Thaksin lands at Suvarnabhumi and taken to court

[Tony Clifton]

There was a lengthy English language interview with Thaksin on Arirang this evening, a Taiwanese tv station.

Both fascinating and sickening to watch at the same time.

A detail that I don`t remember reading previously, he mentioned the Rachadpisek land deal , Potjaman`s, was to build a house so that his children could be closer to their friends in Bangkok as his house is outside of Bangkok and too far from downtown according to them.

Edited March 8, 2008 by Tony Clifton

[Plus]

Afaik, "arirang" is a Korean word for something like hooray.

[sriracha john]

It's getting really thick now...

Prem orders newspapers to criticise me : Thaksin

The following is the transcript of what ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra told Thais in Sydney. Australia on February 10, 2007, after he was toppled by the junta. He criticises a man called Khun Prem, believed to be Privy Council President General Prem Tinsulanonda.

---------------------------------------

Thaksin: He [Prem] wants to drag the election to February and, further, because he did not want the election. It is because I will win again in the election, so they did not want an election.

He fabricated stories and lies. That time, I will arrest and sue Sonthi [Limthongkul]. Khun Prem ordered the court not to pursue the case. He ordered public prosecutors and police not to press charges against Sonthi.

Khun Prem made secret orders for them not to press charges against Sonthi. He also ordered all newspapers to criticise me. I, as a prime minister, did not have authority [to order newspapers, courts and police].

A woman: They were all fools. They did not know the truth.

Thaksin: We may have to sympathise them because the newspapers criticised me everyday. They have no other sources of information. I believe they will know the truth eventually. After that, he [Prem] tried to jeopardise me on several issues, but cannot because I have done nothing wrong. I just do my job.

- The Nation

Video Clip of the above:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5o_G6KbucA

Edited March 9, 2008 by sriracha john

[chownah]

It's getting really thick now...

Prem orders newspapers to criticise me : Thaksin

The following is the transcript of what ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra told Thais in Sydney. Australia on February 10, 2007,

I don't understand why you say "It's getting really thick now...." when this is really old news...over one year old....how does this indicate that something is getting thick now?...and why have you posted such an old article now?....just wondering as I could see no reason for posting it now.

Chownah

[sriracha john]

The professor wants to mold young minds...

Deposed PM Plans to Lecture Abroad After Court Hearing Finalizes on Wednesday

Deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra expects to leave the country for three weeks after his court hearing finalizes on Wednesday and plans to give lectures to university students in several foreign countries.

Thaksin’s spokesman, Pongthep Thepkanchana, who once served as Justice Minister and Deputy Leader of the now-defunct Thai Rak Thai Party during the Thaksin regime, reported yesterday that the deposed premier would first traveled to Takushoku University in Japan, where he planned to lecture for at least 90 minutes.

On March 7th, Thaksin told reporters that he will seek court permission to leave the country after his first hearing on the abuse-of-power and corruption charges relating to the Ratchadapisek land case, claiming that he would first travel to England to attend a match of his football team, Manchester City on March 15th.

Thaksin asserted that he intends to petition the court for the permission to leave the country on March 13th.

Furthermore, Pongthep added that Thaksin has vowed to wash his hands in politics and expects to do more work for charities.

Pongthep said after Thaksin was elected chairman of the Thai Com Foundation, a charity organization sponsored by the Shinawatra family to improve education, he decided to devote his time and efforts towards charity works.

Thaksin urged the public not to misjudge him, for he has been dispirited about politics and would rather spend his time working for charities, said Pongthep.

- Thailand Outlook

[sriracha john]

Not only Japan now .... but a "tour" on a "circuit" that goes "around the world"...

Thaksin to globe trot, guest lecture in universities around the world

Personal spokesman to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Phongthep Thepkanjana, revealed to the media that Thaksin has made plans to travel as a guest lecturer to various universities around the world after he reports for trial at the Supreme Court.

Phongthep stated that many universities from various countries have invited the deposed Prime Minister to give lectures. *Please name 3 of them, Phongthep*

He said that Thaksin has made plans to visit Japan as the first country on his lecture circuit where he once held a special class on “Industry and People” and received an honorary professorship from Takushoku University.

The spokesman admitted that no clear plans have been made for other dates on the tour as well as plans have not been made for his return to the Kingdom :D, but Thaksin has stated that he will not spend a long time abroad.

- ThaiNews

[sriracha john]

Figuratively...... I hope....

Thaksin says seeks to bury hatchet with enemies

BANGKOK - Ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said on Tuesday it was time to bury the hatchet with his enemies and allow Thailand to move forward after nearly three years of political strife.

"Let bygones be bygones. We are moving ahead. Let's move the country forward," Thaksin told foreign correspondents a day before he was due to face corruption charges at the Supreme Court.

Thaksin, who has had nearly $2 billion of his family assets frozen, said he was focused on fighting charges related to his wife's purchase of a prime piece of land owned by the Bank of Thailand.

"We did nothing wrong," he said. "I will just go there and deny all the charges."

The billionaire, who returned from exile last month after he was ousted in a bloodless 2006 coup, insisted he would devote his remaining years to family, charities, teaching and running his English Premier League soccer club, Manchester City.

"I will never want to come back. My wife and my family keep telling me that. We should spend our time together for the rest of our lives," said Thaksin, who turns 59 in July.

But few Thais believe -- or want to believe -- Thaksin will stay out of the political fray for long after his supporters formed a coalition government following a December election that marked Thailand's return to democracy.

Already the People's Alliance for Democracy, which led street protests against Thaksin which culminated in the coup, has warned him not to use his political clout to exact revenge on opponents or sway graft cases against him and his wife.

Several top bureaucrats who worked with the interim post-coup government have already lost their jobs, including the National Police Chief, the Head of the Food and Drug Administration and a senior investigator probing graft charges against Thaksin.

Thaksin said on Tuesday it was normal for new governments to replace officials from an outgoing administration. But analysts say a protracted purge could revive open political conflict with his opponents.

Thaksin tried to play down those fears, saying tensions have eased since he declared himself a private citizen.

"If I was still in politics, maybe. But that's another reason that I better quit politics. It's probably better," he said.

- Reuters

[Tony Clifton]

For a man who said he missed his family and country so dearly, he sure doesn't hang around very long before taking off on his World Compassion Tour.

How much did that honorary professorship from Takushoku University cost him?

Edited March 11, 2008 by Tony Clifton

[sriracha john]

Thaksin arrives at Supreme Court

Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra arrived at the Supreme Court on Wednesday morning for the first hearing on a land corruption case he’s been charged with by the Assets Scrutiny Committee. He’s due to testify at 9:30am where he is widely expected to plead “not guilty.” Many supporters showed up at the court prior to his arrival, including core leaders of the People Power Party, former members of the now defunct Thai Rak Thai Party and his sisters Yaowarej and Yingluck amidst heavy security. Thaksin was charged with abusing his power as the then prime minister to help his wife secure a piece of land on Ratchadapisek road for 772 million baht from the Financial Institutions Development Fund (FIDF) in 2003.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=126450

[sriracha john]

Tight security as Thaksin attends first hearing

Thaksin arrived Wednesday for his first hearing at the Supreme Court amid tight security provided by 200 policemen and five sniffer dogs. A crowd of about 400 supporters were on hand to lend moral support at his arrival.

"I denied all charges and would submit my statement in writing to the court," he said, entering his plea.

Defence lawyer Pichit Chuenban then sought and received the court's permission for the trial to proceed without the presence of the co-defendants, Thaksin and Pojaman, at every hearing.

The high court has scheduled to examine the evidence from the prosecution and the defence on April 29-to-30.

- The Nation

[sriracha john]

Deposed Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra leaves Supreme Court in Bangkok, Thailand Wednesday, March 12, 2008. Thaksin pleaded innocent in the Supreme Court in one of two corruption cases against him.

Associated Press

[Samuian]

Another Nigerian Scam?

Wanna get rich quick? Here's an idea....

What I'm thinking of is not the sort of scam they often try to pull off on the Internet.

Published on March 12, 2008

I'm not telling you that I have stumbled upon the unclaimed legacy of a billionaire in South Africa who perished with his entire family in a plane crash. I'm backed up by indisputable legal documents, and if you listen to me carefully, I promise that we both can buy Liverpool Football Club this summer and will be able to take endless holidays in the Mediterranean in no time.

Make no mistake, it won't be easy, and I need all the help I can get from legal wizards out there. The idea is to outwit one of the most brilliant and shrewdest bunches of financial schemers the world has ever seen. If you want to be a part of "Stoppage Time's Eleven", read on.

Now, have you read the newspapers over the past two days? Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has categorically denied any involvement with Win Mark and the obscene amount of Shin Corp shares it held until the controversial Temasek takeover. The long-standing denial, which he once made during a TV interview, is now on legal record.

What does that mean?

It means that if he is set free based on that denial, billions of baht worth of Shin Corp stocks held by Win Mark and put into UBS AG Singapore accounts will virtually belong to ghosts.

It means that if we hired the world's best lawyers and did enough homework, we might be able to lay claim to the assets.

It also means, and here's the best part, that if we could trace the money from the sale of Win Mark-owned shares to Temasek to Thaksin, we could even label a thief.

It won't be easy, but there must be a way. His denial presents us with numerous possibilities. Most of all, it is unequivocal: "I and my spouse were neither shareholders nor executives of Win Mark. And I did not own any more Shin Corp shares besides those I transferred to Ample Rich Investment and some relatives. If Win Mark possessed Shin Corp shares, it's Win Mark's business, as Shin Corp shares had been available to buyers on the stock market."

What he said next is crucial. The denial seeks to discredit the junta-installed investigators' claim that he and his wife retained the power to authorise transactions of Shin Corp shares in the UBS accounts.

"It's claimed that there's a document showing I and my spouse were authorised to transfer the assets, but there is no evidence provided by the investigators to support this, so I can't explain at this stage. (However,) I don't believe such a document exists. ..."

Of course, such a document can't exist, as it would prove beyond doubt that he lied to the court and violated the 1997 Constitution that prohibited those in power from holding interests in companies that have any kind of busines with the state.

Let's recap this. Thaksin has legally denied having any involvement with Win Mark and Shin Corp shares in UBS accounts. Assuming that the investigators were also telling the truth (about Thaksin being the ultimate signatory for the UBS Shin Corp accounts), we can only conclude that someone had impersonated Thaksin in acquiring the authority to transfer shares and later exercising that power.

Which makes the income generated by the share transfers up for grabs.

Now, instead of saying "You are a big liar", the investigators or prosecutors can tell Thaksin, "We believe you, but from the evidence that we have, a Thaksin impersonator had stolen from accounts that you proclaimed you have nothing to do with. So, if you happened to have received some money generated by transactions involving those accounts, could you be kind enough to return it."

If both the junta-installed investigators and Thaksin were telling the truth, it can only mean that any UBS transaction authorised by this "impersonator" was illegal. Like Thaksin said in his official denial, Shin Corp portfolios in the hands of UBS could belong to a lot of customers who bought the shares on the stock market.

Which brings me back to my original point: Thaksin has nothing to do with the money and his "impersonator" surely won't dare re-surface. The UBS-Temasek transactions, if authorised by a "Thaksin" or a "Pojaman", have to be illegal and the money has to be there somewhere, without anyone legally possessing it.

This is as far as my little brain can go, so how we can get our hands on it is up to the other members of "Stoppage Time's Eleven" to figure out.

Tulsathit Taptim

The Nation

Source:

Could we call this the result of unexpected accumulation of "honest lies"?

[sriracha john]

Lydia and Oak...

Thaksin and his "close friend".... on a dual-grey kick...

She's garnered the front cover photo and lead story of the premiere issue of the just unveiled Daily XPress news service:

WHY I LOVE THE SHINAWATRAS

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

R&B queen “Lydia” reveals why she cried on seeing the emotional home-coming scene at the Suvarnabhumi airport last week.

The lady sure does have a wide assortment of "looks"....

Thaksin's family album

Lydia clarifies her relationship with the former prime minister

"Anyone up for a round with me?"

Saranrat Wisuthithada

Her latest look... as of this afternoon anyway...

Singer Withdraws Libel Suit on Article Linking Her with Ousted PM

A famous teen singer who has a close relationship with the ousted premier has withdrawn her libel and civil suits against the Thai Post newspaper for publishing an article linking her romantically to the ousted premier, in return for the newspaper to publish an apology to her for three days.

Famous teen singer "Lydia" Saranrat Wisuthithada travelled with her family to the Criminal Court today to withdraw the libel suit her father filed against the Thai Post newspaper for its 'Lao Lang Mike' or 'Story Behind the Microphone' column on September 8th, 2007, titled 'Three Women and Three Books.'

Both criminal and civil suits were filed, with the civil suit seeking compensation as high as 100 million baht. *wonder from whom did she learn all this lawsuit filing from?*

The singer told the press that after four rounds of negotiations, brokered by Rawi Lothong, owner of the Siam Sports newspaper, she has decided to accept an apology from the Thai Post newspaper. She said being in the entertainment business, she does not want to have problems with the media.

Lydia added that she was not pressured by her label, R.S. Entertainment, to withdraw the suit.

The Thai Post newspaper will publish an apology to the singer for three days, from Thursday to Saturday.

Lydia and ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra have publicly acknowledged their close relationship but insist it is purely platonic with her calling him 'father.' * as in "who's your Da..y?" *

Still, the press have always speculated otherwise, asking how they would end up together on overseas trips.

Lydia has recently been slammed by some high-ranking government officials for leaking the whereabouts of Thaksin to the media after his return to Thailand.

- Thailand Outlook

[sriracha john]

What next for Thaksin Shinawatra?

It was a quintessential Thaksin moment. The crowds waiting outside the Supreme Court, clutching pink roses, had hope written across their faces.

"Corruption?" pondered Yothin Suthep, a hotel receptionist, when I asked what he thought about the charges against Mr Thaksin. "I think nobody is clean. But he worked, he did things. The economy was going up, going well."

And then the man himself, emerging after 20 minutes, grinning and being mobbed like a film star.

As if on cue an elderly Buddhist monk wandered into view, and the former prime minister gave him a respectful wai - the traditional Thai greeting. It could almost have been choreographed for prime-time. Perhaps it was.

AFP

There has never been a political showman like Thaksin Shinawtra in Thailand. He has an uncanny instinct for tapping public affection - and for stirring up less favourable reactions among the sceptics.

"When he's on good form he's brilliant," I was told by someone who has known Mr Thaksin for many years. "But when he's not, he's his own worst enemy."

And Thaksin Shinawatra has unquestionably been on top form since he returned from exile at the end of February.

The newly-elected government, comprised mainly of Thaksin loyalists, has vanished from the front pages of the newspapers; new Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, chosen by Mr Thaksin to lead his new party and himself no slouch when it comes to showmanship, is hardly talked about any more.

We could almost be back in the days when Mr Thaksin ruled the political landscape, a prime minister with the country at his feet.

But we are not.

Frozen assets

He is clearly delighted to be back home. But he is nervous. First, about the legal cases against him.

By the standards of the corruption which is accepted as routine in Thai politics, they do not amount to much.

The generals who overthrew Mr Thaksin claimed as justification for their coup that his administration had been the most corrupt in Thai history.

But after many months of investigating, they were able to bring only two charges to court - that he had used his influence to help his wife buy government land at a favourable price, and that he concealed a continued personal stake in the huge family telecoms business, Shin Corporation.

But these could still result in a 10-year prison sentence. And while they continue - and the wheels of Thai justice do tend to turn at a glacial pace - the nearly $2bn the Thaksins made from selling Shin Corp remains frozen by the Thai banking authorities.

He also fears for his life. He is now using an armour-plated car, with a police escort. There is no history of assassinating former prime ministers in Thailand, but Mr Thaksin has very powerful and bitter enemies.

So gone is the brash, swaggering politician of old who rode roughshod over his opponents. In his place, a man who is all politeness and uncharacteristic humility.

"My mistakes were because of good intentions, to drive the country forwards," Mr Thaksin told a group of foreign journalists the day before his court hearing at the headquarters of the new, charitable foundation he has set up just opposite the royal palace in Bangkok.

"I may have been too aggressive, I wanted to move the country faster. But maybe there were some who were not happy, who resisted the changes I wanted to make."

What is most striking about the "new" Thaksin is his repeated insistence that he has left politics for good. There is scarcely a soul in Thailand who believes this - neither the millions who desperately want to see him back in the driving seat, nor the millions who just as desperately hope it will not happen. But he is unequivocal.

"I will never want to come back. And my wife and my family keep telling me we should spend the rest of our time together, for the rest of our lives.

"We should not go back into politics. I have several things to do for my family and my country without being a politician. When I left politics all the conflicts died down - another reason why I'd better quit politics."

Football concerns

Thitinan Pongsudhirak from Chulalongkorn University remains unconvinced.

"Even if he is sincere it can only be a short-term promise," he says. "Even if he wanted to leave politics, politics will keep coming to him."

So could these apparently heartfelt pledges by the former prime minister be just another performance from the consummate political actor?

Mr Thaksin is still bound by the five-year ban on holding political office imposed on him last year. Nobody can tell whether it will be lifted. Nor can he yet be sure of the outcome in his legal cases, or how long they will last.

Meanwhile he has plenty to occupy him. The People Power Party, which he is presumed to be financing, has made a mess of its first two months in office.

One of his motives for coming back so quickly to Thailand is believed to be to control maverick Prime Minister Sundaravej, although he denies ever discussing politics with him.

He is also keen to protect his investment in Manchester City Football Club. After an early winning streak the team has slipped down the English Premier League, and Mr Thaksin will spend the next three to four weeks in the UK trying to improve its performance.

It could make perfect sense to keep a low political profile domestically - while dashing around the world one moment, and distributing charitable largesse to the needy in Thailand the next.

All the while preparing for the moment, maybe several years away, when the popular clamour for him to return to the political arena becomes too great for him to resist.

- BBC

Edited March 13, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Ex-PMs to the stand

Former PM Thaksin is to call fellow ex-premiers Chuan Leekpai and Banharn Silpa-archa as defence witnesses in his trial for alleged abuse of power over his wife's purchase of a block of land in 2003. Pichit Chuenban, Thaksin's lawyer, said yesterday the former PM submitted a list of 30 new witnesses to the Assets Scrutiny Committee (ASC). None had previously testified to the committee. The ASC initially investigated allegations of corruption connected to Potjaman's purchase of Ratchadaphisek land from the the central bank's Financial Institutions Development Fund (FIDF) and recommended the Attorney-General's Office press charges. Two former PM, Banharn, who is the Chart Thai Party Leader, and Mr Chuan, who is Chief Adviser of the opposition Democrat Party, are included in the list. Thaksin appeared at the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions yesterday morning for the first hearing. Thaksin also proposed the court hear the trial in absentia, as his future businesses commitments might otherwise delay the process.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.net/topstories/tops...s.php?id=126471

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

More of Thaksin's self-importance... presuming that every "business commitment" will automatically be considered a priority over the timely proceeding of a criminal trial.

Edited March 13, 2008 by sriracha john

[A_Traveller]

^ There's a legal point here however, the trials have all been stalled, by and large owing to the legal position that a case may not proceed without the defendant being present in court {not unreasonably since how can a defendant 'defend' if they are not present to hear the evidence, lawyers not withstanding}. Now in is beneficent manner, the defendant says, "Oh don't mind me, I might be running a football team, so carry on without me, I'll pop back for the 'not guilty' OK?" Of course he could have made the same suggestion when the same court wished to proceed earlier, funny he didn't.

Regards

[sriracha john]

The generous billionaire digs deep and comes up with 15 pounds.... and 50 pence....

Thaksin and Family Make Merit in Ayutthaya

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his family have visited Ayutthaya to pay respect to the Buddha Image at Phananchoeng Temple.

Ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, along with his wife, Pojaman, and son, Panthongtae, travelled to Phananchoeng Temple in Ayutthaya Province.

The ousted prime minister and his family paid respect to the image of Laung Poh To, one of Thailand's most venerated monks.

The family also joined an Ayutthaya ceremony to clear bad luck. Afterward, Thaksin banged a drum nine times and circled around a Buddha statue. The former premier also donated 1,000 baht to the temple renovation fund.

The family was welcomed by Newin Chidchob, a former Thai Rak Thai Party executive member and Wittaya Buranasiri, an MP for Ayutthaya Province and a People Power Party member. A large crowd gathered to greet and take photographs with the former leader.

The trip took place after his appearance at the hearing at the Supreme Court's Division for Holders of Political Positions for the charges against him of corruption in connection with the Ratchadapisek land purchase.

- Thailand Outlook

[sriracha john]

I hadn't realized Thaksin was the inspiration for her latest pop music hit song...

Matichon Weekly - One Second Too Late [the title of a her latest song].

Nation Weekend - He's not my boyfriend. I cannot do this on his behalf.

Both news weeklies have cover stories featuring the singer Lydia, widely rumored by the Thai press to be romantically involved with Thaksin. The Nation also featured Lydia on the inaugural of its Xpress.

- courtesy of 2bangkok

Edited March 13, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Thaksin Not Going to Thailand Soon

LONDON - Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is unlikely to return to Thailand in the near future because he fears for his safety, a statement said Tuesday.

A day after a Thai court issued a new set of arrest warrants for him and his wife, Thaksin's public relations company said the exiled former leader was innocent of any crime.

"This is another politically motivated attack on the reputation of Dr. Thaksin and his family," the Bell Pottinger Group said in the e-mail statement. "Dr. Thaksin maintains his innocence and states that he is unlikely to be able to return to Thailand in the short term because of personal safety issues, his desire not be a cause of division in Thai society and the unlikelihood of a fair trial."

Thaksin, who has been living abroad since he was ousted in a bloodless coup almost a year ago, is being sought by Thai authorities for allegedly violating stock-trading laws and on corruption-related charges.

Thaksin has always denied the allegations.

Thaksin was deposed in September 2006, after the country fell into a political crisis due to mass demonstrations demanding he step down because of alleged corruption and abuse of power.

- Associated Press

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

Never hurts to drag out the ol' ridiculous "Dr" label in an attempt to improve credibility.....

Bell Pottinger... funny website they have, particularly in regards to Thaksin...

International Communications

We manage the reputations of individuals, organisations and entire countries. If people think well of you then it is simply easier to achieve your objectives.

The task of managing a reputation in the information age requires professional experience and this is perhaps what Bell Pottinger is best known for.

Dictators of a feather flock together... with the same PR firm...

Authoritarian Belarusian leader could get Western public relations help

MINSK, Belarus - Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is known to some in the West as Europe's last dictator. Now, he may get some Western public relations help in a bid to shed that image.

Lukashenko met Thursday with prominent British PR executive Timothy Bell (founder of the Bell Pottinger Group above) and suggested he is hiring Bell to burnish the image of Belarus.

Lukashenko's iron-handed rule and intolerance of dissent in the former Soviet republic have made him a pariah in the West. He and other senior officials are barred from traveling to the U.S. and the EU, punishment for the government's treatment of its critics. In a portion of the meeting shown on Belarusian state TV, Lukashenko said no country can do without professional public relations support these days.

Bell's office in Britain would not immediately comment.

Bell's recent clients include former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

- Associated Press

[sriracha john]

Not only Japan now .... but a "tour" on a "circuit" that goes "around the world"...

Thaksin to globe trot, guest lecture in universities around the world

Personal spokesman to former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, Phongthep Thepkanjana, revealed to the media that Thaksin has made plans to travel as a guest lecturer to various universities around the world after he reports for trial at the Supreme Court.

Phongthep stated that many universities from various countries have invited the deposed Prime Minister to give lectures. *Please name 3 of them, Phongthep*

He said that Thaksin has made plans to visit Japan as the first country on his lecture circuit where he once held a special class on “Industry and People” and received an honorary professorship from Takushoku University.

The spokesman admitted that no clear plans have been made for other dates on the tour as well as plans have not been made for his return to the Kingdom :D, but Thaksin has stated that he will not spend a long time abroad.

- ThaiNews

Scrrrrreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeccccccccchhhhhhhhh..... pull the emergency brake on the world tour of lecture circuit.... must have been all an "honest mistake"......

Thaksin leaves for London

Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra left Bangkok for London on Thai Airways flight TG 910 early Friday. More than 30 supporters were also on hand to see him off. He did not give any interviews to reporters. His spokesman Pongthep Thepkanchana told reporters that Thaksin will be in England until April 10 to attend to Manchester City football club business. Pongthep also said Thaksin had no plan to give lectures at a university in Japan as was reported in some news reports.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=126496

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

"some news reports".... some??? It was in every major world-wide media article and local press....

In quotes attributed directly to him???? :D

They haven't even pulled up the wheels on the jet before the lying already begins again...

Edited March 14, 2008 by sriracha john

[Tony Clifton]

I wonder if he pulled the old suitcases full of money trick again?

Let's see if coach Sven suddenly gets his long awaited spending money.

What's with leaving at 1 a.m.?

Edited March 14, 2008 by Tony Clifton

[traveller5000]

wow, so many different looks.

Her latest look... as of this afternoon anyway...

Lydia and ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra have publicly acknowledged their close relationship but insist it is purely platonic with her calling him 'father.' * as in "who's your Da..y?" *

Edited March 14, 2008 by traveller5000

[A_Traveller]

... What's with leaving at 1 a.m.?

That's the scheduled time {12:54am BKK arrived 6:18 UK local} of TG910.

Regards

[mrbojangles]

Let's see if coach Sven suddenly gets his long awaited spending money.

TC. If you know nothing about football please refrain from talking about it. Sven (and every other team) cannot buy anyone until the transfer window opens at the end of the season. Let's wait until the season closes to see what happens, shall we.

[Tony Clifton]

Let's see if coach Sven suddenly gets his long awaited spending money.

TC. If you know nothing about football please refrain from talking about it. Sven (and every other team) cannot buy anyone until the transfer window opens at the end of the season. Let's wait until the season closes to see what happens, shall we.

Let me tighten the bolt for you.

I know the window has closed. Did I mention buying any players?

I'm talking about money that wasn't available a few weeks ago, doesn't matter to me if it's used tomorrow or months from now. I'm curious to see if Sven will suddenly say he got what he asked for now that he has left the country and apparently canceled his lecture tour and The Great Saviour headed straight for London instead.

Relax, I know it can't be easy for the fans when a shifty megalomaniac criminal buys their favorite sports team.

[mrbojangles]

Let's see if coach Sven suddenly gets his long awaited spending money.

TC. If you know nothing about football please refrain from talking about it. Sven (and every other team) cannot buy anyone until the transfer window opens at the end of the season. Let's wait until the season closes to see what happens, shall we.

Let me tighten the bolt for you.

I know the window has closed. Did I mention buying any players?

You said "spending money" if he can't spend it on players what else would he need any "spending money" for? The toilet rolls !!

[Tony Clifton]

Just wait and see, give it a day or two and you'll get your promises.

[mrbojangles]

Just wait and see,

Funny, is there an echo in here? That's exactly what i said 4 posts ago

[sriracha john]

Making the latest round on the Thai mass emailing circuit is this cop who is "wai-ing" below the belt...& its implications:

Edited March 15, 2008 by sriracha john

[0Mix1up]

now someone with photoshop could make a classic outa that one