Dtv To Launch Jan 19, Seen As A New Mouthpiece For Pro-thaksin Camp

[hammered]

As I understand this new DTV station needs a special reception setup, same one as for ASTV. Are they really hoping to steal ASTV audience or expect their fans to dish out some money on the dishes?

Financially they can't support themselves by selling energy drinks and t-shirts and I doubt they can attract any advertisers either.

Maybe that's why the government is so ambivalent about them.

DTV/red will need huge amounts of money as does ASTV/PAD. However, ASTV have/had big donors and also a hel_l of a lot of small donors.

DTV is additionally setting up at a time of lessening conflict which means less interest in politcal news and at a time when people across the coutnry are bored with politcs and demos and conflict. It will be a very expensive hard sell for them especially with such a boring format. ASTV are already seeing viewer numbers dip and are launching PAD parties to keep interest up. DTV though are starting form zero with none of the infrastructure set up and to the backdrop of the red movement infighting.

[DaleBlue]

That's Ji for you, not Jon.

Another red nutacase, Jaran, claims that the military plans to assassinate 25 red shirt leaders.

About time, me thinks.

Please stop the killing of the innocents. Please also stop suggesting it.

[Plus]

Please also develop a sense of humor, DaleBlue.

[sriracha john]

but anyway....OK, so no real verification from Jakob the Liar. I didn't respond to your earlier post because I was simply waiting for someone credible to verify his alleged illness. The "so widely reported" contradiction isn't really warranted if the original reports all eminent from Samak and his spokesman.

As for completeness, there's nothing "new-found" about it. My posting history is chock full of follow-ups and updates and varied sources on the same story. I'd go as far to say I'm unmatched in that regard. Sorry, but you'll have to bark up another tree or find a different angle.

If you found something in say, 'Oncology Quarterly' that verified that Samak had late stage cancer. Would you copy and paste it? I hope so.

Perhaps you need to re-assure your readers that you don't just copy and paste pieces that correlate with an Anti-Thaksin angle.

I would hope that anyone who came across a valid and independent report on Samak's condition would post it. I'm sure there's plenty of SteveUK's out there to do so.

The reality that there isn't just makes me suspicious of the man with a long history of copious lying.

[sriracha john]

It would seem prudent for Sunisa to resign her commission. Then she can do whatever she wants unfettered. Militaries the world over have strict rules on what the commisioned and enlisted can do that always go beyond restrictions placed on civilians. That is the nature of militaries. Leave and proceed with a journalistic career in the Thaksin camp is probably a viable option for her. To stay in the military and break the rules is silly and may result in penalties that can be avoided by leaving. At best it becomes a mere political stunt and that is worrying as the red side have abandoned a few foot soldiers when they got themselves into trouble.

Stop the bully. Can you gentlemen out there stop picking on a defenseless poor girl. She is very harmless.

I wouldn't be surprised if the fully adult woman Army soldier would find your patronizing comments on her quite belittling and sexist, but at least you didn't call her a defenseless poor little girl.

[Siripon]

Sunisa wrote a tall story about happening by chance to pass Thaksin's abode in London,as if the whole thing wasn't arranged. Now she's revealed where her loyalties lie and DTV certainly need a photogenic figure to combat the old, the ugly and the effeminite.

But of course she doesn't want to give up her cushy job in the army as the red shirts phenomenon may not last too long.

[Plus]

There's a detailed write up on her in today's Bangkok Post:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion...n-is-not-amused

They say she doesn't have any other media outlet that would accept her, which is not surprising.

[dee123]

...OK I am going to have to eat "Humble Pie",.....Brief explanation; I am in UK and have not kept up with events in Thailand,regarding Public Service Broadcastng in Thailand.For years while living there I thought this would be a good idea but due to work last summer I kinda missed that it had been set up(PBS) .....I still think this is the way forward but reading up to date info suggests that PBS had to issue an apology to the Red Shirts.Why did they have to do this?Was the journalism poor?.....or terrible like mine?.....sorry again,...GULP.!

Edited January 22, 2009 by dee123

[Plus]

I don't remember the details, but PBS had to issue a public apology because red shirts blockaded their office. That incident made into top ten list of reasons why media freedom declined last yeart. Not the apology, mind you, the blockade of a media outlet.

[Siripon]

One reason that Thaksin may have cut funds to Kwanchai could well be because of his unsavoury reputation and penchant for violence. These could be desperate times for Kwanchai what with house and car payments to make. But he's brought it all on himself

I heard that Thaksin has turned to a prominent DJ in Khonkaen as an alternative, expect to see his name in the papers soon.

[hammered]

One reason that Thaksin may have cut funds to Kwanchai could well be because of his unsavoury reputation and penchant for violence. These could be desperate times for Kwanchai what with house and car payments to make. But he's brought it all on himself

I heard that Thaksin has turned to a prominent DJ in Khonkaen as an alternative, expect to see his name in the papers soon.

I too heard the violence reason but its hard to accept that when Thaksin is still making sure the Chiang Mai red boot boys are fully active and they have even murdered which is something Khwanchai hasnt to date.

Rumours of Khwanchai being close to or moving close to Newin also doing the rounds. Khwanchai first broke with the Bangkok based red shirt leadership over the stop the government protests which involved some violence and insane use of acid even without him. Khwanchai was apprently too busy partying to attend that event.

There are also lots of rumours of comrade Jakrapob and some older jungle comrades having had enough of Jatuporn, Nattawu and Weera who they think have made strategic blunder after strategic blunder. Put on top of that , that this involves the Bangkok based ideologues and leftists and that some of the kind of charges against them dont go down so well with the provincial red guards (except maybe the Chaing Mai loons) and that with the control of information networks slipping from Thaksin's hands in at least several upcountry areas the beliefs of at least sevral of the red guard leadership are starting to percolate around the rural areas and previously these beliefs were kept well away from any rural area.

All in all red shirts face a difficult time and if they sense Thaksin has lost or is broke then whole swathes of them will start thinking about their poltical and activist future and move in the directions that best suit them for this, which of ocurse is nothing to do with the fractures we see starting in th movemnet right now. They even have to announce to the press that their next rally is to show their unity, which to some degree will probably outlast the rally but without the Isaan masses from many areas. What the future holds for them will be dependent on how they reform their movement to be more relevent for the role now and finding a more strategically talented leadership and probably one not rooted in rerunning struggles of yesteryear

[Pierrot]

I don't remember the details, but PBS had to issue a public apology because red shirts blockaded their office. That incident made into top ten list of reasons why media freedom declined last yeart. Not the apology, mind you, the blockade of a media outlet.

But of course no relation with the PAD storming of the NBT building in August last year ?

[Plus]

That was mentioned as well, and the attackers were arrested and charged, btw.

But yes, no relation to Thai PBS episode.

[Steve2UK]

but anyway....OK, so no real verification from Jakob the Liar. I didn't respond to your earlier post because I was simply waiting for someone credible to verify his alleged illness. The "so widely reported" contradiction isn't really warranted if the original reports all eminent from Samak and his spokesman.

As for completeness, there's nothing "new-found" about it. My posting history is chock full of follow-ups and updates and varied sources on the same story. I'd go as far to say I'm unmatched in that regard. Sorry, but you'll have to bark up another tree or find a different angle.

If you found something in say, 'Oncology Quarterly' that verified that Samak had late stage cancer. Would you copy and paste it? I hope so.

Perhaps you need to re-assure your readers that you don't just copy and paste pieces that correlate with an Anti-Thaksin angle.

I would hope that anyone who came across a valid and independent report on Samak's condition would post it. I'm sure there's plenty of SteveUK's out there to do so.

The reality that there isn't just makes me suspicious of the man with a long history of copious lying.

At the risk of getting this gentleman all excitable again........

Not "Oncology Quarterly", but a further update from NNT - National News Bureau of Thailand (part of the Government Public Relations Dept). As previously, I post this as an update - not as a "verification". That said, it seems reasonable to ask if we aren't entitled to take what NNT say here at face value? If not this item, then what of their other output?

The last sentence is attributed to "Sources close to the barred politician" - so I guess we should, of course, dismiss that bit as a self-evident pack of lies.

Former PM quietly returns to Thailand after a cancer treatment

Former Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, accompanied by his wife and daughter, quietly returned to the Kingdom last night (January 21st) while being noted for having lost up to 20 kilograms of his weight.

Former PM Samak Sundaravej, who was forced to step down by the Constitutional Court's ruling that his involvement on a cooking television show was unconstitutional, returned to Thailand last night at 11:45 pm via United Airlines flight UA 0891 after traveling to receive his liver cancer treatment in Houston, Texas, the United States, on November 5, 2008. The ex-premier was reportedly escorted by a personal vehicle from Suvarnabhumi Airport's VIP lounge to avoid being caught amongst press members.

Mr. Samak has returned to the nation to await an at least 40% recovery of his liver tissue needed for the next step of his treatment, for which he will travel back to Houston upon readiness of his physical condition. Sources close to the barred politician revealed that he has lost up to 20 kilograms of his weight over the previous treatment.

http://thainews.prd.go.th/newsenglish/previewnews.php?news_id=255201220024&news_headline=Former%20PM%20quietly%20returns%20to%20Thailand%20after%20a%20cancer%20treatment&return=ok

[Note to Mods: I'm aware that there is a separate "Samak return" thread, but I post this here because of IMO its relevance to an issue raised here]

[dee123]

I don't remember the details, but PBS had to issue a public apology because red shirts blockaded their office. That incident made into top ten list of reasons why media freedom declined last yeart. Not the apology, mind you, the blockade of a media outlet.

If bad journalism were involved and proven beyond doubt then the journalist should have been fired.If the channel caved in due to outside pressure well then that would be a massive mistake.I reckon that any Thai public broadcaster has got there work cut out (if they were truly independent and reported ALL the real facts)Mainly because that saving face is part of Thai culture.

Edited January 23, 2009 by dee123

[Plus]

PBS reported that some people were paid to attend that big Rajamangala rally:

"The group was upset with the station's report that about 200 of its members were each paid 2,000 baht to travel to Bangkok in 13 buses with other protesters to join the United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) rally at Rajamangala on Saturday."

Obviously in this kind of case the proof doesn't exist - no receipts, no videos, even the sources are not likely to give their names given how Chiang Mai democracy lovers reacted - laying seige to PBS branch for two days.

It was media harassment, nothing more. At least no one was dead or beaten.

Forgot the link:

http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article-sout...parentid=100379

Edited January 24, 2009 by Plus

[Koo82]

I just finished watching the phone-in on DTV from Khun Thaksin. I don't know where he is. He said he phoned from the airplane. Signal was cut a few times.

Here's a photo I took from the tv screen:

[sriracha john]

I don't know where he is. He said he phoned from the airplane.

Gee, I understand that's usually a pretty expensive to do.

I hope he can afford it...

what with...

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Money-Thaksi...fe-t237353.html

With Less Money, Thaksin Lives A Costly Life Abroad

[sriracha john]

In his broadcast, Thaksin, now in exile after jumping bail to avoid a graft conviction, confessed to being lonely, but said he would never give up his fight against what he says is the injustice that has typified Thailand since the coup.

"Please don't think of sending someone to kill me out here because even if I die, this won't stop," he said. "I'll still have to fight for justice."

"What I want is justice for me, for my family, and for the people. If you want this to end, all I want is justice and starting over," he said.

- Reuters / 2009-01-25

[sriracha john]

He claimed that when he was in government, he listened to people who are at the grassroots and really had problems.

"I did not just stand at the top of the tower issuing policies."

Thaksin continued that he would continue fighting for justice for himself and his family.

"If they want the problems to end, they must first return fairness to my family," Thaksin said., "I've done nothing wrong and I am not the problem. My only mistake was that I won the elections so they framed me with corruption charges and accused me of being disloyal to the Royal Family."

- The Nation / 2009-01-25

[mc2]

Thaksin said., "I've done nothing wrong and I am not the problem. My only mistake was that I won the elections so they framed me with corruption charges and accused me of being disloyal to the Royal Family."

Thaksin should not have appointed Sondhi as the army general, a mistake. More or less agree with him though.

[DaleBlue]

He claimed that when he was in government, he listened to people who are at the grassroots and really had problems.

"I did not just stand at the top of the tower issuing policies."

Thaksin continued that he would continue fighting for justice for himself and his family.

"If they want the problems to end, they must first return fairness to my family," Thaksin said., "I've done nothing wrong and I am not the problem. My only mistake was that I won the elections so they framed me with corruption charges and accused me of being disloyal to the Royal Family."

- The Nation / 2009-01-25

"If they want the problems to end, they must first return money to my family," - I believe this is what Thaksin was actually saying.

[Koo82]

Dtv is having a live Truth Today now.

They just finished talking with 3 groups who are on the way coming to Bangkok for the meeting tomorrow at Sanam Luang.

Another group said someone tries to stop them from coming.

Everyone should know that the reds protest according to the Constitution Law. Even though we don't agree with this law issued after the Army robbed our government, we still base on that to act. The reds announce in advance what they will talk about, where they will gather and what time. They don't have weapons with them. After the protest, they come home. They don't sleep in Government House (3 months) and airports (8 days) like what the PAD did.

[TAWP]

Dtv is having a live Truth Today now.

They just finished talking with 3 groups who are on the way coming to Bangkok for the meeting tomorrow at Sanam Luang.

Another group said someone tries to stop them from coming.

Everyone should know that the reds protest according to the Constitution Law. Even though we don't agree with this law issued after the Army robbed our government, we still base on that to act. The reds announce in advance what they will talk about, where they will gather and what time. They don't have weapons with them. After the protest, they come home. They don't sleep in Government House (3 months) and airports (8 days) like what the PAD did.

Hole cow...can someone post a few images from the night-fights with armed reds again?

(I'm not denying yellow had weapons too...but Koo82 is so insanely one-eyed it's scary...)

[SmugFarangBore]

Hole cow...can someone post a few images from the night-fights with armed reds again?

(I'm not denying yellow had weapons too...but Koo82 is so insanely one-eyed it's scary...)

If the red-shirts blockade Government house for three months or take over the airports then perhaps a better comparison can be made, after all, during these events the PAD committed their fair share of thuggery and violence too, even murder.

Until then however, there is nothing that the red-shirts can do that will match the loss in both economic terms and in reputation that the PAD caused to Thailand.

[Koo82]

Those hardcore reds can be true, but in meetings like these, there were no weapon.

[TAWP]

Hole cow...can someone post a few images from the night-fights with armed reds again?

(I'm not denying yellow had weapons too...but Koo82 is so insanely one-eyed it's scary...)

If the red-shirts blockade Government house for three months or take over the airports then perhaps a better comparison can be made, after all, during these events the PAD committed their fair share of thuggery and violence too, even murder.

Until then however, there is nothing that the red-shirts can do that will match the loss in both economic terms and in reputation that the PAD caused to Thailand.

"Waaa-waaa-waa"

So what you are saying is that one week of blocking something would be the equal of taking someones life? Just wanna hear your rational here.

In any case, you are boring. As your nick indicates. And surely aiming to be as bad as the yellow shouldn't be the reds goal. But they apparently will try to exceed it...

[Koo82]

This side is trying to say that blocking Government House for 3 months, blocking airports in the South and finally 2 airports in Bangkok is not serious.

If it were not serious, why does Abhisit gang now try to convince the world that there won't be any more airport blockage in Thailand and they can feel safe to travel to Thailand?

Nicest thing is if you are among 350,000 tourists who could not fly home because of these PAD nuts, you will need to thank the Thai Foreign Minister Kasit who was in the PAD protests. Those who blocked airports are rewarded by key government positions.

Sorry those who died on the way trying to find another flight elsewhere have no chance to thank PAD.

[hammered]

In his broadcast, Thaksin, now in exile after jumping bail to avoid a graft conviction, confessed to being lonely, but said he would never give up his fight against what he says is the injustice that has typified Thailand since the coup.

"Please don't think of sending someone to kill me out here because even if I die, this won't stop," he said. "I'll still have to fight for justice."

"What I want is justice for me, for my family, and for the people. If you want this to end, all I want is justice and starting over," he said.

- Reuters / 2009-01-25

"Justice for the people". He really has lost it after denying any form of justice to around 3000 people in a variety of acts in his tenure of human rights abuses. There was arguably a lot more injustice during his regime. Certainly a lot lot more people died under weird circumstances that Amnesty and HRW have stated was state initaed government policy of the Thaksin regime.

What is he threatening to come back as a ghost and haunt all and sundry if he dies. Maybe he is jealous that Abhisit is important enough to get the death threats.

[Plus]

This side is trying to say that blocking Government House for 3 months, blocking airports in the South and finally 2 airports in Bangkok is not serious.

Nearly nowhere as serious as armed thugs on rampage stop searhing cars and beating and killing anyone they don't like.

Civil disobedience is breaking the law, but it's not banditism ala Udon/Chiang Mai reds.