What Makes Thakky Run?

[Jingthing]

Thaksin is back in politics. He says he will stop at nothing to achieve his agenda.

In doing so, he risks throwing his already tormented nation into civil war.

Why? Why? Why?

Just saying power and money is too simple.

Can someone explain? Perhaps the mysterious Thai insider we have lurking here who claims to know everything?

Perhaps a Hollywood movie is in order about the "great" man similar to recent one about Bush which posited he was motivated by his father's early disappointment in him. Surely there must be some kind of psychological reason behind the extreme behavior of Mr T.

Edited December 7, 2008 by Jingthing

[lannarebirth]

Greed, megalomania, small dick, Napolean Complex ?

[haybilly]

Thaksin is back in politics. He says he will stop at nothing to achieve his agenda.

In doing so, he risks throwing his already tormented nation into civil war.

Why? Why? Why?

Just saying power and money is too simple.

Can someone explain? Perhaps the mysterious Thai insider we have lurking here who claims to know everything?

Perhaps a Hollywood movie is in order about the "great" man similar to recent one about Bush which posited he was motivated by his father's early disappointment in him. Surely there must be some kind of psychological reason behind the extreme behavior of Mr T.

What about.........

He's actually not really a Thai but in fact Chinese and is pushing all the buttons in the hope that his Motherland will invade and annexe LOS----in a Tibet style! Any takers??

[Lancelot]

Power...

[Gravelrash]

How about you can't see the forest for the trees, and have swallowed the PAD story hook line and sinker. Taksin bad corrupt, PAD good honest.

If you had any idea what this was really all about you wouldn't be asking such inane questions here and looking ignorant. Stop being lazy, do some research on sites/publications outside of Thailand instead of asking questions that cannot be responded to without risking 15 years in jail.

Also before people start abusing Chinese Thais are you aware that HMK's grandfather was Chinese?

[Jingthing]

Gravel, that is insulting. How do you know I haven't read such sources? You are talking on a macro level and you are correct, there are certain things we can't talk about. I am talking about the MAN himself and what specifically motivates him. As a man.

Edited December 8, 2008 by Jingthing

[LooseCannon]

Gravel, that is insulting. How do you know I haven't read such sources (I have). You are talking on a macro level. I am talking about the MAN himself and what specifically motivates him. As a man.

.... one thing for sure is that it has nothing to do with the welfare of the poor. Unfortunately for them, they are just a tool to further his own ambitions.

[Jingthing]

Gravel, that is insulting. How do you know I haven't read such sources (I have). You are talking on a macro level. I am talking about the MAN himself and what specifically motivates him. As a man.

.... one thing for sure is that it has nothing to do with the welfare of the poor. Unfortunately for them, they are just a tool to further his own ambitions.

I agree, that is obvious. And it obviously isn't only about money as he has plenty of that and could have made a sweet deal to free up more of it if he agreed to back off. He is a dictator personality, but not all dictators are the same. I don't recall reading any psychological analysis of his extreme behavior, especially now, creating trouble from exile.

[IMA_FARANG]

Thaksin is back in politics. He says he will stop at nothing to achieve his agenda.

In doing so, he risks throwing his already tormented nation into civil war.

Why? Why? Why?

Just saying power and money is too simple.

Can someone explain? Perhaps the mysterious Thai insider we have lurking here who claims to know everything?

Perhaps a Hollywood movie is in order about the "great" man similar to recent one about Bush which posited he was motivated by his father's early disappointment in him. Surely there must be some kind of psychological reason behind the extreme behavior of Mr T.

All politicians...in whatever country...are really driven by their love of being the man in the limelight....to have cameras clicking when you walk in...to have the limo and chaffuer at the ready when you walk out of the building...but most of all the feel of being the 'man in charge' all the time. They love that feel of being in the know, having the secret knowledge others don't have, of being able to make the important decisions. That's what really drives them on.

[Ulysses G.]

He is loved and considered a hero by a large portion of the population and the ruling elite who stabbed him in the back and drove him from power are scared stiff of him. What kind of politician would call it a day under those circumstances?

[LooseCannon]

Having absolutely no training in psychiatry or clinical psychology I feel safe in diagnosing ... "Narcissistic Personality Disorder"

A pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration, and lack of empathy, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:

[1] has a grandiose sense of self-importance

[2] is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love

[3] believes that he or she is "special" and unique

[4] requires excessive admiration

[5] has a sense of entitlement

[6] is interpersonally exploitative

[7] lacks empathy

[8] is often envious of others or believes others are envious of him or her

[9] shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes

I think he might have all 9.

[mrtoad]

Having absolutely no training in psychiatry or clinical psychology I feel safe in diagnosing ... "Narcissistic Personality Disorder"

A pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration, and lack of empathy, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:

[1] has a grandiose sense of self-importance

[2] is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love

[3] believes that he or she is "special" and unique

[4] requires excessive admiration

[5] has a sense of entitlement

[6] is interpersonally exploitative

[7] lacks empathy

[8] is often envious of others or believes others are envious of him or her

[9] shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes

I think he might have all 9.

You beat me to it!!

He certainly fits the Personality Disorder Axis criteria in DSM IV, and NPD fits him like a glove.

[Ulysses G.]

Having absolutely no training in psychiatry or clinical psychology I feel safe in diagnosing ... "Narcissistic Personality Disorder"

A pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration, and lack of empathy, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:

[1] has a grandiose sense of self-importance

[2] is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love

[3] believes that he or she is "special" and unique

[4] requires excessive admiration

[5] has a sense of entitlement

[6] is interpersonally exploitative

[7] lacks empathy

[8] is often envious of others or believes others are envious of him or her

[9] shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes

I think he might have all 9.

Sounds like pretty much any successful politician, doesn't it?

[mc2]

Perhaps a Hollywood movie is in order about the "great" man similar to recent one about Bush which posited he was motivated by his father's early disappointment in him. Surely there must be some kind of psychological reason behind the extreme behavior of Mr T.

The better question would be "what is the psychological reason behind the rabid, Pro PAD anti-thaksin farangs ?" .

All this hounding, harrassing, mutual moaning about your (rather affectionately named) "thakky", etc does not achieve anything or solve anything worthwhile. Maybe you derive some sort of morbid pleasure out of hounding a man , you have never met, like salivating beasts.

The lives of the anti thaksin farangs on this forum would be strangely empty without their beloved "thakky" .

[mc2]

Having absolutely no training in psychiatry or clinical psychology I feel safe in diagnosing ... "Narcissistic Personality Disorder"

A pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration, and lack of empathy, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:

[1] has a grandiose sense of self-importance

[2] is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love

[3] believes that he or she is "special" and unique

[4] requires excessive admiration

[5] has a sense of entitlement

[6] is interpersonally exploitative

[7] lacks empathy

[8] is often envious of others or believes others are envious of him or her

[9] shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes

I think he might have all 9.

big deal.

most of the posters on this forum are not too far off.

[Ricardo]

I suspect that he wants to be President-for-Life.

As he used to say, Democracy simply wasn't his aim, and he is so sure of his own world-view, that anybody who might hold a different opinion is simply wrong, so it is quite OK to steam-roller over them.

[dominator]

Don't forget...............

http://www.bartleby.com/59/13/powertendsto.html

[girlx]

QUOTE (Jingthing @ 2008-12-08 18:58:22) *

Gravel, that is insulting. How do you know I haven't read such sources (I have). You are talking on a macro level. I am talking about the MAN himself and what specifically motivates him. As a man.

.... one thing for sure is that it has nothing to do with the welfare of the poor. Unfortunately for them, they are just a tool to further his own ambitions.

"The most potent weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed."

-Steven Biko

[WeeGB]

A large serving of Papaya Salad - it works for me.

[Shotime]

I think it's pride. He's also extremely pissed. Revenge. Plus he does have a variety of disorders.

[Jingthing]

I suspect that he wants to be President-for-Life.

As he used to say, Democracy simply wasn't his aim, and he is so sure of his own world-view, that anybody who might hold a different opinion is simply wrong, so it is quite OK to steam-roller over them.

Well, it is pretty clear if he does manage to take back power, he won't be giving it back in the same way as his buddies Samak and Somchai. To the people defending Thaksin, that isn't what this topic is about. It is common in the west for psychoanalysts to present theories for the flaws of larger than life flawed leaders (Nixon was a classic, not to mention Hitler and Bush). Whether you love or hate Thakky, I think he deserves the same kind of attention, just for entertainment purposes only. I personally find Thakky's behavior odd. Most normal people with so much money would call it a day. He is not normal. So what exactly is his pathology? That is my curiosity.

Edited December 8, 2008 by Jingthing

[sassienie]

Mr Thaksin.

Love him or hate him, the fact is that he was democratically voted in and undemocratically thrown out.

Some may disagree with the way elections are carried out here, but of course, this is Thailand and not our affair.

In theory Mr Thaksin should still be Prime Minister, as he was never permitted to run his full term in office or given an opportunity to stand for election again and voted by his supporters.

This has nothing to do with personalities, either you believe in democracy or you don’t.

[mrtoad]

Mr Thaksin.

Love him or hate him, the fact is that he was democratically voted in and undemocratically thrown out.

Some may disagree with the way elections are carried out here, but of course, this is Thailand and not our affair.

In theory Mr Thaksin should still be Prime Minister, as he was never permitted to run his full term in office or given an opportunity to stand for election again and voted by his supporters.

This has nothing to do with personalities, either you believe in democracy or you don’t.

A lot of people believe in Human Rights and abiding by the law as well, but Thaksin doesn't, he believes that he is above it.

[mahtin]

[ThaiEye]

He is loved and considered a hero by a large portion of the population and the ruling elite who stabbed him in the back and drove him from power are scared stiff of him.

Elite, Ruling Elite - Super Elite. I continue reading this excuse for Thaksin's departure is due to the Elite, or Ruling Elite.

Please, let me have at least one night's sleep and enlightment me to who or what these 'elite' are. Everyone at thaivisa seems to know who these Elite are, but me!

All this 'elitist' excuse is just turning into a grand conspiracy theory, better than Bush blowing up his own World Trade Centers.

[sabaijai]

Having absolutely no training in psychiatry or clinical psychology I feel safe in diagnosing ... "Narcissistic Personality Disorder"

A pervasive pattern of grandiosity (in fantasy or behavior), need for admiration, and lack of empathy, beginning by early adulthood and present in a variety of contexts, as indicated by five (or more) of the following:

[1] has a grandiose sense of self-importance

[2] is preoccupied with fantasies of unlimited success, power, brilliance, beauty, or ideal love

[3] believes that he or she is "special" and unique

[4] requires excessive admiration

[5] has a sense of entitlement

[6] is interpersonally exploitative

[7] lacks empathy

[8] is often envious of others or believes others are envious of him or her

[9] shows arrogant, haughty behaviors or attitudes

I think he might have all 9.

I concur.

[wayfarer108]

He is loved and considered a hero by a large portion of the population and the ruling elite who stabbed him in the back and drove him from power are scared stiff of him. What kind of politician would call it a day under those circumstances?

You love saying that, but repeating it over and over won't make it true. You can hardly get more elite than Thaksin and his cronies.

His alleged identification with the rural poor is nothing more than a cynical smokescreen that has done the farmers more harm than good, and they're beginning to realise it. The working class is, in fact, more represented in the Pad leadership than among Mr T and his proxies, Samak, Somchai, etc. All of them members of one of the richest slices of Thai society.

[Artisi]

He is loved and considered a hero by a large portion of the population and the ruling elite who stabbed him in the back and drove him from power are scared stiff of him. What kind of politician would call it a day under those circumstances?

You love saying that, but repeating it over and over won't make it true. You can hardly get more elite than Thaksin and his cronies.

His alleged identification with the rural poor is nothing more than a cynical smokescreen that has done the farmers more harm than good, and they're beginning to realise it. The working class is, in fact, more represented in the Pad leadership than among Mr T and his proxies, Samak, Somchai, etc. All of them members of one of the richest slices of Thai society.

I'm sure those poor farmers etc that were handed money via the village money (bribery scheme) and who had to sell their land, pick-ups or borrow further money at exorbitant rates from the money lenders to repay some of their debts are no longer in love with Thakky.

[Jingthing]

Thanks to the few people who want to talk about the man's psychological makeup. The political aspects are being discussed so many other places. My point is that not every human being in his situation would REACT the way he is doing so now. He is still in the game, still pulling strings. Why does Thakky run? He is one of the great men of modern Thai politics. What made him what he is? It probably goes back to his childhood, but not reading Thai, I haven't heard anything about what made him the man he is today.

Edited December 8, 2008 by Jingthing

[geriatrickid]

He is loved and considered a hero by a large portion of the population and the ruling elite who stabbed him in the back and drove him from power are scared stiff of him. What kind of politician would call it a day under those circumstances?

Well put.

Uncle Thaksin shares many of the qualities and attributes of politicians that were once loathed and that are now idolized in the west, one of them being vision and tenacity. If wasn't for people like him, the west wouldn't be wealthy today. Alfred Nobel made his money from weapons of mass destruction. From the man that owned Sweden's Bofors, we now have the Nobel prize for peace. From the great robber barons of the USA come the generous charitable works of the Rockefeller Foundation, Carnegie Endowment and the museums from JP Morgan. Winston Churchill was forced out as First Lord of the Admiralty after the catastrophe at Gallipolli only to come back and hold England together in its darkest hour. One of the greatest men of the last century and yet a man plagued by personal excess and at times poor judgement. President JFK and the Kennedy clan are canonized by Americans, but the adoring fans overlook the bootlegging source of wealth, the patriarch Joseph's undermining of FDR and support of the Nazis or Bobby's role in persecuting innocent people as part of McCarthy's reign of terror.

Thaksin may not be as great as the people above, but he is certainly no worse. Hate him or love him, he is no different than many of the people we now consider to be success stories.