Thaksin lands at Suvarnabhumi and taken to court

[plachon]

Thaksin to make merit at 99 temples

Tour needed 'as he has more bad karma than others'

Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday said he intended to make merit at 99 temples as he was happy making merit around the country.

The ex-premier, who was making merit in the North, said he would go to temples in the Central and Northeast regions next. He said he wanted to make merit at 99 temples, instead of the usual nine, because he has more bad karma than other people.

He said his face was evidence of his happiness as a result of his merit-making.

perhaps he means this recent photo:

Some people who previously attacked him have now turned to be good to him, he added.

Thaksin was speaking at a temple in Chiang Mai's San Kamphaeng district, where his supporters and close aides performed a bathing rite for him and his family.

He said yesterday was one of the happiest days of his life because he had been able to return to his birthplace and make merit.

He said throughout the almost two years he lived abroad, he felt concerned for Thai people because he had a bond with them (like a leech and its host) and appreciated their (financial) support.

"I feel I have not paid back what I stole from, I mean owe them. Though I am no longer a PM, I can work for the country. Now I do charity work. Hey, guess what? I'm the charity,'' he said.

Citing astrology, the ex-PM said Rahu would move from Thailand and the dark cloud that covers the country would disappear. "I hope all good things will happen in our sacred country,'' he said.

He also asked his supporters and others to forgive each other.

"You can see my face is filled with merit because I forgive those who condemned me. I do not take revenge because everyone will have to pay back their karma,'' he said.

"Those who have duties should think hard and not interpret the law without considering the country."

- The Nation / 14-04-08

Ah well, if Cap'n Moonface ever falls on hard times, he could always become a professional Gurnieman.

[Tony Clifton]

Cut short by a sudden and important political meeting maybe? Leaving the country on short notice?

Edited April 14, 2008 by Tony Clifton

[seagull]

i gathered not many in tv likes nor supports him. I wondered why ? Well, there are still millions of thais out there who simply adores him.

[sriracha john]

Tony's right... he's out of here...

Thaksin to give speech at forum in Dubai

Deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's personal spokesman *can't be too "personal" as he seems to have at least a half dozen of them* , Pongthep Thepkanjana, says Thaksin is scheduled to give a special address at the Leader Forum in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The spokesman says the former premier will take a flight to Dubai at around 02:00 hours tonight at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

Thaksin says he will invite two prominent foreign businessmen to invest in Thailand, and their businesses are related to biodiesel. He expresses confidence that they will invest in Thailand, but he could not disclose the amount of money to be injected into the Thai economy yet.

- ThaiNews (today)

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

quite revealing that rather than defend himself at home.... he goes to a "Leaders Forum" overseas....

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...t&p=1926991

Edited April 15, 2008 by sriracha john

[Tony Clifton]

Also known as the Little Emperor or Coward the Great.

Edited April 15, 2008 by Tony Clifton

[MustaphaMond]

Deposed Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra speaks after his return from England to Bangkok March 30, 2008.

REUTERS

"It got away, but it was this big, I swear"

[Ricardo]

He said throughout the almost two years he lived abroad, he felt concerned for Thai people because he had a bond with them and appreciated their support.

"I feel I have not paid back what I owe them. Though I am no longer a PM, I can work for the country. Now I do charity work,'' he said.

Isn't that what the Revenue Department said ? Does he now agree with them ?

Citing astrology, the ex-PM said Rahu would move from Thailand and the dark cloud that covers the country would disappear. "I hope all good things will happen in our sacred country,'' he said.

Should PM Samak be worried, at this apparent criticism, of his (more than) three months of PPP-led coalition-government rule ?

He also asked his supporters and others to forgive each other.

So no more mystical ceremonies by the former-TRT, cursing their political enemies, and people who don't like Dr T ? Pity ... as that was very entertaining !

- The Nation / 14-04-08

[sriracha john]

Good reason to delay things a bit as having a bro-in-law as the country's top cop sure wouldn't hurt his case any...

Thaksin brother-in-law groomed for top position

The Police Commission Thursday reinstated a brother-in-law of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra before promoting him to the position of Deputy National Police Chief, seen as a move to pave way for him to lead the police service in October.

General Priewpan Damapong returned to active duty following a year-long hiatus as he was seconded to the PM's Office in the wake of the 2006 coup.

Priewpan's reinstatement was sanctioned by Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej in his capacity as the Commission Chairman.

- The Nation (today)

Edited April 18, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Thaksin to make merit in Northeast before returning to England

The deposed prime minister and former leader of the court-dissolved Thai Rak Thai Party, Thaksin Shinawatra, has returned to Thailand after attending the Leader Forum in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The Foreign Affairs Minister [and former Thaksin lawyer], Noppadon Pattama, and the Transport Minister [and Thaksin business partner], Santi Prompat, welcomed Thaksin following his arrival.

Thaksin says he is scheduled to make merit in northeastern Thailand on April 21st *he better be quick if he's going to do 99 temples in a single day like he said he would* , and he will return to England on April 24th. He will come back to Bangkok to on May 2nd to open the 111 Foundation.

*additional information on this 111 scam*

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?s=...t&p=1930087

Meanwhile, Thaksin’s spokesman, Pongthep Thepkanjana, says his boss will stay home with his family this weekend. He says Thaksin has also accepted the proposal to become the Chairman of the 111 Foundation.

- ThaiNews (today)

Edited April 19, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

The Grande Good Luck tour is back on....

Thaksin kicks off luck-reversing temple tour today

Former PM Thaksin begins a nationwide merit-making tour today that will take him to 99 temples. The tour is believed to be aimed at reversing Thaksin's run of bad luck, which includes a slew of corruption and abuse of power charges. A large number of supporters are expected to greet him at his first stop, in Khon Kaen, where security will be tight. His opponents have accused the government of needlessly spending taxpayer money by giving such a high level of protection to a figure who is no longer in office. Deputy Education Minister Pongsakon Unnopporn said Thaksin and his family have made Khon Kaen their first stop in the Northeast. After Khon Kaen, he will visit Kalasin, Roi Et, and Maha Sarakham. Pongsakon said police have been assigned to tightly guard all the major stops on the itinerary in Khon Kaen, which will last from 7.45am to 10.30am today. Both uniformed and plainclothes policemen will be deployed at places where Thaksin is scheduled to meet his supporters. A bomb disposal team will also be on hand.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/21Apr2008_news10.php

[sriracha john]

Steady there, Thakky.... don't overdo it...

Ex-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is held up by his aides after nearly collapsing while visiting a temple in Kalasin province on Monday.

The Nation

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

But it's understandable as he was exhausted from the highly dubious practice of autographing money which bears the image of....

Kom Chad Luek

Edited April 21, 2008 by sriracha john

[Tony Clifton]

His obsession with looking innocent will kill him, it`s so much easier and believable to simply show up in an air-conditioned courtroom when asked to instead of buying a football club, receiving honorary degrees from universities following large cash donations, pretending to work on setting up charities, paying for doing lectures around the world that no one wants to hear (ISSS website never published his ), hiring a lobby firm, touring 99 temples, making controversial youtube videos and websites along with incriminating CDs, along with the constant hordes of hypnotized zombies from the TRT era still clinging to him like leeches ready to do anything in the hope of a cash reward and on and on.

[sriracha john]

MERIT-MAKING: A NEW GIMMICK AND GAME-PLAN

Thaksin Shinawatra deserves the title of top newsmaker and creator of events for political gain, though he would insist that politics is in the past.

Yet his deeds speak louder than words and contradict the claim that he has no more political ambition. With the crowds and monks braving the hot weather to please him in northeastern provinces yesterday - showing he is still the darling of the have-nots - Thaksin would find it difficult not to succumb to political temptations. There will always be the excuse that he cannot resist the people's plea for him to be saviour with various populist programmes.

What he tried to achieve during his merit-making tour of four northeastern provinces was to strengthen his political base in the poverty-stricken region. Visiting temples and listening to sermons was designed to eliminate misfortune and gain supernatural support. His plan is to visit 99 temples in all regions, but the South. This is understandable, for he is not popular there, and quite unwelcome. The tour will keep him in the news, reminding friends and foes alike that he is still someone to be reckoned with.

That signal could be directed at his nominee, PM Samak Sundaravej - that the top job could be terminated any time. In the past few weeks, party members have shown enough disrespect, making the party leader accept the reality of his figurehead status.

Why would Thaksin need more blessings from monks? In his subconscious, he must be pestered by past sins. The most damnable of all was his war against narcotics, during which more than 2,500 people lost their lives in extrajudicial killings. Those deaths were compounded by the culling of millions of birds during the bird-flu outbreaks. That was during the peak of his power and arrogance. The extermination of drug peddlers or carriers of disease, still means killing - and that's against Buddhist precepts.

Can he really expect to gain from merit-making? Psychologically, he might believe that sins have been diluted by the sprinkling of sacred water over him, and the donations he made to temples. What he actually gained might have been reduced by the suffering he intentionally or otherwise caused to thousands in the four provinces he visited, for they had to withstand the scorching sun. Still, there were those willing to be seen greeting Thaksin wherever he went. Being recognised could mean bright prospects for promotion in the future through a display of loyalty. That's why present and former Cabinet members were also present.

What happened here was rare in any developed political society. After all, he is still accused of criminal wrongdoing and will be tried in at least two courts of law. Cabinet members and senior civil servants show no qualms or conscience by consorting with a notorious public figure charged with corruption and malfeasance. Thaksin wants to whitewash the public's perception of the legal charges. There are more cases to be filed, resulting from impropriety in office while he was PM. All the cases are high profile and demeaning to his dignity. They are the prime reason for the freezing of his assets.

It could be just part of his grand plan to regain power. With an exceptional flair in political marketing, yesterday's PR stunt reminds his adversaries that he is far from being down and out. On the contrary he still has various options for a strong comeback.

But Thaksin does not have the luxury of time, and the process of attempted constitutional change will take months. There are many formidable obstacles and dangerous turns. There is one short cut - equally dangerous but tempting and less time-consuming: the same method that ousted him. Thaksin can do it with his unmatched war chest and power structure. It can be done because the stakes are high enough - freedom from legal troubles and possible imprisonment, not to mention the return of his 62 Billion Baht.

Financing a putsch, greasing the hands of potential military commanders, offers a high degree of hope for success despite the great risks involved. The country would be like Burma for several months, but soon enough it should be restored to normal. This is just a confirmation of the rumours of a coup several weeks ago. It is just a question of who will do it.

First, the justification for such a drastic measure would follow violence in the streets. It's not difficult to create a flash point, especially given the political confrontation widely expected to take place in the next few months, resulting from the push for constitutional amendments. Of course, this scenario sounds highly remote if not impossible - until it becomes reality.

- The Nation (Sidelines by Sopon Onkgara) / 22-04-08

[Ricardo]

That signal could be directed at his nominee, PM Samak Sundaravej - that the top job could be terminated any time. In the past few weeks, party members have shown enough disrespect, making the party leader accept the reality of his figurehead status.

- The Nation (Sidelines by Sopon Onkgara) / 22-04-08

Has Sven Goran Ericsson been here recently ? If so, did he perhaps meet with PM Samak ?? They both seem to be having similar problems with the same boss, so might well have found that they have something in common, to talk about !

[younghusband]

MERIT-MAKING: A NEW GIMMICK AND GAME-PLAN

Why would Thaksin need more blessings from monks? In his subconscious, he must be pestered by past sins. The most damnable of all was his war against narcotics, during which more than 2,500 people lost their lives in extrajudicial killings. Those deaths were compounded by the culling of millions of birds during the bird-flu outbreaks. That was during the peak of his power and arrogance. The extermination of drug peddlers or carriers of disease, still means killing - and that's against Buddhist precepts.

- The Nation (Sidelines by Sopon Onkgara) / 22-04-08

Wow Sopon attacks Thaksin for the cull of birds during the bird flu crisis as an offence against Buddhist precepts.You have to hand it to the anti-Thaksin obsessives for dreaming up new "crimes".

[sriracha john]

And the Thaksin apologists keep right up there, as well. If the entire bird flu epidemic hadn't been completely mishandled from the very beginning with lies and cover-ups from the Thaksin administration, it's easy to see that the millions of fowl subsequently culled might not have been necessary.

[younghusband]

And the Thaksin apologists keep right up there, as well. If the entire bird flu epidemic hadn't been completely mishandled from the very beginning with lies and cover-ups from the Thaksin administration, it's easy to see that the millions of fowl subsequently culled might not have been necessary.

Sorry you can't get away with the moral equivalency approach.There isn't, at least on this forum, a group which cravenly supports Thaksin unconditionally and never criticizes his record.I leave it to others to determine for themselves how independent minded the coup apologists are.

As to the bird flu crisis, I have no doubt this wasn't handled well in Thailand.But to accuse the Thaksin government of the crime of culling birds (in line with international practice and advice from the WHO etc) is just absurd.

[sriracha john]

"wasn't handled well" ...

Yes, lying and deception often lead to things not being "handled well"... on a sadder note, it no doubt contributed to the human deaths from bird flu.

Culling was necessary to the extent it was carried out due to Thaksin lying to the experts.

[younghusband]

"wasn't handled well" ...

Yes, lying and deception often lead to things not being "handled well"... on a sadder note, it no doubt contributed to the human deaths from bird flu.

Culling was necessary to the extent it was carried out due to Thaksin lying to the experts.

Take a deep breath,take a stress pill, lie down if necessary and then re-read what you have written.Perhaps you might then understand why some of us think you might be a little paranoid about Thaksin.Anyway at least you now concede the cull was necessary.

[sriracha john]

"wasn't handled well" ...

Yes, lying and deception often lead to things not being "handled well"... on a sadder note, it no doubt contributed to the human deaths from bird flu.

Culling was necessary to the extent it was carried out due to Thaksin lying to the experts.

Take a deep breath,take a stress pill, lie down if necessary and then re-read what you have written.Perhaps you might then understand why some of us think you might be a little paranoid about Thaksin.Anyway at least you now concede the cull was necessary.

Put your reading glasses on, tend to your "senior management" work and then return, and read where I said that the level of culling was most likely due to the complete mismanagement from the Thaksin administration.

Who is "some of us"??? banned members?

Edited April 22, 2008 by sriracha john

[younghusband]

"wasn't handled well" ...

Yes, lying and deception often lead to things not being "handled well"... on a sadder note, it no doubt contributed to the human deaths from bird flu.

Culling was necessary to the extent it was carried out due to Thaksin lying to the experts.

Take a deep breath,take a stress pill, lie down if necessary and then re-read what you have written.Perhaps you might then understand why some of us think you might be a little paranoid about Thaksin.Anyway at least you now concede the cull was necessary.

Put your reading glasses on, tend to your "senior management" work and then return, and read where I said that the level of culling was most likely due to the complete mismanagement from the Thaksin administration.

Who is "some of us"??? banned members?

Actually I more or less agree with your description of the culling in this most recent post of yours.Pity you didn't say this first time round.

I'm not sure whether I should be flattered or horrified you have been monitoring the timing of my posts so closely, presumably to see whether I'm at the office or not.My "senior management role" seems to bug you.

Sorry don't understand your reference to banned members.

[Plus]

Thaksin has no qualms about exploiting Buddhism, what is the problem with reminding him about killing all those chickens.

What I can't stand is that he doesn't want to visit any Southern temples. This makes a complete mockery of his "merit making" exercise.

[sriracha john]

Thaksin has no qualms about exploiting Buddhism, what is the problem with reminding him about killing all those chickens.

What I can't stand is that he doesn't want to visit any Southern temples. This makes a complete mockery of his "merit making" exercise.

some mindsets never change about him....

this in todays Bangkok Post

PM under heavy fire for offering special treatment

Criticism has poured in after Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said provinces which did not vote for his Thai Rak Thai party will be the last to receive help from the government.

Thaksin told a meeting of grassroots leaders that not all provinces could receive state assistance at the same time and provinces which supported Thai Rak Thai would receive special treatment.

"I'm not going to beat around the bush. The provinces which place their trust in us will be given special care," he said.

"Of course, we will look after the entire country. But time is not on our side and so the provinces which trust us less will come in later. They will get help, but it will be later in the queue."

The remarks, made before Thaksin chaired a mobile cabinet meeting in Nakhon Sawan, sparked outrage from critics and the public. Scathing messages were posted on many website forums in response to the comments. "This country doesn't belong to the prime minister. Everyone pays taxes," one message read.

Other messages said Thaksin's attitude aggravated the separatist unrest in the South.

"This is the root of the southern problem which has everything to do with people there not choosing Thai Rak Thai. Must there be peace first before [southern residents] are granted their share of government funds?"

Thaksin also drew flak from the opposition and academics.

Opposition Leader Abhisit Vejjajiva slammed the remarks as unacceptable, saying people have the right to support any political party without undermining their entitlement to equal services, welfare and state support.

"The money to care for people comes from taxpayers, not Thaksin's pockets. He must deal with national problems as they really are," Mr Abhisit said.

If Thaksin's words reflect his true beliefs, it would be tantamount to using "policy-oriented bribery and extortion'' to run the country, he said.

"This is something democratically-minded people will find hard to swallow," the Democrat Leader said. He warned that such inconsiderate remarks would send the public the wrong message and ruin the sanctity of the prime minister's status.

Theerapat Serirangsan, of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, said the prime minister's job was to ensure equal well-being for everyone and not to use state resources for his Party's benefit. The political scientist said wearing too many hats may have confused Thaksin. The prime minister leads Thai Rak Thai as well as the country, he said, and when he confuses the roles he is no longer fit to lead the government.

[Plus]

In fact his insincerety with something so serious might mean that he prepares for the grand re-entry.

Would it be a coup, like Sophon predicted? Probably just a government takeover by a rival PPP faction (if Samak has any following there at all).

[sriracha john]

Not one to too quickly use up the PR factor all at once...

Thaksin Schedules Next Pilgrimage Next Month

Former Prime Minister [and current criminal litigant] Thaksin Shinawatra returned to Bangkok late last night after visiting four Northeastern provinces on his pilgrimage trip. The ousted premier’s spokesperson says he will be continuing his visit of 99 temples next month.

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra retuned to the capital last night. Included in his entourage were his son [and criminal litigant] Panthongtae Shinawatra, and several former Thai Rak Thai members including [former Deputy Agriculture Minister] Newin Chidchob (TRT Banned #6), [former Interior Minister and current criminal litigant] Sermsak Pongpanitch (TRT Banned #54), and [billionaire and former Justice Minister and current personal spokesman for Thaksin] Pongthep Thepkanchana (TRT Banned #10). [Former] House Speaker [and current criminal litigant] Yongyuth Tiyapairat was also present.

Thaksin is on a pilgrimage of 99 temples nationwide. He visited Kon Khean, Kalasin, Maha Sarakam, and Roi Et provinces yesterday.

Upon his return, Thaksin refused to speak to any reporters. His personal spokesperson, however, revealed that the ousted premier was very pleased to see the throngs of people who came out to welcome him. Pongthep says Thaksin has already visited around 20 temples in Bangkok, the north, and the northeast. He will be continuing his pilgrimage next month. *his pending court appearances at that time notwithstanding*

- Thailand Outlook (today)

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

nice company he keeps...

Edited April 22, 2008 by sriracha john

[Tony Clifton]

He's too busy running the country from backstage again.

[sriracha john]

Merit-making could hide new political plan

Former pm Thaksin Shinawatra has publicly said many times that he has quit politics

More than 16 months in exile has failed to make him disappear from the headlines, and since his return to the country in February, when he again announced he was quitting politics, the question remains whether he's being honest.

Thaksin said during the Songkran festival that he intended to make merit at 99 temples, instead of the usual nine, because he has more bad karma than other people. He said he would be visiting temples in the Central and Northeast regions, which have a strong Thai Rak Thai voter-base.

His spokesman Pongthep Thepkanchana said Thaksin wanted a peaceful and private life, but when the media asked him questions, he had the right to comment as a Thai citizen.

Pongthep said the House No 111 Foundation his group was planning to establish, was not intended as a platform for Thaksin's politics. This was unnecessary, as Thaksin already has many opportunities to be in the spotlight.

Thaksin and his followers can say whatever they want, but his activities always grab attention: defending himself in cases of alleged corruption and malfeasance related to his administration; his role as the owner of Manchester City Football Club; as chairman of ThaiCom Foundation; and president of the Professional Golf Association of Thailand.

A People Power Party MP, who follows Thaksin and asked not to be named, said Thaksin's temple tour of the provinces to make merit was all part of an advanced election campaign. Whether or not it was Thaksin's intention, the governors of the provinces in the Northeast turned out to greet him everywhere.

During Thaksin's merit-making trip to Khon Kaen on Monday, Deputy Agriculture Minister Theerachai Saenkaew, and banned former Thai Rak Thai Party executives Newin Chidchob (TRT Banned #6), Pongthep Thepkanchana (TRT Banned #10), Adisorn Piengket (TRT Banned #55), Chamlong Krutkhuntod (TRT Banned #32) , Sermsak Pongpanit (TRT Banned #54) and his wife. former senator Rabiabrat, and dozens of other followers joined his entourage.

The Governor of the province, along with 100 high-ranking police officers and government officials, greeted him at the temple. Deputy Education Minister Pongsakorn Annopporn also made merit at the temple with Thaksin. His programme, described as official work, was the same as Thaksin's - as were their flight schedules.

Khon Kaen University humanities and social sciences lecturer Somphant Techa-atik, said Thaksin visited temples to wipe away bad karma, as he often did in the past. However, the pilgrimage could also be an opportunity to check on his popularity. "In a way, he wants to check the support in each part of the country so he can plan strategies for the future. I don't believe Thaksin will quit politics. He still seems to play a big part in determining the direction of Thai politics," Somphant said.

Chulalongkorn University political science lecturer Trakul Meechai said government officials would not do such things if they were not told to. It was possible that Thaksin was preparing for another election after the five-year ban is over, he said.

Coordinator of the Khon Kaen People's Network for Democracy, Sompop Bunnag said if it is true that Thaksin has no more political ambitions, he must have had terrible bad luck. Instead of making merit to remove any bad karma, he should contemplate his past and prepare to clear himself in the courts. He should not try to interfere with the justice system either, he said.

- The Nation (today)

[sriracha john]

a bit curious... as he had to request permission to leave the country initially from the Supreme Court whilst he is allowed to be free from jail on bail, is he detracting them from their heavy work-load every time he does so (eg. Dubai last week, UK this week) with these weekly requests or have they given him carte blanche to just leave the country willy-nilly whenever it suits him???

Thaksin Jets off to London

Deposed PM Thaksin Shinawatra has jetted off last night to London following his meeting with the banned executives of the now-defunct Thai Rak Thai party to set up a foundation.

Ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra is back to England to take care of his Manchester City Football Club business, after returning to the country before the Songkran holidays to join the traditional Thai New Year celebrations and a merit-making tour in the Northeast last week.

His close aides, including Newin Chidchob, House Speaker Yongyuth Tiyapairat and Transport Minister Santi Promphat along with a group of his supporters were present at Suvarnabhumi International airport to see him off, amidst tight security.

Reports came in that he has just met with more than 70 banned executives of the Thai Rak Thai party to set up the 111 Foundation. 111 is the number of Thai Rak Thai executives who have been banned from politics for five years when the party was disbanded.

At the meeting, Thaksin apologized to his former party members for gettiing them banned from politics and said they should meet at least once a month from now on.

Sansanee Narkpong, one of the banned Thai Rak Thai executive, said that the 111 Foundation will be officially launched on May 2nd at the Central Plaza Lardprao Hotel at 2 p.m.

- Thailand Outlook (today)

[slapout]

This afternoon another dvd was delivered to our house. Mt. T in all his glory has produced another freeby to hand out. This shows him making merit at temples, visting the villages in Chiang Mai area, and making a speech which pointed out his followers would vote for his old TRT group no matter what name they ran under. The Interior Minister was right there giving his support, as were several local slugs/ politicians. I wander what happened to 'no politics for me' pledge. The memory span must have pasted for his supporters again.

[Tony Clifton]

Shamelessly he uses money to drag in monks and temples for his Coward The Great SAVE MY ASS WORLD TOUR leaving behind what I call a War of the Wats.