Former PM Samak Returns Home From USA

[george]

Former PM Samak returns home from USA

BANGKOK: -- Former Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej returned home last night from America after being treated for cancer.

Samak arrived Suvarnabhumi airport at 11.45pm by United Airline flight 891 from Houston where he was treated for liver cancer. He was accompanied by his wife; Khunying Surat and his daughter; Kandapa Mungtin.

-- The Nation 2009-01-22

[TAWP]

Hope he becomes well enough to be able to go to jail.

[phupaman]

Hi All.

Anyone know when he is due in court again?

phupaman.

[Jai Dee]

Former PM Samak returns to Bangkok

Former Prime Minister has just arrived in Bangkok after spending almost three months in the US for medical treatment.

Former Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej arrived at Suvarnabhumi International Airport last night (January 21) at 11:45PM by the United Airlines flight UA0891, and immediately vacated the premise using backdoor of the VIP room and took off in a van at 11:50PM.

More than 30 red-shirted groups were gathered at the airport to welcome back Mr. Samak with red roses together with news reporters awaiting for his arrival.

A number of airport's officials, polices, and security guards who witnessed the arrival of former PM said that Mr. Samak appeared to be much physically slimmer than when he took the PM post.

Former PM had spent almost three months at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in the US to receive medical attention after being diagnosed with liver cancer.

Furthermore, Mr. Samak rejected to phone-in into the Truth Today programme on the Democracy Television (DTV), while the former PM would spend time with his family at his Minburi’s residence and seek further medical check-up at Samitivej Hospital tomorrow.

Source: National News Bureau of Thailand - 22 January 2009

[Jimjim]

To jail for...?

Swift fall from grace and prestige for him, whatever the case. Losing his position, and on top of it getting cancer. That's a bad last several months.

[Chang_paarp]

Just in time to deny the Japanese bribe allegations again.

[ballpoint]

Former PM Samak returns to Bangkok

Former Prime Minister has just arrived in Bangkok after spending almost three months in the US for medical treatment.

Former Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej arrived at Suvarnabhumi International Airport last night (January 21) at 11:45PM by the United Airlines flight UA0891, and immediately vacated the premise using backdoor of the VIP room and took off in a van at 11:50PM.

More than 30 red-shirted groups were gathered at the airport to welcome back Mr. Samak with red roses together with news reporters awaiting for his arrival.

A number of airport's officials, polices, and security guards who witnessed the arrival of former PM said that Mr. Samak appeared to be much physically slimmer than when he took the PM post.

Former PM had spent almost three months at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in the US to receive medical attention after being diagnosed with liver cancer.

Furthermore, Mr. Samak rejected to phone-in into the Truth Today programme on the Democracy Television (DTV), while the former PM would spend time with his family at his Minburi's residence and seek further medical check-up at Samitivej Hospital tomorrow.

Source: National News Bureau of Thailand - 22 January 2009

Did the Thai Airways pilots refuse to fly him?

[jbowman1993]

To jail for...?

Swift fall from grace and prestige for him, whatever the case. Losing his position, and on top of it getting cancer. That's a bad last several months.

He was sentence to 2 years in jail for libel. He lost his first appeal, and has one final appeal left. He'll do a runner before that happens, rest assured. He also is under indictment from the NCCC related to the fire truck procurement scandal, and the Cambodia temple treaty.

He might just beat cancer, but he's a nonentity in every other regard (finally).

[mrtoad]

A very unpleasant character.

Wouldn't wish the cancer on him, but it would be nice if the courts issued some justice to this despicable individual.

[bruceboy]

I doubt he ever sees the inside of a prison.

[Scott]

Here's wishing a sick, elderly man a speedy recovery.

[noahvail]

Did the Thai Airways pilots refuse to fly him?

Nah, they would have welcomed the additional air fares. He prolly took United cuz it's cheaper than TG!

[Briggsy]

* for primary cancer patients: 1 out of 4

* for metastatic liver cancer patients: 1 out of 20

Here are the survival rates for liver cancer patients.

Is it possible that Samak is lying to gain sympathy, have a fake reason to leave the country, buy time, keep himself out of the limelight and ensure he is treated more leniently by the courts?

[animatic]

Three month visa up. Back home , and more discretetly.

I wish him improved health.

But also a modicum of justice, as deserved for his own actions.

Not that justice is not a value added commodity in Thailand....

[Heng]

He visited the same relatively private temple we visit in Marble Falls, Texas. My friends say he indeed is sick. Not that it should matter. Just FYI.

[skippybangkok]

Did the Thai Airways pilots refuse to fly him?

Nah, they would have welcomed the additional air fares. He prolly took United cuz it's cheaper than TG!

Nah, seats are better.

Whats a few baht with the fire truck funds in ur bank account

[citizen33]

Samak is not without sin, like many others, but I hope that those who doubted his condition now feel a prick of conscience. Some of the remarks on earlier threads were boorish to put it mildly. As for the conspiracy theorists who think the Anderson Center would participate in that kind of charade, there is nothing that anybody could write on this forum that will bring you back to reality.

[sriracha john]

Is it possible that Samak is lying to gain sympathy, have a fake reason to leave the country, buy time, keep himself out of the limelight and ensure he is treated more leniently by the courts?

He wouldn't be the first case of malingering.

Samak is not without sin, like many others, but I hope that those who doubted his condition now feel a prick of conscience. Some of the remarks on earlier threads were boorish to put it mildly. As for the conspiracy theorists who think the Anderson Center would participate in that kind of charade, there is nothing that anybody could write on this forum that will bring you back to reality.

Has the Anderson Center confirmed his presence and treatment then? I haven't seen that nor have I seen any other independent or professional, eg. physician, confirm his diagnosis and treatment.

While he is certainly entitled to medical privacy if he so desires, untold hundreds of politicians and other public figures have had either a hospital's public relations department or their attending physician make such confirming statements. For someone particularly with such a vociferous history of telling lies, it would provide some reassurance to have a professional go on the record to confirm. That is reality.

Edited January 23, 2009 by sriracha john

[PeaceBlondie]

If he has cancer, M. D. Anderson is the best cancer hospital on the planet. I hope he is being cured, if he has cancer. Aside from the invective spewed by doubting posters who had reason to doubt, his medical condition seems to remain hearsay.

[Journalist]

While he is certainly entitled to medical privacy if he so desires, untold hundreds of politicians and other public figures have had either a hospital's public relations department or their attending physician make such confirming statements.

What are Samak's public roles at present?

If he still fills any significant public or political roles, then, yes, issuing a statement is apt.

If not; then as a private citizen, there's no necessity at all to do so. None whatsoever.

If this is just some personal way of frustrating a legal process, then his alleged medical condition is a matter between him and the Court. Having a hospital steps' press conference to allay the interests of nosey bystanders is of no merit.

[sriracha john]

While he is certainly entitled to medical privacy if he so desires, untold hundreds of politicians and other public figures have had either a hospital's public relations department or their attending physician make such confirming statements.

What are Samak's public roles at present?

If he still fills any significant public or political roles, then, yes, issuing a statement is apt.

If not; then as a private citizen, there's no necessity at all to do so. None whatsoever.

If this is just some personal way of frustrating a legal process, then his alleged medical condition is a matter between him and the Court. Having a hospital steps' press conference to allay the interests of nosey bystanders is of no merit.

Just as there are untold hundreds of others who have reported conditions in themselves or family members, such as cancer, there are untold dozens of reasons for people to do so other than "allay the interests of nosey bystandsers" and are chock-full of merit. Factors like wanting to increase public awareness of particular conditions or a desire to set the record straight directly no doubt outnumber the aforementioned reason by a wide margin.

Edited January 24, 2009 by sriracha john

[mrtoad]

Considering Samak's very dubious and hateful history, there is always going to be doubt about the facts. Is he really sick, or is he pulling a fast one? I guess, he has liver cancer, then we will be getting the answear pretty soon.

[neverdie]

Theres gotta be something wrong with him, you don't just get a face like that for no reason!

[Scott]

I believe his illness is credible. Now had he sought medical treatment in Dubai.....

[mrtoad]

I believe his illness is credible. Now had he sought medical treatment in Dubai.....

The problem with Samak is that he has told so many lies in the past, when he actually tells the truth, people are going to doubt it.

[dumball]

Do you mean something similar to the boy who called 'Wolf' ? A more up to date title would be 'Inveterate liar ' , but far beit for me to even think of him not being ill , as you said , time alone will be the final PROOF so many desire on this forum , "Inveterate disbelievers"?

[Journalist]

While he is certainly entitled to medical privacy if he so desires, untold hundreds of politicians and other public figures have had either a hospital's public relations department or their attending physician make such confirming statements.

What are Samak's public roles at present?

If he still fills any significant public or political roles, then, yes, issuing a statement is apt.

If not; then as a private citizen, there's no necessity at all to do so. None whatsoever.

If this is just some personal way of frustrating a legal process, then his alleged medical condition is a matter between him and the Court. Having a hospital steps' press conference to allay the interests of nosey bystanders is of no merit.

Just as there are untold hundreds of others who have reported conditions in themselves or family members, such as cancer, there are untold dozens of reasons for people to do so other than "allay the interests of nosey bystandsers" and are chock-full of merit. Factors like wanting to increase public awareness of particular conditions or a desire to set the record straight directly no doubt outnumber the aforementioned reason by a wide margin.

Liver cancer is a well documented disease and well within public awareness already.

If Samak is no longer a public official he should feel no more compulsion to offer third party corroboration for any physical or mental debility than you do. It is nobody's business if he is out of public life.

If it is a gambit to court sympathy from a Judge, then the judiicary has the resources to follow it up.

You've made your point though, and so you don't have to keep ramming it home. We get the idea. He may or may not be swinging the lead.

[crocodilexp]

I wonder why U.S. State Department so often issues visas to murderers and thugs, while ordinary Thais have so much trouble visiting. If Samak went to U.S. in a diplomatic capacity, I'd understand, but in private capacity he should have been denied a visa on moral character grounds.

[mrtoad]

I wonder why U.S. State Department so often issues visas to murderers and thugs, while ordinary Thais have so much trouble visiting. If Samak went to U.S. in a diplomatic capacity, I'd understand, but in private capacity he should have been denied a visa on moral character grounds.

Considering his history, and the fact that he is on bail I agree.

I guess, that he has used his diplomatic passpoprt, which is afforded to ex Thai PM'S.