Thailand Revokes Thaksin's Passport

[ballpoint]

It was the NPKC junta that appointed the cabinet, and specifically Abhisit's father to the position of Deputy Minister of Public Health.

Seems two generations of Vejjajivas have benefited from Junta rule and military cabinet appointments. Like father, like son.

Why not point out Abhisit's Chinese origins, and why do so many people have a problem with that?

And I thought Chuan Leekpai was "the most non corrupt and respected PM Thailand has had", or have you now changed your mind about that?

I suppose anybody would be "the most non corrupt and respected PM Thailand has had" as long as it wasn't Thaksin or anyone associated with him right?

As I said, don't let the truth get in the way of a good argument. After failing to pin anything on Abhisit, you now attack his father, with more false accusations and innuendos. Not that anything his father did would have any bearing on his success as a PM, but never the less, let's look at a few articles:

"Following the military take-over in February 1991, Anand was invited to serve as Prime Minister of Thailand in March 1991. While reluctant to assume that political position in the aftermath of the extra-constitutional process, Anand was convinced that by assuming the position, he could help lead Thailand back to the path of democracy. Anand wanted to minimize the damage inflicted on Thailand's democratic process, and reverse the practice of militarization of politics in the country. He further believed he could successfully establish a civilian-dominated government, which could ensure a smooth and peaceful transition to an open society, institute much needed economic and social reforms, and promote a more transparent and accountable system of governance in Thailand."

http://www.un.org/News/dh/hlpanel/panyarachun-bio.htm

"MANY Thais believe that Anand Panyarachun was the best, and cleanest, prime minister their country has had".

http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-13565194.html

"The generals moved swiftly, and on 2 March 1991 appointed a respected diplomat, Anand Panyarachun as the PM who then formed a cabinet of capable technocrats"

http://books.google.co.nz/books?id=9QzWpcLKg34C&pg=PA297&lpg=PA297&dq=suchinda+cabinet+1991&source=bl&ots=pnZbtwJ7dZ&sig=CX62N6N5UidlLq0yCbQfHwk0a4s&hl=en&ei=PWL4SdKROsmgkQWsiqXbCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5

"The appointment of a business leader with wide experience in the bureaucracy and foreign affairs was positively received. The optimism became stronger when the prime minister announced his cabinet. Only seven members were active military officers; the rest were respected technocrats and retired senior bureaucrats. "They [the NPKC] gave me a free hand, except in a few things, including the defense, interior, and communications portfolios," says Anand."

http://www.rmaf.org.ph/Awardees/Biography/...yarachunAna.htm

"The interim constitution that was promulgated on March 1 reconfirmed the intention of the NKPC to retain substantial control.^[12] However, Anand was allowed relative freedom to select his own cabinet members. However, for the entire period of his premiership Anand faced constant pressure from the junta leaders, who tried to influence government decisions in order to gain financial benefits.^[13]Anand filled his cabinet with well-known academics, technocrats and ex-bureaucrats with proven records. Various commentators, ranging from the president of the prestigious Thailand Development Research Institute to the mass-circulation newspaper Thai Rath, described the cabinet as the most impressive Thailand had ever had".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anand_Panyarachun

Seems to me that being a member of that cabinet would be a source of pride, rather than shame? But, then again, the Thaksinista's measure cabinet success by how much money each member skims off for themselves. By that measure, it was an unsuccessful cabinet. Coupled with your partial quoting of my previous post (I said arguably the most non corrupt... but for some reason you chose to cut that bit out), and nonsense allegations about what I have said in the past (never having said Chuan was the most non corrupt and respected PM Thailand has had, I can hardly be accused of changing my mind), this goes to underscore the lowdown, underhanded methods favoured by the red supporters on this forum. If they're not trying to pass off month old photographs as evidence of the previous weekend, they're making up a load of false accusations about Abhisit and anyone who supports him.

Edited April 29, 2009 by ballpoint

[Thai at Heart]

And it's deja vu all over again as the military overpowers a Chiangmai businessman from becoming PM with a little bit of help from the US this time.

http://www.nytimes.com/1992/04/08/world/th...ter-s-post.html

[ThNiner]

It was the NPKC junta that appointed the cabinet, and specifically Abhisit's father to the position of Deputy Minister of Public Health.

Seems two generations of Vejjajivas have benefited from Junta rule and military cabinet appointments. Like father, like son.

Why not point out Abhisit's Chinese origins, and why do so many people have a problem with that?

And I thought Chuan Leekpai was "the most non corrupt and respected PM Thailand has had", or have you now changed your mind about that?

I suppose anybody would be "the most non corrupt and respected PM Thailand has had" as long as it wasn't Thaksin or anyone associated with him right?

As I said, don't let the truth get in the way of a good argument. After failing to pin anything on Abhisit, you now attack his father, with more false accusations and innuendos. Not that anything his father did would have any bearing on his success as a PM, but never the less, let's look at a few articles:

"Following the military take-over in February 1991, Anand was invited to serve as Prime Minister of Thailand in March 1991. While reluctant to assume that political position in the aftermath of the extra-constitutional process, Anand was convinced that by assuming the position, he could help lead Thailand back to the path of democracy. Anand wanted to minimize the damage inflicted on Thailand's democratic process, and reverse the practice of militarization of politics in the country. He further believed he could successfully establish a civilian-dominated government, which could ensure a smooth and peaceful transition to an open society, institute much needed economic and social reforms, and promote a more transparent and accountable system of governance in Thailand."

http://www.un.org/News/dh/hlpanel/panyarachun-bio.htm

"MANY Thais believe that Anand Panyarachun was the best, and cleanest, prime minister their country has had".

http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-13565194.html

"The generals moved swiftly, and on 2 March 1991 appointed a respected diplomat, Anand Panyarachun as the PM who then formed a cabinet of capable technocrats"

http://books.google.co.nz/books?id=9QzWpcLKg34C&pg=PA297&lpg=PA297&dq=suchinda+cabinet+1991&source=bl&ots=pnZbtwJ7dZ&sig=CX62N6N5UidlLq0yCbQfHwk0a4s&hl=en&ei=PWL4SdKROsmgkQWsiqXbCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5

"The appointment of a business leader with wide experience in the bureaucracy and foreign affairs was positively received. The optimism became stronger when the prime minister announced his cabinet. Only seven members were active military officers; the rest were respected technocrats and retired senior bureaucrats. "They [the NPKC] gave me a free hand, except in a few things, including the defense, interior, and communications portfolios," says Anand."

http://www.rmaf.org.ph/Awardees/Biography/...yarachunAna.htm

"The interim constitution that was promulgated on March 1 reconfirmed the intention of the NKPC to retain substantial control.^[12] However, Anand was allowed relative freedom to select his own cabinet members. However, for the entire period of his premiership Anand faced constant pressure from the junta leaders, who tried to influence government decisions in order to gain financial benefits.^[13]Anand filled his cabinet with well-known academics, technocrats and ex-bureaucrats with proven records. Various commentators, ranging from the president of the prestigious Thailand Development Research Institute to the mass-circulation newspaper Thai Rath, described the cabinet as the most impressive Thailand had ever had".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anand_Panyarachun

Seems to me that being a member of that cabinet would be a source of pride, rather than shame? But, then again, the Thaksinista's measure cabinet success by how much money each member skims off for themselves. By that measure, it was an unsuccessful cabinet. Coupled with your partial quoting of my previous post (I said arguably the most non corrupt... but for some reason you chose to cut that bit out), and nonsense allegations about what I have said in the past (never having said Chuan was the most non corrupt and respected PM Thailand has had, I can hardly be accused of changing my mind), this goes to underscore the lowdown, underhanded methods favoured by the red supporters on this forum. If they're not trying to pass off month old photographs as evidence of the previous weekend, they're making up a load of false accusations about Abhisit and anyone who supports him.

[Oberkommando]

As I said, don't let the truth get in the way of a good argument. After failing to pin anything on Abhisit, you now attack his father, with more false accusations and innuendos. Not that anything his father did would have any bearing on his success as a PM, but never the less, let's look at a few articles:

Who is attacking Abhisit's father? I am merely pointing out he also benefited from a military junta and was appointed to his cabinet position thanks to the NKPC junta, of which Suchinda was the leader.

Those are the facts, not innuendo nor false accusations. You can debate whether he was Anand's choice or Suchinda's or the NKPC, but the fact remains that another Vejjajiva has benefited from the military's meddling in politics.

[sriracha john]

and now... returning the discussion to THIS century....

[sriracha john]

Cambodia 'not sheltering Thaksin'

Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh has reportedly dismissed allegations that Thaksin Shinawatra had entered Cambodia and that he had been given a Cambodian passport.

Tea Banh insisted that Thaksin had never set foot in Cambodia as reported by the media, adding that it was not in his government's interest to back the fugitive leader.

A number of media outlets have quoted unnamed sources as saying that Thaksin has been holding secret meetings with his supporters in the Cambodian island of Koh Kong.

When asked whether the tension between Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen still existed, Tea Banh replied: "What's done is done. There is nothing to worry about."

Kasit called Hun Sen a "thug" during an anti-Thaksin demonstration last year after the Cambodian leader gave Thailand an ultimatum to pull troops out of the disputed border territory.

-- The Nation 2009-04-30

[sriracha john]

RTAF tracks Thaksin's jet into Cambodia

Thaksin Shinawatra's private plane travelled to Cambodia twice after the convicted former prime minister skipped bail, according to information leaked from the Royal Thai Air Force. A source said RTAF Chief Itthaporn Subhawong ordered the air force's radar centre to monitor movements along the Cambodia border.

The centre confirmed that Thaksin's private jet was seen flying to Cambodia on two occasions. The jet landed in Phnom Penh and Koh Kong, the source said.

Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh, in an exclusive interview with Bangkok Post military reporter Wassana Nanuam, denied any contact between Cambodia and Thaksin. "I have never seen Thaksin come here to Cambodia," he told the reporter. "Why should he have to come here? What's the use of coming here? We cannot do anything to help him now. He might want to go somewhere else, but not Cambodia."

Continued:

-- Bangkok Post 2009-04-30

Edited April 29, 2009 by sriracha john

[brahmburgers]

Cambodia: the country with Hun Sen at the helm, who is trying to water-down the 'crimes against humanity' trials. Western countries and the UN are paying millions of dollars to try and get court hearings for surviving Khmer murderers, but Hun Sen is doing all he can to stymie the trials, claiming 'prosecutions will destabilize the country.' Prosecutions won't do that, but they may threaten the comfort level of some of Hun Sen's buddies, and possibly Hun Sen himself.

[hammered]

Cambodia: the country with Hun Sen at the helm, who is trying to water-down the 'crimes against humanity' trials. Western countries and the UN are paying millions of dollars to try and get court hearings for surviving Khmer murderers, but Hun Sen is doing all he can to stymie the trials, claiming 'prosecutions will destabilize the country.' Prosecutions won't do that, but they may threaten the comfort level of some of Hun Sen's buddies, and possibly Hun Sen himself.

Interesting to compare Hun Sen's career with Thaksin's.

Hun sen: From Khmer Rouge member, flight to Vietnam, return as FM in Vietnamese installed government, to peace talks, to co-PM, to coup to become sole PM, to strong man of Cambodia, grenades into opposition rally etc. Quite colourful charatcer and brilliant politcal survivor.

Thaksin: modest policeman, nice deal with NPKC to become rich, become richer and richer, first not sucesful forays into politcs with end BKK traffic problems in 6 months and links to Chavalits much maligned government, huge financial advantage after 1997 crash, use financial resource to take over a large bankrupt party and establish TRT along with the great suck, huge electoral victory, more people and parties sucked, even bigger electoral victory, populist polices success, height of power, controversial business deals and rumours of large scale corruption from defecting party member, demonstrations, coup, party disbandment, court cases, politcal allies come back, court cases, criminal conviction, flight, banned from UK and Japan, calls for revolution, accused of inciting violence, living in place unknown. Quite colourful character but lacking the survivor talents of Hun Sen

[webfact]

Cambodia: the country with Hun Sen at the helm, who is trying to water-down the 'crimes against humanity' trials. Western countries and the UN are paying millions of dollars to try and get court hearings for surviving Khmer murderers, but Hun Sen is doing all he can to stymie the trials, claiming 'prosecutions will destabilize the country.' Prosecutions won't do that, but they may threaten the comfort level of some of Hun Sen's buddies, and possibly Hun Sen himself.

Wasn't Hun Sen a high ranking cadre in the Khmer Rouge or is that unconfirmed and hence to be treated as a rumor?

Edited April 30, 2009 by webfact

[sriracha john]

Cambodian Defence Minister: Thaksin Not in Cambodia

Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Banh denied rumors that Thaksin Shinawatra snuck into Cambodia after fleeing Thailand and was in self-imposed exile overseas.

He also denied giving Thaksin passport.

He said that news that Thaksin flew to Phnom Penh and stayed at the residence of Prime Minister Hun Sen was just a rumour.

He stated that the Cambodian government does not want to meddle in Thai politics, and that they want to work with Thai government to solve the border disputes.

-- Tan Network 2009-04-30

[animatic]

Cambodia: the country with Hun Sen at the helm, who is trying to water-down the 'crimes against humanity' trials. Western countries and the UN are paying millions of dollars to try and get court hearings for surviving Khmer murderers, but Hun Sen is doing all he can to stymie the trials, claiming 'prosecutions will destabilize the country.' Prosecutions won't do that, but they may threaten the comfort level of some of Hun Sen's buddies, and possibly Hun Sen himself.

Interesting to compare Hun Sen's career with Thaksin's.

Hun sen: From Khmer Rouge member, flight to Vietnam, return as FM in Vietnamese installed government, to peace talks, to co-PM, to coup to become sole PM, to strong man of Cambodia, grenades into opposition rally etc. Quite colourful charatcer and brilliant politcal survivor.

Thaksin: modest policeman, nice deal with NPKC to become rich, become richer and richer, first not sucesful forays into politcs with end BKK traffic problems in 6 months and links to Chavalits much maligned government, huge financial advantage after 1997 crash, use financial resource to take over a large bankrupt party and establish TRT along with the great suck, huge electoral victory, more people and parties sucked, even bigger electoral victory, populist polices success, height of power, controversial business deals and rumours of large scale corruption from defecting party member, demonstrations, coup, party disbandment, court cases, politcal allies come back, court cases, criminal conviction, flight, banned from UK and Japan, calls for revolution, accused of inciting violence, living in place unknown. Quite colourful character but lacking the survivor talents of Hun Sen

Concise like a teletype report

[sriracha john]

Foreign Ministry: Thaksin extradition requests sent to UAE, Nicaragua

BANGKOK, May 4 (TNA) – Thailand has submitted extradition requests through diplomatic channels to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Nicaragua to facilitate the forced repatriation of ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a senior official at the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs said today.

Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Veerasak Futrakul said on Monday that although Thailand has no extradition treaty with UAE or Nicaragua, the Kingdom can seek cooperation with them on a reciprocal and voluntary basis.

Mr. Veerasak added that it can take a considerable time to negotiate and reach agreement on a formal extradition treaty.

Thaksin, who was toppled by the September 2006 coup d’etat, was convicted and given a two-year jail term after he was found guilty of involvement in a questionable Ratchadapisek land deal.

He is now living in exile and reportedly spends most of his time in Dubai after his visa was rejected by the United Kingdom.

Thaksin was accused of using Dubai as his base from where he allegedly encouraged unrest by his supporters - active under the banner the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD).

He has denied these accusations but his Thai passport was revoked by the Thai Foreign Ministry mid-April following the political turmoil and street violence caused by his supporters rallying under the UDD colours.

The ousted former premier now reportedly holds a diplomatic passport issued by the Nicaraguan government.

Sources at the Foreign Ministry reported that the Office of The Attorney-General sent the Thaksin extradition requests to the ministry in late April.

The requests - which ask for ‘temporary arrest’ - were later forwarded to ambassadors of the two countries involved as there are no extradition treaties between Thailand and those countries, the source said, adding that it depends on the authorities in UAE and Nicaragua whether they act on the formal requests or not.

If they remain quiet, the ministry may have to follow up again, the source said.

-- TNA 2009-05-04

[brahmburgers]

A week) or so after Thaksin's Thai passport was revoked, I recall reading that UAE had just allowed T to depart using that same passport. Did UAE authorities not get the message of the revocation - or was it just, "ok, let the rich guy depart, regardless of whatever document he shows." or...... ?

[Heng]

That's unfortunately how it often works. The same thing with him flying in and out of Cambodia.

'the RTAF is tracking his jet....'

"sorry, he's not here."

"Oh, okay."

[sriracha john]

Fresh moves to arrest Thaksin

Nicaragua, UAE asked to detain former PM

Thailand has lodged official requests with Nicaragua and the United Arab Emirates asking them to arrest Thaksin Shinawatra so he can be returned to serve his two-year prison sentence.

The two countries do not have an extradition agreement with Thailand, so all the government can do is ask for their cooperation in dealing with Thaksin, said Sirisak Tiyaphan, executive director for foreign litigation at the Office of the Attorney-General (OAG).

The request was sent by the Foreign Ministry to Abu Dhabi and Managua after the OAG contacted the ministry late last month recommending the use of diplomatic channels to deal with the problem, a ministry source said.

Continued:

-- Bangkok Post 2009-05-05

[brahmburgers]

Years ago, when there was a big surplus of longan fruit, and it wasn't selling - then Thai PM Thaksin had the bright idea to ship tons of it overseas to Thai embassies and consulates. Royal Thai AF planes were used, and I guess the overseas Thai embassies were compelled to pay for the crates of fruit - which wound up coming from Thai taxpayers(?), as did the cost of shipping it overseas. Most likely, the consular staff threw the fruit out the back door. What else could they do, eat ten kilos per person per day?

How about take a page from Thaksin's economic primer, and have the Thai gov't pay the UAE or Nicaragua or whomever apprehends Thaksin - with a bulging planeload of fruit - to keep the big conniver from returning to Thailand (and make sure they put him in a cell with no telephone privileges).

Bringing him back will only pose bigger problems for Thailand.

Edited May 5, 2009 by brahmburgers

[slapout]

I guess that is where all the lamyai which were dried, stored by individuals (paid by government) and went missing went. One of the Thai's involved in this scam (lived in house next to us in moo baan) went missing 3 years back. His house, 3 autos etc, bank is looking for or has taken back He was only following orders and did not profit personally from all of this I am sure. He and his wife were assigned autos by company he was working for, neither had driving license other than motor bike,(maybe). They paid twice to replace/repair our drive gate due to rolling or backing into it The powers that be say they cannot be found. Go look in his fathers village and they will find the whole nest of them.

[sriracha john]

On the trail of Thaksin in Cambodia

KOH KONG, Cambodia - Speculation runs hot and heavy that exiled former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra has secretly and repeatedly visited the remote Cambodian border province of Koh Kong to meet with his political allies and plan the next phase of his campaign to oust Thailand's government and restore himself to power.

People in sleepy Koh Kong, from celebrity lookalikes to airport officials watching over an unused gravel runway, have plenty of time to talk - and to keep a watchful lookout. They say property developers' once ambitious plans to transform this primitive coastal area into a world-class tourist destination stopped before they started. And many find it laughable and unlikely that Thailand's fugitive former premier would bother, or dare, to visit.

Thai intelligence surfaced in late April that the former telecom tycoon's private jet flew into the Cambodian capital, Phnom Penh and then into Koh Kong, located on the nation's southwestern corner along its border with Thailand. Senior Cambodian officials have strongly denied that Thaksin visited, but many in Bangkok believe Thaksin leveraged his known personal ties and business links with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen to secure special landing rights.

Thai authorities revoked Thaksin's passport last month after he urged his supporters through video call-ins from abroad to launch a "people's revolution" against Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's coalition government, leading to riot scenes on the streets of Bangkok. Thaksin is believed to have made his controversial addresses from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, where Thai authorities are still brokering an extradition treaty. Thaksin has obtained travel documents from Nicaragua and Montenegro to avoid extradition, and was most recently sighted in Liberia.

A handful of Thaksin's key supporters went underground after Abhisit's government declared a state of emergency and arrested several protest leaders from the United Front for Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD), which is aligned with Thaksin. Those who eluded arrest, including protest co-leader Jakrapob Penkair, fled to Koh Kong, according to some Thai media accounts.

Jakrapob has since threatened from an unknown location to launch an underground armed insurgency against the Thai government. Quoting a top UDD source, Asia Times Online reported in April that Thaksin operatives have claimed to funnel guns through Cambodia to his supporters in Thailand's northeastern regions. The Thai government has taken those reports seriously, further straining relations with Cambodia.

Yet if Thaksin has recently traveled to Koh Kong, those who manage the island's rudimentary airport claim not to have seen him. A source at Societe Concessionnaire d'Aeroport, the French company that manages Cambodia's airports, said that no private jets flew into Phnom Penh during the period when Thaksin allegedly visited. Meanwhile Bou Phou, the deputy director of Koh Kong's Airport, said the last time a plane landed on Koh Kong's gravel airstrip was eight years ago.

He said the dilapidated airstrip could land a small aircraft like a Cessna or Antonov 24, but not Thaksin's private jet. Wildlife groups land helicopters there several times a month, he said, but that's the only aviation activity his facility sees. The airport terminal closed in 2000 and no plane has landed since, he said. "I have a lot of time to read books and newspapers," Bou Phou said.

Thaksin-aligned business interests aimed to buy and renovate the Koh Kong Airport in 2003, but the Cambodian government had already given the rights to Societe Concession l'Aeroport, Bou Phou claims. Those business interests in Koh Kong apparently extended beyond the airport, if press reports are accurate. The Bangkok Post reported a year ago that he planned to turn Koh Kong into a "second Hong Kong".

According to the same media report, Hun Sen supposedly agreed with Thaksin's plan to build Koh Kong's second casino and entertainment complex during a round of golf in April 2008. (Thaksin's former communications conglomerate had major interests in Cambodia's mobile telecom market.) "Prime Minister Hun Sen trusted and wanted Thaksin to advise on developing Koh Kong as a special economic zone," Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Banh said on May 15, 2008.

Later that same month, Hun Sen's spokesman confirmed to Agence France-Presse that Thaksin planned to build a modern satellite city in Koh Kong, complete with a financial district and shipping port. However local officials dismiss those reports as hearsay and speculation. They note that the town's existing special economic zone, despite its imposing entrance gate, remains after several years an empty undeveloped field.

"It's confusing," said Koh Kong province deputy governor Eng Kimleang. "Thaksin isn't developing Koh Kong - it's just a Chinese company ... It's just rumors and nothing formal," she said. Like others, she dismisses reports that Thaksin may have recently visited the area as inaccurate.

Sam, the owner of Fat Sam's bar and restaurant, said his well-informed Lexus-driving neighbor is positive Thaksin was not in Koh Kong. Otto, owner of the nearby Otto's Restaurant and Guest House, said the rumors are simply "bullshit".

Helicopters occasionally thunder overhead when Hun Sen or a provincial governor retreats to Koh Kong Resort, Otto said, but otherwise the most notable news in Koh Kong has been the increase in cars from two in 1999 to several hundred today. "It used to be like a town in the old west - shootouts, blood," he said, as a cloud of marijuana smoke wafts over his restaurant's porch. Now, "it's boring here. That's why I like it."

Koh Kong was until very recently known as Cambodia's Wild West. With the Cardamom mountains to the north, the Gulf of Thailand stretching south, and the Thai border 12 kilometers away, the town was until last May only accessible via a series of four ferries. That allowed illegal logging, hunting and smuggling operations to thrive in the lawless area.

Thai loans and engineers paved the way for a road and series of bridges that finally connected the 30,000-person town directly to Phnom Penh, creating a mild surge in law enforcement, investment and jobs. Local human-rights groups say sex trafficking is still a problem, but unlike a decade ago authorities now make attempts to crackdown on the trade.

A Chinese company is now constructing an 18-megawatt, US$326 million hydroelectric dam on one of the province's many rivers. The provincial tourism department registered a 25% increase in national visitors in 2008, rising to around 50,000. From April 14 to April 16 during the Khmer New Year, 14,000 nationals visited Koh Kong, up from 12,000 the previous year.

Many of those visitors stopped at the town's sole casino, the 521-room Koh Kong Resort, located about 50 meters from the Cham Yeam international border checkpoint with Thailand. That's where unconfirmed reports allege Thaksin has met with his political associates and other Thai fugitives from justice have lodged.

During a recent tour of the complex, manager Thiwason Thonsing showed Asia Times Online Hun Sen's $1,400-a-night presidential suite, which has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a full kitchen, living room, dining room and expansive views of the Gulf of Thailand. "I've never seen Thaksin here before," Thiwason said. "I asked my staff and none of them say they saw him."

Koh Kong provincial tourism department chief-of-office Ly Vithavann insists that no recent visitors to the Koh Kong Resort were former prime ministers. "Thaksin never comes here," he said, offering an alternative explanation for the Thai intelligence reports: Another local resident, the provincial commander-in-chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, looks exactly like the Sino-Thai Thaksin. "Yun Mean has the same face as Thaksin Shinawatra," he claimed.

When asked, Yun Mean agreed to some extent. "My subordinates tell me I look like Thaksin," he said with a chuckle. Inside his home near the town's central market, framed photos of him receiving medals from the Cambodian prime minister and defense minister decorate the walls. His fair skin and square jaw cut a profile similar to the former Thai prime minister. Could he have been the face apparently seen by Thai intelligence? Yun Mean doubts it.

"I never heard that media said Thaksin was in Koh Kong," he said, adding: "And Thaksin never did visit."

- Asia Times / 2009-05-05

[LawnGnome]

As I said, don't let the truth get in the way of a good argument. After failing to pin anything on Abhisit, you now attack his father, with more false accusations and innuendos. Not that anything his father did would have any bearing on his success as a PM, but never the less, let's look at a few articles:

Who is attacking Abhisit's father? I am merely pointing out he also benefited from a military junta and was appointed to his cabinet position thanks to the NKPC junta, of which Suchinda was the leader.

Those are the facts, not innuendo nor false accusations. You can debate whether he was Anand's choice or Suchinda's or the NKPC, but the fact remains that another Vejjajiva has benefited from the military's meddling in politics.

When you say thinks like "I am merely pointing out that he also benefited..", it casts him in a negative light. That was, of course, your intention, regardless of your protestations. The next phrase "Thanks to the NKPC..." cements that assertion. It makes it seem like PM Abi's father, a medical doctor by trade, and former president of Mahidol University, was someone neck deep in the whole coup process, rather than a medical doctor and civil servant who was asked by Anand, the most respect PM Thailand has ever had, to serve in a capacity to help the country. To do this is very definition of innuendo.

Your phrasing is certainly false innuendo, otherwise you would have phrased it in a less negative context. In one breath you say that your arguements are not "innuendo", and in the next you say he benefited from the military's meddling. You sir, are a hypocrite. "Those are the fact" to use your own words.

[HagenvonTronje]

...

"MANY Thais believe that Anand Panyarachun was the best, and cleanest, prime minister their country has had".

http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-13565194.html

...

to the mass-circulation newspaper Thai Rath, described the cabinet as the most impressive Thailand had ever had".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anand_Panyarachun

so what, there are many voices say the same about thaksin.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7266278.stm

[LawnGnome]

...

"MANY Thais believe that Anand Panyarachun was the best, and cleanest, prime minister their country has had".

http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-13565194.html

...

to the mass-circulation newspaper Thai Rath, described the cabinet as the most impressive Thailand had ever had".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anand_Panyarachun

so what, there are many voices say the same about thaksin.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7266278.stm

That is not many, that is two... and both are dated... Great!

[wayfarer108]

Wasn't Mark's father appointed by the Suchinda Junta to the cabinet in 1991?

Mark's Thai-Chinese family has long standing ties with the military it seems, even ties with the most unsavoury military rulers in recent history.

Meanwhile, Col Thaksin, of 100% Chinese descent is a former police officer whose ties at the highest police levels are much tighter than any ties Abhisit may have with the military. And as bad as the military may be, most Thais trust them far more than they trust the police, according to every opinion survey ever published on the topic.

While we're talking about Thais with ties, you have identified yourself with a faction that advocates the violent overthrow of the government. Doesn't make you much different from the military, does it?

[LawnGnome]

Wasn't Mark's father appointed by the Suchinda Junta to the cabinet in 1991?

Mark's Thai-Chinese family has long standing ties with the military it seems, even ties with the most unsavoury military rulers in recent history.

Meanwhile, Col Thaksin, of 100% Chinese descent is a former police officer whose ties at the highest police levels are much tighter than any ties Abhisit may have with the military. And as bad as the military may be, most Thais trust them far more than they trust the police, according to every opinion survey ever published on the topic.

While we're talking about Thais with ties, you have identified yourself with a faction that advocates the violent overthrow of the government. Doesn't make you much different from the military, does it?

Just look at the definition of his TV screen name in Wikipedia - it will give you all the information you'd need to base a judgment on his judgement. - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oberkommando_der_Wehrmacht

[wayfarer108]

from http://www.ari.nus.edu.sg/docs/wps/wps06_080.pdf

Thaksin, born into a wealthy Sino-Thai family in Chiang Mai in northern Thailand, began his career as a police officer. The police force has long had the reputation of being the most corrupt of all institutions of power in Thailand: “Many policeman are believed by the public to extort money, rape detainees, traffic in drugs, steal from public funds, acquire stolen property recovered by the state, and engage in all kinds of corruption willingly and without social conscience” (Pasuk Phongpaichit and Sungsidh Pitiyarangsan 1994: 108). Although Thaksin initially avoided the stigma associated with the police, because while in the force he worked to improve its technological competence rather than assuming a role as a line officer, his experience in the police and his close ties with many ranking police officers could well lie behind his willingness to use instruments of force to gain and maintain power.

[sriracha john]

...

"MANY Thais believe that Anand Panyarachun was the best, and cleanest, prime minister their country has had".

http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-13565194.html

...

to the mass-circulation newspaper Thai Rath, described the cabinet as the most impressive Thailand had ever had".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anand_Panyarachun

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7266278.stm

< remaining blather snipped >

Great ringing endorsements of Thaksin available from quotes in your reference:

the conflict of interest with his own business and personal ambitions was too much for us to tolerate. And I cannot say that everything he does is done for the good of Thailand

and

I would be able to overlook small problems but the allegations are huge and he doesn't seem trustworthy to me

and

he just seemed greedy to me

and

He should return to go through a legal process

and

I do not believe that Thaksin Shinawatra is a sincere man

gee... with that sort of praise, who needs to post negative stuff about him?

[HagenvonTronje]

...

"MANY Thais believe that Anand Panyarachun was the best, and cleanest, prime minister their country has had".

http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-13565194.html

...

to the mass-circulation newspaper Thai Rath, described the cabinet as the most impressive Thailand had ever had".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anand_Panyarachun

so what, there are many voices say the same about thaksin.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7266278.stm

That is not many, that is two... and both are dated... Great!

mhm, the BBC article i just selected at random. and the article tried to be balanced have different people with different views on thaksin, even dislikes.

that MANY thais at one point believed that Anand was the best doesn't say so much, and there is no battle to win with.

the link to youtube, i didn't expose so much. but that clip is actually funny, don't snip it out.

nobody else then Sondhi declares there on television Thaksin to the best ever.

but how dated is that thai rath article with the line 'thailand best ever had', quoted on wikipedia.

or how old is that line : MANY Thais believe that Anand Panyarachun was the best, and cleanest, prime minister their country has had ?

you get the answer if you click that link ballpoint provided. it's from march 1993.

and it's not a ecyclopedia entry as the url www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-13565194.htmlsuggest, no it's just a redirect to an article in the Economist newspaper.

and he quoted only half of the first paragraph of the article: which continue with: They are shocked that he is due to appear in court on April 20th accused of neglecting his duties while running the country...

yep, it's so easy to google your own bubble world like you want your own bubble world to be. you will also fail if you try to paint black and white pictures.

and if you google hard enough, you will find other sources, who give you a little bit different picture of Anand, instead just this 'the best, the cleanest...' dream version.

i didn't follow that special thaksin thread so much, but it amazed me, that it is of all black songkran aftermath thread the most popular. most replies and most viewed. and there are many other similar threads with thaksin & his passports are on topic.

yep and the best PM thailand ever had and so on in bold, there i could not resist. such line is meaningless, just look at thaksin, the best thailand ever had? it's a phrase, it's BLAH. don't give so much value to it.

[HagenvonTronje]

...

"MANY Thais believe that Anand Panyarachun was the best, and cleanest, prime minister their country has had".

http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G1-13565194.html

...

to the mass-circulation newspaper Thai Rath, described the cabinet as the most impressive Thailand had ever had".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anand_Panyarachun

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7266278.stm

< remaining blather snipped >

Great ringing endorsements of Thaksin available from quotes in your reference:

...

yep, you could also extract complete other lines from that article, plant them into a wikipedia article: thai people said :he is the best thailand ever had (bbc) and then quote that wikipedia article here in the forum. or bring otherwise only half of the article. you know how it works.

on a sidenote: i see you like smiley or emoticon gifs so much. ever checked out the little soldiers at the board of sae deangs homepage?

here is one, others are even better:

[HagenvonTronje]

from http://www.ari.nus.edu.sg/docs/wps/wps06_080.pdf

Thaksin, born into a wealthy Sino-Thai family in Chiang Mai in northern Thailand, began his career as a police officer. The police force has long had the reputation of being the most corrupt of all institutions of power in Thailand: “Many policeman are believed by the public to extort money, rape detainees, traffic in drugs, steal from public funds, acquire stolen property recovered by the state, and engage in all kinds of corruption willingly and without social conscience” (Pasuk Phongpaichit and Sungsidh Pitiyarangsan 1994: 108). Although Thaksin initially avoided the stigma associated with the police, because while in the force he worked to improve its technological competence rather than assuming a role as a line officer, his experience in the police and his close ties with many ranking police officers could well lie behind his willingness to use instruments of force to gain and maintain power.

he subsequently forged an alliance of political factions and local party canvassers to found the Thai Rak Thai Party in 1998. The Party’s agenda, part ationalist, part populist based on promotion of health and economic benefits for the vast majority of rural and urban poor, and part reformist based on public commitment to anti-corruption and social justice, proved to have wide appeal. The Party won a decisive victory, although not an absolute majority of seats, in the election of January 2001.

The new government that took power in January 2001 was widely praised for including several leftist-oriented student leaders from the 1970s, for its apparent openness, and for its concern for social justice. Chamlong was very positive in his support of the new government.

...

Despite the fact that an increasing number of members of the middle class as well as southern Muslims were becoming disenchanted with Thaksin, his government’s programs for cheap health-care, debt relief, and government monies for village funds made him and Thai Rak Thai very popular among rural people and among members of the urban working class who remained closely tied to their rural families. In February 2005, Thai Rak Thai won a landslide victory with overwhelming support from villagers and urban workers.

It is important to emphasize that Thaksin succeeded in making villagers feel empowered in a way that no previous regime has done. I myself witnessed this while observing the February 2005 election in a village in northeastern Thailand where I have carried out long-term research over a forty-year period. Villagers felt that for the first time they had greater influence than the urban middle class or the military in determining the shape of government. A popular mandate did not, however, gain Thaksin full legitimacy in Thai terms, especially in the eyes of the urban middle class.

same source:

Charles Keyes, "The Destruction of a Shrine to Brahma in Bangkok and the Fall of Thaksin Shinawatra: The Occult and the Thai Coup in Thailand of September 2006", ARI Working Paper No. 80, Dec. 2006, Asia Research Institute of the National University of Singapore

[Plus]

It is important to emphasize that Thaksin succeeded in making villagers feel empowered in a way that no previous regime has done.

I don't think it's important at all, or important for the wrong reasons.

Villagers should have been actually empowered instead of feeling empowered.

This "feeling" without any actual progress empowers opressors, not the people.