Thaksin And Potjaman Divorce In Hong Kong

[animatic]

Thaksin is a smart man. If you dont think he making a bussiness move with this you will be really fooled again. you dont get that rich by being stupid.

Plenty of stupid people get rich,

they just swapped smart for mean, vicious and heartless.

[Thai at Heart]

Thaksin is an old old Thai name, including for a ancient Thai General.

But in this day the name refers to one individual.

Not quite mate - you're thinking of former General Taksin who became King Taksin, who's right hand man was General Pichai Daab Haak (variously translated as two swords and broken sword, because he fought with one full and one broken sword)

Historically, it was a curious name juxtaposition in 2001-2 when Thaksin's right hand man was Purachai

It was even more "fun" to watch when a legend surrounding the deposing of Taksin came back to the fore in 2002-3(?) concerning the discovery of an unidentified noble's grave while the foundations for the new Naval complex in Thonburi were excavated. Taksin was deposed and beaten to death in a red velvet bag because "a king's blood may not touch the ground" and then buried in an unknown location while the capital was then in Thonburi. Before his execution, General Chakri had been lined up to become king and Taksin cursed his line saying there would never be a 10th king from it. Today we have Rama ? - hmmm

The historian circles were buzzing with all that happened above, though it died down after a year or so until the coup briefly resparked interest in the tales. They are also one reason why in some circles it is openly discussed that Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn will be the next monarch - nothing to do with being popular (or not) as a next generation royal, it's all about the legends, superstitions, and history.

Now Thaksin is very aware of these legends, via Yaowapa's Wieng Kum Kam connections (ahem ... who wrote the ONLY English language history and guide book to it?) and may be stalling for the "right" moment and method of return.

I could position factions and loyalties a lot more defined in this discussion but am already pushing the boundary of what is and is not permitted to be said about the top family on ThaiVisa - I hope the moderators will allow a little forebearance on this? It is pertinent to the topic, and could be revealed as even more so in coming years.

Gaz

Gaz a most interesting post,

especially considering the ancestral awe and spirit beliefs etc in LOS.

Superstian history names, it's a heck of a movie plot too.

I hope some of it's 'content' only gets EDITED, and not bulk erased,

if an mod sees it potentially crossing a line.

Leave what you can if you can. Please.

It may like show and interesting Dr. T. mindeset.

He certainly SEEMs to be thinking dynastically in his maneuverings...

Which is what scares me most about him....

I think it is probably pertinent to more than just the mindset of just Dr. T.

[Rinrada]

She's convicted herself, how can she get a new visa,

just because she's not married? NOT!

Isn't she also a Banned TRT member?

Wouldn't that means she is well known in politics

and as a TRTR / PPP controler/backer for years?

Britain is not that blind.

If Martha Stewart can't get int Potty's got LESS chance.

The only option she has is to request a pardon. That would at least get her back to Thailand. I am sure the cogs that turned to get her visa rescinded could be "made" to turn the other way.

wll say it only wance.allo allo..

Mr T wifee Pojaman, was indeed convicted of tax evasion in July and sentenced to three years in jail but

was acquitted by the Supreme Court

aunti...

And I will say it again.

Two different courts and two different cases.

1st case ; TAX EVASION AND FORGERY

Hiding assets with brother and staph, and ginning up bad dated docs,

calling her self Kunying, when she WAASN'T a Kunying on the dates the docs are signed.. oooppps

Her and her staff were convicted and she has NOT been aquited.

He was not on trial. They are seen leaving court together, and by weeks end

went to China and then exile.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Potjaman-Shi...jaman+convicted

2nd case :

his ABUSE OF AUTHORITY IN ALLOWING HIS WIFE TO BUY FROM GOVERNMENT.

Rachada... land case, in Court for Political Office Holders. She wasn't in office.

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thaksin-Guil...jaman+convicted

AFTER she skipped town, after HER conviction on 1st case.

He was convicted,

and she was aquited as not being an officeholder. <<< in the SECOND case,

not the first, that first case it STILL STANDS.

End of story, go

READ THE NEWSPAPERS IT'S A MATTER OF PUBLIC RECORD.

Jesu c...had to change the battery in my hearing AID........WOTS WIFF THE red mist

Right Je-stand accused but thank gd not by a military court...u are quite correct on the charges against Al Capone...sorry ....the former First lady and entourage...

She was indeed convicted by the court on said charge No 5 was given bail of $150k pending an appeal and would assume that after being given leave to go on a jolly to London-Honkers -Dubai-Dublin required to return and answer the charges.....AGREED...

Could take years but as said ...I stand corrected....

On the day of the hearing I was probably playing golf with her other brother or planting my new paddy field...mea-lie-de pow...

[geriatrickid]

I'm not sure it is required to offer full consulate services to such undesirable elements who are clearly destabilising the country.

I am going to ignore your other unrelated comments and respond to this. You are not "sure"? Then why speculate? Let's follow your logic. If your logic held then a convicted felon on death row would not be able to file an appeal. hmmm. Where does it say that anyone convicted or considered to be "destabilizing a country" as per the judgement of Plachon is not entitled to access to the legal system? An uncontested divorce is a civil procedure and is neither precluded nor forbidden by pending civil or criminal charges or judgements on unrelated matters. Accepting a form and stamping it is hardly full consular services. Any and all Thai citizens are entitled to the service, whether you like them or not.

Undesirable elements? Jeez. If we were to go on that subjective view, a heck of a lot of the foreign residents and LT visitors would be tossed out of the country.

[sfokevin]

It would be interesting to know if he flew off to Dubai because he was asked to leave Hong Kong?...

Is far as conspiracy theories: I can see an Emelda Marcos Hail Mary move... Wife divorced me and took "ALL" the money ... I am now just penniless sole who lives in these luxury hotels and fly in these private jets that are donated to me by my supporters ... I have seen the error of my ways... forgive me... I have only the Country at heart now.... Jail time commuted to community service... Uses his time as PM for community service credit... Starts new political party named the "Peoples CHANGE Party"...Yada Yada Yada...

[mc2]

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2008/11/17...on_30088571.php

What prompted the Shinawatras to split?

By Thanong Khanthong

The Nation

Published on November 17, 2008

Convicted ex-PM Thakin Shinawatra and his wife; Khunying Pojaman appeared at the Thai Consul General's Office in Hong Kong on Friday amidst reports they had divorced.

A close aide to Thaksin was quoted online as saying that the couple had decided to divorce as Pojaman opposed her husband's decision to continue his fight and had been under political pressure for a long time.

Is it a real or tactical divorce?

By all means, it is a tactical divorce for several reasons.

1 The divorce is designed to protect the Shinawatras' wealth-most which is held by Pojaman. Thaksin declared his assets of around Bt500 million after leaving office, compared to Bt8 billion for Pojaman. The two might not want to get into further legal complications over their assets.

2 The Supreme Court's Criminal Division of the Political Office Holders is scheduled to hold a hearing into charges that Thaksin is unusually rich next month. The public prosecutors are charging that Thaksin engaged in a series of policy corruption between 2001 and 2006 to enrich Shin Corp.

3 If Thaksin were to be found guilty, the Supreme Court might rule to forfeit part or all of the Bt76 billion of his family's money now frozen in local banks. This Bt76 billion is being held under the names of Panthongtae Shinawatra, Pinthongta Shinawatra, Banaphot Damapong, Yingluck Shinawatra.

4 Thaksin declared that he and his wife had transferred all of their stocks in Shin Corp to their children before entering politics in 2000. The prosecutors would have to prove that for all those years, between 2000 and 2006, Thaksin and Pojaman were still beneficial owners of Shin Corp stocks as Panthongtae, Pinthongta, Banaphot and Yingluck were acting as their nominees.

5 Both Thaksin and Pojaman have been denied reentry visa into the United Kingdom. All of their three children are now living in the UK. A divorce might help Pojaman to secure a visa to the UK to look after the children.

6 Pojaman has been ruled innocent in the Ratchadaphisek land case, while Thaksin has been sentenced to two years in prison for conflict of interest in helping his wife to secure the bid for the public property. Pojaman is free to return to Thailand or go elsewhere.

7 Pojaman can apply for a visa anywhere in the world without having to face legal complications from Thaksin.

8 But Pojaman has been sentenced to three years in prison for tax evasion in a stock deal dated back to the 1997 period. The lower court issued the ruling. She is now appealing the case, which would certainly go to the Supreme Court. This might take years.

9 There have been reports that Pojaman is not happy with Thaksin's determination to win back his political power. A divorce would make it more convenient for both to concentrate on their lives Pojaman's looking after the kids; Thaksin's fighting his political enemies in Thailand.

10 Thaksin would fight to the death to get his Bt76 billion back. He is willing to pay taxes on this amount, proceeds from the sale of Shin Corp to Temasek Holdings of Singapore.

11 The couple might have faced a hard time together and got into some quarrels, but the original tieup is too tight for a divorce.

These are possibilities that we can think of. After all, no one knows the answers to their irreconcilable differences.

[sriracha john]

PM keeps mum on Thaksin's divorce

Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat has declined to comment on former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's divorce from his wife Pojaman.

Meanwhile, Thaksin still has plans to make a phone-in call to a pro-government rally on December 10, according to People Power Party MP Jatuporn Promphan.

A PPP source, who asked not to be named, said the Shinawatra divorce was to protect their assets while the couple are still facing legal action. The source said many PPP executives had known about the issue for some time.

Somchai said, "This is personal matter. I don't know if it would have any effect on legal cases. But please don't ask me about other people's business." He said he had never talked about the matter with Thaksin. His wife Yaowapa did not talk about it, either.

Jatuporn, who is meeting Thaksin in Hong Kong, said he did not discuss personal matters with Thaksin. However he knew Thaksin felt hurt about the divorce, but he had passed through many bad incidents.

Thaksin plans phone-in calls to his supporters twice in coming months. December 10 is one date, but the other has not been scheduled.

National Anti-Corruption Commission member Vicha Mahakun said he would not comment on Thaksin's personal matters. However, if the couple splits, their assets would have to follow the laws; but so far they have not asked the court for an assets separation.

Former Assets Examination Committee member Sak Korsaengruang said the divorce would not have any effect on the cases currently in process. Their marriage was a factor in only the Ratchadaphisek land case, and the 76-Billion Baht asset seizure due to abuse of power or corruption.

Others were criminal proceedings in which only the individual wrongdoer would receive a penalty.

The court has sentenced Thaksin to a two-year jail term for the Ratchadaphisek land case while the asset seizure was a civil case.

Experts said the divorce would make the couple more independent in their legal activities as they would not need spousal permission.

Democrat law expert Thavorn Senneam said the divorce was more likely to be a personal matter, not political. The divorce would not make the frozen 76 Billion Baht the possession of only one partner. Both would have to prove to the court that they earned it honestly.

One of the leaders of the anti-government People's Alliance for Democracy, Pibhop Dhongchai, said the reasons behind the divorce were complicated. With Pojaman using her maiden name, she could more easily get a visa to the UK and come back to defend herself in the tax-evasion case.

Democrat Nakhon Si Thammarat MP Thepthai Senpong said with the divorce,Thaksin might have signalled that he would fight to the ultimate to protect his family.

- The Nation / 2008-11-17

[brahmburgers]

Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat has declined to comment on former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's divorce from his wife Pojaman.

Meanwhile, Thaksin still has plans to make a phone-in call to a pro-government rally on December 10, according to People Power Party MP Jatuporn Promphan.

A PPP source, who asked not to be named, said the Shinawatra divorce was to protect their assets while the couple are still facing legal action. The source said many PPP executives had known about the issue for some time.

Somchai said, "This is personal matter. I don't know if it would have any effect on legal cases. But please don't ask me about other people's business." He said he had never talked about the matter with Thaksin. His wife Yaowapa did not talk about it, either.

Jatuporn, who is meeting Thaksin in Hong Kong, said he did not discuss personal matters with Thaksin.

- The Nation / 2008-11-17

Not only is lying endemic within the Shinawat klan - it appears to be infectious also.

[Plus]

If it was a tactical divorce - why this?

"Jatuporn, who is meeting Thaksin in Hong Kong, said he did not discuss personal matters with Thaksin. However he knew Thaksin felt hurt about the divorce, but he had passed through many bad incidents."

They might have left the doors open for eventual reconciliation but for now it appears they are taking separate paths, which most likely mean Thaksin is left to fight his political battles alone.

Overall a good news for the country.

[Brewsta]

<br />

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.<br /><br />mmmmmmmmmmmmm let me see,who is first.

<br /><br />These type of threads always descend into a hate orgy by the anti-Thanksin mobs.<br /><br />If Thaksin was a member of this forum , most of you lot would be banned for flaming by now.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

hmmmm......what could we call this movie of the saga to date......ideas, anyone?

regards from Brewsta in Harrogate

[Journalist]

The lifecycle of a typical news topic (from 2008 until 2030- when Thaksin about eighty years old)

"Page One - Bulletin: "Khun Taksin have bad news" .... reaction "O ho! - is good good !"

"Page Five - Bulletin: "Is gambit! Not so bad after all".....reaction "O-ho!- no good, he kee gong:"

"Page seven - Bulletin: "He velly bad, lese majeste." ......reaction "Grrr, he big jai dam"

"Page sixty seven - Bulletin "Khun Thaksin say something/nothing"....reaction "Is good, is bad? I dunno"

Baaaa.....

[Gonzo the Face]

Once a self centered egomanic , greedy b****** , always a self centered egomanic , greedy b******. This leopard definitely will lnot change his spots.

so

FOLLOW THE MONEY

[clausewitz]

The lifecycle of a typical news topic (from 2008 until 2030- when Thaksin about eighty years old)

"Page One - Bulletin: "Khun Taksin have bad news" .... reaction "O ho! - is good good !"

"Page Five - Bulletin: "Is gambit! Not so bad after all".....reaction "O-ho!- no good, he kee gong:"

"Page seven - Bulletin: "He velly bad, lese majeste." ......reaction "Grrr, he big jai dam"

"Page sixty seven - Bulletin "Khun Thaksin say something/nothing"....reaction "Is good, is bad? I dunno"

Baaaa.....

thanks for been such a good writer, always worth reading your posts.

[animatic]

She's convicted herself, how can she get a new visa,

just because she's not married? NOT!

If Martha Stewart can't get int Potty's got LESS chance..............

The only option she has is to request a pardon.....

wll say it only wance.allo allo..

Mr T wifee Pojaman, was indeed convicted of tax evasion in July and sentenced to three years in jail but

was acquitted by the Supreme Court

aunti...

And I will say it again.

Two different courts and two different cases.

1st case ; TAX EVASION AND FORGERY .......

Her and her staff were convicted and she has NOT been aquited.

2nd case :

his ABUSE OF AUTHORITY IN ALLOWING HIS WIFE TO BUY FROM GOVERNMENT.

.......after HER conviction on 1st case.

He was convicted,

and she was aquited as not being an officeholder. <<< in the SECOND case,

not the first, that first case it STILL STANDS.

Jesu c...had to change the battery in my hearing AID........WOTS WIFF THE red mist

Right Je-stand accused but thank gd not by a military court...u are quite correct on the charges against Al Capone...sorry ....the former First lady and entourage...

She was indeed convicted by the court on said charge No 5 was given bail of $150k pending an appeal and would assume that after being given leave to go on a jolly to London-Honkers -Dubai-Dublin required to return and answer the charges.....AGREED...

Could take years but as said ...I stand corrected....

On the day of the hearing I was probably playing golf with her other brother or planting my new paddy field...mea-lie-de pow...

Having been accused of being a PAD member,

I blended the two colors Red and Yellow

to a New National Unity Color : Orange

In the hopes that HRM would wear it one day and ALL Thailand would start wearing orange,

and like a Dr Seuse story, stop bothering with all this &lt;deleted&gt;.

Uh, she was given leave to go to China's Olympics opening,

and return. The return flight was booked, but they never boarded.

They quick booked a cash flight to UK it seems. 2 days later they surfaced in London.

In a carefully crafted family PR moment on a walking street.

Having Sandbagged UK, Thailand and the press rather neatly.

But now UK has gotten their's back for that slap in their immigration department's face.

Edited November 17, 2008 by animatic

[sbk]

Having been accused of being a PAD member,

I blended the two colors Red and Yellow

to a New National Unity Color : Orange

In the hopes that HRM would wear it one day and ALL Thailand would start wearing orange,

and like a Dr Seuse story, stop bothering with all this &lt;deleted&gt;.

Unique idea, but an annoying one. Please do try to post in black and normal fonts.

[mc2]

She's convicted herself, how can she get a new visa,

just because she's not married? NOT!

If Martha Stewart can't get int Potty's got LESS chance..............

The only option she has is to request a pardon.....

wll say it only wance.allo allo..

Mr T wifee Pojaman, was indeed convicted of tax evasion in July and sentenced to three years in jail but

was acquitted by the Supreme Court

aunti...

And I will say it again.

Two different courts and two different cases.

1st case ; TAX EVASION AND FORGERY .......

Her and her staff were convicted and she has NOT been aquited.

2nd case :

his ABUSE OF AUTHORITY IN ALLOWING HIS WIFE TO BUY FROM GOVERNMENT.

.......after HER conviction on 1st case.

He was convicted,

and she was aquited as not being an officeholder. <<< in the SECOND case,

not the first, that first case it STILL STANDS.

Jesu c...had to change the battery in my hearing AID........WOTS WIFF THE red mist

Right Je-stand accused but thank gd not by a military court...u are quite correct on the charges against Al Capone...sorry ....the former First lady and entourage...

She was indeed convicted by the court on said charge No 5 was given bail of $150k pending an appeal and would assume that after being given leave to go on a jolly to London-Honkers -Dubai-Dublin required to return and answer the charges.....AGREED...

Could take years but as said ...I stand corrected....

On the day of the hearing I was probably playing golf with her other brother or planting my new paddy field...mea-lie-de pow...

Having been accused of being a PAD member,

I blended the two colors Red and Yellow

to a New National Unity Color : Orange

In the hopes that HRM would wear it one day and ALL Thailand would start wearing orange,

and like a Dr Seuse story, stop bothering with all this &lt;deleted&gt;.

Uh, she was given leave to go to China's Olympics opening,

and return. The return flight was booked, but they never boarded.

They quick booked a cash flight to UK it seems. 2 days later they surfaced in London.

In a carefully crafted family PR moment on a walking street.

Having Sandbagged UK, Thailand and the press rather neatly.

But now UK has gotten their's back for that slap in their immigration department's face.

"to a New National Unity Color : Orange"

i think that is an excellent idea to help get people moving towards unity.

Edited November 17, 2008 by mc2

[Plus]

The lifecycle of a typical news topic (from 2008 until 2030- when Thaksin about eighty years old)

"Page One - Bulletin: "Khun Taksin have bad news" .... reaction...

The clever alternative solution - pretend that Thaskin problem doesn't exists - doesn't sound too clever to me.

For those who don't see any progress - there's a huge difference between 2005 when Thaksin was God and won 75% of the vote and now when he is a convicted criminal without a home and whose wife left him.

Back then relatively few people thought he was unfit to govern and his position was unassailable.

Back in 2000 a few wise souls warned the country that by putting blind faith in Thaksin people were creating a huge problem that won't be easy to solve, no one listened, populism was the flavour of the year.

My own hangovers last longer than my drinking sessions, and I see a parallel here. This headache won't go away in a minute.

Edited November 17, 2008 by Plus

[steveromagnino]

My own personal belief having seen a bit of a public row between the two in their whistlestop tour of Thailand earlier this year, would point to infidelity balanced against him being past his use by date. In addition, the decision to go with Samak (which Thaksin proposed and supported, but Pojaman felt was the wrong decision as Samak could not be trusted) probably is fuel to the fire.

The rest are just further reasons to go through with it.

I don't think this is a big surprise, some people were speaking of this occuring 6 months ago or so.

[Journalist]

My own hangovers last longer than my drinking sessions, and I see a parallel here. This headache won't go away in a minute.

Darn right. Thaksin is not disappearing from centerstage for decades to come. You better start girding your ganderparts and flexing your fingertips for another 73000 posts !!

Don't see it as a futile use of your time. Its only 10 posts a day for the next 20 years. I'm sure Thaksin is reading and absorbing every word !

[Plus]

What are you going to do, Journalist?

Type inane replies to my thought provoking posts?

[animatic]

My own personal belief having seen a bit of a public row between the two in their whistlestop tour of Thailand earlier this year, would point to infidelity balanced against him being past his use by date. In addition, the decision to go with Samak (which Thaksin proposed and supported, but Pojaman felt was the wrong decision as Samak could not be trusted) probably is fuel to the fire.

The rest are just further reasons to go through with it.

I don't think this is a big surprise, some people were speaking of this occuring 6 months ago or so.

Infidelity in too public a way is ultra embarrassing for hi-so ladies.

They expect them to stray, while hoping they won't.

Do it, but keep it QUIET is their mantra.

Thaksin was too obvious, and like much of his persona ,

too non-caring of what anyone thinks, seems including his Mrs... oops!

I think she has enough of a pile to ditch him,

and add another layer of legal wrangling between the powers that be and her pile.

I always got the impression she liked the position and power more than she liked HIM...

Edited November 17, 2008 by animatic

[TAWP]

My own personal belief having seen a bit of a public row between the two in their whistlestop tour of Thailand earlier this year, would point to infidelity balanced against him being past his use by date. In addition, the decision to go with Samak (which Thaksin proposed and supported, but Pojaman felt was the wrong decision as Samak could not be trusted) probably is fuel to the fire.

The rest are just further reasons to go through with it.

I don't think this is a big surprise, some people were speaking of this occuring 6 months ago or so.

But Koo82 says Thaksin would never stray...?

Edited November 17, 2008 by TAWP

[Lite Beer]

Flame removed. Together with the over the top post it referred to.

[sriracha john]

Why did they divorce?

Since news of former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra's divorce from his wife broke on Saturday, speculation has been rife over why he did it.

Thaksin's Spokesman Pongthep Thepkanchana confirmed that the divorce took place in a Thai Consulate in Hong Kong last week, but said he did not know why.

While Pongthep declined to confirm that it was caused by Thaksin ignoring wife Potjaman's advice to leave politics for good, one source dismissed the theory, saying that 'Thaksin and his wife remain very close, and they have grown even closer since their problems began in Thailand.'

The overarching theory is that the couple wants to protect their 76 billion baht worth of assets, which would be at risk should Thaksin be found guilty in a major corruption case which goes to trial in December.

That speculation has since been shot down by lawyers, said The Bangkok Post.

Mr Sak Korsaengruang, from the now dissolved Assets Scrutiny Committee which ordered the freeze on the Shinawatras' assets, said that the divorce would not free the couple's fortune.

Democrat MP and party lawyer Thaworn Senniem agreed. He said: 'The divorce cannot attribute the money to any one side - it is still jointly owned and they would both need to prove how the money was earned. I think it is purely a personal decision.'

A source cited in a Bangkok Post report supported this view. Ms Khunying is reoprtedly tired of following Thaksin overseas.

The source quoted Thaksin as telling MPs who met him in Hong Kong recently: 'Or' (Potjaman's nickname) has had enough of politics. We have built up everything together. This loss (the divorce) is the greatest loss since the Sept 19, 2006 coup.'

Sources close to Thaksin's family said the divorce was 'on paper only', so that both could pursue separate agendas.

For Thaksin, it is to continue his fight against his political enemies, particularly the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD).

Potjaman, on the other hand, would be able to apply for a visa in Britain and raise their three children there.

Mr Sak is also convinced that Potjaman wants to appeal to Britain against the revocation of her visa on grounds that she is no longer related to Thaksin and has nothing to do with political conflicts concerning him.

The couple's entry visas to the United Kingdom were revoked after a Thai court found him guilty of power abuse in a land purchase sale case.

In yet another theory, Thaksin's family and Potjaman's Damapong family are said to be at odds. Damapong is Potjaman's maiden name.

Said a source quoted by Thai media: 'While Thaksin was prime minister, political power rested with the Damapong family led by Potjaman and her brother Bannpot Damapong.

'Today with Somchai as prime minister political power rests with the Shinawatra family led by Yaowapa Wangsawat. The Damapongs are excluded and are suffering the political impact.'

Yaowapa is Thaksin's younger sister and Somchai's wife. Somchai has so far declined to comment on the divorce, according to a report in The Nation on Monday. He said: 'This is a personal matter. I don't know if it would have any effect on legal cases. But please don't ask me about other people's business.' He said both he and his wife did not talk to Thaksin about the matter.

- The Straits Times / 2008-11-17

Edited November 17, 2008 by sbk

[mc2]

Apologies for the comment that was subsequently deleted ,

Next time I will simply report the ugly posts that praise death of political opponents.

[Koo82]

The lifecycle of a typical news topic (from 2008 until 2030- when Thaksin about eighty years old)

"Page One - Bulletin: "Khun Taksin have bad news" .... reaction "O ho! - is good good !"

"Page Five - Bulletin: "Is gambit! Not so bad after all".....reaction "O-ho!- no good, he kee gong:"

"Page seven - Bulletin: "He velly bad, lese majeste." ......reaction "Grrr, he big jai dam"

"Page sixty seven - Bulletin "Khun Thaksin say something/nothing"....reaction "Is good, is bad? I dunno"

Baaaa.....

[Siripon]

The timing of the announcement of the 'divorce' was a disgrace, trying to draw attention away from the royal cremation.

[Artisi]

The timing of the announcement of the 'divorce' was a disgrace, trying to draw attention away from the royal cremation.

More than likely of little interest to the majority of Thai's capable of constructive and intelligent thinking - of course you would have to make allowances for the true believer's who think that thaksin is of great importance to Thailand.

[mc2]

The timing of the announcement of the 'divorce' was a disgrace, trying to draw attention away from the royal cremation.

More likely done to take attention away from him by announcing when the media is covering something more newsworthy.

Normally it would make front page news but now it gets pushed back to something like second or 3rd page .

You lot would probably attack him if the color of his shoelaces didn't match.

Edited November 17, 2008 by mc2

[ratcatcher]

The timing of the announcement of the 'divorce' was a disgrace, trying to draw attention away from the royal cremation.

More likely done to take attention away from him by announcing when the media is covering something more newsworthy.

Normally it would make front page news but now it gets pushed back to something like second or 3rd page .

You lot would probably attack him if the color of his shoelaces didn't match.

I don’t know what nationality you are, but I come from a culture where satire is an art. There have been hundreds of satirists and critics of politicians since Roman times.

England had “That Was the Week That Was”, Monty Python and the wonderful series “Yes Prime Minister”, while America has Saturday Night Live and other great shows of similar ilk.

Thailand doesn’t really have this type of freedom so well developed at the moment and since Thailand is a relatively free country, there will always be people ready to satirize (attack if you will) politicians and other high profile public figures.

What you seem to miss is that Thaksin has created his own monster and now is finding that he is on the receiving end of people’s animosity, and he doesn’t like it, neither do you.

Until he fades away into the sunset, with his ill gotten millions, (if he’s lucky enough to survive long enough to obtain them), .he will be subject to ongoing personal criticism and satire.

The ability to withstand this is related to the maturity and self confidence of the ‘victim’. Thaksin, being a bully enjoys it when he is winning, but he’s a terrible loser.

All British Prime ministers have been satirized as well as most American presidents. It goes with the territory. In most cases there was something about the person that was the subject of satire. And Thaksin is no different.

I hope posters on T.V. will continue to satirize, berate, tease, cajole and generally get on his case. He deserves it.

And I am glad you have the freedom to post on here too.