Thaksin and Wife Fail to Board Return Flight

[hammered]

.....edit... If anyone believes a party controlled by Newin Chidchob is going to be a party better than one led by Thaksin they must be utterly delusional ...edit...

Has anuone said this or did you mean: "Ahh well the victim has, besides the major one so many other little injuries, we may not touch any of them!" ?

...edit...

Matichon has surmised that funding would come from a social development fund and the BMA bus deal. Of course, now everyone will be watching those closely.

Funding will be key, especially if the PPP does break up as people suggest.

He will try everything possible, that can be taken for granted, but will he succeed another time - it doesn't look likely!

With the other problems, I think will be dealt step by step - one at a time!

For Samak they are going to "bundle" the cases, to save time...

"The Nation" reports that the People Power Party, Chart Thai, Matchima Thipataya and Puea Pandin parties might be dissolved.

And newly formed yes, old wine in new bottles we know the name of the game - but so do certainly others.. lets see- maybe they run out of accommodation in Bangkok Hilton?

Let's not play judges or be too early judgmental, let's see... this country doesn't struggle under it's political ruler ship since yesterday... the struggle is on for a long time...it lasts some 70 years already...

It was actually me that wrote the delusional comment. There was no hidden meaning. It was not aimed at what anyone had said but was meant as: Newin as head of a party (and he effectively is right now) will be potentially worse for Thailand than Thaksin although as he is very much a part of the hideous feudal elite that run the upcountry areas he will probably not be so unacceptable to people with power.

There has been speculation of a gang of four plus Demos coalition as though such a thing would be a progressive step forward for Thailand. In case anyone hasnt noticed virtually nobody left in the PPP is unacceptable to powers that be. The PPP now consists of the same old groupings, families and clans that have overseen Thailand for decades. All that remians is for agreement to be reached over who benefits from what, and probably splitting the party up.

[Plus]

The problem for PPP, and especially Newin, is their lack of leadership. Isanese didn't vote for Samak, that's for sure.

They can talk about the legacy of TRT but they need credible faces. If Surapong is booted out via lottery scandal they'll have virtually no known names or faces left to stick on party banners.

Whatever happens - those MPs will be in Parlament, they only question is about minimising the damage they can inflict.

The country will be run by bureaucrats - they will set the policies and agendas and think up strategies, ministers will be there only to present them.

One thing is certain - if you want an improvement in Thai bureaucracy, don't expect help from politicians, you must find some other way.

There are some positive signs, btw - look at the foreign ministry, they used to do whatever they wanted there, but now, with Preah Vihear issue, they were forced to give up their turf and heed opinions of the media, civil society, and courts, of course.

[Samuian]

........edit......

.... but was meant as: Newin as head of a party (and he effectively is right now) will be potentially worse for Thailand than Thaksin although as he is very much a part of the hideous feudal elite that run the upcountry areas he will probably not be so unacceptable to people with power.

There has been speculation of a gang of four plus Demos coalition as though such a thing would be a progressive step forward for Thailand. In case anyone hasnt noticed virtually nobody left in the PPP is unacceptable to powers that be. The PPP now consists of the same old groupings, families and clans that have overseen Thailand for decades. All that remians is for agreement to be reached over who benefits from what, and probably splitting the party up.

You know this, so many other observers do know this fact about the very "incest" cronism-core of thai politics and that Newin is rallying to get his allies ashore... Samak already wishes to build his "baby" and is going to push "high speed trains", wants to "relocate" 1700 slum dwellers from bkk - they don not pause from making "friends"...there is a rumour aout snap elections in December... still they wish to partly rewrite core elements of the constitution and the PAD is still out "there"...

we will see... I think the move against Taxin has been one major leap forward into the right direction and hopefully the "broom" doesn't stop here...!

[raro]

Weren't the "war against drugs" and the Tak Bai incident violations of human rights that could be interpreted as mass killings? If so, he should not face trial in Bangkok but in The Hague.

[robint]

Surely the ppp will have to revoke his diplomatic passport now he is on the run and in contempt of court

555

the court here can hold the case in absentia. If convicted he will be obliged to disposed of the failing man city as he will have a criminal record like his wife

555

[marshbags]

WANTED: FOR BAIL-JUMPING AND TAX EVASION

Thaksin, wife on 'wanted' list

Warrants circulated nationwide by police

Police have added deposed PM Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Potjaman to their "wanted list", distributing warrants for the couple's arrest to authorities concerned nationwide yesterday. Assistant National Police Chief Pol Lt-Gen Watcharapol Prasarnratchakij said the arrest warrants for the couple have been updated in police criminal records after the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions forwarded the warrants to National Police Chief Pol Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwan. The Supreme Court issued an arrest warrant on Monday for Thaksin and the one for Potjaman was issued yesterday. "Police will be circulating the arrest warrants to agencies concerned nationwide, including immigration authorities," he said. The distribution of arrest warrants enraged the couple's lawyer, Wichit Plangsrisakul, who called it an attempt to humiliate Thaksin and his wife. "There is no need to distribute the arrest warrants because Thaksin has issued a statement that he and his family have travelled to England. The police act is inappropriate and may violate the defamation law," he said. Wichit also doubted the OAG will be able to ask for the extradition of Thaksin from England as no court has convicted him of anything yet. He said the former PM has instructed his legal teams to handle all the cases, including defamation charges to

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/150808_News/15Aug2008_news01.php

The size of the headline text is possibly a little bigger and bolder than this all capital letters in The Nation

I could see it some distance away and i,m blind as a bat.

Brilliant high profile exposure, to match their previous pre conviction self appointed, and expected high profile status.

Where did it all go wrong.........didums

marshbags

Edited August 15, 2008 by marshbags

[marshbags]

I noticed that Potjaman's arrest warrant didn't include her weight. How could they have issued such an incomplete document?

Im sure the plastering of these documents over the front of newspapaers has more to do with humiliating them and showing this very publically.

To expand on your observation

It not only humiliates them H., it sends some very important messages out publically about the rebirth of honest law and order to all who have abused it in times gone by, and sets a new precedence, setting the bar for future offenders of this level in society, who in the past have arrogantly ignored the rule of law based purely on the assumption that it only applied to the less privileged members of Thai society.

It also highly profiles the message to the less fortunates that at long last, it is on a more level playing field and says " No One is above the law."

I,d like to think there is an equally high profile and prominent, grab your attention headline, in at least one of the Thai newspapers if not more so.

In the meantime as business returns to normal we now have a PPP full of the same old faces that have happily been running and ripping off Thailand for decades and shorn of those who initially set up the TRT to a man/woman if I am correct. Invasion of the body snatchers is complete. Now all that remains is to split it into two or more parties and get back to the good old days. If anyone believes a party controlled by Newin Chidchob is going to be a party better than one led by Thaksin they must be utterly delusional or just be part of the lets change nothing ever group. In the meantime the Dems seem to be able only to stare straight into the headlights while remaining stationary unless of course they are quite happy with the status quo too.

marshbags

[younghusband]

Weren't the "war against drugs" and the Tak Bai incident violations of human rights that could be interpreted as mass killings? If so, he should not face trial in Bangkok but in The Hague.

You're right.Not only that these offences would make an extradition from the UK much more straightforward (as opposed the relatively trivial offences he has actually been charged with, which arguably are not offences at all

So you have to ask the question why haven't the Thai authorities even contemplated for a nanosecond that these charges be levelled against him? If you know the answers you will also understand the rotten heart of Thai political culture.

[younghusband]

The problem for PPP, and especially Newin, is their lack of leadership. Isanese didn't vote for Samak, that's for sure.

They can talk about the legacy of TRT but they need credible faces. If Surapong is booted out via lottery scandal they'll have virtually no known names or faces left to stick on party banners.

Whatever happens - those MPs will be in Parlament, they only question is about minimising the damage they can inflict.

The country will be run by bureaucrats - they will set the policies and agendas and think up strategies, ministers will be there only to present them.

One thing is certain - if you want an improvement in Thai bureaucracy, don't expect help from politicians, you must find some other way.

There are some positive signs, btw - look at the foreign ministry, they used to do whatever they wanted there, but now, with Preah Vihear issue, they were forced to give up their turf and heed opinions of the media, civil society, and courts, of course.

You are nothing if not consistent even if in my view deluded on your notion of wise and competent bureaucracy checking the corrupt and wily politicians.But seriously isn't the main challenge in Thailand to improve the calibre of politicians?

[sriracha john]

White Tiger Cub at Chiang Mai Night Safari Dies

A white tiger cub, whose parents were given by a Chinese safari park to the ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, died in Chiang Mai Night Safari.

One of three white tiger cubs at the Chiang Mai Night Safari has died, but the management of the night safari did not inform the public as to the cause of death. The male white tiger cub was born along with its two siblings on April 21st, to female white tiger Li Zhen and male white tiger Zhao Zhen.

The parents of the dead tiger were a present from Guangzhou Panyu Safari Park in China, given to the deposed Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra during his visit on February 2nd, 2006.

In May 2008, Chiang Mai Night Safari invited visitors to join a contest to name the white tiger baby, with a 10,000 baht reward offered, including a free tour package to visit the park.

The judgment on the contest was set to be done by the exiled premier, but the safari park office eventually denied the matter, after it was seriously criticized by the public.

The name of the dead white tiger baby was Ping Sakorn. The cub died before the award ceremony could be held.

White tigers are rare, and they are nearly extinct. Currently, less than 500 white tigers are living around the globe.

- Thailand Outlook / 15 August 2008

[Plus]

The problem for PPP, and especially Newin, is their lack of leadership. Isanese didn't vote for Samak, that's for sure.

They can talk about the legacy of TRT but they need credible faces. If Surapong is booted out via lottery scandal they'll have virtually no known names or faces left to stick on party banners.

Whatever happens - those MPs will be in Parlament, they only question is about minimising the damage they can inflict.

The country will be run by bureaucrats - they will set the policies and agendas and think up strategies, ministers will be there only to present them.

One thing is certain - if you want an improvement in Thai bureaucracy, don't expect help from politicians, you must find some other way.

There are some positive signs, btw - look at the foreign ministry, they used to do whatever they wanted there, but now, with Preah Vihear issue, they were forced to give up their turf and heed opinions of the media, civil society, and courts, of course.

You are nothing if not consistent even if in my view deluded on your notion of wise and competent bureaucracy checking the corrupt and wily politicians.But seriously isn't the main challenge in Thailand to improve the calibre of politicians?

I'm for a competent and dedicated government, if politicians can't deliver, the bureaucrats should take the job. If bureaucrats can't deliver, we are in a deep shit cos there's no one else left.

The junta hoped to improve politics, they obviously haven't succeeded, but they seriously clipped politicians' powers - see how Samak and Co complain about working with their hands tied behind their backs.

Their main beef is inability of MPs to oversee government projects - they can't take any government positions, they've been constitutionally excluded from any decision making on national scale. That's not what they run in elections for - they want their hands on big money but are forced to legislate instead. What a bummer!

Very wise decision on part of the 2007 consitution writers - keep as many bastards away from the trough as possible.

I'm sure you remember my other arguments in favour of bureacracy

- they are very well trained, there's a system of meritocracy, even if flawed - they still have to jumps through all the hoops, unlike our Finance Minister- from spa to national economy in one go.

- there are relatively few of them - they have basically life long positions, there's no influx of hundreds of hungry politicians wanting to set themselves and their relatives for life in the space of three-four years between elections.

- politicians come to steal big and fast and they don't care about the future, bureaucrats nurture their sources of income for decades and pass them on to the future generations - they enjoy the eggs, not kill golden geese.

- they have proven to be more responsive to the public voice than the current crop of politicians, though that aspect varies from ministry to ministry

Lastly, improving politicians and improving bureaucracy are not two mutually exclusive goals. With the current state of politics I think working on bureacracy is more important and urgent that hoping for leopards like Newin to change their spots (he will be sending ministers in every government no matter who is the PM, make no mistake about that).

[sriracha john]

I noticed that Potjaman's arrest warrant didn't include her weight. How could they have issued such an incomplete document?

I'm sure the plastering of these documents over the front of newspapers has more to do with humiliating them and showing this very publicly.

With international media, the whole world gets to see the humiliated and disgraced former despot and his wife up close and personal. As for the omission of her weight on the warrant, it might be because the template software for entering data only allows up to a 3-digit number to be entered.

Potjaman Shinawatra, wife of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, is pictured in an arrest warrant issued in Bangkok by the Thai police. Thailand has begun the lengthy process of trying to extradite former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and revoke his diplomatic passport after he skipped bail this week and went into exile in London. The Supreme Court ordered the arrest of Thaksin and Potjaman, and seized 13 million baht in bail after they missed a hearing into Potjaman's purchase of state land for a knock-down price while Thaksin was in office.

REUTERS

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is pictured in an arrest warrant issued in Bangkok by the Thai police. Thailand has begun the lengthy process of trying to extradite Thaksin, who owns English Premiership soccer club Manchester City, and revoke his diplomatic passport after he skipped bail this week and went into exile in London.

REUTERS

Edited August 15, 2008 by sriracha john

[Buckwheat]

Open

[marshbags]

PAD urges UK to extradite Thaksin

By THE NATION

Published on August 18, 2008

Urges govt agencies to make all-out efforts to bring him back and put him

T he People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) will tomorrow gather in protest outside the British Embassy to call on the United Kingdom not to harbour former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife, who have escaped trial on corruption charges.

A PAD statement said Thaksin was not a political-asylum seeker but a criminal fugitive who escaped the arms of the law after corruption charges were pressed against him.

It called on Thaksin to show political courage and return to the country and "accept the consequences of his karma".

It called on the Attorney-General, the Foreign Ministry and other agencies to revoke all types of passport issued to Thaksin and make all-out efforts to put him on trial. The PAD vows to take action against officials who fails to carry out their duties to secure Thaksin.

The PAD said it opposed any move to pardon Thaksin or his cronies. The group said it would support changes that led to political, social and economic reform, but not to a path that paved the way for vested interests of any group.

Meanwhile People Power Party (PPP) spokesman Kudep Saikrachang called on people to respect the rights of Thaksin who, he said, had decided to seek exile so the country could move on.

"The country's political climate would be better and politics can move ahead. If Thaksin were still here, the country would continue to be stuck in a political impasse,'' he said.

He called on Sondhi Limthongkul, a leader of the PAD, not to humiliate Thaksin and his wife by distributing their arrest warrants, urging him to leave the matter to the judiciary.

"As the saying goes, 'Do not cross over people who stumble','' he said.

PPP MP for Roi Et Sakda Kongpet said party members would today sign their names in a letter asking Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej to explain why he did not help save Thaksin and his wife from the humiliation of having their arrest warrants announced across the country.

PPP MP for Nakhon Phanom Paijit Srivorakan, a leader of the Isaan Pattana faction, called on all groups in the PPP to sign their names after reports some factions, such as the Gang of Four, would not endorse the signature campaign, citing the sensitive nature of the issue.

Responding to the move by the PPP MPs to take Samak to task for his failure to help Thaksin, Kudep said Samak would be able to explain to the party and he believed the PPP MPs still supported him.

Unquote

Many thanks to yourself, B.W. and Admin for re opening this important platform, which is keeping us informed on what will be surely be, a long, interesting, ongoing saga.

T.Visa,s T.N.Clippings is as always doing a magnificent job via George, J.D. and not forgetting the dedicated S.J. who covers so many subjects on the various threads.

Genuine Kudos on behalf of all of us.

marshbags

Edited August 18, 2008 by marshbags

[sriracha john]

EDITORIAL

Thaksin's PR machine in full swing again

The merits of the cases against the Shinawatras are being ignored in favour of the old familiar spin

Thaksin Shinawatra's best chance is to make all that is happening to him look like déjà vu all over again. And we can see it happening already, in some foreign media editorials, in political blogs, through his legal representatives and through his own emotional statements.

Here, according to the mammoth public-relations efforts joined knowingly or unknowingly by journalists abroad with a stereotypical concept of "democracy," is a politically persecuted man driven out of his home country simply because he was too popular.

Last time it was the generals who were demonised. For all the criticism, much of which was justified, democracy was returned without blood being shed and with stone-throwing mobs not treated like Muslim protesters during Thaksin's time. Most of the contentious actions of the coup-makers focused on allegations that could not be handled by the almost non-existent checks and balances of his era. The controversial investigations were finally completed and forwarded to the normal judicial process, and an election was allowed, followed by an overwhelmingly pro-Thaksin Parliament and government.

What does Thaksin do now? He runs and tries to discredit the current judicial process. He once wrote a letter to the US president claiming an anti-corruption campaign besieging his government was a conspiracy to overthrow a democratically elected leader. After the coup, his propaganda machine was working at full speed to endorse this claim. Thanks also to their own shortcomings, the generals and their interim government found their image in tatters.

The courts, which have violated no principles so far in dealing with the corruption charges against Thaksin and Co, now have to brace themselves for more of the same. When he cannot dispute the evidence, Thaksin seeks to destroy the credibility of the process that acquired it in the first place. Whereas the Pojaman tax-evasion ruling was based on hard evidence, not to mention what the judges perceived as the bad example that the former first lady set for society, the truth of this is having a difficult time making it through current distortions.

In an editorial on Thursday, the Wall Street Journal all but said it was sorry for Thaksin. It highlighted his claim that "people who directly and indirectly supported the coup were appointed as members of organisations responsible for taking against me", while failing completely to mention, for example, how solid the case against Pojaman was. The fact that in the Ratchadaphisek land case, Thaksin and his wife were accused of breaking laws that existed before the coup was also of no significance in the paper's eyes.

The cases against the couple were originally simple ones, made complicated only by their efforts to avoid the hand of the law at all costs through the abuse of political power.

Claims of political persecution or conspiracy only raise a string of exasperated questions: did somebody put their shares in their servants' accounts to frame them? Were they tricked into not paying taxes for the Shin Corp sale in a bid to topple his government? Were Ample Rich and Win Mark "planted" by his accusers as his ghost companies? Did one Cabinet member fool him into giving the Exim bank loan to the Burmese junta?

Instead of seeing the current judicial campaign as an effort to put things right, the Wall Street Journal cast a negative light on the process. To sum up its view of the process, the paper considers it nothing that will strengthen Thai democracy or make its leaders more accountable to the people. It was a daring conclusion that ignores a tiny little thing: how can Thailand's democracy be deepened and its leaders made more accountable if we are a country that is incapable of even addressing those alleged crimes?

It's the question that Thaksin and his public-relations men want to shield from the rest of the world. The root cause why Thais had to take to the streets, giving the military ammunition to oust Thaksin in a coup, or why it took a coup-installed committee to investigate what should have been simple criminal or political crimes gave way to a superficial analysis: he was too popular to stay.

In the long run, it could be as the Wall Street Journal pessimistically predicted, that Thailand has no positive future with or without Thaksin. However, while the paper seems content with Thaksin's "imperfections", the term he used in his parting-shot statement, a lot of Thais may be saying the "imperfect" way of dealing with his alleged crimes is the best chance this country has.

- The Nation / August 18, 2008

[marshbags]

Open

A non condescending, genuine thank you and deserved Kudo,s to admin for re opening the thread on behalf of our members.

marshbags

[younghusband]

EDITORIAL

Last time it was the generals who were demonised. For all the criticism, much of which was justified, democracy was returned without blood being shed and with stone-throwing mobs not treated like Muslim protesters during Thaksin's time. Most of the contentious actions of the coup-makers focused on allegations that could not be handled by the almost non-existent checks and balances of his era. The controversial investigations were finally completed and forwarded to the normal judicial process, and an election was allowed, followed by an overwhelmingly pro-Thaksin Parliament and government.

- The Nation / August 18, 2008

This "opinion piece" from the Nation is particularly specious and dishonest in my view.Needless to say the piece from the WSJ has not been posted.I expect most will have their own views on the respective quality of The Nation and the Wall Street Journal.It's clear however that the editors of the latter publication have not grasped that Thailand (unlike any other country in the history of the world) cannot be understood by foreigners.

Just as a point of detail it was the very people who treated the Muslim demonstrators so disgracefully that were the most ardent supporters of the coup.

[sriracha john]

Needless to say the piece from the WSJ has not been posted.

Please use your status as a paid subscriber to the WSJ to post it.

[Plus]

the very people who treated the Muslim demonstrators so disgracefully that were the most ardent supporters of the coup.

Oh, I guess me and SJ and lots of others have been excluded from ardent coup supporters list. That's a relief.

[Scott]

I am afraid that I will have to side with Thaksin on the whole matter--and I am not a supporter, nor do I wish to see him return to power. I think his claim of judicial interference is probably correct and I think he would know. When he was in court before becoming PM and convinced them (how, I wonder), to overlook his 'honest mistake', it was the court's biggest mistake. They had their chance to prevent him getting into the position in the first place. At that time, it appeared that he was quite guilty. Probably more guilty than he is now.

The Courts must side with right, not convenience. He can probably substantiate that the court was unduly influenced them and maybe that they are unduly influenced now.

Please note that my comments are not meant as a slight against the court, but just the presentation of an argument. I wasn't there, I am not a judge, and I didn't hear the evidence.

[younghusband]

the very people who treated the Muslim demonstrators so disgracefully that were the most ardent supporters of the coup.

Oh, I guess me and SJ and lots of others have been excluded from ardent coup supporters list. That's a relief.

I suppose I asked for that! Still I think you and most others know exactly what I mean.

[younghusband]

Needless to say the piece from the WSJ has not been posted.

Please use your status as a paid subscriber to the WSJ to post it.

I don't do posts of newspaper pieces.

However you do all the time on occasion cutting out bits which don't fit in with your ideology.If you are going to post an article it's just honesty (as well as good manners) to post the article to which it refers even it contains comments with which you disagree.

I don't subscribe to the WSJ but found the article within about ten seconds.For members who would like to see it google Thailand Jumps the Shark and follow the links.

[sriracha john]

I wasn't there, I am not a judge, and I didn't hear the evidence.

and there certainly is a lot of it... eg. 40 boxes in the lottery case

The Assets Examination Committee yesterday filed corruption charges in the Supreme Court against ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra and former Cabinet ministers, in connection with the two and three digit lottery scandal.

The Nation / 2008-03-10

[sriracha john]

Needless to say the piece from the WSJ has not been posted.

Please use your status as a paid subscriber to the WSJ to post it.

I don't do posts of newspaper pieces.

If you are going to post an article it's just honesty (as well as good manners) to post the article to which it refers even it contains comments with which you disagree.

I don't subscribe to the WSJ but found the article within about ten seconds.For members who would like to see it google Thailand Jumps the Shark and follow the links.

It has absolutely nothing to do with honesty nor manners, but good flame attempt anyway. Actually, I don't subscribe to any paid news sources and thus don't post them. Simple, really.

All I got with your google search is some blog and a link to a review of the blog: "Part of a bitter expats complete breakfast."

Perhaps, even if you don't post news in the news clipping forum, you could provide a direct link to the WSJ article?

[Crushdepth]

Meanwhile, a lawyer for Thaksin, Wichit Plangsrikul, claimed the police move to distribute arrest warrants for the couple across the country could be deemed an abuse. "The police action was not suitable and might have broken the law because they deliberately defamed them.

What a classic Where did Thaksin find these morons?

[Tony Clifton]

In an editorial on Thursday, the Wall Street Journal all but said it was sorry for Thaksin.

So he is still hiring their services of Baker Botts after all this time.

[younghusband]

Needless to say the piece from the WSJ has not been posted.

Please use your status as a paid subscriber to the WSJ to post it.

I don't do posts of newspaper pieces.

If you are going to post an article it's just honesty (as well as good manners) to post the article to which it refers even it contains comments with which you disagree.

I don't subscribe to the WSJ but found the article within about ten seconds.For members who would like to see it google Thailand Jumps the Shark and follow the links.

It has absolutely nothing to do with honesty nor manners, but good flame attempt anyway. Actually, I don't subscribe to any paid news sources and thus don't post them. Simple, really.

All I got with your google search is some blog and a link to a review of the blog: "Part of a bitter expats complete breakfast."

Perhaps, even if you don't post news in the news clipping forum, you could provide a direct link to the WSJ article?

Even I was surprised to see you accusing me of flaming on this occasion.

I checked the reference I gave and it still works well (just received a PM from another member confirming this) giving the WSJ article in full.I take your point about not quoting pieces from journals with paid subscription.However if you are going to provide a Nation article dealing with a foreign newspaper, it's probably a good idea to do a search so that it can also be quoted.

[sriracha john]

Needless to say the piece from the WSJ has not been posted.

Please use your status as a paid subscriber to the WSJ to post it.

I don't do posts of newspaper pieces.

If you are going to post an article it's just honesty (as well as good manners) to post the article to which it refers even it contains comments with which you disagree.

I don't subscribe to the WSJ but found the article within about ten seconds.For members who would like to see it google Thailand Jumps the Shark and follow the links.

It has absolutely nothing to do with honesty nor manners, but good flame attempt anyway. Actually, I don't subscribe to any paid news sources and thus don't post them. Simple, really.

All I got with your google search is some blog and a link to a review of the blog: "Part of a bitter expats complete breakfast."

Perhaps, even if you don't post news in the news clipping forum, you could provide a direct link to the WSJ article?

Even I was surprised to see you accusing me of flaming on this occasion.

I checked the reference I gave and it still works well (just received a PM from another member confirming this) giving the WSJ article in full.I take your point about not quoting pieces from journals with paid subscription.However if you are going to provide a Nation article dealing with a foreign newspaper, it's probably a good idea to do a search so that it can also be quoted.

I have and I will do when it's free.

If the link is easy to find, could you simply post the link? Why the intrigue?

Edited August 18, 2008 by sriracha john

[hammered]

Meanwhile, a lawyer for Thaksin, Wichit Plangsrikul, claimed the police move to distribute arrest warrants for the couple across the country could be deemed an abuse. "The police action was not suitable and might have broken the law because they deliberately defamed them.

What a classic Where did Thaksin find these morons?

Quite how they found there way into certain public toilets remains moot. No doubt the T-shirt will follow. This is a game of humiliate your opponent and make him appear weak. There is little though anyone can do about it.

By the way is there any chance of this thread staying on topic and away from personal disagreements?

[sriracha john]

Thai Rath's Lom Salatan:

Former premier Thaksin Shinawatra's decision to go back into exile in London is a step back that may enable him to make a political return. Thaksin joins two prominent Thais on the run from the courts. Ex-Finance One executive Pin Chakkaphak has been in London for 10 years after an extradition request was rejected. Rakesh Saxena, a one time bank adviser accused of stock manipulation and fraud, is in Canada. Unlike Mr Pin and Mr Saxena, who are not politicians, Thaksin is unlikely to stay put. He is lying low in order to make a few more steps forward. He wants a comeback. If he really wants to wash his hands of politics, why does he urge supporters to be patient? Thaksin's battle with his enemies will be a long one. A boxer knocked down in the first round may make a comeback. It's all about strategy and patience. You don't count a boxer out until the final bell rings. And surely Thaksin can wait.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/180808_News/18Aug2008_news23.php