Prosecutors Vow To Arrest Thaksin Upon His Return To Thailand

[Plus]

What Thaksin's end game plan is unclear. He has been badly beaten but he still refuses to admit defeat. Throwing armies of village supporters at his "enemies" only complicates his situation.

Thaksin looks like a winner whose position is strengthening all the time.

PPP failed to get the majority of votes and was forced to agree to coalition partners demands of dropping Thaksin from the picture.

What other use PPP has for Thaksin? They are still his proxies, ok, but what does he need them for? He doesn't do any business in Thailand anymore.

Even with the "no thaksin" government in his pocket he will have very little influence on the judiciary, the only reason to getting into politics again. It would have been very different if his party won 60-70% of votes again. Everything short of clear, dominating majority is a loss.

Having said that, it's better to have Pojamarn on the ground in Bangkok as a gurantee of support, or PPP led coalition might never ever get off the ground at all.

Then there's an issue of Samak - he might not go down quietly and someone needs to guard the party against his retaliation or make a deal to keep him on leash.

>>>>

As for the rift - notice how Pojamarn avoided making statements to he public while Thaksin still raves about "proving his innocence". She came to make a deal and get away relatively unscathed, he is still in the confrontational mode. Unless it was Thaksin's idea to send Pojamarn to beg mercy with Prem a year ago, she is playing her own tune, I think.

[hammered]

Personally, I think Khunying Potjaman has come back fo a number of reasons but obviously she is a very intelligent person and some/many would say the brains behind the whole TRT project. While she is here attending the courts and paying bail looks good especially doing it without a huge organised mob, and a willingness to return when the Junta are still in power sends subtle messages of both bravery and their time is coming to an end to PPP supporters. It also shows a willingness to go through the system and it looks statewomanly. Now the PPP also has a someone who can make decisions from an er how shall we say advisory role. It also means there is someone in the country who can actually negotiate deals.

I personally dont buy into the idea she has abandoned hubby to do a deal on bended knees. That certainly doesnt fit in with how any long lasting business marriage in the Thai (or for that matter any other) elite works especially when your own proxies have just won an election this has been recognized worldwide.

[sriracha john]

Lawyer: Potjaman refuses to give interviews

Potjaman Shinawatra will not give interviews until after she appears at the first court hearing on Jan 23, her lawyer Pichit Chuenban said Wednesday. He added that she will not engage in any movement until that day. Security in front of the Shinawatra's residence is stepped up after Potjaman returned to Thailand on Tuesday morning. It is, however, unconfirmed whether Potjaman and her three grown-up children are

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=124980

[John K]

I can’t say for sure what her agenda is but without saying saving her own ass is in there some place.

This was rather sudden and I tend to think without going too deep, old style tea money politics is part of the game plan. The fact that the judges who will be considering the PPP case will not be announce until just a day or so before the proceeding start clearly says this is expected by the Thais. Ideally not knowing until the door in the back of the court room opens is the best way to counter this.

[Siripon]

She could have come back anytime, she chose now because she wants to pick the cabinet Thaksin and herself decided in Hong Kong. As the red card numbers mount, plus the other court decisions regarding Yongyut etc near, it's important to have a hand on the helm.

Plus it's a raising of the PPP profile and a morale booster to the faithful- don't worry, we're coming back.

It's amusing to see Thaksin keep spouting that old nonsense about staying away out of concern of further polarisation.

To reconcile all he has to do is come back, submit himself to the judicial process and tell the followers he'll take no part in politics until he's been cleared of all the charges of which he's completely innocent as he's constantly said.

Interesting to see some pundits think Pojaman will try to persuade Samak to hand over the reins to Banharn. I can't see the old war horse taking that easily, it being his last chance and a proud man at that.But compensation could cushion the blow, and after all Samak's admiration of Thaksin goes back a long way, to when Samak was the Minister of Communications and Thaksin got his first Thaicom contract.

[Plus]

I personally dont buy into the idea she has abandoned hubby to do a deal on bended knees. That certainly doesnt fit in with how any long lasting business marriage in the Thai..

She didn't abandon him, god forbid, they just might have different ideas on how to go forward. Pojamarn being in Bangkok also serves several of Thaksin's own immediate interests.

But just look how differenly she behaves! I can't imagine Thaksin doing the same, even if nobody can stop him if he wanted to. He doesn't, she does.

Hope she can control his stubborness.

[hammered]

I personally dont buy into the idea she has abandoned hubby to do a deal on bended knees. That certainly doesnt fit in with how any long lasting business marriage in the Thai..

She didn't abandon him, god forbid, they just might have different ideas on how to go forward. Pojamarn being in Bangkok also serves several of Thaksin's own immediate interests.

But just look how differenly she behaves! I can't imagine Thaksin doing the same, even if nobody can stop him if he wanted to. He doesn't, she does.

Hope she can control his stubborness.

A variation on good cop-bad cop routine maybe. I have always wondered who is the dominat one in the relationship and have for a long time suspected Khunying Potjaman to be although I cant get this confirmed by any of the TRT/PPP types I know.

Certainly I see her as a deal maker now in Bangkok.

[Tony Clifton]

Pojaman and Thaksin are not a couple, they are a venture between two clans with baht-fed offspring.

[Plus]

I don't think they have irreconcilable differences, just different ways to achieve the same results. I don't know what would happen if Pojamarn asks Thaksin to surrender and he refuses. If she fails to cobble up a government that would be ready to save Thaksin from courts, she might just give up on the idea of fighting back.

I think Thaksin is being irrational, or he has become a slave of the situation. He had to set up a party even if he had no realistic chances of taking the country back, he had to pay as much as possible to run the best campaign he could afford, and he has to pay more to the coalition partners, and for what?. Under new constitution even if he had complete control, he'd have little power to interfere with the judicial branch, not in the hostile environment of Bangkok "elites".

What else are they going to do with the government - they have no business to protect anymore. Maybe he wants to reinvent himself as a selfless saviour of the country, but there's zero to nothing chance of being accepted as such by more than half of the country.

I personally think he should stop meddling with politics, cut the losses, make a deal with the courts and get on with his life, or whatever has left of it.

[John K]

I don't think they have irreconcilable differences, just different ways to achieve the same results. I don't know what would happen if Pojamarn asks Thaksin to surrender and he refuses. If she fails to cobble up a government that would be ready to save Thaksin from courts, she might just give up on the idea of fighting back.

I think Thaksin is being irrational, or he has become a slave of the situation. He had to set up a party even if he had no realistic chances of taking the country back, he had to pay as much as possible to run the best campaign he could afford, and he has to pay more to the coalition partners, and for what?. Under new constitution even if he had complete control, he'd have little power to interfere with the judicial branch, not in the hostile environment of Bangkok "elites".

What else are they going to do with the government - they have no business to protect anymore. Maybe he wants to reinvent himself as a selfless saviour of the country, but there's zero to nothing chance of being accepted as such by more than half of the country.

I personally think he should stop meddling with politics, cut the losses, make a deal with the courts and get on with his life, or whatever has left of it.

That is all great in the perfect world but Thaksin is driven by things that tend to make people do thing against better judgment.

Listening to people, is completely foreign to him for him to comply it is unheard of.

As for laws the same applies, change them or pay someone to change them.

As for backing off and settling for anything less than he had before, downgrades out of the question.

He is no dummy and if the PPP go down, he is still not touched but the PPP more or less gave their lives. Just another example on how much he cares about others. Look at how he uses his family as shields if you need another example.

Thaksin is Banned for 4.5 more years... but still here he comes.

Thaksin has nearly used up the term limits in the new constitution .... but still here he comes.

The only thing so far that has stopped him is the incompetents of the PPP and old school thinking. When the new constitution came online last year, it replaced the old school with the new school. Notice how high on the list it is for the PPP to bring back the old school. It is that old school thinking that appears to be the reason the PPP is going under. But that will not stop Thaksin... he will re-posture and continue to use people. The only thing that will stop Thaksin is being in jail or a sudden case of lead poisoning.

[Plus]

What drives him? If it's the money, there are easier ways to get it back, but it requires apologising and conceding some ground. Pojamarn at least appears to prefer that.

He doesn't have Shin anymore and his kids don't have any particular ambitions. Maybe he wants his political power back, but must realise by now that he won't get it.

Maybe he is just a slave to the circumstances - as I said he was practically forced to set a party, pay for it, pay to get it in the government, pay to its coalition partners, pay to keep them in line, it just never ends and they all want more and more and more.

[Prakanong]

I don't think they have irreconcilable differences, just different ways to achieve the same results. I don't know what would happen if Pojamarn asks Thaksin to surrender and he refuses. If she fails to cobble up a government that would be ready to save Thaksin from courts, she might just give up on the idea of fighting back.

I think Thaksin is being irrational, or he has become a slave of the situation. He had to set up a party even if he had no realistic chances of taking the country back, he had to pay as much as possible to run the best campaign he could afford, and he has to pay more to the coalition partners, and for what?. Under new constitution even if he had complete control, he'd have little power to interfere with the judicial branch, not in the hostile environment of Bangkok "elites".

What else are they going to do with the government - they have no business to protect anymore. Maybe he wants to reinvent himself as a selfless saviour of the country, but there's zero to nothing chance of being accepted as such by more than half of the country.

I personally think he should stop meddling with politics, cut the losses, make a deal with the courts and get on with his life, or whatever has left of it.

That is all great in the perfect world but Thaksin is driven by things that tend to make people do thing against better judgment.

Listening to people, is completely foreign to him for him to comply it is unheard of.

As for laws the same applies, change them or pay someone to change them.

As for backing off and settling for anything less than he had before, downgrades out of the question.

He is no dummy and if the PPP go down, he is still not touched but the PPP more or less gave their lives. Just another example on how much he cares about others. Look at how he uses his family as shields if you need another example.

Thaksin is Banned for 4.5 more years... but still here he comes.

Thaksin has nearly used up the term limits in the new constitution .... but still here he comes.

The only thing so far that has stopped him is the incompetents of the PPP and old school thinking. When the new constitution came online last year, it replaced the old school with the new school. Notice how high on the list it is for the PPP to bring back the old school. It is that old school thinking that appears to be the reason the PPP is going under. But that will not stop Thaksin... he will re-posture and continue to use people. The only thing that will stop Thaksin is being in jail or a sudden case of lead poisoning.

What do you mean old school and new school constitution?

The 97 constitution was not that "Old school" and many thought it the most progressive Thailand had ever had.

As for you psychological insights into Thaksin - are you qualified to make these? - which medical school did you attend and where did you follow your psychatric specialisation?

Without a medical degree or post graduate clinical psychology experience following a recognised clinical route is all just amateur psychobabble

[John K]

What drives him? If it's the money, there are easier ways to get it back, but it requires apologising and conceding some ground. Pojamarn at least appears to prefer that.

He doesn't have Shin anymore and his kids don't have any particular ambitions. Maybe he wants his political power back, but must realise by now that he won't get it.

Maybe he is just a slave to the circumstances - as I said he was practically forced to set a party, pay for it, pay to get it in the government, pay to its coalition partners, pay to keep them in line, it just never ends and they all want more and more and more.

Yes there are easier ways but his desire to always win is another issue. He was forced out and that does not sit well at all. When he goes it is on his terms and only his terms. Revenge is another motive, if you look back you will see clear examples on how he crushed everyone who challenged him.

[John K]

I don't think they have irreconcilable differences, just different ways to achieve the same results. I don't know what would happen if Pojamarn asks Thaksin to surrender and he refuses. If she fails to cobble up a government that would be ready to save Thaksin from courts, she might just give up on the idea of fighting back.

I think Thaksin is being irrational, or he has become a slave of the situation. He had to set up a party even if he had no realistic chances of taking the country back, he had to pay as much as possible to run the best campaign he could afford, and he has to pay more to the coalition partners, and for what?. Under new constitution even if he had complete control, he'd have little power to interfere with the judicial branch, not in the hostile environment of Bangkok "elites".

What else are they going to do with the government - they have no business to protect anymore. Maybe he wants to reinvent himself as a selfless saviour of the country, but there's zero to nothing chance of being accepted as such by more than half of the country.

I personally think he should stop meddling with politics, cut the losses, make a deal with the courts and get on with his life, or whatever has left of it.

That is all great in the perfect world but Thaksin is driven by things that tend to make people do thing against better judgment.

Listening to people, is completely foreign to him for him to comply it is unheard of.

As for laws the same applies, change them or pay someone to change them.

As for backing off and settling for anything less than he had before, downgrades out of the question.

He is no dummy and if the PPP go down, he is still not touched but the PPP more or less gave their lives. Just another example on how much he cares about others. Look at how he uses his family as shields if you need another example.

Thaksin is Banned for 4.5 more years... but still here he comes.

Thaksin has nearly used up the term limits in the new constitution .... but still here he comes.

The only thing so far that has stopped him is the incompetents of the PPP and old school thinking. When the new constitution came online last year, it replaced the old school with the new school. Notice how high on the list it is for the PPP to bring back the old school. It is that old school thinking that appears to be the reason the PPP is going under. But that will not stop Thaksin... he will re-posture and continue to use people. The only thing that will stop Thaksin is being in jail or a sudden case of lead poisoning.

What do you mean old school and new school constitution?

The 97 constitution was not that "Old school" and many thought it the most progressive Thailand had ever had.

As for you psychological insights into Thaksin - are you qualified to make these? - which medical school did you attend and where did you follow your psychatric specialisation?

Without a medical degree or post graduate clinical psychology experience following a recognised clinical route is all just amateur psychobabble

Start here and continue to read to the end of the page on that thread to find your answers.

www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?act=findpost&pid=1353518

I will try not to embarrass you anymore unless you insist again.

[sriracha john]

[Prakanong]

I don't think they have irreconcilable differences, just different ways to achieve the same results. I don't know what would happen if Pojamarn asks Thaksin to surrender and he refuses. If she fails to cobble up a government that would be ready to save Thaksin from courts, she might just give up on the idea of fighting back.

I think Thaksin is being irrational, or he has become a slave of the situation. He had to set up a party even if he had no realistic chances of taking the country back, he had to pay as much as possible to run the best campaign he could afford, and he has to pay more to the coalition partners, and for what?. Under new constitution even if he had complete control, he'd have little power to interfere with the judicial branch, not in the hostile environment of Bangkok "elites".

What else are they going to do with the government - they have no business to protect anymore. Maybe he wants to reinvent himself as a selfless saviour of the country, but there's zero to nothing chance of being accepted as such by more than half of the country.

I personally think he should stop meddling with politics, cut the losses, make a deal with the courts and get on with his life, or whatever has left of it.

That is all great in the perfect world but Thaksin is driven by things that tend to make people do thing against better judgment.

Listening to people, is completely foreign to him for him to comply it is unheard of.

As for laws the same applies, change them or pay someone to change them.

As for backing off and settling for anything less than he had before, downgrades out of the question.

He is no dummy and if the PPP go down, he is still not touched but the PPP more or less gave their lives. Just another example on how much he cares about others. Look at how he uses his family as shields if you need another example.

Thaksin is Banned for 4.5 more years... but still here he comes.

Thaksin has nearly used up the term limits in the new constitution .... but still here he comes.

The only thing so far that has stopped him is the incompetents of the PPP and old school thinking. When the new constitution came online last year, it replaced the old school with the new school. Notice how high on the list it is for the PPP to bring back the old school. It is that old school thinking that appears to be the reason the PPP is going under. But that will not stop Thaksin... he will re-posture and continue to use people. The only thing that will stop Thaksin is being in jail or a sudden case of lead poisoning.

What do you mean old school and new school constitution?

The 97 constitution was not that "Old school" and many thought it the most progressive Thailand had ever had.

As for you psychological insights into Thaksin - are you qualified to make these? - which medical school did you attend and where did you follow your psychatric specialisation?

Without a medical degree or post graduate clinical psychology experience following a recognised clinical route is all just amateur psychobabble

Start here and continue to read to the end of the page on that thread to find your answers.

www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?act=findpost&pid=1353518

I will try not to embarrass you anymore unless you insist again.

I asked you here - amateur psychobabble or medically qualified and trained psychiatrist or clinical psychologist with at least Masters and been through a recognised training programme in a health service.

[John K]

I don't think they have irreconcilable differences, just different ways to achieve the same results. I don't know what would happen if Pojamarn asks Thaksin to surrender and he refuses. If she fails to cobble up a government that would be ready to save Thaksin from courts, she might just give up on the idea of fighting back.

I think Thaksin is being irrational, or he has become a slave of the situation. He had to set up a party even if he had no realistic chances of taking the country back, he had to pay as much as possible to run the best campaign he could afford, and he has to pay more to the coalition partners, and for what?. Under new constitution even if he had complete control, he'd have little power to interfere with the judicial branch, not in the hostile environment of Bangkok "elites".

What else are they going to do with the government - they have no business to protect anymore. Maybe he wants to reinvent himself as a selfless saviour of the country, but there's zero to nothing chance of being accepted as such by more than half of the country.

I personally think he should stop meddling with politics, cut the losses, make a deal with the courts and get on with his life, or whatever has left of it.

That is all great in the perfect world but Thaksin is driven by things that tend to make people do thing against better judgment.

Listening to people, is completely foreign to him for him to comply it is unheard of.

As for laws the same applies, change them or pay someone to change them.

As for backing off and settling for anything less than he had before, downgrades out of the question.

He is no dummy and if the PPP go down, he is still not touched but the PPP more or less gave their lives. Just another example on how much he cares about others. Look at how he uses his family as shields if you need another example.

Thaksin is Banned for 4.5 more years... but still here he comes.

Thaksin has nearly used up the term limits in the new constitution .... but still here he comes.

The only thing so far that has stopped him is the incompetents of the PPP and old school thinking. When the new constitution came online last year, it replaced the old school with the new school. Notice how high on the list it is for the PPP to bring back the old school. It is that old school thinking that appears to be the reason the PPP is going under. But that will not stop Thaksin... he will re-posture and continue to use people. The only thing that will stop Thaksin is being in jail or a sudden case of lead poisoning.

What do you mean old school and new school constitution?

The 97 constitution was not that "Old school" and many thought it the most progressive Thailand had ever had.

As for you psychological insights into Thaksin - are you qualified to make these? - which medical school did you attend and where did you follow your psychatric specialisation?

Without a medical degree or post graduate clinical psychology experience following a recognised clinical route is all just amateur psychobabble

Start here and continue to read to the end of the page on that thread to find your answers.

www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?act=findpost&pid=1353518

I will try not to embarrass you anymore unless you insist again.

I asked you here - amateur psychobabble or medically qualified and trained psychiatrist or clinical psychologist with at least Masters and been through a recognised training programme in a health service.

To conduct a hobby about predicting what various people in the Thai political system will do?

[sriracha john]

Thaksin quietly leaves Hong Kong for London

BANGKOK: Deposed Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra quietly left Hong Kong on a flight to London on Thursday, two days after his wife was arrested on corruption charges in Thailand.

Thaksin has lived abroad since his ouster in a September 2006 coup, mostly shuttling between Hong Kong and London, where he owns an apartment.

Dressed in a dark suit, Thaksin chatted on his mobile phone as he waited in line with other passengers at the Hong Kong International Airport to board his flight.

"He will be going to London,'' said Noppadol Pattama, Thaksin's lawyer and de facto spokesman in Thailand. "I don't know the reason. He's a free man.''

Thailand considers Thaksin a fugitive and issued two arrest warrants in August for the former prime minister and his wife on an array of corruption-related charges. Thaksin was accused of widespread corruption and abuse of power while in office from 2001-2006.

The former first lady, Pojamarn Shinawatra, was arrested Tuesday after flying in from Hong Kong. The charges against the Shinawatras stem from a controversial 2003 land deal and having allegedly concealed millions of dollars in stock market shares. She was freed on a total bail of 6 million baht.

Both husband and wife face up to 28 years behind bars.

Pojamarn's sudden return added tension to Thailand's unsettled political situation, in which Thaksin's followers are scurrying to form a coalition government following their victory in general elections last month.

Critics believe Thaksin sent his wife home to test the political climate ahead of his eventual return and to secure his picks in any coalition government headed by his allies.

In a statement issued Tuesday, Thaksin said he would return to Thailand at an appropriate time.

"I insist that my wife and I are ready to fight all charges to prove our innocence,'' Thaksin said in a statement issued by his lawyers.

Thaksin has vowed to stay out of politics but said he is ready to serve as an adviser to his allies in the People's Power Party.

- Associated Press

[ratcatcher]

I was just wondering if someone can please tell me why Dr., Pol.Lt.Col.,Thaksin Shinawatra PhD did not come back to Thailand accompanied by his wife. If he is innocent as he claims, he will have no problems.

It seems rather pathetic that he hides behind his wife and kids.

[sriracha john]

I was just wondering if someone can please tell me why Dr., Pol.Lt.Col.,Thaksin Shinawatra PhD did not come back to Thailand accompanied by his wife.

This might explain it...

or... this might also..

When Hong Kong comes to Bangkok

Thaksin Shinawatra ups the ante by sending his wife to face charges in Thailand

Despite his exasperated claims to the contrary, former PM Thaksin Shinawatra has unsurprisingly gone on the political offensive following his PPP's recent election victory, by sending his wife, Potjaman, back to Bangkok from their temporary command post in Hong Kong. Her homecoming ups Thaksin's ante in Thailand s highest-stakes game involving him and his opponents. Potjaman's return has several near-term implications. Her comeback is a calculated risk that should not be underestimated. On arrival, Potjaman was promptly detained by the police on an outstanding arrest warrant and whisked to the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for bail arrangements. That she now cannot leave Thailand without jumping bail is tantamount to an indefinite separation between her and Thaksin. It also means that the powerful pair will concertedly step up efforts for his return to Thailand asap. Potjaman's post-election return also casts doubt over Thaksin's justifications of the need for her to be with their children and of her intent to face the corruption charges against the couple. The Shinawatra family has been able to assemble abroad and Potjaman and her husband have denied and spurned the charges against them throughout the post-coup period. Thaksin's third claim on Pojaman's wish to pay respects to the late Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana simply rings hollow, as Shinawatra representatives have done so on several occasions over the past week. To be sure, Potjaman has returned to take care of business and to search for a political settlement on terms that are acceptable to Thaksin.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/11Jan2008_news14.php

By Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Director of the Institute of Security and International Studies, Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University.

[jumnien]

I was just wondering if someone can please tell me why Dr., Pol.Lt.Col.,Thaksin Shinawatra PhD did not come back to Thailand accompanied by his wife.

This might explain it...

or... this might also..

When Hong Kong comes to Bangkok

Thaksin Shinawatra ups the ante by sending his wife to face charges in Thailand

Despite his exasperated claims to the contrary, former PM Thaksin Shinawatra has unsurprisingly gone on the political offensive following his PPP's recent election victory, by sending his wife, Potjaman, back to Bangkok from their temporary command post in Hong Kong. Her homecoming ups Thaksin's ante in Thailand s highest-stakes game involving him and his opponents. Potjaman's return has several near-term implications. Her comeback is a calculated risk that should not be underestimated. On arrival, Potjaman was promptly detained by the police on an outstanding arrest warrant and whisked to the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for bail arrangements. That she now cannot leave Thailand without jumping bail is tantamount to an indefinite separation between her and Thaksin. It also means that the powerful pair will concertedly step up efforts for his return to Thailand asap. Potjaman's post-election return also casts doubt over Thaksin's justifications of the need for her to be with their children and of her intent to face the corruption charges against the couple. The Shinawatra family has been able to assemble abroad and Potjaman and her husband have denied and spurned the charges against them throughout the post-coup period. Thaksin's third claim on Pojaman's wish to pay respects to the late Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana simply rings hollow, as Shinawatra representatives have done so on several occasions over the past week. To be sure, Potjaman has returned to take care of business and to search for a political settlement on terms that are acceptable to Thaksin.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/11Jan2008_news14.php

By Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Director of the Institute of Security and International Studies, Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University.

An obvious pawn of the CNS...

[jumnien]

Thaksin's welcome back if he'll bring her back with him!

[Siripon]

I was just wondering if someone can please tell me why Dr., Pol.Lt.Col.,Thaksin Shinawatra PhD did not come back to Thailand accompanied by his wife.

This might explain it...

or... this might also..

When Hong Kong comes to Bangkok

Thaksin Shinawatra ups the ante by sending his wife to face charges in Thailand

Despite his exasperated claims to the contrary, former PM Thaksin Shinawatra has unsurprisingly gone on the political offensive following his PPP's recent election victory, by sending his wife, Potjaman, back to Bangkok from their temporary command post in Hong Kong. Her homecoming ups Thaksin's ante in Thailand s highest-stakes game involving him and his opponents. Potjaman's return has several near-term implications. Her comeback is a calculated risk that should not be underestimated. On arrival, Potjaman was promptly detained by the police on an outstanding arrest warrant and whisked to the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for bail arrangements. That she now cannot leave Thailand without jumping bail is tantamount to an indefinite separation between her and Thaksin. It also means that the powerful pair will concertedly step up efforts for his return to Thailand asap. Potjaman's post-election return also casts doubt over Thaksin's justifications of the need for her to be with their children and of her intent to face the corruption charges against the couple. The Shinawatra family has been able to assemble abroad and Potjaman and her husband have denied and spurned the charges against them throughout the post-coup period. Thaksin's third claim on Pojaman's wish to pay respects to the late Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana simply rings hollow, as Shinawatra representatives have done so on several occasions over the past week. To be sure, Potjaman has returned to take care of business and to search for a political settlement on terms that are acceptable to Thaksin.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/11Jan2008_news14.php

By Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Director of the Institute of Security and International Studies, Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University.

An obvious pawn of the CNS...

Titinan has written several anti- coup, anti- CNS articles over the last few months.

[jumnien]

I was just wondering if someone can please tell me why Dr., Pol.Lt.Col.,Thaksin Shinawatra PhD did not come back to Thailand accompanied by his wife.

This might explain it...

or... this might also..

When Hong Kong comes to Bangkok

Thaksin Shinawatra ups the ante by sending his wife to face charges in Thailand

Despite his exasperated claims to the contrary, former PM Thaksin Shinawatra has unsurprisingly gone on the political offensive following his PPP's recent election victory, by sending his wife, Potjaman, back to Bangkok from their temporary command post in Hong Kong. Her homecoming ups Thaksin's ante in Thailand s highest-stakes game involving him and his opponents. Potjaman's return has several near-term implications. Her comeback is a calculated risk that should not be underestimated. On arrival, Potjaman was promptly detained by the police on an outstanding arrest warrant and whisked to the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for bail arrangements. That she now cannot leave Thailand without jumping bail is tantamount to an indefinite separation between her and Thaksin. It also means that the powerful pair will concertedly step up efforts for his return to Thailand asap. Potjaman's post-election return also casts doubt over Thaksin's justifications of the need for her to be with their children and of her intent to face the corruption charges against the couple. The Shinawatra family has been able to assemble abroad and Potjaman and her husband have denied and spurned the charges against them throughout the post-coup period. Thaksin's third claim on Pojaman's wish to pay respects to the late Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana simply rings hollow, as Shinawatra representatives have done so on several occasions over the past week. To be sure, Potjaman has returned to take care of business and to search for a political settlement on terms that are acceptable to Thaksin.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/11Jan2008_news14.php

By Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Director of the Institute of Security and International Studies, Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University.

An obvious pawn of the CNS...

Titinan has written several anti- coup, anti- CNS articles over the last few months.

Well, then I guess the military junta won't be appointing him as one of their 74 senators. Oh, well.

[Plus]

Even better - the junta won't be appointing any senators, hopefully it will be dissolved by then, and military has only one representative on the board - junta appointed NLA refused their requests for more.

[sriracha john]

I was just wondering if someone can please tell me why Dr., Pol.Lt.Col.,Thaksin Shinawatra PhD did not come back to Thailand accompanied by his wife.

This might explain it...

An obvious pawn of the CNS...

Lydia is an agent of the CNS? Like a Thai Mati Hari?

She certainly would be in the perfect position.... very close and next to Thaksin...

AND....

she's not afraid to come between Thaksin and Pojaman....

Edited January 11, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

I was just wondering if someone can please tell me why Dr., Pol.Lt.Col.,Thaksin Shinawatra PhD did not come back to Thailand accompanied by his wife.

This might explain it...

or... this might also..

When Hong Kong comes to Bangkok

Thaksin Shinawatra ups the ante by sending his wife to face charges in Thailand

Despite his exasperated claims to the contrary, former PM Thaksin Shinawatra has unsurprisingly gone on the political offensive following his PPP's recent election victory, by sending his wife, Potjaman, back to Bangkok from their temporary command post in Hong Kong. Her homecoming ups Thaksin's ante in Thailand s highest-stakes game involving him and his opponents. Potjaman's return has several near-term implications. Her comeback is a calculated risk that should not be underestimated. On arrival, Potjaman was promptly detained by the police on an outstanding arrest warrant and whisked to the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for bail arrangements. That she now cannot leave Thailand without jumping bail is tantamount to an indefinite separation between her and Thaksin. It also means that the powerful pair will concertedly step up efforts for his return to Thailand asap. Potjaman's post-election return also casts doubt over Thaksin's justifications of the need for her to be with their children and of her intent to face the corruption charges against the couple. The Shinawatra family has been able to assemble abroad and Potjaman and her husband have denied and spurned the charges against them throughout the post-coup period. Thaksin's third claim on Pojaman's wish to pay respects to the late Her Royal Highness Princess Galyani Vadhana simply rings hollow, as Shinawatra representatives have done so on several occasions over the past week. To be sure, Potjaman has returned to take care of business and to search for a political settlement on terms that are acceptable to Thaksin.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/11Jan2008_news14.php

By Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Director of the Institute of Security and International Studies, Faculty of Political Science, Chulalongkorn University.

An obvious pawn of the CNS...

Titinan has written several anti- coup, anti- CNS articles over the last few months.

And, indeed, he does so again in this one in later passages...

but then again, to discover that would actually involve having to read the article before posting.

It's amazing how many times that occurs with some posters with these Bangkok Post articles that are truncated by forum guidelines.... but it is funny to read their posts....

[sriracha john]

Junta will not be talking to Pojaman

The Council for National Security has no plans to enter into dialogue with Pojaman Shinawatra, wife of former prime minister Thaksin, its chairman Air Chief Marshal Chalit Pukbhasuk said yesterday.

"The CNS has no business with Pojaman, who has returned to fight charges against her. I think she should talk to her lawyers instead," he said. Pojaman has said she was ready for reconciliation with all sides.

Chalit rejected speculation the military was involved in organising by-elections in seven provinces. He said the Election Commission had sole jurisdiction for these.

He warned Thaksin and Pojaman to abide by electoral rules, and not complicate legal matters further.

Thaksin, a banned politician, cannot be involved in the electoral process, although Pojaman is free to campaign, he said.

- The Nation

[John K]

Pojaman very clearly know what will happen if she talks to anyone else but her lawyers and how people will react based on how it looks. Wanting to talk to Prem, the junta, and whoever else. She actually has no business talking to them and doing so will set up the guilt by association thing.

[grahamhc]

Maybe the game plan is:

Try to arrest him upon his return. Hope he tries to escape so he can be shot. All nice neat, tidy and legal

Noooo, don't make a martyr out of a criminal!

Martyrs are only remembered by their hard core followers and forgotten by the world. How many IRA hunger strikers' names do you remember.

Now if this had been in the Russian Mafia's hands, they would just kill one of his children and tell him to go away or they would shoot the rest of his family.

But I am just a guest in this country, watching and laughing while reading Thai Visa, .... AND trying to spot the moving goalposts as they try to ship most of us "Farangs" out of their country.

Who spotted the article in the Bangkok Post Business section that one of the "Shin" companies was going to install 4 million cheap 1,250 Baht dishes and receivers a year, 80% up country, and beam not only Thai TV "free to air" but their own programmes as will. Sounds like the film "V ( for Vendetta)" with the orders from the Great One beamed into everyones home.... Taksin will save a fortune on new DVDs at the next election