george Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 Thaksin and Potjaman divorce in Hong Kong Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is reported to have divorced his wife Khunying Potjaman, in a move that has shocked many of the couple's friends and colleagues. Thaksin told People Power party (PPP) MPs at a dinner in Hong Kong last night that his 32-year marriage had ended. "We divorced in order to make everybody feel comfortable," a PPP MP, who was at the dinner, quoted Thaksin as saying. The divorce was sealed at 11.00am yesterday at the Thai consulate in Hong Kong, the source said. Thaksin's announcement shocked everyone at the table which became suddenly silent, said the MP, who declined to be named. Khunying Potjaman was not at the dinner, he added. A high-ranking government source confirmed the couple had signed the divorce papers at the Thai consulate in Hong Kong. The divorce took place less than a month after the Supreme Court sentenced Thaksin to two years in jail and acquitted Khunying Potjaman over conflict of interest charges in the Ratchadiphisek land deal case. The prison sentence is alleged to have prompted the UK to cancel entry visas for Thaksin and his wife. A political observer said the divorce could be legally motivated to protect the couple's assets, which are mostly held in the name of Khunying Potjaman. The National Anti-Corruption Commission revealed last year that Thaksin officially declared assets worth 614.39 million baht when he took office, while Khunying Potjaman had 8.48 billion baht. Thaksin and Khunying Potjaman married in 1976 and have three children. The family often appeared in public together, even after Thaksin was ousted in a coup and went into self-exile in London before his and Khunying Potjaman's visas were revoked. During his controversial phone-in speech to supporters at Rajamangala stadium on Nov 1, Thaksin lamented that his family had been torn apart after the Sept 19 coup. Thaksin reportedly flew to Dubai last night after the dinner with the PPP MPs, who went to Hong Kong to meet Thaksin, who arrived from Beijing on Tuesday. The group included Yaowapa Wongsawat, his younger sister and wife of Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, her close aide Yongyuth Tiyapairat and former Thai Rak Thai executive Newin Chidchob. Veera Musikhapong and Chatuporn Promphan, hosts of the Kwam Jing Wan Nee (Truth Today), were also seen in Hong Kong yesterday. A PPP source said the former prime minister chose Dubai because the UAE has no extradition treaty with Thailand. The source said Thaksin told his associates he would use "all means" to fight his political enemies, whom he blamed for his political downfall and the two-year jail sentence imposed by the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions. Thaksin blamed a group of "privileged elites" including retired army generals, said the source. Bangkok Post 2008-11-15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brahmburgers Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 That's their personal business - between them and their immediate family. Their divorce doesn't cancel out any of their legal indiscretions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plachon Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 Seems like all is not sunshine and roses in the Shinawatra household at present. How sad................let's hope it's not too acrimonious. Guess all those trysts with Lydia, Mai et al, finally came back to haunt him. Wonder who'll get the country he thought was his? Lawyers will be having yet another field day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plachon Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 Maybe it's a dumb question, but what's he doing going in the Thai Consulate as a fugitive and convicted criminal. I though he was one of Thailand's "most wanted" and here he is swanning into a little bit of Thailand abroad to get a quickie divorce. Amazing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruceboy Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 Probably just a ploy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mc2 Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 I doubt it is acrimonious. A move against the bullies abusing their power to protect his and his ex-wife assets is the more likely motive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LaoPo Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 Maybe it's a dumb question, but what's he doing going in the Thai Consulate as a fugitive and convicted criminal. I though he was one of Thailand's "most wanted" and here he is swanning into a little bit of Thailand abroad to get a quickie divorce. Amazing! A (Thai) consulate is, unlike an Embassy, not considered soil of that country, as far as I know. LaoPo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sriracha john Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 My God! Think of their poor kids! Who will assume custody rights??!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 It's always sad to see a family start coming apart, regardless of the reason. I suppose this will do away with conjucal (spelling) visits! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brahmburgers Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 (edited) Maybe it's a dumb question, but what's he doing going in the Thai Consulate as a fugitive and convicted criminal. I though he was one of Thailand's "most wanted" and here he is swanning into a little bit of Thailand abroad to get a quickie divorce. Amazing! good point! The Sgt at Arms should have slapped handcuffs on them and put them both in to custody. If one of us were a fugitive from Thai justice (is that an oxymoron?), we would expect the same if we walked in to a Thai embassy or consulate. I jest not. Edited November 15, 2008 by brahmburgers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marshbags Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 (edited) Probably just a ploy. 100% IMHO, B.B. No way would they be doing this without first of all having thought / thinking things through and making sure it was to their advantage. Politically motivated, joint self interests, IMHO you bet it is. She can now possibly keep control of not only the petty cash / mega tea money, but look to be a seperate issue when it comes to the much expected sympathy and support as the victim of the unethical and devious mind of Thaksin that will duly follow...................... Thai style The PC brigade back home would have a field day with this one !!!!!!!!!! IMHO of course. marshbags Edited November 15, 2008 by marshbags Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sriracha john Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 (edited) The group included Yaowapa Wongsawat, his younger sister and wife of Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat As a high-profile and concerned citizen, I'm sure she did her best to try and convince her older brother to do the right thing and turn himself into authorities to face his adjudicated prison time and stop being a convicted fugitive from justice. I'm also sure that upon her return, she will share all available information about his whereabouts and plans with the responsible authorities... because she is, afterall, the First Lady, and that would be the proper thing to do. Edited November 15, 2008 by sriracha john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plachon Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 Probably just a ploy. 100% IMHO, B.B. No way would they be doing this without first of all having thought / thinking things through and making sure it was to their advantage. Politically motivated, joint self interests, IMHO you bet it is. She can now possibly keep control of not only the petty cash / mega tea money, but look to be a seperate issue when it comes to the much expected sympathy and support as the victim of the unethical and devious mind of Thaksin that will duly follow...................... Thai style The PC brigade back home would have a field day with this one !!!!!!!!!! IMHO of course. marshbags I'm not so sure Marshbags.............I've always reckoned that Pokemon wears the trousers in the Shinawatra h/hold, as it does the Wongsawat h/hold. You seem to assume that he is divorcing her rather than other way round. Think about it................most of the family dosh is in her name and her hubby is about as popular as a pork pie at a Jewish wedding right now in Thailand, Uk, any other country you care to name. He's screwed up big time their plans for a nice comfy retirement back home in Chiang Mai as well as screwed around more times than she can continue to turn a blind eye too, added to which it seems everything he touches turns to <deleted> these days. In short he's lost his midas touch and she understandably wants out from this loser. And can you blame her? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artisi Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 You can bet your b@lls it is being done for a specific reason as a means to an end (in Thaksin's eyes) and nothing to do whatsoever with any marriage breakdown. The poor excuse for a man is a devious and cunning b@st@rd who will use any means or person to suit his own vindictive agenda. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plus Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 On one hand she might be fed up with all this running and fighting and naming names and what not. On the other hand they have significant assets to save, all in her name. I suppose the courta can't seize her assets if she is not guilty in upcoming cases. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thai at Heart Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 This might be the the start of a request for a pardon for ex-wife and beyond that a return for hubbie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sriracha john Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 The group included Yaowapa Wongsawat, his younger sister and wife of Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, her close aide Yongyuth Tiyapairat Another criminal litigant, with pending attempted murder charges, out on bail and traveling internationally... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tig28 Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 sj----- Yongyuth Tiyapairat </font><b>attempted murder</b> charges I didn't think so ----- info please?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plus Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 It's related to a midnight raid on an elderly couple in Ayutthaya led by Youngyuth. Thousands of rounds of ammunition were discharged. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnyk Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 (edited) He's in a world of <deleted>, isn't he? I also wonder if he might be close to broke as said in a previous post. Most of his assets in Thailand have been frozen so he cannot access them nor can they spin off money to him. Is it possible he bought Man City with a loan from the Gulf in order to pose as an investor and get to stay in the UK? Once in the UK did he "sell" back Man City to the loaners, thinking he was in the clear to stay in the UK? Maybe it blew up in his face and if the dragon lady indeed has control of the dosh then she doesn't need a weasel like him. And who will pay the daycare for the imbecilic son and burger-flipper daughter? Edited November 15, 2008 by johnnyk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rixalex Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 I doubt it is acrimonious. A move against the bullies abusing their power to protect his and his ex-wife assets is the more likely motive. You're saying you would also divorce to protect your and your wife's assets? What an old-fashioned and noble romantic you are! Seems that marriage vows mean as little to Thaksin as all the other promises he makes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DP25 Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 The divorce took place less than a month after the Supreme Court sentenced Thaksin to two years in jail and acquitted Khunying Potjaman over conflict of interest charges in the Ratchadiphisek land deal case. Maybe they're hoping they can get the divorce to retroactively apply so there is no conflict of interest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Who, me ? Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 Does it mean that a rich Thai lady is now available for marriage ??? Where can one apply ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phupaman Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 Hi All. When are the responsible bodies going to start stripping the titles from the Shinawatres.Khunying Potjamon. Police Colonel Thaksin.etc.etc. The quicker they are known by their prison numbers the better, phupaman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mc2 Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 Wow i didnt think you could personaly attack somebody on this forum,wonders never cease.does this give every body the right to call somebody realy bad words on here.mmmmmmmmmmmmm let me see,who is first. These type of threads always descend into a hate orgy by the anti-Thanksin mobs. If Thaksin was a member of this forum , most of you lot would be banned for flaming by now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geriatrickid Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 (edited) As a high-profile and concerned citizen, I'm sure she did her best to try and convince her older brother to do the right thing and turn himself into authorities to face his adjudicated prison time and stop being a convicted fugitive from justice. I'm also sure that upon her return, she will share all available information about his whereabouts and plans with the responsible authorities... because she is, afterall, the First Lady, and that would be the proper thing to do. Perhaps she did indeed do just that. " A PPP source said the former prime minister chose Dubai because the UAE has no extradition treaty with Thailand." Would you like her to draw a map of Dubai and put a big red X where he can be found? This might be the the start of a request for a pardon for ex-wife and beyond that a return for hubbie. Seems plausible to me.All people present at the HK dinner should have been arrested .... on charges of conspiracy against the state of thailand. That's nice. Please substantiate the statement. It is no secret that there was a meeting. The news blurb states that. What evidence do you have to support the charge of conspiracy? Edited November 15, 2008 by geriatrickid Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamesjdaly Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 Certainly am!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AussieFarang Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 That's pretty understandable really. At the rate he's losing money he won't have any left in a 120 years.!!!!!!!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GENeIsUS Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 Did any of you sweet people ever think that after divorce she could apply for another visa to visit her children? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasRanger Posted November 15, 2008 Share Posted November 15, 2008 Did any of you sweet people ever think that after divorce she could apply for another visa to visit her children? I thought she was a convicted criminal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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