What Makes Thakky Run?

[Jingthing]

JFK was never loathed. Get a grip.

[LooseCannon]

It seems like he is intent on rewriting his childhood, portraying it as one of hardship & impoverishment, when in reality the truth was far different.It is very hard to portray yourself as a champion of the poor when you came from one of Chiang Mai's most prominent families of the time.

Pasuk Phongpaichit makes this comment about the Thaksin biography "Eyes on the Stars, Feet on the Ground" (Walaya 1999) "....It is also a brilliant piece of political myth-making. While in reality Thaksin was born with a whole set of silver spoons in his mouth, the story presents him as a poor lad from the backwoods who makes good by hard work and entrepreneurial daring. The theme of a Chinese migrant who arrives with “one pillow and one mat” and makes a fortune has become the defining legend of modern urban Thailand, retold countless times in business biographies, novels and TV dramas. Walaya deftly cast Thaksin in the part. This theming was so successful it was used in Thaksin’s 2000–1 election campaign to explain why a multi-millionaire claimed empathy with the masses."

The cult of personality is alive & well.

Here are a few quotes from a Time article in 2001

"....according to some of Thaksin's childhood friends, for the strapping, big-eared boy to own the only bicycle in the neighborhood. "He was very generous with it," says former schoolmate Suthat Chaiongkon. "He let us take turns riding it."

".... "He was popular with the other boys and not shy at all," says his second-grade teacher Srimoon Kantha. "I remember him flexing his muscles, saying 'I'm going to grow up and be a hero.'"

"....the star pupil with the outsized cranium,his nickname among his buddies was Fat Head..."

Seemed quite popular, but maybe that was because he was rich. I can't imagine that he would have liked the nickname though.

Call me cynical but I doubt that you would hear a bad word said about him in his home village, probably the most obnoxious, egotistical brat in the province.

Pasuk Phongpaichit author of "Thaksin: The Business of Politics in Thailand" - probably worth a read.

[mc2]

haha some of you psychologist wannabes make me laugh.

[Ulysses G.]

JFK was never loathed. Get a grip.

Actually, many conservatives and religious people hated him because he was a liberal and a Catholic and there are rumors that the Military wanted him out of the way before he got us out of Vietnam. It also pretty much a fact that he cheated during the election that made him President or he would not have won.

He became beloved by the masses after he was assasinated!

[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?

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.

That does not really make a difference.

The poor vastly outnumber the rich and want him to lead the country and keep voting for parties and individuals that he supports; that is the meat of the matter!

Edited December 9, 2008 by Ulysses G.

[PeaceBlondie]

Habits die hard, if they ever do. Taksin worked long and hard to be rich and powerful, as a Sino-Thai. He cannot stop until he once again thinks he controls everything in Thailand. Is there a personality order for control freaks, besides the exaggerated anal-retentive caricature? Is there a Napoleon complex, or a Julius Caesar complex?

[Ulysses G.]

Is there a Napoleon complex?

Yes, but only if he is short.

[Artisi]

Compar the differences between a true leader and Thakky.

Truman - for your info

Harry Truman, from Missouri, was a different kind of President. He probably made as many important decisions regarding our nation's history as any of the other 42 Presidents. However, a measure of his greatness may rest on what he did after he left the White House.

Historians have written the only asset he had when he died was the house he lived in, which was in Independence Missouri. On top of that, his wife inherited the house from her Mother.

When he retired from office in 1952, his income was a U.S. Army pension reported to have been $13,507.72 a year. Congress, noting that he was paying for his stamps and personally licking them, granted him an 'allowance' and, later, a retroactive pension of $25,000 per year.

After President Eisenhower was inaugurated, Harry and Bess drove home to Missouri by themselves. There were no Secret Service following them.

When offered corporate positions at large salaries, he declined, stating, "You don't want me. You want the office of the President, and that doesn't belong to me. It belongs to the American people and it's not for sale."

Even later, on May 6, 1971, when Congress was preparing to award him the Medal of Honor on his 87th birthday, he refused to accept it, writing, "I don't consider that I have done anything which should be the reason for any award, Congressional or otherwise."

He never owned his own home and as president he paid for all of his own travel expenses and food.

Modern politicians have found a new level of success in cashing in on the Presidency, resulting in untold wealth. Today, many in Congress also have found a way to become quite wealthy while enjoying the fruits of their offices. Political offices are now for sale.

Good old Harry Truman was correct when he observed, "My choices early in life were either to be a piano player in a whore house or a politician. And to tell the truth, there's hardly any difference."

[JoeThePoster]

Why? Why? Why?

Someone stole his mojo - and he's upset.

[digitele]

A Golden opportunity. Once in a lifetime...

He is a calculated risk taker.

[Jingthing]

"I remember him flexing his muscles, saying 'I'm going to grow up and be a hero.'"

That's the kind of dish I was looking for. Thanks!

[johnsurin]

LMS.

Little Man Syndrome.

John.....

[uptou]

Great OP.This is something that ive found baffling aswell.I mean the man could do anything he wants....sail around the world,start an airline,skydive every day,have unlimited mia noi's,sex change operation......

With the amount of unrest,(& also deaths due to it), he's caused in thailand you could hardly say he's doing it for thailand.

I read somewhere that alot of high powered business type people are......well basically psychos,but i'm sure thats not the case here....just misunderstood.

But then again why does anyone become a PM nowadays.They all seem to leave on a low & are on a no win situation.What does Mugabe get out of not letting go??That country has gone down the toilet because of it.

I also recon OJ is narcissistic/bonkers,but thats another story.

Ps.Wasnt Truman the man who dropped two rather large bombs on thousands of civilians in Japan?

[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.

I'm still, and i think many are, still waiting for the answer to the above (as posted yesterday).

Unless you aint speading barstool nonsense - at least give us a hint!

We are still wanting to know who these folk you continue talking about really are.

Truth Today - i want to hear it today!

Edited December 9, 2008 by ThaiEye

[jasreeve17]

MrT is a dillusional egomaniac - simple.

However, he is an elected and appreciated (by the vast majority) dillusiional egomaniac.

He has no regard for others (rural poor), but could care less... the controllers of the opposition hate the others (rural poor) and are thus infinately more insane in my humble opinion.

[Ulysses G.]

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!

The families and institutions that have been ruling Thailand for centuries. Think about who allowed the PAD to take over the airport without making any attempt to prevent it and you will have your answer.

[ThaiEye]

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!

The families and institutions that have been ruling Thailand for centuries. Think about who allowed the PAD to take over the airport without making any attempt to prevent it and you will have your answer.

So, the Elite families are repsonsible for kicking Thaksin out the country. Yet, Thaksin himself, comes from one of those elitists lines which have had much historical influence. Thaksin married into one of the most historically elitist familes in the north of Thailand.

In fact, half of Thaksin's cronies in the TRT/PPP are from elite familes - even the Bunnag family!

Sorry Ulysses, but your reasoning makes no sense. Give up making up excuses for a fugitive.

Edited December 10, 2008 by ThaiEye

[Siripon]

One day someone will make a movie about Thaksin's life, it will be fascinating and no doubt picketed by his followers as being 'blasphemous', but that will be a long time in the future.

I think love of power, a lot of power and its abilty to lend free rein to associated vices such as vengeance, vanity and pride is why Thaksin keeps going, apart from a desire to get the billions frozen back.

And the turning point was when he was found to have committed an' honest mistake' by hiding vast sums of his money in his servants' accounts for years in 2001, a rational explanation for this long term deception is it was for stock market manipulation but fortunately for Thaksin some judges 'bought' his 'honest mistake' defence.

From then on Thaksin thought he was untouchable, for he had the money and power to silence all opposition.

I don't recall him ever apologising for anything, I'm not sure he even realises he is lying when he does, he's been doing it so long-and it runs in all the family, son cheating at university, daughter'helped' to get into university, and the latest, Potjaman back 'only' to see her ailing mother. Of course, nothing to do with politics, no, no.

Thaksin's vain, always insisting on being addressed as doctor, and this latest defection by Newin can only add to further bruises on an inflated ego following the British cancellation of his visa.

Who was it who said,'power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely'?

[Ulysses G.]

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!

The families and institutions that have been ruling Thailand for centuries. Think about who allowed the PAD to take over the airport without making any attempt to prevent it and you will have your answer.

So, the Elite families are repsonsible for kicking Thaksin out the country. Yet, Thaksin himself, comes from one of those elitists lines which have had much historical influence. Thaksin married into one of the most historically elitist familes in the north of Thailand.

So what? You make no sense. What does Thaksin's bloodline have to do with anything?

It is not unusual for rich folks to squabble amongst themselves. Actually, the Big Boys embraced him in the beginning - until he got too big for his britches - and then they zapped him when his back was turned.

Edited December 10, 2008 by Ulysses G.

[Neeranam]

Greed, megalomania, small dick, Napolean Complex ?

I bet owns a Toyota Vigo Hilux or Fortuner

Edited December 10, 2008 by Neeranam

[ThaiEye]

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!

The families and institutions that have been ruling Thailand for centuries. Think about who allowed the PAD to take over the airport without making any attempt to prevent it and you will have your answer.

So, the Elite families are repsonsible for kicking Thaksin out the country. Yet, Thaksin himself, comes from one of those elitists lines which have had much historical influence. Thaksin married into one of the most historically elitist familes in the north of Thailand.

So what? You make no sense. What does Thaksin's bloodline have to do with anything?

It is not unusual for rich folks to squabble amongst themselves. Actually, the Big Boys embraced him in the beginning - until he got too big for his britches - and then they zapped him when his back was turned.

First, you said that Thaksin was booted out the country by elite families and institutions that have been ruling Thailand for centuries.

I got you in that you hadn't realized that Thaksin himself belongs to one of those very families. So, couldn't have been them who kicked him out as he is one of them himself!

Now, you've turned your attention to blaming the Big Boys, who are of course the army - yet, however, the army have not been ruling the country for centuries. They have only seized influence and power after the overthrow of the monarchy in 1932 - just 76 years ago!

Or what, you trying to say, the army are the elites? Talk straight can ya - so confusing!

You're just going around in circles man, making excuses and jumping from this and that when you're caught out.

Admit it can you - the only reason that Thaksin is doing a runner is cause he's a coward afraid of going to prison for his crimes.

Edited December 10, 2008 by ThaiEye

[Ulysses G.]

First, you said that Thaksin was booted out the country by elite families and institutions that have been ruling Thailand for centuries.

I got you in that you hadn't realized that Thaksin himself belongs to one of those very families. So, couldn't have been them who kicked him out as he is one of them himself!

I mostly don't know what you are going on about.

You don't even seem to understand that there is no reason why Thaksin could not be stabbed in the back by former allies. Just look at what is happening to him politically at the moment.

As far as I can tell, you don't seem to be able to grasp simple concepts and you make up your own wacky scenerios to fill the gaps in reality.

I don't think that I can help you with your problem.

[mahtin]

Who was it who said,'power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely'?

This arose as a quotation by John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton, first Baron Acton (1834–1902). The historian and moralist, who was otherwise known simply as Lord Acton, expressed this opinion in a letter to Bishop Mandell Creighton in 1887:

"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men."

Another English politician with no shortage of names - William Pitt, the Elder, The Earl of Chatham and British Prime Minister from 1766 to 1778, is sometimes wrongly attributed as the source. He did say something similar, in a speech to the UK House of Lords in 1770:

"Unlimited power is apt to corrupt the minds of those who possess it"

sorry,source:

http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/288200.html

Edited December 10, 2008 by mahtin

[rafval]

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.

Personally I find democracy overrated, its an ideal but its not a new religion as many believe, many other things are more important, like a justice system that works and free speech and a constitution that protects human rights against any so called democratic assault it may suffer, and then theres the problem that democracy is entirely dependent on where national national boundaries happen to be

[ThaiEye]

First, you said that Thaksin was booted out the country by elite families and institutions that have been ruling Thailand for centuries.

I got you in that you hadn't realized that Thaksin himself belongs to one of those very families. So, couldn't have been them who kicked him out as he is one of them himself!

I mostly don't know what you are going on about.

You don't even seem to understand that there is no reason why Thaksin could not be stabbed in the back by former allies. Just look at what is happening to him politically at the moment.

As far as I can tell, you don't seem to be able to grasp simple concepts and you make up your own wacky scenerios to fill the gaps in reality.

I don't think that I can help you with your problem.

I dont know what you're going on about. Now, you changed the story to Thaksin getting stabbed in the back by former allies!

Yet, before, all you were going on about was Thaksin getting booted out the country by the 'elites'. Elitist families and the what not - the families that had been ruling Thailand for hundreds of years. Pished when you found out that Thaksin himself belongs to an historically elitist family, and with no answer you swap your story to Big Boys. What kind of Big Boys are you talking about, the military or a brand of condoms??

Unbelievably, Ulysses goes changing his story again!!!!!

First, Thaksin was booted out the country because of 'Elites'.

Second, it changes to Eliites and Institutions.

Third, it changes to the Big Boys

And now, it changes to former allies.

Mr Ulysses, perhaps you should read a couple of books about Thailand. When you free, pop into Asia or DK Books and purchase yourself a couple of good read-ups.

Edited December 11, 2008 by ThaiEye

[Ulysses G.]

This is your brain on acid.

[digitele]

Mr Ulysses, perhaps you should read a couple of books about Thailand. When you free, pop into Asia or DK Books and purchase yourself a couple of good read-ups.

Perhaps you should check out the clinic and drug store near the bookstores and up your Meds....

[Pierrot]

[

First, Thaksin was booted out the country because of 'Elites'.

Second, it changes to Eliites and Institutions.

Third, it changes to the Big Boys

And now, it changes to former allies.

It just shows Mr Ulysse has a rich vocabulary