Uk Cancel Thaksin's Visa And Wife's

[hammered]

In defence of the BBC's Jonathan Head's reporting, I have to say that accusing him of being pro-Thaksin is very hard to justify. I regard his reporting as highly articulate and balanced in what is a very hard situation to report as so much goes on behind closed doors and local laws prevent one of the central issues being discussed or even mentioned locally.

On a different issue and back to topic, if Thaksin and Potjaman have had their visas rescinded for their conviction of a serious offence. Surely the same would apply to Potjaman's brother (adopted) and personal secretary as they were convicted of the same offence and they also fled to the UK. It appears this has not happened. Can anybody provide any information?

They are probably living quiet lives and not conducting politcal campaigns from the British mainland. Or maybe its just that they are in the country and are now going through an appeal process.... I suspect the former.

[animatic]

In defence of the BBC's Jonathan Head's reporting, I have to say that accusing him of being pro-Thaksin is very hard to justify. I regard his reporting as highly articulate and balanced in what is a very hard situation to report as so much goes on behind closed doors and local laws prevent one of the central issues being discussed or even mentioned locally.

On a different issue and back to topic, if Thaksin and Potjaman have had their visas rescinded for their conviction of a serious offence. Surely the same would apply to Potjaman's brother (adopted) and personal secretary as they were convicted of the same offence and they also fled to the UK. It appears this has not happened. Can anybody provide any information?

Not yet.

But I bet if he goes walkabout he won't get back in either.

He isn't the instigator in this case. And hasn't the same press cache.

But I wouldn't want to leave old blighty any time soon if I were him.

[jitagon]

In defence of the BBC's Jonathan Head's reporting, I have to say that accusing him of being pro-Thaksin is very hard to justify. I regard his reporting as highly articulate and balanced in what is a very hard situation to report as so much goes on behind closed doors and local laws prevent one of the central issues being discussed or even mentioned locally.

On a different issue and back to topic, if Thaksin and Potjaman have had their visas rescinded for their conviction of a serious offence. Surely the same would apply to Potjaman's brother (adopted) and personal secretary as they were convicted of the same offence and they also fled to the UK. It appears this has not happened. Can anybody provide any information?

I agree, and he should therefore refrain reporting in such a biased and one sided manner. If he cannot report the full facts, he should stop reporting that 'The vast majority of Thais are supportive of Taksin', and simply state that Taksin is supported in the North and NorthEast, the population of which 'Were the main beneficiaries of his populist policies'.

Jonathan Head, quite rightly, has made no secret of his distaste for the huge divide between the have and have nots here in Thailand and the fact that ruling class are consistently able to ride roughshod over their poorer (the majority) countrymen, as evidenced in his report on that rich kid ploughing his Mercedes Benz into a bus shelter. However, that does not in any way give him carte blanch to throw his whole weight behind a convicted, demagogue such as Taksin, without at least checking the facts of Taksin's record whilst in office. Ergo, he must, as a reporter for arguably one of the world's most respected news organisations, give a more balanced view. And to state in yesterday's report that Taksin could perhaps come back in some other role, perhaps as some kind of FUNDRAISER! (Yes, he's already been there, done that and got the t shirt), he's showing his complete and total ignorance as to Taksin and his motives. Taksin The NGO. Seriously?!

People here forget that a large proportion of the rest of the world, takes as gospel anything and everything reported in the news, both on television and in the printed media. Just look at how Phuket was sunk under water during the tsunami!

Edited November 12, 2008 by jitagon

[Jai Dee]

Malaysia to allow Thaksin to pass through

Asylum request will be studied, says Malaysia's foreign minister

Putrajaya - Malaysia will have no objection if former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, whose visa has been revoked by the British authorities, wants to "pass through" the country.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said Malaysia would not take a prejudiced stand against Thaksin who is facing corruption charges in Thailand.

"However, if he wants to stay here after leaving London, the merits will have to be studied," he told reporters after chairing the Seventh Meeting of the Joint Commission between Malaysia and Iran yesterday.

Dr Rais said that so far Thaksin had not made any approach towards Malaysia.

On Monday, the Philippines indicated that it would turn Thaksin away should he apply for asylum after reports from Thailand said he is believed to be heading there.

Last month, he was sentenced by a Thai court to two years in jail for conflict of interest after helping his wife buy state-owned land when he was prime minister. Before going to London, he had stayed in Singapore.

Earlier, Dr Rais said Malaysian firms should not be discouraged from carrying out joint partnership on trade and investments in Iran despite several sanctions imposed on the country by the United States and United Nations.

"This is because the sanctions are imposed on only three areas, which are nuclear, defence and military.

"There is actually a lot of potential investing in Iran and Wisma Putra will streamline any cooperation on this matter as speedily as possible," he said.

Source: The Nation - 12 November 2008

[Artisi]

Malaysia to allow Thaksin to pass through

Asylum request will be studied, says Malaysia's foreign minister

Putrajaya - Malaysia will have no objection if former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, whose visa has been revoked by the British authorities, wants to "pass through" the country.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said Malaysia would not take a prejudiced stand against Thaksin who is facing corruption charges in Thailand.

"However, if he wants to stay here after leaving London, the merits will have to be studied," he told reporters after chairing the Seventh Meeting of the Joint Commission between Malaysia and Iran yesterday.

Dr Rais said that so far Thaksin had not made any approach towards Malaysia.

On Monday, the Philippines indicated that it would turn Thaksin away should he apply for asylum after reports from Thailand said he is believed to be heading there.

Last month, he was sentenced by a Thai court to two years in jail for conflict of interest after helping his wife buy state-owned land when he was prime minister. Before going to London, he had stayed in Singapore.

Earlier, Dr Rais said Malaysian firms should not be discouraged from carrying out joint partnership on trade and investments in Iran despite several sanctions imposed on the country by the United States and United Nations.

"This is because the sanctions are imposed on only three areas, which are nuclear, defence and military.

"There is actually a lot of potential investing in Iran and Wisma Putra will streamline any cooperation on this matter as speedily as possible," he said.

Source: The Nation - 12 November 2008

I can just see thaksin breaking his neck to get into Malaysia and up close to the southern problems of Thailand he inflamed and was sh!t scared to even travel within 1000km of.

Edited November 12, 2008 by Artisi

[hammered]

Malaysia to allow Thaksin to pass through

Asylum request will be studied, says Malaysia's foreign minister

Putrajaya - Malaysia will have no objection if former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, whose visa has been revoked by the British authorities, wants to "pass through" the country.

Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said Malaysia would not take a prejudiced stand against Thaksin who is facing corruption charges in Thailand.

"However, if he wants to stay here after leaving London, the merits will have to be studied," he told reporters after chairing the Seventh Meeting of the Joint Commission between Malaysia and Iran yesterday.

Dr Rais said that so far Thaksin had not made any approach towards Malaysia.

On Monday, the Philippines indicated that it would turn Thaksin away should he apply for asylum after reports from Thailand said he is believed to be heading there.

Last month, he was sentenced by a Thai court to two years in jail for conflict of interest after helping his wife buy state-owned land when he was prime minister. Before going to London, he had stayed in Singapore.

Earlier, Dr Rais said Malaysian firms should not be discouraged from carrying out joint partnership on trade and investments in Iran despite several sanctions imposed on the country by the United States and United Nations.

"This is because the sanctions are imposed on only three areas, which are nuclear, defence and military.

"There is actually a lot of potential investing in Iran and Wisma Putra will streamline any cooperation on this matter as speedily as possible," he said.

Source: The Nation - 12 November 2008

They probably know he doesnt want to live there. Still he will be happier with that response than the one from the Philippines

[sriracha john]

Malaysia to allow Thaksin to pass through

Asylum request will be studied, says Malaysia's foreign minister

They probably know he doesnt want to live there.

Which is probably exactly why they would make the statement... a freebie that doesn't cost them a dime to throw it out there.

... but, just cautious enough that should he be so desperate eventually to go anywhere, the "asylum request to be studied" part allows them the easy out to say, "Hit the road, Jack."

[younghusband]

Well said Jitagon. Jonathan Head is beginning to lose all credibility as a reporter of substance, as he sticks with his archaic view of an evil despot. I've noticed TV's own YH is a big fan of Head, often singing his praises, but always getting it wrong over judgment calls about "what happens next". The latest call over Toxin's visa revocation is the last in a long line of classics........seems like some people just refuse to learn that the tide is turning in Thailand, inch by inch, when an elected past-PM can be found guilty in a Thai court of corruption charges. At one time, never thought I'd live to see the day.

At least somebody's not trying to claim it was a "procedural error" on behalf of the British immigration authorities. Good on ya Millipede!

It is true I am an admirer of Jonathan Head who it seems to me steers a careful and judicious course in his commentaries on Thai politics.I am not sure why you appear to believe Head is an uncritical admirer of Thaksin.Far from it.What he has said, among many other things, is that Thaksin remains highly popular and that he is feared by the elite that supports the PAD movement.As it happens, I know from the horse's mouth as it were that Anand Panyarachun (Dulwich College and Trinity College,Cambridge) had a very high regard for Jonathan Head's (Dulwich College and Pembroke College Cambridge) integrity, intellectual honesty and good judgement.

Most of your post however is directed at my wrong calls, presumably most recently on Thaksin's visa problems and perhaps a little while ago on the court's banning of TRT.It's no crime to make errors if freely admitted and half the time on a forum like this it's quite fun to make predictions.I haven't commented on other posts of yours on this subject because quite frankly they seemed over personal and driven by class envy, a rather unattractive element among some quarters of the English lower class.Will I see you at the OXford and Cambridge dinner at the Sukhothai later this month?Somehow I doubt it.

[chuang]

On a different issue and back to topic, if Thaksin and Potjaman have had their visas rescinded for their conviction of a serious offence. Surely the same would apply to Potjaman's brother (adopted) and personal secretary as they were convicted of the same offence and they also fled to the UK. It appears this has not happened. Can anybody provide any information?

What about those run-away Russian oligarchs and mafia staying in Britain, they are also wanted by the Russian govt.....

[tso310]

Slightly different situation with the Russians. The only extradition that has been asked for is for a couple of anti Putin oligarchs. There has been poor relations between the UK and Russia for a number of years. Until the Litvinenko dispute has been sorted and to a lesser extent BPs problems, nothing will happen.

[yogi]

taksin deservs that,only option he has is to depend on thailand new pm (oops sorry..his brother in law)may b he can do some magic

[klikster]

Does the truth bother you?

A dope-head son and two bimbo daughters. Soap opera material.

If they didn't have daddy's money they couldn't sell som tum.

Not at all. I merely used the word "children" and it seems to generate a frenzzy of vehemence and speculation from folks who may not know of what they speak.

Are you absolutely sure you know the truth? Wait, what a silly question .. you obviously know everything worth knowing about Taksin and his family.

[sriracha john]

One Self-Exiled Ex-Premier Seeking New Nation, with Fairway

The life of an exiled leader used to be a comfortable one. Uganda's Idi Amin whiled away his post-dictator years in Saudia Arabia, while the Philippines' Ferdinand Marcos spent the rest of his days in Hawaii. But Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand's former Prime Minister who was overthrown in a bloodless coup two years ago, is having a harder time finding a new place to call home.

Earlier this month, Thaksin had his British visa revoked, shortly after a Thai court sentenced him in absentia to two years' imprisonment for a conflict of interest conviction. The Thai telecoms tycoon had spent a good deal of time in England after his ouster, making headlines by buying the Manchester City soccer team before selling it to a Middle Eastern investor group earlier this year.

Thaksin was in China when his ban from Britain was publicly announced. Britain hasn't been the only one to distance itself from Thailand's controversial ex-premier. On Monday, a presidential spokesman from the Philippines said that should Thaksin be interested in settling there, he should look elsewhere.

Thai courts have issued arrest warrants for both Thaksin and his wife, and harboring fugitives from justice is presumably not something countries with close relations to Thailand would want to do. (Thaksin has denied wrongdoing in all court cases against him, claiming they are politically motivated.)

In a Nov. 1 telephone address to tens of thousands of his supporters who had gathered in a Bangkok stadium, Thaksin brushed off concerns about his refuge woes.

Several countries, he has claimed, have offered him honorary citizenship. Although Thaksin didn't specify his possible future home, the Bahamas did express initial willingness to host the former premier when he fled Thailand this summer after his wife was found guilty of tax evasion. Thai media have also reported that the Central African Republic might take Thaksin in if he's willing to invest some of his fortune in one of Africa's poorest countries.

But living in Bangui, the Central African Republic's capital, probably isn't high on Thaksin's destination list. After all, the former Thai premier has a fondness for luxury shopping and golf — and has indulged both diversions fully since he was forced from office two years ago. (In a sign that Thaksin may be resigned to a longer exile, he gave up one of his last official connections to his homeland on Tuesday, that of President of the Professional Golfers Association of Thailand.)

Loss of pride aside, Thaksin can at least take heart in the august company of others who have been barred from entering Britain. Earlier this year, American domestic diva Martha Stewart was denied a visa because of her brief jail stint, the same fate that befell Cordozar Calvin Broadus, better known as rapper Snoop Dogg.

- Time Magazine / 2008-11-12

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

Thaksin is remarkable... to be in the comparable to Idi Amin and Martha Stewart....

Ferdinand Marcos and Snoop Dogg...

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

While perhaps it's not Siam Paragon or The Emporium... shopping in Bangui for Thaksin and Potjaman could be termed, adventurous....

Bangui, Central African Republic

[hammered]

One Self-Exiled Ex-Premier Seeking New Nation, with Fairway

The life of an exiled leader used to be a comfortable one. Uganda's Idi Amin whiled away his post-dictator years in Saudia Arabia, while the Philippines' Ferdinand Marcos spent the rest of his days in Hawaii. But Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand's former Prime Minister who was overthrown in a bloodless coup two years ago, is having a harder time finding a new place to call home.

Earlier this month, Thaksin had his British visa revoked, shortly after a Thai court sentenced him in absentia to two years' imprisonment for a conflict of interest conviction. The Thai telecoms tycoon had spent a good deal of time in England after his ouster, making headlines by buying the Manchester City soccer team before selling it to a Middle Eastern investor group earlier this year.

Thaksin was in China when his ban from Britain was publicly announced. Britain hasn't been the only one to distance itself from Thailand's controversial ex-premier. On Monday, a presidential spokesman from the Philippines said that should Thaksin be interested in settling there, he should look elsewhere.

Thai courts have issued arrest warrants for both Thaksin and his wife, and harboring fugitives from justice is presumably not something countries with close relations to Thailand would want to do. (Thaksin has denied wrongdoing in all court cases against him, claiming they are politically motivated.)

In a Nov. 1 telephone address to tens of thousands of his supporters who had gathered in a Bangkok stadium, Thaksin brushed off concerns about his refuge woes.

Several countries, he has claimed, have offered him honorary citizenship. Although Thaksin didn't specify his possible future home, the Bahamas did express initial willingness to host the former premier when he fled Thailand this summer after his wife was found guilty of tax evasion. Thai media have also reported that the Central African Republic might take Thaksin in if he's willing to invest some of his fortune in one of Africa's poorest countries.

But living in Bangui, the Central African Republic's capital, probably isn't high on Thaksin's destination list. After all, the former Thai premier has a fondness for luxury shopping and golf — and has indulged both diversions fully since he was forced from office two years ago. (In a sign that Thaksin may be resigned to a longer exile, he gave up one of his last official connections to his homeland on Tuesday, that of President of the Professional Golfers Association of Thailand.)

Loss of pride aside, Thaksin can at least take heart in the august company of others who have been barred from entering Britain. Earlier this year, American domestic diva Martha Stewart was denied a visa because of her brief jail stint, the same fate that befell Cordozar Calvin Broadus, better known as rapper Snoop Dogg.

- Time Magazine / 2008-11-12

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

Thaksin is remarkable... to be in the comparable to Idi Amin and Martha Stewart....

Ferdinand Marcos and Snoop Dogg...

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

While perhaps it's not Siam Paragon or The Emporium... shopping in Bangui for Thaksin and Potjaman could be termed, adventurous....

Bangui, Central African Republic

The articles ridiculing his situation wont improve the guys temper. Apparently angry after being banned for the UK he lashed out at his enemies in Thailand and not at the British government which had banned him. The trouble is he may even be going insane but with the ability to cause all kinds of trouble as he does.

Anyway I doubt Thakisn enjoys being a laughing stock in articles like this.

[bunnaag]

soon Toxin might be very close sitting on a boat in Langkawi harbour waiting for the night if Malaysia grants him asylum.

[sriracha john]

One Self-Exiled Ex-Premier Seeking New Nation, with Fairway

The life of an exiled leader used to be a comfortable one. Uganda's Idi Amin whiled away his post-dictator years in Saudia Arabia, while the Philippines' Ferdinand Marcos spent the rest of his days in Hawaii. But Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand's former Prime Minister who was overthrown in a bloodless coup two years ago, is having a harder time finding a new place to call home.

Earlier this month, Thaksin had his British visa revoked, shortly after a Thai court sentenced him in absentia to two years' imprisonment for a conflict of interest conviction. The Thai telecoms tycoon had spent a good deal of time in England after his ouster, making headlines by buying the Manchester City soccer team before selling it to a Middle Eastern investor group earlier this year.

Thaksin was in China when his ban from Britain was publicly announced. Britain hasn't been the only one to distance itself from Thailand's controversial ex-premier. On Monday, a presidential spokesman from the Philippines said that should Thaksin be interested in settling there, he should look elsewhere.

Thai courts have issued arrest warrants for both Thaksin and his wife, and harboring fugitives from justice is presumably not something countries with close relations to Thailand would want to do. (Thaksin has denied wrongdoing in all court cases against him, claiming they are politically motivated.)

In a Nov. 1 telephone address to tens of thousands of his supporters who had gathered in a Bangkok stadium, Thaksin brushed off concerns about his refuge woes.

Several countries, he has claimed, have offered him honorary citizenship. Although Thaksin didn't specify his possible future home, the Bahamas did express initial willingness to host the former premier when he fled Thailand this summer after his wife was found guilty of tax evasion. Thai media have also reported that the Central African Republic might take Thaksin in if he's willing to invest some of his fortune in one of Africa's poorest countries.

But living in Bangui, the Central African Republic's capital, probably isn't high on Thaksin's destination list. After all, the former Thai premier has a fondness for luxury shopping and golf — and has indulged both diversions fully since he was forced from office two years ago. (In a sign that Thaksin may be resigned to a longer exile, he gave up one of his last official connections to his homeland on Tuesday, that of President of the Professional Golfers Association of Thailand.)

Loss of pride aside, Thaksin can at least take heart in the august company of others who have been barred from entering Britain. Earlier this year, American domestic diva Martha Stewart was denied a visa because of her brief jail stint, the same fate that befell Cordozar Calvin Broadus, better known as rapper Snoop Dogg.

- Time Magazine / 2008-11-12

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

Thaksin is remarkable... to be in the comparable to Idi Amin and Martha Stewart....

Ferdinand Marcos and Snoop Dogg...

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

While perhaps it's not Siam Paragon or The Emporium... shopping in Bangui for Thaksin and Potjaman could be termed, adventurous....

Bangui, Central African Republic

The articles ridiculing his situation wont improve the guys temper. Apparently angry after being banned for the UK he lashed out at his enemies in Thailand and not at the British government which had banned him. The trouble is he may even be going insane but with the ability to cause all kinds of trouble as he does.

Anyway I doubt Thakisn enjoys being a laughing stock in articles like this.

It's probably a good thing for him then that not many people read Time and will see this ridicule ...

Time (Magazine) — Circulation: 4,038,508 per week (just within the U.S.)

[hammered]

soon Toxin might be very close sitting on a boat in Langkawi harbour waiting for the night if Malaysia grants him asylum.

If he is planning a dramatic return itis unlikely it will be from Malaysia to the South of Thailand. He may not even make Bnagkok taking that route.

[Jai Dee]

Malaysia says it will allow Thaksin to transit

Malaysia will not object to former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra travelling through its territory, but any request for asylum will have to be evaluated, Foreign Minister Rais Yatim has said.

"It would be all right for Thaksin if he wants to pass through Malaysia. However, if he wants to stay here, then the matter would have to be looked into," he said in comments reported Wednesday that were confirmed by his aides.

However, Rais did not say whether any request for transit or asylum had been received.

Thaksin, toppled in a military coup in September 2006, was last month sentenced in absentia to two years in jail by a Thai court for conflict of interest after helping his wife buy state-owned land when he was premier.

He has spent most of his time since the coup in self-imposed exile in Britain, where he bought and then sold Manchester City football club.

Thaksin returned to Thailand in February this year but swiftly fled again in August after his wife was sentenced to three years in jail for tax evasion.

However, Britain recently revoked his visa, without explaining why.

He is now believed to be searching for asylum in another country.

The Philippines said this week he would be turned away if he applied for asylum there amid reports in Thai media that the island nation was next on his itinerary, after a recent visit to China.

Malaysia typically takes care not to upset relations with its northern neighbour Thailand, where Thaksin's brother-in-law -- Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat -- is now in charge.

Source: AFP - 12 November 2008

[aries27]

Well, for some time now, Malaysia has been playing referee among ASEAN nations with domestic troubles like the Mindanao's Muslim in PH. So this is not so surprising a move from Malaysia. And Malaysians are not very noisy and complaining people and media is quieter too so the administration will not have a problem on that regard.

Or else, it will be luxury resort arrest for ex PM Thaksin? Hmm, that won't be too bad, especially if there is a mini golf course in it (no sarcasm there). Mefeels Mr. Thaksin won't be severely punished as it happens to erring leaders in the West. The lost face syndrome of Asians won't allow humiliation for the exPM.

Just a thought hmm?

[jitagon]

Well said Jitagon. Jonathan Head is beginning to lose all credibility as a reporter of substance, as he sticks with his archaic view of an evil despot. I've noticed TV's own YH is a big fan of Head, often singing his praises, but always getting it wrong over judgment calls about "what happens next". The latest call over Toxin's visa revocation is the last in a long line of classics........seems like some people just refuse to learn that the tide is turning in Thailand, inch by inch, when an elected past-PM can be found guilty in a Thai court of corruption charges. At one time, never thought I'd live to see the day.

At least somebody's not trying to claim it was a "procedural error" on behalf of the British immigration authorities. Good on ya Millipede!

It is true I am an admirer of Jonathan Head who it seems to me steers a careful and judicious course in his commentaries on Thai politics.I am not sure why you appear to believe Head is an uncritical admirer of Thaksin.Far from it.What he has said, among many other things, is that Thaksin remains highly popular and that he is feared by the elite that supports the PAD movement.As it happens, I know from the horse's mouth as it were that Anand Panyarachun (Dulwich College and Trinity College,Cambridge) had a very high regard for Jonathan Head's (Dulwich College and Pembroke College Cambridge) integrity, intellectual honesty and good judgement.

Most of your post however is directed at my wrong calls, presumably most recently on Thaksin's visa problems and perhaps a little while ago on the court's banning of TRT.It's no crime to make errors if freely admitted and half the time on a forum like this it's quite fun to make predictions.I haven't commented on other posts of yours on this subject because quite frankly they seemed over personal and driven by class envy, a rather unattractive element among some quarters of the English lower class.Will I see you at the OXford and Cambridge dinner at the Sukhothai later this month?Somehow I doubt it.

Well, where to start? First of all, all the 'anti-Taksin Pro Pad' faction have been determined elitist supporting fascists. You then proceed with your sycophantic diatribe, to report that you know 'from the horse's mouth as it were'(sic) that you have inside information From the Ruling Elite then?

Which college each party attended amounts to nought, and most certainly does NOT attest to 'intellectual honesty and good judgement' (sic).

As to your charge my posts are 'over personal and driven by class envy' !? Where on earth do you think you are? Are attempting to infer in some way my post, specifically regarding Jonathan Head, (for I am truly unable to deduce from any other of my posts), that I envy his attending an, er, college?

And as to your ultimate sentence. Well what an totally pretentious prat you are. Seriously. GO HOME. Idiot.

Edited November 12, 2008 by jitagon

[younghusband]

As to your charge my posts are 'over personal and driven by class envy' !? Where on earth do you think you are? Are attempting to infer in some way my post, specifically regarding Jonathan Head, (for I am truly unable to deduce from any other of my posts), that I envy his attending an, er, college?

Actually I wasn't referring to you old bean as a quick scan of my post would have made clear.Tootle pip.

[sriracha john]

First Lady Yaowapa Wongsawat nee Shinawatra

PM could do something to shake off Thaksin-proxy image

Although prime minister Somchai Wongsawat is a brother-in-law of convicted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, he said on his first day in office that he's nobody's proxy.

Nevertheless, as time passes, his actions and words are raising more and more doubt about whom he truly serves.

Every time there's some news about Thaksin, Somchai the PM would try to evade answering any question or pretend not to be interested. "It's just about one man, why should we be interested," he would say, again and again.

But perhaps Somchai has forgotten that the man is also a convicted criminal running away from justice. Somchai is well aware however that it's hard for him to win, no matter how he speaks about Thaksin.

Some academics regard this as a self-preservation strategy.

Scholars like Sukhum Nualsakul, former rector of Ramkhamhaeng University believes that in fact Somchai is very interested about what's happening to his brother-in-law.

But so far, Somchai has kept people guessing and has even refused to comment about Thaksin's recent controversial phone-in from abroad to his supporters.

Jaet Thonawanik, dean of the law faculty at Siam University, believes that Somchai should be judged by his actions and not his words when it comes to the issue.

The government's failure to revoke Thaksin's diplomatic passport is the clearest answer so far and indicates that in fact Somchai is Thaksin's so-called "nominee," said Jaet.

As for National Institute of Development Admnistration (NIDA) president Sombat Thamrongtanyawong, he believes that Somchai can say whatever he likes but he became prime minister simply because of Thaksin.

"His actions cannot hide what he has been doing for Thakin. I want people to look at Somchai's actions more than his words," Sombat proposed.

Looking back, it's not hard to imagine why it was Somchai who was selected by the party after Samak Sundaravej was disqualified for hosting a cooking show - it's perhaps because his wife; Yaowapa, provides the most direct link to Thaksin as she is Thaksin's sister.

Nevertheless, Somchai has been haunted by questions about Thaksin from early on, starting when Thaksin's initially fled to London but the premier's response was to say it has nothing to do with him. The same went with the issue of diplomatic passport and most recently, the revocation of visa to Britain for both Thaksin and his wife.

"It's about a former premier isn't it and Britain considers the matter their internal affair. So I guess we won't be doing anything," he said.

As for the diplomatic passport, the PM was quoted as saying: "Let us concentrate on the income of people. Other matters can be pursued later and it's not a big deal."

Even when Thaksin's phone-in risked committing contempt to court and possible lese majeste, Somchai continued to pretend not to have to do with anything.

All these can't bode well for a man trying to shake off the image of being a proxy of Thaksin. And if Somchai is sincere in trying to shake off such image, the first thing he can do today is to revoke Thaksin and his wife's diplomatic passport.

That will clear the air somewhat.

- The Nation / 2008-11-13

[sriracha john]

So, what's the deal with Bahamas?

While democratically mature nations like the United Kingdom are denying entry to convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his wife Pojaman, smaller countries like the Bahamas are welcoming them with open arms. Or so say reports.

So, what's the deal with Bahamas?

At the moment, nobody is quite sure about their whereabouts. Some say they are headed for Dubai because Thaksin has good relations with the United Arab Emirates' government. After all, he did sell his football club to billionaires from Abu Dhabi.

But then again, reports were heard yesterday that Bahamas' Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham had offered Thaksin a deal - he could form a government-in-exile and demand justice over the revocation of their British visas. Reports say that Ingraham granted Thaksin an honorary citizenship.

Thailand's INN news agency quoted sources as saying that officials from the Bahamas' foreign ministry had been assigned the job of helping the ousted PM explain himself to the world and getting the world to recognise his so-called "government in exile".

On Monday, INN quoted a report from the Bahamas ZNS TV channel saying that Ingraham wanted his officials to look for ways of assisting Thaksin, and claimed that the leader was not happy with Britain's revocation of the Shinawatras' visas.

Earlier reports suggested that Thaksin had purchased land on Bahamas' New Providence Island and that he was looking for more investment opportunities in the country. Delighted by the huge injection of money, the government reportedly considered issuing Thaksin and family Bahamas passports.

Thai media, quick to pick up anything on Thaksin, has been crediting the Nassau newspaper The Tribune and ZNS.

However, there are a few niggling questions, like does the government of Bahamas really care about Thaksin? Plus, we can't contact any of the sources for verification - The Tribune is not on the Net and ZNS' website is being upgraded. What's even more surprising is that there are no reports on the Internet about Bahamas ever taking Thaksin under its wing.

Of course, we all know that the former PM is great at promoting himself. In fact, before he was ousted in 2006, he had hired Washington-based PR firm BGR Holdings to "guide" him.

Then he became a client of the Bell Pottinger Group, which is owned by Lord Timothy Bell - the man most deposed leaders and exiled billionaires turn to when they need an image makeover.

This time, one can't help but admire Thaksin for doing a superb PR job.

- The Nation / 2008-11-13

[Bagwan]

But then again, reports were heard yesterday that Bahamas' Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham had offered Thaksin a deal - he could form a government-in-exile and demand justice over the revocation of their British visas. Reports say that Ingraham granted Thaksin an honorary citizenship.

Thailand's INN news agency quoted sources as saying that officials from the Bahamas' foreign ministry had been assigned the job of helping the ousted PM explain himself to the world and getting the world to recognise his so-called "government in exile"

This does not surprise me in the least. A former Commanding Officer of mine set up a yacht chartering business in the Bahamas when he retired from the Royal Navy. The business prospered until the Bahamas attained self government status. From that time on he was pestered for 'political donations' and since he consistently declined, his premises were subject to many thefts and suppliers and prospective customers were threatened. He moved to Florida and his view is that the islands are governed by crooks with a heavy Mafia element and that corruption is a way of life. Thaksin would really feel at home there.

P.S. What a stupid phrase 'demand justice' is. You can't demand anything from a sovereign country, particularly with regard to their legal and justice system. Anybody with experience of negotiating Thailands bureaucracy knows that for results a little supplication is required. Even a diplomatic request that the UK Government reconsider its decision to withdraw the melogamaniac s visa would IMO be pi**ing into the wind.

Edited November 12, 2008 by Bagwan

[brahmburgers]

"And if Somchai is sincere in trying to shake off such image, the first thing he can do today is to revoke Thaksin and his wife's diplomatic passport.

- The Nation / 2008-11-13

The second thing PM Somchai could do is disallow Thaksin's incendiary phone calls from going through to the masses. The latest was a thinly disguised call to threaten unrest from mobs he controls. It was also a plea for a Royal pardon - which puts the HRM on the spot.

Thai gov't will censor a female nipple shown on TV, but it won't censor potentially incendiary messages sent out by a convicted felon - broadcast to the masses. Such messages, by the way, coming from a man who has repeatedly stated he was done with politics.

[Plus]

If he sets a government in exile they can try him for treason.

[sriracha john]

Government Spokesman and UDD leading member Nattawut Saikua said on Tuesday that he and Payom Kalayano, the abbot of Suan Kaew Temple, had discussed the preparation for holding a mobile "Truth Today" political talk show. Nattawut said the event is expected to be held on November 23.

Another UDD member and PPP MP Jatuporn Promphan, as one of the hosts of the Truth Today programme, said ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra can make phone-in speeches to his supporters on every show.

for some reason, some people think a Buddhist temple is an inappropriate and unsuitable location for a mass political rally... with speeches by convicted criminal fugitives...

Senior monks oppose temple hosting of political talk show

Senior monks are opposed to the planned staging of the controversial political talk show Kwam Jing Wan Nee (Truth Today) at Wat Suan Kaew in Nonthaburi. The show would feature a phone-in address by fugitive former PM Thaksin Shinawatra. Government Spokesman Natthawut Saikua, one of the co-hosts, said the temple abbot, Phra Phayom Galayano, had given permission for the talk show, which was planned for Nov 23. But a member of the Supreme Sangha Council, Phra Phrom Vajirayarn, disagreed with the temple being used for political purposes. "Behind the Truth Today programme is the pursuit of power and interests tainted with political greed," he said. "The Truth Today programme should be kept away from temples and monks should realise what is considered appropriate limits."

Phra Thep Visutthikavee, secretary to a monastic panel working on behalf of the Supreme Patriarch, was also concerned that a gathering at the temple would be seen as a political rally.

Jatuporn confirmed that Thaksin would phone-in to every show. On Monday, Thaksin said he would continue to address his supporters by phone at future rallies and would make longer speeches and start naming his political enemies.

Pending rioting gang leader charges Natthawut's and Jatuporn's co-defendant Veera is also involved deeply in this political rally at a temple shenanigans... as they all continue to push this...

Veera Musikhapong, left, led UDD members to Wat Suan Kaew in Bang Kruay district in Nonthaburi province to meet abbot Phra Payom Kalayano, right. The temple will host the ‘Kwam Jing Wan Nee’ (The Truth Today) talk show and pro-government rally on Nov 23.

Bangkok Post / 2008-11-13

Edited November 13, 2008 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

One might think that there has already been damage done to your temple, Abbot....

Wat Suan Kaew abbot Phra Payom Kalayano said he has asked the UDD and producers of Kwam Jing Wan Nee (The Truth Today) programme not to make damaging allegations against anybody during the rally to be held at his temple on Nov 23. The abbot, well known for his blunt preaching style, said he would not allow any of the Kwam Jing Wan Nee hosts or UDD leaders to say anything that could cause damage to his temple or cause damage to anybody's reputation. Phra Payom said he would allow the UDD and the talk show producers to use the temple space on Nov 23, because most of those attending are expected to be Buddhists. Moreover, he did not want Thai people "to be the same as prawns that have their feces in their heads". Yesterday afternoon, UDD leaders and Kwam Jing Wan Nee hosts Veera Musikhapong and Jatuporn Prompan visited Wat Suan Kaew in Nonthaburi to discuss with Phra Payom the preparations for the show. The programme will be telecast live on the Public Relations Department's NBT television channel as usual. Asked if ousted PM Thaksin would telephone in to the talk show, Veera said Thaksin would make his own decision, but as a former PM, he was entitled to do so.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/131108_News/13Nov2008_news11.php

Edited November 13, 2008 by sriracha john

[plachon]

Well said Jitagon. Jonathan Head is beginning to lose all credibility as a reporter of substance, as he sticks with his archaic view of an evil despot. I've noticed TV's own YH is a big fan of Head, often singing his praises, but always getting it wrong over judgment calls about "what happens next". The latest call over Toxin's visa revocation is the last in a long line of classics........seems like some people just refuse to learn that the tide is turning in Thailand, inch by inch, when an elected past-PM can be found guilty in a Thai court of corruption charges. At one time, never thought I'd live to see the day.

At least somebody's not trying to claim it was a "procedural error" on behalf of the British immigration authorities. Good on ya Millipede!

It is true I am an admirer of Jonathan Head who it seems to me steers a careful and judicious course in his commentaries on Thai politics.I am not sure why you appear to believe Head is an uncritical admirer of Thaksin.Far from it.What he has said, among many other things, is that Thaksin remains highly popular and that he is feared by the elite that supports the PAD movement.As it happens, I know from the horse's mouth as it were that Anand Panyarachun (Dulwich College and Trinity College,Cambridge) had a very high regard for Jonathan Head's (Dulwich College and Pembroke College Cambridge) integrity, intellectual honesty and good judgement.

Most of your post however is directed at my wrong calls, presumably most recently on Thaksin's visa problems and perhaps a little while ago on the court's banning of TRT.It's no crime to make errors if freely admitted and half the time on a forum like this it's quite fun to make predictions.I haven't commented on other posts of yours on this subject because quite frankly they seemed over personal and driven by class envy, a rather unattractive element among some quarters of the English lower class.Will I see you at the OXford and Cambridge dinner at the Sukhothai later this month?Somehow I doubt it.

Oh, you are such a card old fellow.

Yes, you're right - it's all class envy that drives me to point out what an upper class, arrogant prat you appear, always dropping names, old school ties and smoked salmon canapes on the board. I do so wish I could be as clever, witty and gay as you m'lord. But, as a fully signed up member of the chattering classes, my downbreeding doesn't allow me to have the superior knowledge, stiff upper lip, foresight and eloquence that you so clearly possess. So it is my sad lot in life to attend the Scumbag College annual riotous orgy, coincidentally taking place on the same night as your dinner at the Sukothai. If we do run into each other, I'll be sure to tug my forelock and grovel appropriately, as is expected of the lower classes in front of the gentry. Innit?

Will Head and Anand be there too?

[sriracha john]

Always one to hype his own drama, the ubiquitous "initial-naming" game...

Thaksin is preparing to name 'foes'

Convicted former PM Thaksin Shinawatra has accused four "high social ranking people" of masterminding plots against him, according to a source. The source claimed Thaksin recently mentioned the initials of his political enemies to a group of supporters at the luxury Marco Polo Hong Kong hotel. Thaksin mentioned their initials - P, S, T and Ch - and promised to reveal their full names in a phone-in to a future rally, said the source, who requested anonymity. The "P" and "S" were former military brass while "T" and "Ch" are civilians with high social status, the source quoted Thaksin as saying. Thaksin believes they are behind what he calls "injustice" after he was sentenced to two years in jail by the Supreme Court. According to the source, Thaksin wanted PM Somchai, who is his sister's husband, to appoint retired General Panlop Pinmanee, former Deputy Director of the ISOC to his old post, but Army Chief Gen Anupong Paojinda will take up the position after a restructuring of ISOC. As a result, Panlop may be appointed as an ISOC adviser instead. Thaksin's plan was to have Panlop oversee security issues and deal with the PAD rally. Panlop met Thaksin on Nov 7 in China.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/131108_News/13Nov2008_news12.php