.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=129794

[sriracha john]

Chavalit, Pracha, Uraiwan attend two, three-digit lottery hearing

Three members of the Somchai Cabinet Friday attended the first trial of the two and three-digit lottery case at the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Office.

The three were Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, Labour Minister Uraiwan Thienthong, and Industry Minister Pracha Promnok.

They turned up at the court at 10 am.

- The Nation / 2008-09-26

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

Very interesting that other Cabinet ministers are attending the court proceedings beside the indicted one, current Labour Minister Uraiwan, but where are the other defendants, former Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee and former Deputy Transportation Minister Anurak Jureemart?

Edited September 26, 2008 by sriracha john

[Samuian]

Very interesting that other Cabinet ministers are attending the court proceedings beside the indicted one, current Labour Minister Uraiwan, but where are the other defendants, former Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee and former Deputy Transportation Minister Anurak Jureemart?

Yes I saw the picture... maybe they are stuck in rush hour traffic in London?

[animatic]

It's amazing that ANYONE would put and indicted person

in the government cabinet in the first place.

Sure guilty until proven innocent, ON THEIR OWN TIME,

not on the government payroll.

Shame doesn't exist here,

only face, and they to are not egalities.

[Samuian]

It's amazing that ANYONE would put and indicted person

in the government cabinet in the first place.

Sure guilty until proven innocent, ON THEIR OWN TIME,

not on the government payroll.

Shame doesn't exist here,

only face, and they to are not egalities.

think it shows how sure they are with what they are doing since the "dawn of time"!

and it shows how much this clientele respects the laws and the judicial system, looks like certain people belong to the "untouchables"....

[Plus]

But they are doing it for the people!

Without them the elites would screw the farmers over. These guys are sacrificing themselves in the service of the poor and underprivileged.

[sriracha john]

Chavalit, Pracha, Uraiwan attend two, three-digit lottery hearing

Three members of the Somchai Cabinet Friday attended the first trial of the two and three-digit lottery case at the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Office.

The three were Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, Labour Minister Uraiwan Thienthong, and Industry Minister Pracha Promnok.

They turned up at the court at 10 am.

- The Nation / 2008-09-26

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

Very interesting that other Cabinet ministers are attending the court proceedings beside the indicted one, current Labour Minister Uraiwan, but where are the other defendants, former Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee and former Deputy Transportation Minister Anurak Jureemart?

ahhh... something I hadn't realize... current Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit and current Industry Minister Pracha ARE defendants in this case....

This circus is seriously out of control....

Supreme Court holds first hearing of lottery case

The Supreme Court's Division of crimes involving individuals in political positions this morning will hold its first hearing on the 2-3 digit lottery case.

The Supreme Court's Division of crimes involving individuals in political positions has scheduled its first hearing on the 2-3 digit lottery case for 10 AM today.

The case was filed by the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) and names former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and 47 others of abusing their authority and misusing their positions. The case also details tax fraud and matters of personal gain.

Thaksin and several other defendants of the case have already requested bail. *Thakky requesting bail....good one*

Three of the defendants are also now members of the newly appointed Cabinet, namely, Deputy Prime Minister General Chawalit Yongjaiyuth, Minister of Labor Uraiwan Thienthong, and Minister of Industry Police General Pracha Phromnok.

- ThaiNews / 2008-09-26

Edited September 26, 2008 by sriracha john

[george]

Supreme court issues another arrest warrant against Thaksin

BANGKOK: -- The Supreme Court Friday issued another arrest warrant against former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra after he failed to turn up for the first hearing of the two- and three-digit lottery trial.

The Criminal Division for Holders of Political Office also suspended the trial against Thaksin but proceeded with the trial against 46 other defendants.

Thaksin and 46 other defendants were accused of malfeasance for their role in approving the sale of two- and three-digit lottery.

-- The Nation 2008-09-26

[animatic]

The three were Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, Labour Minister Uraiwan Thienthong, and Industry Minister Pracha Promnok.

Very interesting that other Cabinet ministers are attending the court proceedings beside the indicted one, current Labour Minister Uraiwan, but where are the other defendants, former Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee and former Deputy Transportation Minister Anurak Jureemart?

This circus is seriously out of control....

Three of the defendants are also now members of the newly appointed Cabinet, namely, Deputy Prime Minister General Chawalit Yongjaiyuth, Minister of Labor Uraiwan Thienthong, and Minister of Industry Police General Pracha Phromnok.

- ThaiNews / 2008-09-26

Yes, John, I was wondering how you missed that one... See 5 posts up.

no problem too much unbelievable stuff to read.

See 2 posts above too.

Yes, yes, yes, let these guys "just do their jobs".

As competently as they did them for Thaksin.

This is a cleptocracy so inept they can't even adequately

read the laws they are attempting to circumvent.

And the special interests INSIST these yahoos get cabinet posts.

And so they MUST be working for the poor people,

since they are so good at it.

Edited September 26, 2008 by animatic

[sriracha john]

The three were Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, Labour Minister Uraiwan Thienthong, and Industry Minister Pracha Promnok.

Very interesting that other Cabinet ministers are attending the court proceedings beside the indicted one, current Labour Minister Uraiwan, but where are the other defendants, former Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Surapong Suebwonglee and former Deputy Transportation Minister Anurak Jureemart?

This circus is seriously out of control....

Three of the defendants are also now members of the newly appointed Cabinet, namely, Deputy Prime Minister General Chawalit Yongjaiyuth, Minister of Labor Uraiwan Thienthong, and Minister of Industry Police General Pracha Phromnok.

- ThaiNews / 2008-09-26

Yes, John, I was wondering how you missed that one... See 5 posts up.

no problem too much unbelievable stuff to read.

See 2 posts above too.

And here I was mistakenly thinking that Pracha and Chawalit were there as "moral supporters" or "official observers" or some such. As they are new to this Cabinet, they hadn't been mentioned previously in this thread like Uraiwan or the other two, Surapong and Anurak, who were with the just prior Cabinet, were. In this increasingly confusing cast of dubious characters and the litany of criminal proceedings, I apologize for my lapse in categorizing them all and my naivety thinking they were there for some other reason besides a court order. Some sort of organizational chart or rolodex system needs to implemented on the forum to sort out the actors in this gargantuan show.

Edited September 26, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Supreme Court reschedules verdict declaration of Ratchada land case while issuing 4th arrest warrant for Thaksin

and this is Number 5 for Thakky...

Court issues warrant for Thaksin

The Supreme Court again issued an arrest warrant for Thaksin Shinawatra after he failed to show up for the digit lottery case Friday. The now-defunct ASC lodged a criminal suit against 47 Cabinet members from the Thaksin administration, including former PM Thaksin himself, for allegedly pushing out the two- and three-digit lottery scheme without the due process of law. Apart from Thaksin, 46 defendants reported themselves to the court. They denied all the charges. The court will examine evidence on December 22 to

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=130933

Edited September 26, 2008 by sriracha john

[younghusband]

But they are doing it for the people!

Without them the elites would screw the farmers over. These guys are sacrificing themselves in the service of the poor and underprivileged.

You say that and obviously the current administration is not very compelling.But the fact remains that the whole abysmal state of Thailand today is driven by the need of the feudal/bureaucratic/corporate elite's determination to preserve the status quo and restrict the mass of Thailand's people from their share of democratic representation and economic resources.Clearly Thaksin overeached himself but the illegal coup, the shockingly incompetent junta and puppet government, the rigged constitution and manipulation of the judicial process have all contributed to the downward spiral, now compounded by the global economic and financial crisis.

The joke is that everybody knows this so I wonder exactly who your comments are aimed at.Is it just a matter of preaching to the converted?However unappetising the likes of Samak, Somchai etc are the reality is that Thaksin changed Thai politics forever.Your comical "New Politics" doesn't have legs as most observers agree and yes the fascist comparison with the PAD leadership tactics is perfectly legitimate.

Meanwhile time and gravity will see this play out.

[sriracha john]

Former Deputy TRT Party Leader and former Energy Minister and former Justice Minister and current personal spokesman for former Prime Minister Thaksin and current indicted defendant Phongthep Thepkanchana uses his calculator to determine how many years his former and current boss may spend behind bars

Deposed Thai PM will not return to stand trial

BANGKOK, Thailand: A Thai court issued a fourth arrest warrant *even the number of warrants is confusing* for toppled Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Friday, but his spokesman insisted that the former leader would not return to Thailand to stand trial.

Thaksin, who was ousted from power in a 2006 coup, recently fled Thailand to escape a string of corruption charges.

Thaksin's personal spokesman, Phongthep Thepkanchana, told reporters at the Supreme Court on Friday that Thaksin and his family would not return to Thailand to stand trial.

"Thaksin and his family are now living in London and he will not return to face any trial in the near future," Phongthep said.

The Supreme Court issued a fresh warrant Friday because Thaksin failed to report to court in an abuse of power case tied to an irregular lottery allegedly run by Thaksin, his former Cabinet and other officials.

Phongthep is one of the dozens of former Thaksin officials charged in the case. *duly noted to avoid future confusion* Phongthep, along with the other defendants who attended court Friday, were released on bail. The court set the next hearing for late December.

Thaksin's three other arrest warrants are related to separate corruption cases.

The penalties in each case carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. *we're up to the 40 year potential mark*

- Associated Press / 2008-09-26

Edited September 26, 2008 by sriracha john

[Plus]

But they are doing it for the people!

Without them the elites would screw the farmers over. These guys are sacrificing themselves in the service of the poor and underprivileged.

You say that and obviously the current administration is not very compelling.

Yes, and the one before that, and, unforunately, the one before. This is the third Cabinet this year, and it's not over yet.

It's difficult to find an exact recipe for success in these turbulent times. Maybe with Chalerm at the Health Ministry and Chavalit overseeing the foreign policy the country will finally be able to move forward at full steam. After all, it's not the failure that counts, it's your resilience, your ability to stand up and continue your fight. It's the fight for the righteous cause, it's the fight for the people.

But the fact remains that the whole abysmal state of Thailand today is driven by the need of the feudal/bureaucratic/corporate elite's determination to preserve the status quo and restrict the mass of Thailand's people from their share of democratic representation and economic resources....

However unappetising the likes of Samak, Somchai etc are the reality is that Thaksin changed Thai politics forever.

Right, just as I was saying, it's all about people. No one can stand in people's way.

Samak, Chavalit, Chalerm, Newin - they are a new force in Thai politics, the new beginning. Finally people got their true representatives. All thanks to Thaksin.

It's the frigging "feudal/bureaucratic/corporate elites" that don't allow Chavalit and Chalerm to lead Thailand to prosperity and freedom. They have sacrificed so much already, but, for true heroes like them, there's no limit in their dedication. As long as people stand behind them, they will prevail.

The elites - beware, you can't fight people's power.

[Siripon]

But they are doing it for the people!

Without them the elites would screw the farmers over. These guys are sacrificing themselves in the service of the poor and underprivileged.

You say that and obviously the current administration is not very compelling.But the fact remains that the whole abysmal state of Thailand today is driven by the need of the feudal/bureaucratic/corporate elite's determination to preserve the status quo and restrict the mass of Thailand's people from their share of democratic representation and economic resources.Clearly Thaksin overeached himself but the illegal coup, the shockingly incompetent junta and puppet government, the rigged constitution and manipulation of the judicial process have all contributed to the downward spiral, now compounded by the global economic and financial crisis.

The joke is that everybody knows this so I wonder exactly who your comments are aimed at.Is it just a matter of preaching to the converted?However unappetising the likes of Samak, Somchai etc are the reality is that Thaksin changed Thai politics forever.Your comical "New Politics" doesn't have legs as most observers agree and yes the fascist comparison with the PAD leadership tactics is perfectly legitimate.

Meanwhile time and gravity will see this play out.

I thought the current abysmal state of politics was driven by one man's attempts to avoid going to court at all costs.

I agree about Samak and Somchai's puppet governments, presumably your reference to manipulation of the judicial process refers to Thaksin's lawyers' envelopes containing 2 million baht for the judges? Or are you going back further to his 'honest mistake' 8-7 verdict about hidden assets?

Thaksin changed Thai politics by showing how policy corruption could bring you legal gains. No need for clumsy under the table transactions anymore, just change the law.

But thankfully the coup put a stop to that nonsense.

And now the master has run away, the employees are getting restless, muscling in on the goodies.

I haven't seen one example of empowerment of the working class from Newin and friends, either economically or democratically. At the last count Chalerm was promising village headman a job for life, back to the old days, no 5 year election so the locals can get rid of them. An obvious ploy to win their loyalty in the upcoming election.

TRT never encouraged decentralisation in its time, on the contrary they delayed it.

The 30 baht scheme, good in patches but limited, ie didn't cover serious illnesses or accidents.

OTOP- again, sporadic success, but ill thought out with too many similar products in the same market.

It's good to see the courts are getting serious about corruption, politics and lies.

As I said before I believe Chamlong, Sonthi and Samak will all end spending time in jail.

The PAD are to be commended for fighting for real input from the people into politics, not just vote once every 4 years and then shut up.

[sriracha john]

Ex-PM faces another arrest warrant

The Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions issued an arrest warrant to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra as the latter did not show up in the courtroom today (September 27th).

Thaksin faces another arrest warrant in the two- and three digit lottery case filed by the National Counter Corruption Commission (NCCC) against him and 47 Cabinet members as well as high-ranking state officials.

The court announced that the trial of the case will take place from December 22nd – 24th, 2008, at 10.00 hrs and allows the plaintiff to submit a list of witnesses at least seven days prior to the day the court examines the case’s witnesses and evidences.

The court also approved a request for a trial in absentia.

- ThaiNews / 2008-09-26

[Plus]

The courts are getting serious with corruption, but it is not nearly enough, they can't put whole country in jail.

The judicial system is designed only to deal with wayward cases, deviations from the standards, not to direct mainstream politics.

The problem is that the mainstream politics breeds corruption itself, what is considered a deviation by courts or by people is, in fact, the only possible way for poiltics to function.

Hence the proposal of "new politics" - redesign the system in such a way that corruption is excluded completely.

[Samuian]

As I said before I believe Chamlong, Sonthi and Samak will all end spending time in jail.

Whatever, before this is going to happen, the earth will stop rotating!

Some will be tried and blocked from politics - but this show is, because of a couple of judicial decision, long way from over!

If the guy is barred from politics, his wife gets appointed, if she, her son, if him , the daughter... uncle, nephew, it will go a long way and 1.) success isn't around the corner, 2.) it won't come easy. 3.) no guarantee that it is just another soap opera....in a few month time - forgotten...forgiven... reconciled - TiT!

Who else is going to take the helm?

If the judiciary is able to fix ALL of the loopholes and make the constitution AND the Law watertight then there might be after a long series of court actions - maybe some light at the tunnel - or does anyone believe the "privileged"will simply let go the hen that laid the golden eggs for all the time and made livin' so easy?

[Howsitgoin]

Hence the proposal of "new politics" - redesign the system in such a way that corruption is excluded completely.

The road to hel_l is paved with good intentions.

It is inane to believe that a system can be designed that excludes corruption completely. Never has that happened, ever. And most of these revolutionary attempts resulted in some of the most horrific regimes of human history.

What can be done is trying to gradually improve an existing system, try to chip away at the enabling factors of corruption. The system in Thailand, with all its weaknesses, is not too bad at all. The basic parameters are there. There is much space for improvement within the system, and no need to get rid of it entirely, to replace it with something that has not even be defined yet.

PAD - create chaos before they even know what they want.

[Samuian]

What can be done is trying to gradually improve an existing system, try to chip away at the enabling factors of corruption. The system in Thailand, with all its weaknesses, is not too bad at all. The basic parameters are there. There is much space for improvement within the system, and no need to get rid of it entirely, to replace it with something that has not even be defined yet.

I strongly believe that is exactly what 'they' are at, at the very moment and thsi credit - whatsoever goes to ----> this group pout there

PAD - create chaos before they even know what they want.

Chaos does look a bit different, don't you agree?

Nobody has to like the PAD, but because of them, things are pushed and this movement will keep pushing!

Because it's NOT the result of 2006, this has been in process since 1973 if not for longer!

[Howsitgoin]

What can be done is trying to gradually improve an existing system, try to chip away at the enabling factors of corruption. The system in Thailand, with all its weaknesses, is not too bad at all. The basic parameters are there. There is much space for improvement within the system, and no need to get rid of it entirely, to replace it with something that has not even be defined yet.

I strongly believe that is exactly what 'they' are at, at the very moment and thsi credit - whatsoever goes to ----> this group pout there

PAD - create chaos before they even know what they want.

Chaos does look a bit different, don't you agree?

Nobody has to like the PAD, but because of them, things are pushed and this movement will keep pushing!

Because it's NOT the result of 2006, this has been in process since 1973 if not for longer!

Yes, of course this is a continuation of '73 (and longer!). But before you applaud the PAD - have a look at the political views of almost all leading figures of the October Generation, and their views on PAD. Most are outspoken critics of PAD.

PAD is not at it (improving the existing system) - they are in the process of a revolution. You do not improve the existing system by illegally occupying Government House, by staging an armed attack against a pro-government TV station, and by brutally killing a 56 year old man.

Unless PAD does not vacate Government House and Makkhawan, deliver the murderers of that 56 year old man to justice, and their leaders surrender to the still valid charges of treason - they are to be seen as a terrorist group with an agenda to overthrow the government and the entire system. Unfortunately because of a very complex web of informal patronage networks they can presently not be treated the way they deserve.

If PAD decides to step back, move to, lets say, Lumphini, and goes back to strictly non-violent forms of protest - then their views should be listened to, and decided upon by majority vote.

[clausewitz]

What interest me about the members who want to get thaksin at any cost and accept all teh charges brought by the AEC, is why they refuse to look at the AEC members who brought the silly charges. These include noted PAD CORE MEMBERS such as Kaewsan Atibodhi who spoke on the PAD stage during the anti-Thaksin rallies and were instrumental in instigating the coup. These same AEC members were appointed by the COUP LEAders. Then khun Kaewsan states he has no bias at all against Thasin, and everyone accepts this at face value .

I still fail to see why introducing a variation on the state lottery is seen as far more henious than overthrowing, with armed force, an elected government. I am open to reasoned arguments? Why aren't all these PAD members on trial, what about the generals? Oh yeah, I fogot they made the new constitution and so they are now pardoned for life, but oh no, PPP must not ever think about changing that hallowed consititution because that was made by (supporters of )PAD- the heroes of thailand, the protectors of the monarchy, the lovers of peace, the gandhi adherents, the heart of thai people, the savious of womenkind, the respectors of Dhamma (or the santi asoke cult version). (cough cough)

[sriracha john]

ahhh.... we're back to five, not four, arrest warrants...

Thai court hears another graft case against Thaksin

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Thailand's Supreme Court opened another corruption trial against former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Friday on charges he and his entire Cabinet broke lottery laws in 2003.

The court immediately suspended proceedings against Thaksin, who skipped bail to London in August to avoid another trial, and issued another warrant for his arrest, the fifth since graft cases launched after a 2006 coup got off the ground this year.

"The first defendant was well aware of the trial today but did not show up, leading the court to believe he is on the run," Judge Roongroj Ruenrerngwong told the court.

Proceedings continued against the 46 ministers and senior bureaucrats also charged.

Three ministers in the Cabinet of Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat -- Deputy Prime Minister Chavalit Yongchaiyudh, Industry Minister Pracha Promnok, and Labour Minister Uraiwan Thienthong -- are among the 46 and could lose their jobs. *think we might get that 4th Cabinet this year, Plus?*

The charges relate to a Cabinet resolution to set up a new national lottery that government opponents allege bypassed the normal legal procedure.

Somchai, a brother-in-law of Thaksin, chaired his first Cabinet meeting on Friday, with one opinion poll among Bangkok voters suggesting 63 percent of people in the capital disliked the government less than a week into its life.

On another note, it looks like the majority of Bangkokians support the new PM from the couple polls conducted.

*whoopsy... and it was only 5 days ago...*

Edited September 26, 2008 by sriracha john

[younghusband]

But they are doing it for the people!

Without them the elites would screw the farmers over. These guys are sacrificing themselves in the service of the poor and underprivileged.

You say that and obviously the current administration is not very compelling.

Yes, and the one before that, and, unforunately, the one before. This is the third Cabinet this year, and it's not over yet.

It's difficult to find an exact recipe for success in these turbulent times. Maybe with Chalerm at the Health Ministry and Chavalit overseeing the foreign policy the country will finally be able to move forward at full steam. After all, it's not the failure that counts, it's your resilience, your ability to stand up and continue your fight. It's the fight for the righteous cause, it's the fight for the people.

But the fact remains that the whole abysmal state of Thailand today is driven by the need of the feudal/bureaucratic/corporate elite's determination to preserve the status quo and restrict the mass of Thailand's people from their share of democratic representation and economic resources....

However unappetising the likes of Samak, Somchai etc are the reality is that Thaksin changed Thai politics forever.

Right, just as I was saying, it's all about people. No one can stand in people's way.

Samak, Chavalit, Chalerm, Newin - they are a new force in Thai politics, the new beginning. Finally people got their true representatives. All thanks to Thaksin.

It's the frigging "feudal/bureaucratic/corporate elites" that don't allow Chavalit and Chalerm to lead Thailand to prosperity and freedom. They have sacrificed so much already, but, for true heroes like them, there's no limit in their dedication. As long as people stand behind them, they will prevail.

The elites - beware, you can't fight people's power.

The slightly ridiculous thing, since I confess to a liking for the Thai elite at its best (let's call it the Anand/Abhisit/Korn/Tej tendency) is that it doesn't seem to have an obvious sense of its own self interest.The PAD approach is obviously the road to nowhere particularly given its creepy leadership, but clearly there's sympathy for the rank and file and the original ideals (see Korn's recent newspaper article).What this elite group needs to do is" walk away with the Whigs clothing" to use a nineteenth century British analogy.Thaksin and some of his original allies were on to a brilliant idea.We hear much whining about populist measures but that's partly what democratic politics is all about.The brillant idea has been corrupted and isn't reflected in the current administration with its scummy tendencies.So that original Thaksinite doctrine is there lying on the ground waiting to be picked up, dusted down and used again.Personally I can't wait to see how the Dems will deal with power:it's an open secret this is what the CNS types want.But my guess is that Ahisit and co will be less malleable than the old elite imagine.

[younghusband]

....... presumably your reference to manipulation of the judicial process refers to Thaksin's lawyers' envelopes containing 2 million baht for the judges? Or are you going back further to his 'honest mistake' 8-7 verdict about hidden assets?

Thaksin changed Thai politics by showing how policy corruption could bring you legal gains. No need for clumsy under the table transactions anymore, just change the law.

But thankfully the coup put a stop to that nonsense.

And now the master has run away, the employees are getting restless, muscling in on the goodies.

I haven't seen one example of empowerment of the working class from Newin and friends, either economically or democratically. At the last count Chalerm was promising village headman a job for life, back to the old days, no 5 year election so the locals can get rid of them. An obvious ploy to win their loyalty in the upcoming election.

TRT never encouraged decentralisation in its time, on the contrary they delayed it.

The 30 baht scheme, good in patches but limited, ie didn't cover serious illnesses or accidents.

OTOP- again, sporadic success, but ill thought out with too many similar products in the same market.

It's good to see the courts are getting serious about corruption, politics and lies.

As I said before I believe Chamlong, Sonthi and Samak will all end spending time in jail.

The PAD are to be commended for fighting for real input from the people into politics, not just vote once every 4 years and then shut up.

1.Disgraceful though the action of Thaksin's lawyers was, that was not what I was referring to.I was referring to the blatant politicisation of the Thai judicial system to purge the elite's enemies having failed to do so by other means.Again the whole world knows this and although there are always ritualistic gasps of shock horror in Thailand, at heart everyone knows it to be true.When crimes of the anti-Thaksin elite (and by God there are plenty of them) are pursued with equal vigour it might be appropriate to re-assess whether the courts are getting serious about corruption.

2.Your comment about the people being free only once every four years is an old old argument from the enemies of democracy.

3.It is absolutely beyond argument that Thaksin's populist measures benefited the rural majority.All the academic and social science evidence supports this.

[animatic]

1.....I was referring to the blatant politicisation of the Thai judicial system to purge the elite's enemies having failed to do so by other means.

They need not be politicized to get Thaksin. He obviousness demanded they go after it.

He barely tried to hide his crimes unless forced to like assets dodges.

His arrogance will be his ultimate ruin, the courts have more than enough to go on

without poitical pushing. Unless you are saying something about a higher power...

saying to the courts 'do your job with out fear or deviation', is a bad thing...

I wouldn't go there.