I Will Return To Post Of Prime Minister: Thaksin

[jdinasia]

Tosser -- you stated he (Giles the ...) was the only (blah blah blah) .. now you say he fled into exile .... There are others .. and all through the 80's and 90's.

The 30 baht scheme was already on the table at the MoH before Thaksin took office and scheduled for implementation.

Vote buying has never been as rampant as it was under Thaksin (for which your mention of Newin was busted). Strange that you state here that Newin was the "kingmaker" and not the Army (did you not say it was the Army before?) But Newin isn't an issue --- He's not in office. Suthep? Again not an issue, one guy versus the bosses of entire political parties ....

Did you REALLY mention the airport? The biggest corruption scandal Thaksin is cited with to date?

and as for my 'workd' typo .. please read through your posts

[midas]

But surely you cannot have a prominent country like Thailand

with a Prime Minsiter that is slowly being banned from entering

a succession of countries ? This is not Zimbabwe

[jbowman1993]

Yeah, I would drink to if I spent all my time complaining about a 4 year old coup lol

Yeah, how that drink affects memory... the coup was only 2 1/2 years ago, and ended one year ago. It still very much affects the country as it brought the military right back into politics.

2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 = 4 calendar years involved = close enough not to be busting my balls about it.

[justanothercybertosser]

Tosser -- you stated he (Giles the ...) was the only (blah blah blah) .. now you say he fled into exile .... There are others .. and all through the 80's and 90's.

The 30 baht scheme was already on the table at the MoH before Thaksin took office and scheduled for implementation.

Vote buying has never been as rampant as it was under Thaksin (for which your mention of Newin was busted). Strange that you state here that Newin was the "kingmaker" and not the Army (did you not say it was the Army before?) But Newin isn't an issue --- He's not in office. Suthep? Again not an issue, one guy versus the bosses of entire political parties ....

Did you REALLY mention the airport? The biggest corruption scandal Thaksin is cited with to date?

and as for my 'workd' typo .. please read through your posts

You really should read my posts. I posted 'the first... since...' and not the 'only'.

And, he fled not in the "80s and 90s", but a few days ago, because of prosecution of this government that began with a case filed during the military installed government. I believe that this is clear enough.

Please prove your statement that the 30 baht scheme was already "on the table at the MoH before Thaksin took office and sceduled for implementation". Any link?

Suvarnabhumi has been an ongoing scandal for 40 years, members of the military and every government skimming. Hardly the making of Thaksin. For all corruption, at least he managed to build it, which can't be stated for the preceding governments.

Suthep? Only one ... guy? He is deputy PM, and cited as the man that brought the present coalition government together.

Newin? Not an issue "because he is not in office"? That is the most ridiculous statement on contemporary Thai politics i have come across in a long while.

Edited February 9, 2009 by justanothercybertosser

[justanothercybertosser]

Yeah, I would drink to if I spent all my time complaining about a 4 year old coup lol

Yeah, how that drink affects memory... the coup was only 2 1/2 years ago, and ended one year ago. It still very much affects the country as it brought the military right back into politics.

2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 = 4 calendar years involved = close enough not to be busting my balls about it.

19th Sept 2006: 28 1/2 months "involved" = a bit less than 2 1/2 years

[jdinasia]

Tosser -- you stated he (Giles the ...) was the only (blah blah blah) .. now you say he fled into exile .... There are others .. and all through the 80's and 90's.

The 30 baht scheme was already on the table at the MoH before Thaksin took office and scheduled for implementation.

Vote buying has never been as rampant as it was under Thaksin (for which your mention of Newin was busted). Strange that you state here that Newin was the "kingmaker" and not the Army (did you not say it was the Army before?) But Newin isn't an issue --- He's not in office. Suthep? Again not an issue, one guy versus the bosses of entire political parties ....

Did you REALLY mention the airport? The biggest corruption scandal Thaksin is cited with to date?

and as for my 'workd' typo .. please read through your posts

You really should read my posts. I posted 'the first... since...' and not the 'only'.

And, he fled not in the "80s and 90s", but a few days ago, because of prosecution of this government that began with a case filed during the military installed government. I believe that this is clear enough.

Please prove your statement that the 30 baht scheme was already "on the table at the MoH before Thaksin took office and sceduled for implementation". Any link?

Suvarnabhumi has been an ongoing scandal for 40 years, members of the military and every government skimming. Hardly the making of Thaksin. For all corruption, at least he managed to build it, which can't be stated for the preceding governments.

Suthep? Only one ... guy? He is deputy PM, and cited as the man that brought the present coalition government together.

Newin? Not an issue "because he is not in office"? That is the most ridiculous statement on contemporary Thai politics i have come across in a long while.

lol .. right .. sorry but Giles is not the "first since" the 70's ---- you are leaving out many from the 80's and 90's (but then again you'd have to know a bit about it to understand that!)

[justanothercybertosser]

lol .. right .. sorry but Giles is not the "first since" the 70's ---- you are leaving out many from the 80's and 90's (but then again you'd have to know a bit about it to understand that!)

Sulak fled into exile in the 90's. But he is a special case.

Who else are the other "many" academics who fled in the 90's (i included the 80's in my post)?

Edited February 9, 2009 by justanothercybertosser

[jdinasia]

lol .. right .. sorry but Giles is not the "first since" the 70's ---- you are leaving out many from the 80's and 90's (but then again you'd have to know a bit about it to understand that!)

Sulak fled into exile in the 90's. But he is a special case.

Who else are the other "many" academics who fled in the 90's (i included the 80's in my post)?

Cute .. you go on to tell me about another one!

I think you might want to look into the shakers and movers (thinkers) behind the CPT

[sriracha john]

Breakingnews

Thaksin kin get key Puea Thai posts

Bangkok Post Feb 3, 2009 - 10:05 PM

The opposition Puea Thai party has embarked on a new strategy to strengthen internal solidarity, appointing members of the Shinawatra family to lead party members in each of the three regions where Puea Thai influence remains strong, said a Puea Thai source on Tuesday.

The source said under the new strategy, Yaowapa Wongsawat, a younger sister of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, would lead Puea Thai members in the North.

The source said the party wanted a Shinawatra family member to lead each of the three regions because the party wanted them to symbolise the party's close connections with Thaksin.

I know it probably doesn't matter to the law-breaking Shinawatras.... but the curvaceous Yaowapa Wongsawat, as a TRT Party executive, has been Banned From Politics since 2007 [lucky number TRT Banned # 13, to be precise] .

Are they trying to get to Puea Thai Party banned as well with such blatant disregard to the law?

With the big Shinawatra family tree... he's covering more ground now with the "only people" he trusts now...

In addition to the three mentioned previously including the beautiful Yaowapa above taking care of the North... we have

In the Northeast, the leader would be Payap Shinawatra, Thaksin's younger brother.

As for the central region and Bangkok, sister Yingluck Shinawatra

and the latest.... sister Yaowares Shinawatra has the southern region...

Puea Thai Party despairs about bringing Thaksin home

"Bring our man [the big boss] home!" That was the message, loud and clear, at the PTP's seminar held earlier last week at Khao Yai, which also heard a declaration by exiled former PM Thaksin Shinawatra to stage a political comeback and to take the helm of the country once again. The message - which has now become a mission of the Party and its Red Shirt supporters to do whatever they can to bring Thaksin back safe and sound and free from all legal problems - is easier said than done at a time when the Party is stuck in the opposition camp and in disarray like a rudderless ship. To put their house in order after being shaken by the defection of the Friends of Newin faction to the opposite camp, the Party has decided to appoint four of Thaksin's siblings to run the party, with each of them assigned to look after MPs of a particular region, especially on financial issues: Phayap oversees northeastern MPs, Yaowapa Wongsawat the northern region, Yaowares the southern region and Yingluck, Bangkok and the Central Plains. On top of that, PTP MPs who earlier were unable to contact Thaksin directly are now given access to him so they can raise their grievances personally. Since the fugitive ex-premier is reluctant to return home which will immediately land him behind bars once he sets foot on Thai soil - a scenario which is unthinkable and unacceptable to him and the Party - the only possible option for his safe return is through the promulgation of a blanket amnesty law now being mulled by the Party to pardon all political offenders who include former executives of the disbanded Thai Rak Thai, People Power, Chart Thai and Matchima Thipataya parties and, of course, Thaksin.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion...ng-thaksin-home

[justanothercybertosser]

Cute .. you go on to tell me about another one!

I think you might want to look into the shakers and movers (thinkers) behind the CPT

CPT members did not flee anymore in the 90s - the escaped after '73 and especially '76, and began to return after the amnesty of the 80's. I have included them in the timeframe of my original statement (dark days of the 70's and 80's - read it).

Incidentally, Giles Ungpakorn wrote several good papers on this period, and so did Thongchai Winitchakul. Both are diametrically oppsed to your views, by the way.

[jbowman1993]

Yeah, I would drink to if I spent all my time complaining about a 4 year old coup lol

Yeah, how that drink affects memory... the coup was only 2 1/2 years ago, and ended one year ago. It still very much affects the country as it brought the military right back into politics.

2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 = 4 calendar years involved = close enough not to be busting my balls about it.

I bow to your staggering intellect sir. Where is that ignore button again....

Ahhhh, found it! Peace at last.

Edited February 9, 2009 by jbowman1993

[geriatrickid]

To those that say Thaksin's 30 baht health care plan was "already on the table", I ask that you check the platforms of the politial parties that contested the 2001 election. Only Thaksin's party incorporated that as part of the election platform. They delivered on the promise in 2002. If I am wrong, show me otherwise.

Abhisit came out with his proposal of free medical care for all in April 2008. He wanted to improve the plan. I'm not going to dismiss his position as cynical, because I genuinely believe Abhisit wanted to do that. However, he knew that he had to reassure the rural and poor that they would not lose healthcare. He was the only one in the opposition to provide a clear position.

The 30 baht scheme? Which caused an exodus of personnel from provincial hospitals and patients had to be send back home, "curing everything with paracetamol"?

Yes, but the same thing happened in other countries when national medical plans were introduced. The problem is that there will be two tiers of medical care and as long as there is a parallel system of private running alongside public. The 30 baht system will continue to be hampered. The fact of the matter is that health care access for the majority of citizens has been greatly improved. It may not be gold standard but according to various international audits (Look up the US NIH review for Isaan) it had a dramatic impact on the delivery of healthcare to the poor and rural populations.

Thaksin deserves credit for this program and no matter how much the haters want to denigrate the fellow, health care for the poor and rural populations was delivered during his tenure as PM.

I see that many people feel strongly on the issue. Perhaps, you should consider running for a house seat. Oh wait, me bad, those that are non-Thai by birth are not allowed to run for office.

Edited February 9, 2009 by geriatrickid

[animatic]

But surely you cannot have a prominent country like Thailand

with a Prime Minsiter that is slowly being banned from entering

a succession of countries ? This is not Zimbabwe

He is an ex. prime minister.

So a moot point.

Thailand is a "Prominent Country"?

It's a nice country,

but prominent is Japan or Russia or England etc.

As oppossed to the 800lb gorrillas USA and China

And Russia wishes badly to be again...

[animatic]

Genuflect to a month old member.

tip please.

[Dap]

The ABA movement is quickly growing in Thailand - Anyone But Abhisit!

Too bad there isn't anyone else around to take on the responsibility. Puea Thai can't even find a party leader (residing in this country that is).

[Dap]

I guess Thaksin is banned from politics for years ahead, and have to serve a jail term as well. Until then it's unlikely IMHO.

The coup-makers of the 2006 takeover "convicted" Thaksin. As soon as they are on the run, which shouldn't be long now, no jail term will be necessary. Neither Thaksin nor the leaders of the PAD will rot in jail.

Big Sigh

[Dap]

for the benefit of newcomers to Thaivisa.com,...could someone pin the article by Thaksin where he says "I am a man of my word,I will not interfere with Thai politics again"

Hehehehehehe! Good one "dee123"

[ballpoint]

for the benefit of newcomers to Thaivisa.com,...could someone pin the article by Thaksin where he says "I am a man of my word,I will not interfere with Thai politics again"

Hehehehehehe! Good one "dee123"

Thaksin's new PR man.

I'm through with politics.

I won't sell the football club.

I have no money.

There is nothing wrong with the runways.

There is no bird flu in Thailand.

and hopefully...

I'll return to post of Prime Minister

Edited February 9, 2009 by ballpoint

[animatic]

Scroll up again and see the big print in RED ... then think about it. They were ALWAYS in the forefront. Thaksin thought he could ignore them or push them into the background .. he could do neither and in his hubris brought on a 4+ year political crisis in Thailand. (nobody else did that .. it was all Thaksin!)

Bingo!

Throw that man a candied carp and 3 extra viagra.

[sriracha john]

Suthep accuses Thaksin of prison fear

Deputy Prime Minister overseeing national security Suthep Thaugsuban on Tuesday took another swipe at fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, claiming he was not concerned about loose security but he could be afraid of going to jail following his return to Thailand. Mr Suthep said the government is ready to guarantee the former PM's safety, if he decides to return. However, he questioned his concern due to his fugitive status. The deputy premier, referring to bill intended to grant amnesty to banned politicians, said the government will not help any particular

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/13...-of-prison-fear

===============================================================================

Thaksin's foremost concern is not safety but jail term: Suthep

The foremost concern of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra is not safety but how to evade his two-year jail term if he decides to end his exile and return home, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thuagsuban said on Tuesday.

"I can not verify whether Thaksin is coming back home although the government is ready to ensure his safety," Suthep said.

He was reacting to comments by a number of opposition lawmakers that Thaksin might return to Thailand soon.

He said he would guarantee to personally supervise and ensure Thaksin's safety.

- The Nation / 2008-02-10

Edited February 10, 2009 by sriracha john

[Samuian]

And TODAY the Opposition is ON the streets, Chalerm is voicing his opposition on an almost daily routine, so far one Minister has resigned, because of the "Rotten Fish Scandal"... what are you trying to imply with your false statements?

Well "justanothercybertosser" we're waiting... clear the grounds, enlighten us!

I am not going into a nitpicking debate.

The 30 baht scheme was an important introduction. It was not perfect, it needed improvements, it had problems in implementation, but it was the first universal health scheme that Thailand had, and far better than what was there before. Even the Democrats stated so on numerous occasions. Google it, if you don't take my word for it.

There are also studies available that support my point, such as "Assessment of People’s Views of Thailand’s Universal Coverage (UC): A Field Survey in Thangkwang Subdistrict, Khonkaen" published in Southeast Asian Studies, Vol. 44, No. 2, September 2006

The revolving loans systems were also an improvement over what was there before - underground money lenders and exorbitant rates of interest. These debts obviously never made it into any statistic, so it is easy to state that these policies increased the average household debt.

Just because pointing out that Thaksin, besides the well documented abuses, made long overdue improvements, does not make me the "Thaksin lover" you try to paint me as. It just makes me a realist.

You though, excuse my french, are a fanatic that uses exageration and sophism in an attempt to make a point that cannot be supported by reasonable argumentation.

And as to silencing of opposition, you have now the first prominent Thai academic living in exile since the dark days of the 70's and 80's - Giles Ungpakorn, whose father died in exile as well:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/feb/0...nd-charged-king

The 30 baht Scheme does exist and it may have been "the first ever health scheme introduced", but as YOU write and admit "t was not perfect, it needed improvements, it had problems in implementation" it NEVER really worked, in fact it went the wrong way!

So with the "revolving loan scheme" 400.000 cases where the repayment went bust - because "no strings attached", so the loans have mainly been spend on consumer goods, not as an money returning/making investment!

Giles DID know very well, what can be done and what can't - he is a leftist, a Marxist, he should have know better, especially in the light of Harry Nicoleides case!

No excuse, sorry, no one can enter Singapore or Malaysia with an amount of forbidden drugs, which could cost him his/her life and claim "i didn't know" or "the system is inhuman"!

come on.... !

The LAW is the LAW is the LAW and because it's a Law, it has to be followed and to be observed!

If you are a genuine "realist" as you claim, you would admit that any of these "grand schemes" have been little more than "populist tools" to buy/convince voters to vote for TRT and ensure that TaxSin can remain PM and meddle with state affairs for his and his cronies gains! NONE ELSE, sorry!

Someone has to employ foreign media to PR his "Victim role" and drive a smear campaign against his "beloved country", the judiciary, the military, then someone must have a giant agenda, and this agenda has the size of some 76 Billion and an over sized ego.... the "war against" drugs with some 3000 victims, Tak Bai incident, flaring up of violence in the south the disappearance of a human rights advocat, the case involving Mr.Nattawut in the fatal shooting of a witness in the Shin.Corp. tax evasion case....

If he is CLEAN as he claims and is just being "framed" why doesn't he come back and clear it all?

Or bring evidence in exile and employ foreign, credible lawyers?

But maybe he is guilty as hel_l..... that why he can only resort to smearing and blackmail anyone who dares to question his "good intentions"!

The fact that he is a fugitive... doesn't speak very much for him, or his "honest mistakes" does it, how many should one be allowed to make, especially of this magnitude?

Just a though or two!

Edited February 10, 2009 by Samuian

[animatic]

With the money he has left anyone could run the legal system into knots

IF they are innocent. If they are NOT, then it's a snowball of incarcerations.

'Golden Cells with room servic', are for someone with his cash,

but the LOSE OF FACE to himself, for just entering the cell,

would be to big a cross to bare for this saint among politicians.

Bull hockey! What a whimp.

Edited February 10, 2009 by animatic

[hammered]

Suthep accuses Thaksin of prison fear

Deputy Prime Minister overseeing national security Suthep Thaugsuban on Tuesday took another swipe at fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, claiming he was not concerned about loose security but he could be afraid of going to jail following his return to Thailand. Mr Suthep said the government is ready to guarantee the former PM's safety, if he decides to return. However, he questioned his concern due to his fugitive status. The deputy premier, referring to bill intended to grant amnesty to banned politicians, said the government will not help any particular

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/13...-of-prison-fear

===============================================================================

Thaksin's foremost concern is not safety but jail term: Suthep

The foremost concern of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra is not safety but how to evade his two-year jail term if he decides to end his exile and return home, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thuagsuban said on Tuesday.

"I can not verify whether Thaksin is coming back home although the government is ready to ensure his safety," Suthep said.

He was reacting to comments by a number of opposition lawmakers that Thaksin might return to Thailand soon.

He said he would guarantee to personally supervise and ensure Thaksin's safety.

- The Nation / 2008-02-10

Suthep does rather state the obvious. I think he is enjoying goading Thaksin.

[samgrowth]

Suthep accuses Thaksin of prison fear

Deputy Prime Minister overseeing national security Suthep Thaugsuban on Tuesday took another swipe at fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, claiming he was not concerned about loose security but he could be afraid of going to jail following his return to Thailand. Mr Suthep said the government is ready to guarantee the former PM's safety, if he decides to return. However, he questioned his concern due to his fugitive status. The deputy premier, referring to bill intended to grant amnesty to banned politicians, said the government will not help any particular

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/13...-of-prison-fear

===============================================================================

Thaksin's foremost concern is not safety but jail term: Suthep

The foremost concern of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra is not safety but how to evade his two-year jail term if he decides to end his exile and return home, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thuagsuban said on Tuesday.

"I can not verify whether Thaksin is coming back home although the government is ready to ensure his safety," Suthep said.

He was reacting to comments by a number of opposition lawmakers that Thaksin might return to Thailand soon.

He said he would guarantee to personally supervise and ensure Thaksin's safety.

- The Nation / 2008-02-10

Suthep does rather state the obvious. I think he is enjoying goading Thaksin.

Suthep usually gets the facts wrong. Did he said that Thaksin would like to return to Thailand as "President"?

[hammered]

Suthep accuses Thaksin of prison fear

Deputy Prime Minister overseeing national security Suthep Thaugsuban on Tuesday took another swipe at fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, claiming he was not concerned about loose security but he could be afraid of going to jail following his return to Thailand. Mr Suthep said the government is ready to guarantee the former PM's safety, if he decides to return. However, he questioned his concern due to his fugitive status. The deputy premier, referring to bill intended to grant amnesty to banned politicians, said the government will not help any particular

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/13...-of-prison-fear

===============================================================================

Thaksin's foremost concern is not safety but jail term: Suthep

The foremost concern of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra is not safety but how to evade his two-year jail term if he decides to end his exile and return home, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thuagsuban said on Tuesday.

"I can not verify whether Thaksin is coming back home although the government is ready to ensure his safety," Suthep said.

He was reacting to comments by a number of opposition lawmakers that Thaksin might return to Thailand soon.

He said he would guarantee to personally supervise and ensure Thaksin's safety.

- The Nation / 2008-02-10

Suthep does rather state the obvious. I think he is enjoying goading Thaksin.

Suthep usually gets the facts wrong. Did he said that Thaksin would like to return to Thailand as "President"?

As I said goading. Suthep is good at it.

[ThaiEye]

You can read up on what Giles has to say from the UK on his blog. Im in Thailand and can get through all right, so the authorities have given his site the green light. Very interesting.

OMG - taken that link to his wdpress blog down, just read his recent article! That's one angry man!

Edited February 10, 2009 by ThaiEye

[sriracha john]

Suthep accuses Thaksin of prison fear

Deputy Prime Minister overseeing national security Suthep Thaugsuban on Tuesday took another swipe at fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, claiming he was not concerned about loose security but he could be afraid of going to jail following his return to Thailand. Mr Suthep said the government is ready to guarantee the former PM's safety, if he decides to return. However, he questioned his concern due to his fugitive status. The deputy premier, referring to bill intended to grant amnesty to banned politicians, said the government will not help any particular

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/13...-of-prison-fear

===============================================================================

Thaksin's foremost concern is not safety but jail term: Suthep

The foremost concern of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra is not safety but how to evade his two-year jail term if he decides to end his exile and return home, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thuagsuban said on Tuesday.

"I can not verify whether Thaksin is coming back home although the government is ready to ensure his safety," Suthep said.

He was reacting to comments by a number of opposition lawmakers that Thaksin might return to Thailand soon.

He said he would guarantee to personally supervise and ensure Thaksin's safety.

- The Nation / 2008-02-10

Suthep does rather state the obvious. I think he is enjoying goading Thaksin.

Suthep usually gets the facts wrong. Did he said that Thaksin would like to return to Thailand as "President"?

As I said goading. Suthep is good at it.

Besides... he's just quoting Thaksin's son....

By the way anyone heard what his son was shouting in a Chiang Mai bar?

Wonder if Suthep will use it in the case Thaksin has brought against him.

so whats the scoop ? a linky ?

can't find any mention of this on BP.

who blogged it ?

Mostly on Thai forum and word of mouth. But I think (not 100%) you can find it mentioned on 2bangkok. I doubt you will find any English language blogger making it front page although it may creep into the comments

"My DAD is the First President of People Republic of Thailand!"

- 2Bangkok

[sriracha john]

You can read up on what Giles has to say from the UK on his blog. Im in Thailand and can get through all right, so the authorities have given his site the green light. Very interesting.

OMG - taken that link to his wdpress blog down, just read his recent article! That's one angry man!

That's one stupid man!

[Siripon]

Suthep accuses Thaksin of prison fear

Deputy Prime Minister overseeing national security Suthep Thaugsuban on Tuesday took another swipe at fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra, claiming he was not concerned about loose security but he could be afraid of going to jail following his return to Thailand. Mr Suthep said the government is ready to guarantee the former PM's safety, if he decides to return. However, he questioned his concern due to his fugitive status. The deputy premier, referring to bill intended to grant amnesty to banned politicians, said the government will not help any particular

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/13...-of-prison-fear

===============================================================================

Thaksin's foremost concern is not safety but jail term: Suthep

The foremost concern of ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra is not safety but how to evade his two-year jail term if he decides to end his exile and return home, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thuagsuban said on Tuesday.

"I can not verify whether Thaksin is coming back home although the government is ready to ensure his safety," Suthep said.

He was reacting to comments by a number of opposition lawmakers that Thaksin might return to Thailand soon.

He said he would guarantee to personally supervise and ensure Thaksin's safety.

- The Nation / 2008-02-10

Suthep does rather state the obvious. I think he is enjoying goading Thaksin.

Suthep usually gets the facts wrong. Did he said that Thaksin would like to return to Thailand as "President"?

On the contrary, I think he got the facts dead right here, there's an awful lot of circumstantial evidence from various poses in certain official portraits and acting as the MC in certain ceremonies to suggest Thaksin cetainly seems himself as 'the special one.'

And to compare himself to Nelson Mandela!! Perhaps the most ludicrous comparison this century.

[sriracha john]

And to compare himself to Nelson Mandela!! Perhaps the most ludicrous comparison this century.

Wow! The prizes are flowing out the door today....

Thaivisa Non-Member's Most Ludicrous Comparison of the 21st Century.

Congratulations, Thakky...and the century was still so young, too.

But Thaksin, Giles... is like is like a Dalai Lama; to have to flee their country.

Thaivisa Most Absurd Analogy of 2009.

Congratulations...and the year was still so young, too.