Thaksin Interviewed In Time Magazine

[george]

Thaksin interviewed in TIME Magazine

A few months after being deposed in a bloodless coup in 2006, former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra told TIME he planned to retire. But Thaksin hasn't kept his promise, regularly phoning in from self-imposed exile to rally his supporters back home.

Last October, Thailand's Supreme Court found him guilty of corruption on charges that he maintains were politically motivated. Thailand, meanwhile, remains roiled by political turbulence, as pro- and anti-Thaksin forces struggle for control of the country. Since Thaksin was removed from office by a military junta, the country has cycled through five prime ministers — some aligned with the polarizing tycoon, some vehemently opposed to him.

Last September, protesters upset that elections had ushered in a pro-Thaksin government, even took over Bangkok's international airport for a week, virtually paralyzing the Thai capital. Thailand's current leader, Abhisit Vejjajiva, has vowed to use "every means we can" to extradite Thaksin; a Mar. 2 public appearance by the former Prime Minister in Hong Kong was canceled after Thai authorities announced they would attempt to have him arrested. Thaksin spoke with TIME's Southeast Asia Bureau Chief Hannah Beech by phone from Dubai about his renewed political ambitions and what it's going to take to heal his country.

Last time you spoke with TIME in January 2007, you said you were finished with politics and that you would retire. What changed?

[My political opponents] have been bullying me politically nonstop since then. I already declared that I wanted to retire. I wanted to spend my life with my family. But they were bullying me. The rule of law is not there [in Thailand]. The democratic process is not there. That is too much. All of my supporters urged me: 'you have to come and fight back politically.' They want [Thailand] to come back to a mature democracy.

But some would argue that your return to politics would make it more difficult to heal the divisions in Thai society.

I have to give moral support to my supporters. If I'm not going to fight anymore, that might hurt the feelings of my supporters. They are fighting for democracy. They are fighting for the rule of law. They are beyond just me.

So you are definitely planning a political comeback?

I don't have to come back politically, but I would like to do something that will help the people of Thailand. There must be a process under which I can come back. I want to come back to clear the chaos in Thailand, the civil war in Thailand. I want Thailand to be a peaceful country. If it's not necessary, then I will not run. But if it's necessary for the good of the country, then I'll do it. If [current Thai Prime Minister] Abhisit Vejjajiva can solve the problems, and the people support him, then that's fine.

How do you propose to clear the political air in Thailand?

If we don't settle the differences between the two sides, there's no way that Thailand can move forward. This mess has been there for almost three years. They have to start all over. Every party has to bury their hatchets.

Last year, the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) staged massive protests and besieged Bangkok's international airport for a week. They accused the then-government of being your puppet and vowed to protest until that government fell. In the end, the court ruled that the ruling party had committed electoral fraud, and the government was forced out of office. What is your analysis of what happened?

The whole world condemned what happened with the PAD taking over the airport. It was really a quiet coup supported by the military. Many military officials were there, supporting the [PAD members, who wore] yellow shirts. That was made clear when the government instructed the military to clear the airport and the military was reluctant. They were part of it. This was really a coup. So that's the reason why [my supporters, who wear] red shirts are not happy about it. If we are a mature democracy under rule of law, these things will not happen. Those who violated the law must be prosecuted.

But wouldn't forgetting the past mean not prosecuting the PAD?

If we are to drop the charges, it has to be done on both sides, not just on one side.

Prominent scholars from around the world recently came together to criticize the way in which Thailand's lèse-majesté laws have been used to charge or jail several people, including an academic and a foreigner. What is your opinion of what has happened?

The laws have been there for many years. It was not that serious until now. They use the words 'loyal' or 'not loyal' to the monarchy as a tool to fight for power. That is bad for the monarchy and it's bad for Thailand. We should not allow this to happen. The law's intention is just to protect the monarchy. But now it's used to manipulate power. We have to redefine the law and not allow this much discretion.

Could Thailand's King Bhumibol Adulyadej step in and comment on the laws?

The Thais should not comment on what the King should do.

Prime Minister Abhisit has urged other nations to start extradition processes against you because of a conflict-of-interest conviction you received last year. How do you feel about this?

Abhisit knows that [the conviction against me] happened because the military junta appointed [to the court] those who are clearly against me. [Abhisit] is a democratic man; he should not comment in this manner. The way he acts is purely political.

What do you think Abhisit can do to help relieve the political tensions in Thailand?

I don't think that he can do [anything] because he enjoys the power that was handed to him by the PAD and the military. Otherwise he would have to go through elections, and he will not get enough support.

So you think the Pheu Thai party, which supports you, has enough popularity to win an election?

Pheu Thai has to find prominent party leaders that can solve the problems of the country now. If we can find those types of people, then we can win. There are many good people in Thailand but we have to recruit them. It's very difficult because of what happened to me. The ones who are willing to do hard work for the country are really reluctant. Those people who are good, they are probably not interested.

Will an election heal the country?

The longer that you leave it like this, the more divisions there will be. They have to settle it quickly, especially if they are sincerely loyal to the King. The word "loyalty" has been used as an excuse to acquire power. We have to ask those who are behind the divisiveness to stop meddling into the system. When I was in power, there was a meeting in one house on Sukhumvit [Road in Bangkok] and one of the attendees revealed to me--and I have the tapes of what happened--that the meeting was about getting rid of me, by assassinating me or getting rid of me through politics or through the courts. I know who these people are. I'm thinking of naming names, but I'm afraid that may make the whole situation worse. I have to be extremely cautious. I have to bite my tongue and taste my own blood.

You said earlier that this is beyond you. If so, why is it necessary for you to return to politics?

The Thai people know how badly I've been bullied. This is politically motivated. That's the reason why even people who don't know me and don't like me have come forward. Because they feel like this is not fair.

-- TIME Magazine 2009-03-06

[animatic]

Pure propaganda, fine tuned for western ears.

[mhatami]

Pure propaganda, fine tuned for western ears.

Thaxsin is just like any ruller like Iranian Shah son, that used to have power and somehow can’t stop thinking about what it used to be, just tell him forget it and keep quiet, maybe he will have some peace and some normal life, but I doubt it. He will continue barking for some time till he runs out of money or…..

[Jingthing]

His ego is very impressive. You get the idea he is trying to push the idea that Thailand can't be saved without him. Nicaragua, not that bad!

[luvU2much500THB]

Taxin was vely vely good for thai people you know.

GO Taxin!!

[Jingthing]

Taxin was vely vely good for thai people you know.

GO Taxin!!

Go Taxin?

I have news for you. He already came, and went.

[jumnien]

I wish he would just go away. That said, much of what he said is spot on. Abhisit is a pawn of the coup-makers.

[Journalist]

"Original credits, copyright statement and author bylines shall be included in all reprints at all times"

Kindly abide by Time.com's stated reproduction policy.

[Koo82]

Last time you spoke with TIME in January 2007, you said you were finished with politics and that you would retire. What changed?

[My political opponents] have been bullying me politically nonstop since then. I already declared that I wanted to retire. I wanted to spend my life with my family. But they were bullying me. The rule of law is not there [in Thailand]. The democratic process is not there. That is too much. All of my supporters urged me: 'you have to come and fight back politically.' They want [Thailand] to come back to a mature democracy.

Hope someone is clear why he has to fight.

[baht&sold]

One almost has to compose oneself and reach for a tissue after reading the above heart-rending account... Mr Thaksin does raise 'some' points which 'may' have 'some' validity but many valid factual points were also 'conveniently' left out.

The TIME reporter either incredibly doesn't know some of the facts, or was reluctant to bring them up (oddly) as is standard in professional journalism. Such as, neither Mr Thaksin nor the reporter mention the fact the new Govt was legally voted in by a majority in Parliament. Nor do either raise the fact, it was Mr Thaksin's very own proxy-party MP's whom opportunistically slithered across the aisle to form a majority with the Dems.

However, it was interesting to read the 'fact' (as presented by Dr Thaksin) regarding quote: "I wanted to retire. I wanted to spend my life with my family. But they were bullying me"... Apparently these 'bullies' are also responsible for the Thaksin's divorce then (??) The 'poor' man, when will all this injustice end...

It's perhaps beneficial to Mr Thaksin's 'tragic tale' of democracy stolen for the reporter to state/paint "Thailand remains roiled by political turbulence... This will go down well in the foreign press but doesn't help Thailand's already battered image (or was this the point?).

Nor does Mr Thaksin help Thailand's image when he talks of "the chaos in Thailand, the civil war in Thailand"... (all looked fine on Sukhumvit this afternoon but perhaps I missed 'the civil war and chaos' somehow???)

Mr Thaksin doesn't help his own image by suggesting people are out to assassinate him (unless it's self-character assassination he's referring to, in which case a look in the mirror might nail the main culprit)

After stating "We have to ask those who are behind the divisiveness to stop meddling" (again, mirror please) Mr Thaksin closes the lonely, bitter and somewhat rambling interview by repeating (again) how "bullied" he's been...

All in all, a mostly puff-piece which will likely give Thailand a black eye but squarely-faces Mr Thaksin as a 'heroic freedom fighter' by some of the sympathetic western media (thus, the main 'goals' of the piece were achieved then?)

-----------

PS: What next? Surely an op-ed piece by 'The Economist' extolling the 'virtues' of Thailand's next PM-in-waiting Mr. Chalerm can't be that far off...

Edited March 6, 2009 by baht&sold

[Crushdepth]

Is it just me, or do other people find Thaksin old hat and boring?

[dansexperience]

the media in Thailand should just block Thaskin related news, its about as useful as the crap I take everyday. He is gone, he will not come back so forget him. He will never spend time in jail, he will die a rich man and his family will live a very comfortable life. End of. Forget the prick

[Jingthing]

Is it just me, or do other people find Thaksin old hat and boring?

Totally. Somebody should tell him before he makes an even bigger ass of himself. Really, Nicaragua is not that bad. Central location, literally.

[Sandstone Art]

Come on you guys are 'bullying' Thaksin in this forum!

Give the man a 'break' but don't hurt him too much!

[peecee]

Taxin may not be a saint but the fact that he still has very strong support in the villages is down to his social policies that gave the poor hope, something that is now in very short supply since the yellow shirt coup. The country has to accept one person one vote and stop appointing unelected oligarchs!

[Jingthing]

Hope. Schmope. The sooner the Thai people who still support him accept that they are never going to get him, and the him that they hope to get is no longer the same him, the better it will be for this country. He is damaged goods. Badly damaged.

Edited March 6, 2009 by Jingthing

[Artisi]

Taxin was vely vely good for thai people you know.

GO Taxin!!

He wasn't weely weely good at all - an utter incompetent, even his criminal activities were flawed.

Yes he should go, as far as possible from the Thai scene and the sooner the better.

Edited March 6, 2009 by Artisi

[khunjamespittman]

the media in Thailand should just block Thaskin related news, its about as useful as the crap I take everyday. He is gone, he will not come back so forget him. He will never spend time in jail, he will die a rich man and his family will live a very comfortable life. End of. Forget the prick

Unbelievable, you want to block news but you seem want to offer you opinions here. Are we to assume that you are now the news policeman? I am very often upset by the blatnat bias of many journalist. I don't like it but just look at China, Burma, Venezuela, etc. to see the alternative. Do you seriously wish to deny freedom of the press? If so I suggest that you seek residence in one of the aforementioned counries. They provide what you are asking for.

[mc2]

He is damaged goods. Badly damaged.

agree with that.

but Thaksin was raped by the military not once but twice, first a coup then the 'silent' PAD coup (yes, that is EXACTLY what it was)

We see it over and over in Thailand, the rape victim suffers and even gets the blame but the perpetrators evade justice.

[jumnien]

He is damaged goods. Badly damaged.

agree with that.

but Thaksin was raped by the military not once but twice, first a coup then the 'silent' PAD coup (yes, that is EXACTLY what it was)

We see it over and over in Thailand, the rape victim suffers and even gets the blame but the perpetrators evade justice.

Exactly!

[Nampeung]

Sorry Mc2 you tw** 'raped' by the military??? You are on another planet mate

[jumnien]

Sorry Mc2 you tw** 'raped' by the military??? You are on another planet mate

More correctly, democracy and the Thai people raped by the military and their PAD/Democrat pawns. As any Thai who dares speak the truth is either put in prison or sent to exile, it falls upon the likes of Thaksin to speak up, louder and louder, please!

[mc2]

there is no doubt in my mind that Thaksin was well and truly fukced over by the military , so yes , indeed 'raped'.

and as jumnien says Thai people are also victims along with democracy iteslf.

[Steve2UK]

One almost has to compose oneself and reach for a tissue after reading the above heart-rending account... Mr Thaksin does raise 'some' points which 'may' have 'some' validity but many valid factual points were also 'conveniently' left out.

The TIME reporter either incredibly doesn't know some of the facts, or was reluctant to bring them up (oddly) as is standard in professional journalism. Such as, neither Mr Thaksin nor the reporter mention the fact the new Govt was legally voted in by a majority in Parliament. Nor do either raise the fact, it was Mr Thaksin's very own proxy-party MP's whom opportunistically slithered across the aisle to form a majority with the Dems.

However, it was interesting to read the 'fact' (as presented by Dr Thaksin) regarding quote: "I wanted to retire. I wanted to spend my life with my family. But they were bullying me"... Apparently these 'bullies' are also responsible for the Thaksin's divorce then (??) The 'poor' man, when will all this injustice end...

It's perhaps beneficial to Mr Thaksin's 'tragic tale' of democracy stolen for the reporter to state/paint "Thailand remains roiled by political turbulence... This will go down well in the foreign press but doesn't help Thailand's already battered image (or was this the point?).

Nor does Mr Thaksin help Thailand's image when he talks of "the chaos in Thailand, the civil war in Thailand"... (all looked fine on Sukhumvit this afternoon but perhaps I missed 'the civil war and chaos' somehow???)

Mr Thaksin doesn't help his own image by suggesting people are out to assassinate him (unless it's self-character assassination he's referring to, in which case a look in the mirror might nail the main culprit)

After stating "We have to ask those who are behind the divisiveness to stop meddling" (again, mirror please) Mr Thaksin closes the lonely, bitter and somewhat rambling interview by repeating (again) how "bullied" he's been...

All in all, a mostly puff-piece which will likely give Thailand a black eye but squarely-faces Mr Thaksin as a 'heroic freedom fighter' by some of the sympathetic western media (thus, the main 'goals' of the piece were achieved then?)

-----------

PS: What next? Surely an op-ed piece by 'The Economist' extolling the 'virtues' of Thailand's next PM-in-waiting Mr. Chalerm can't be that far off...

Whether I agree with all of it or not, good reasoned analysis and comment from b&s - I really wish we could see more like this instead of the all-too-familiar pour-it-on rant and invective from the usual suspects. Always puzzles me that, when there is so much established fact to level against Thaksin, so many feel compelled to hype that and "generate" yet more.

I know b&s has a long-standing view that The Economist (as well as other foreign media) is a stooge for Thaksin - not a view I share or one backed up by any credible evidence IMO. Equally, I have a somewhat different take on this Time article - when I read it in conjunction with the earlier pieces linked at the article....... for instance:

One Self-Exiled Ex-Premier Seeking New Nation, with Fairway

By Hannah Beech / Bangkok Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2008

...................Loss of pride aside, Thaksin can at least take heart in the august company of others who have been barred from entering Britain. Earlier this year, American domestic diva Martha Stewart was denied a visa because of her brief jail stint, the same fate that befell Cordozar Calvin Broadus, better known as rapper Snoop Dogg.

Full article at:

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8...e-inline-bottom

[Note the use of "Self-Exiled" in the title - an example that all media would do well to follow]

My take on the current article is that Hannah Beech doesn't rate Thaksin as having any great significance and gives him enough rope to hang himself (only metaphorically - before some of you get too excited ). That said, as b&s implies, I think it could and should have been more direct.

[Ricardo]

Last time you spoke with TIME in January 2007, you said you were finished with politics and that you would retire. What changed?

[My political opponents] have been bullying me politically nonstop since then. I already declared that I wanted to retire. I wanted to spend my life with my family. But they were bullying me. The rule of law is not there [in Thailand]. The democratic process is not there. That is too much. All of my supporters urged me: 'you have to come and fight back politically.' They want [Thailand] to come back to a mature democracy.

Hope someone is clear why he has to fight.

Koo, you & Thaksin forget, when he was removed, Thailand was anything but a "mature democracy". In fact he had been steadily dismantling the limited-democracy which he had taken over. Who said "Democracy is not my aim" ? Was he lying then, or is he lying now, you tell us ?

If the democratic process is weak, or "the rule of law is not there", when will he accept any of the responsibility for the situation, which he himself helped to create ? For the division in Thai society ? He has a twisted view of history.

He didn't declare that he "wanted to retire", he said "I have quit", was he lying then, or is he lying now ? If he has quit, why does he fund nominee-parties, and place his family amongst the leadership of the latest one ?

All his supporters urge him to come and fight back except, he conveniently forgets to mention, the ones who have deserted him to help put the current government in power. No wonder he trusts only his family now.

We all want Thailand to grow into a democracy, the question is whether he has anything further to contribute, in moving towards it. Most of us, observing from the sidelines, think not. His legacy was, to have made the poor people slightly more important, in Thai politics. Witness the Democrats now continuing with populist measures.

In continuing to fight, and to try to damage the country's reputation overseas, he is also damaging his own reputation, which is sad. He should keep quiet, negotiate the return of most of his frozen-assets, and accept that the world has moved on.

[hammered]

Nothing new or interesting here. Move on to the next one. Same old same old.

[Koo82]

In continuing to fight, and to try to damage the country's reputation overseas, he is also damaging his own reputation, which is sad. He should keep quiet, negotiate the return of most of his frozen-assets, and accept that the world has moved on.

"damage the country's reputation overseas"?

The ones who damage the country's reputation is the Army who made a coup in 2006 and those who are protecting PAD now. What are the reasons they don't arrest PAD?

In a true democracy system, Army will protect the country from emergency, not to make coups.

If someone drives me away from my home, I won't keep quiet and won't negotiate.

The world has moved on but someone still jumps on his back and gives him 2 years in jail. Why? His wife bought a land with no fault and no corruption and he signed ok for her to buy according to the law. But another law does not allow him to do this. Criminal of the century!

The world all watch Thailand where a PM was down because of his cooking shows and a whole bunch who slept 3 months in Government House, had violent protest in front of Parliament House and finally slept a week in 2 main airports are still free and has set up concerts (meetings?) here and there in Thailand.

[hammered]

In continuing to fight, and to try to damage the country's reputation overseas, he is also damaging his own reputation, which is sad. He should keep quiet, negotiate the return of most of his frozen-assets, and accept that the world has moved on.

"damage the country's reputation overseas"?

The ones who damage the country's reputation is the Army who made a coup in 2006 and those who are protecting PAD now. What are the reasons they don't arrest PAD?

In a true democracy system, Army will protect the country from emergency, not to make coups.

If someone drives me away from my home, I won't keep quiet and won't negotiate.

The world has moved on but someone still jumps on his back and gives him 2 years in jail. Why? His wife bought a land with no fault and no corruption and he signed ok for her to buy according to the law. But another law does not allow him to do this. Criminal of the century!

The world all watch Thailand where a PM was down because of his cooking shows and a whole bunch who slept 3 months in Government House, had violent protest in front of Parliament House and finally slept a week in 2 main airports are still free and has set up concerts (meetings?) here and there in Thailand.

I may be wrong on this but I kinda think the world has far more important things to worry about than anything that has happened in Thailand. Short of building a nuclear bomb, killing tens of thousands of people (thanks to Thaksin we already know that nobody cares if the body count is mere thousands), or invading say Malaysia there is little that is going to happen in Thailand that is really going to concern any foreign government and most ordinary people regard Thailand as a 3 (or is it 4?) S exotic tourist destination, and actually couldnt give a monkeys who is in government, what they do or even what political system the country has.

[brahmburgers]

Thaksin is, by far, the most divisive force for Thais and the Thai political landscape.

In a general sense, I somewhat admire his tenaciousness as a fighter who won't give up. But that's all I might admire about him - and even a steadfast fighter should know when it's time to hang up the gloves. He keeps wringing out the wimpy idea that his quixotic quest is for the his supporters. Any support he may have is dwindling weekly, by numbers and by fervor.

If he really wants to help Thailand, he could do something along the lines of what Shakira (pop icon diva) is doing in her native country; Colombia. She's funding schools in poverty-stricken rural areas.

Edited March 7, 2009 by brahmburgers

[hammered]

Thaksin is, by far, the most divisive force for Thais and the Thai political landscape.

In a general sense, I somewhat admire his tenaciousness as a fighter who won't give up. But that's all I might admire about him - and even a steadfast fighter should know when it's time to hang up the gloves. He keeps wringing out the wimpy idea that his quixotic quest is for the his supporters. Any support he may have is dwindling weekly, by numbers and by fervor.

If he really wants to help Thailand, he could do something along the lines of what Shakira (pop icon diva) is doing in her native country; Colombia. She's funding schools in poverty-stricken rural areas.

Kinda ironic you suggest this when thinking back to what happened just after the coup and who this is believed to be linked to.