Thaksin Bids For Montenegro Island

[FairwayJack]

Won't be surprise if this is true.

He can built his dream kingdom there.

When he was boss of Man City, he expect the players to 'wai' to him.

Now, wonder what he will expect those working on the island do when they see him?

The reds ( his supporters ) can choose to migrate there as well!

...how do you know about the "wai" requirement ???

[sriracha john]

...how do you know about the "wai" requirement ???

there's a whole separate thread on it:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thaksin-Asks...64.html&st=

Thaksin Asks Manchester City Players To Bow

Thaksin asks Manchester City players to bow

MANCHESTER (UK): -- Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra has hit the club with another shock by asking for the players to bow to him Thai-style before each game, Sunday Mirror reported.

Officials at the Eastlands club have been worried for some time by requests from Thaksin - and his latest is for the team to bow towards him after performing their pre-kick-off sporting handshake with the opposition.

Bowing is a traditional mark of respect in Thaksin's native Thailand. But some at City see this as another example of how the former Thai Prime Minister is turning the club into his personal dictatorship.

A City insider said: "At first we thought it was a joke, but the owner was serious about the players paying their respects. It's just not going to happen."

Sunday Mirror Sport revealed three weeks ago that Thaksin's relationship with manager Sven Goran Eriksson was at breaking point.

He is preparing to sack Eriksson against the wishes of all the high-ranking officials he retained at the club when he took over last summer.

City fans are furious about Thaksin's treatment of Eriksson - and some have demanded season ticket refunds after the Swede issued a personal plea on marketing material urging supporters to renew.

-- Sunday Mirror 2008-05-05

Break point

The abrupt end to Thaksin Shinawatra's honeymoon with Manchester City Football Club may deteriorate into something worse. After the controversy involving the Thai flag and the close-call with dressing room mutiny, Thaksin has reportedly rocked the club further by asking its players to bow to him before the kick-off at each home game.

The report will not help the rapidly souring relations between Thaksin and the club he bought last year, and the latest controversy coincides with its fans' first major show of discontent toward the former Thai prime minister on Sunday.

There was less than five minutes on the clock at Liverpool's Anfield grounds on Sunday, when fans expressed their feelings about Thaksin's plans to dismiss manager Sven Goran Eriksson at the end of season.

"Hey, Thaksin, leave our Sven alone," read a banner. "We don't need no Phil Scolari, we don't need no Mourinho", they sang to the tune of Pink Floyd's "Another Brick In Wall".

"I'd rather say goodbye to the Thai", one banner read in a stadium that has become accustomed to anti-American placards as Liverpool's owners have continued to generate anger.

It was an unequivocal show of support for the beleaguered Eriksson and one not lost on the City owner's Thai acolytes, who shifted uncomfortably in their seats when the chant was explained to them.

The discontent has also increased doubts about Thaksin's claims that the display of a Thai flag bearing Thaksin's name at City's last home game was the work of British fans.

Pictures of the flag triggered a political uproar in Bangkok. On his return from England two days ago, Thaksin said he regretted the incident, but virtually blamed cultural ignorance of fans.

He has yet to react to the report that he wanted City players to bow to him. The Sunday Mirror said some at the club see this as another example of how Thaksin "is turning the club into his personal dictatorship".

A City insider was quoted as saying: "At first we thought it was a joke, but the owner was serious about the players paying their respects. It's just not going to happen."

Sunday Mirror revealed three weeks ago that Thaksin's relationship with manager Eriksson was at breaking point. And the former England coach will be sacked at the end of the season, despite being less than 12 months into a three-year contract.

Thaksin aims to placate fans by bringing in Phil Scolari after the Brazilian's contract with Portugal expires after Euro 2008. He is preparing to sack Eriksson against the wishes of all the high-ranking officials he retained at the club when he took over last summer. Former chairman John Wardle, chief executive Alistair Mackintosh and legal expert Bryan Bodek could follow Eriksson out.

City fans are furious about Thaksin's treatment of Eriksson - and some have demanded season ticket refunds after the Swede issued a plea on marketing material urging supporters to renew.

British media said former chairman John Wardle, who smiled ruefully as the pro-Eriksson chants reached a crescendo at Anfield, is as dismayed as every fan.

The days when fans affectionately dubbed Thaksin "Frank" - as in Sinatra - are long gone, the British media said. They have been replaced by fierce antipathy towards him over his shabby treatment of Eriksson.

- Daily XPress (today)

Edited June 10, 2009 by sriracha john

[johnnymoretti]

If Thaksin has the same mentality as all Thai's, the greedy. He won't bring the country further in development. I think if a Western world rule Thailand, it would look different very quick. The streets would be organised, infrastructure would be better etc.

You can't be serious. "..all Thai's, the greedy." [no apostrophe needed] is a hasty generalization of the Thai people. Maybe in your Thai world, but not mine. Though I dislike Thaksin, he DID bring Thailand to a healthy development since the 1997 crash. Any country ruled by Western standards would be different if it weren't Western. A given. But, I'm not a Thai. I'm not under the rule of the Thai government. I have the ability to remove myself from a society for which I do not care for. So...I don't complain when I live in a foreign land. Or second guess what Thais want in life. After all, who am I to judge? My perspective is so far removed from their reality.

In the meantime, I support those that wish to depose Thaksin. But I possess no bearing on the outcome.

Edited June 11, 2009 by johnnymoretti

[sriracha john]

Germany blacklists Thailand's fugitive Thaksin

BANGKOK - Germany has revoked a residence permit held by fugitive Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a German diplomat said on Wednesday, the latest country to shun the former leader who fled a two-year jail term at home.

Thaksin, who was ousted in a 2006 coup and lives in self-imposed exile, entered Germany late last year and acquired the permit from authorities in the city of Bonn.

"We asked Bonn to revoke the permit and they responded immediately and revoked the permit," Hanns Schumacher, Germany's Ambassador to Thailand, told Reuters.

The former telecoms tycoon, who led Thailand for nearly six years, has seen his living options reduced since Britain revoked his visa last year after he was convicted on conflict of interest charges.

Bangkok has sought extradition agreements with the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong, where Thaksin has spent time since fleeing the country while on bail.

Despite being on a German blacklist, Thaksin entered the country on Dec. 29 using a French-issued Schengen visa, which allows a person to travel in the European Union on a single visa.

"We blacklisted Thaksin in December last year, but somehow he managed to get around it," Schumacher said.

Thaksin then acquired a residence permit from authorities in Bonn using the address of his lawyer in Germany.

Federal officials only learned about it in April and ordered it revoked.

"We informed the lawyer that the permit was revoked and should Thaksin still be in Germany, his stay would be illegal and he would face detention," Schumacher said.

The lawyer said Thaksin had left after staying only a few days in Germany.

Thaksin's current whereabouts are unknown, but some Thai media reports have placed the 60-year-old in the Middle East.

In April, he was in the West African country of Liberia claiming to be on the lookout for investment opportunities.

That same month, the Nicaraguan government confirmed he was a "Special Ambassador" of the Central American country.

Thai courts have issued several arrest warrants for Thaksin, and the government revoked his passport in April, accusing him of instigating anti-government protests that turned violent and triggered a state of emergency in Bangkok.

-- Reuters 2009-06-10

[Sandstone Art]

k3 sriracha john !

Khob Khun Krub for providing the good answers!

[sriracha john]

What about rumors of Thaksin's prostate cancer, one possible reason for staying in Germany?

I bet Montenegro is not at the forefront of cancer treatments.

Noppadon: Thaksin's not sick

Outlawed politician Thaksin Shinawawtra's legal adviser Noppadon Pattama has dismissed media speculation that Thaksin is in bad health, sparked by his lack of appearances recently. Noppadon said on Thursday that the former prime minister has no time for media appearances.

He was too busy with his investments and meetings with world leaders who were closely acquainted with him.

He confirmed Thaksin's visa for Germany was cancelled but said other European Union (EU) countries did not prohibit him from entering on his Nicaraguan diplomatic passport.

Continued:

-- Bangkok Post 2009-06-11

[sriracha john]

He was too busy with his investments and meetings with world leaders who were closely acquainted with him.

Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega is a "world leader" ?

Any progress on those Liberian diamond cartel takeovers?

Did he win the auction for Montenegro's sinking island?

Noppadope's always good for a laugh...

[Ricardo]

He was too busy with his investments and meetings with world leaders who were closely acquainted with him.

Happily his former 'best friends', Tony Bliar and George Bush, both now have even more time to be closely acquainted with him. Lucky chaps ! Wonder when they last all had a get-together ?

[HagenvonTronje]

there's a whole separate thread on it:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Thaksin-Asks...64.html&st=

Thaksin Asks Manchester City Players To Bow

...

A City insider said: "At first we thought it was a joke, but the owner was serious about the players paying their respects. It's just not going to happen."

...

-- Sunday Mirror 2008-05-05

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k160/TonyCliftonLives/LittleEmperor.jpg

...

A City insider was quoted as saying: "At first we thought it was a joke, but the owner was serious about the players paying their respects. It's just not going to happen."...

- Daily XPress (today)

so that anonymous "insider" and a stupid photoshop job from a racist are the reliable sources here?

thanks for the proof that that story isn't anything but BS. repeats don't make it true.

btw. the thread about Germany Cancelled Thaksin's One Year Visa is here:

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Germany-Canc...-V-t271001.html

any news on the montenegro island bid?

[RickBradford]

I think if a Western world rule Thailand, it would look different very quick. The streets would be organised, infrastructure would be better etc.

Yet at the heart of "Thai-ness" is the pride that they have never been colonized by a Western power, so the prevailing modus operandi of this country will continue to be: "Bumble through and hope it doesn't all go wrong."

When it does go wrong, and you have the Japanese foreign minister in the sea at Pattaya with his trousers rolled up waiting to be evacuated, then it escalates until there's a bit of shooting, after which everything is forgotten within a couple of days. Until the next time.

[Plus]

thanks for the proof that that story isn't anything but BS. repeats don't make it true.

What makes you an authority on what is true and what is not? You weren't there.

The story was published in a UK paper, take it or leave it.

[sriracha john]

Is 'Sinatra' eyeing a new football club?

Even though we don't know exactly where ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra is based, he is still managing to attract a lot of attention.

While the Thai government has been desperately looking for the man so he can serve his two-year jail sentence, Thaksin was recently caught in the spotlight of the British media over an alleged football club takeover.

Thaksin, who sold Manchester City to the Abu Dhabi United Group for 210 million pounds (Bt11.5 billion) last year, was linked to the Portsmouth football club deal offered by Dubai-based billionaire Sulaiman al-Fahim.

Al-Fahim, a property magnate, was the frontman for the United Arab Emirates' Sheikh Mansour in the Manchester City sale. This time, however, al-Fahim himself bid for Portsmouth.

The bidding, so far, is doubtful leading to speculation that Thaksin might be one of al-Fahim's financiers. Pairoj Piempongsant was the man who pointed Portsmouth club to al-Fahim. Pairoj, as a senior adviser to Thaksin, also oversaw the Manchester City dealings.

There may be some grounds to the denial because Thaksin cannot be considered a "fit and proper" person to own an English football club because he was convicted for corruption last October. If the man, dubbed "Sinatra" by fans of the Sky Blues, is really eying another football club he will have to use a nominee - his usual tactic when it comes to business.

Pompeygate

Premier League's Chairman faces an investigation into his links with the proposed £60 million takeover of Portsmouth FC

A shock Sun probe today reveals how Sir Dave Richards, one of the most powerful men in English football, has assisted in a deal that is looking increasingly murky and may even be blocked by his own organisation.

Fears are mounting that disgraced former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the man who took over and was then forced out of Manchester City, could be linked to the takeover.

Two of the men involved in City's Shinawatra fiasco are now at the centre of the proposed Pompey deal - and Richards played an integral role in bringing them all together.

Under new powers, the Premier League can veto takeovers if they are not satisfied they know the identities of everyone involved.

But they now face the ludicrous prospect of having to quiz their own Chairman to find out what is going on and to rule out any suspicions Shinawatra might be a part of things.

- The Sun / 2009-06-13

[webfact]

What about rumors of Thaksin's prostate cancer, one possible reason for staying in Germany?

I bet Montenegro is not at the forefront of cancer treatments.

Noppadon: Thaksin's not sick

Outlawed politician Thaksin Shinawawtra's legal adviser Noppadon Pattama has dismissed media speculation that Thaksin is in bad health, sparked by his lack of appearances recently. Noppadon said on Thursday that the former prime minister has no time for media appearances.

He was too busy with his investments and meetings with world leaders who were closely acquainted with him.

He confirmed Thaksin's visa for Germany was cancelled but said other European Union (EU) countries did not prohibit him from entering on his Nicaraguan diplomatic passport.

Continued:

-- Bangkok Post 2009-06-11

Its getting better all the time...

Edited June 13, 2009 by webfact

[BigSnake]

Gee it must be nice to be rich. I say buy it Mr Thaksin, buy now and charter an airline to transport all your red shirts followers there, no doubt what so ever Thailand would be a much better place without them, just think no problems with those old yellow shirts or anyone else that think they can do a better job then you.

[animatic]

What about rumors of Thaksin's prostate cancer, one possible reason for staying in Germany?

I bet Montenegro is not at the forefront of cancer treatments.

Noppadon: Thaksin's not sick

Outlawed politician Thaksin Shinawawtra's legal adviser Noppadon Pattama has dismissed media speculation that Thaksin is in bad health, sparked by his lack of appearances recently. Noppadon said on Thursday that the former prime minister has no time for media appearances.

He was too busy with his investments and meetings with world leaders who were closely acquainted with him.

He confirmed Thaksin's visa for Germany was cancelled but said other European Union (EU) countries did not prohibit him from entering on his Nicaraguan diplomatic passport.

Continued:

-- Bangkok Post 2009-06-11

Its getting better all the time...

He's on a mission from God.

[hammered]

What about rumors of Thaksin's prostate cancer, one possible reason for staying in Germany?

I bet Montenegro is not at the forefront of cancer treatments.

Noppadon: Thaksin's not sick

Outlawed politician Thaksin Shinawawtra's legal adviser Noppadon Pattama has dismissed media speculation that Thaksin is in bad health, sparked by his lack of appearances recently. Noppadon said on Thursday that the former prime minister has no time for media appearances.

He was too busy with his investments and meetings with world leaders who were closely acquainted with him.

He confirmed Thaksin's visa for Germany was cancelled but said other European Union (EU) countries did not prohibit him from entering on his Nicaraguan diplomatic passport.

Continued:

-- Bangkok Post 2009-06-11

Its getting better all the time...

He's on a mission from God.

The egomania is getting quite extreme. Maybe the solar system now revolves around Mr. Thaksin while not only mere mortal world leaders but also assorted gods pay homage to him

[sriracha john]

Sharing a joke: Thaksin Shinawatra with Dave Richards

Pompey deal puts pressure on Premier League Chairman

Premier League Chairman Sir Dave Richards was under pressure as mystery deepened over the proposed takeover of Portsmouth.

Richards, who holds numerous offices in domestic and world football, faces criticism after a statement confirmed he had met prospective Portsmouth Chairman Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim in Rome before the Champions League final last month.

As the meeting took place before any offer had been announced or checks could be done on Al Fahim and his backers, critics will claim Richards was at best naive and at worst rode roughshod over the need for more transparency of ownership.

Despite strong denials by Portsmouth and Al Fahim, rumours continue that disgraced former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his right-hand man, Pairoj Piempongsant, have a financial interest in the bid by the Abu Dhabi-based developer's company, Al Fahim Asia Associates.

Shinawatra caused the Premier League huge embarrassment during his short tenure at Manchester City after being judged a fit and proper person despite accusations of human rights abuses during his time as Prime Minister and the two-year prison sentence he received in his homeland last October after being convicted on corruption charges.

Richards's judgment will be called into question and his actions will embarrass the football authorities with whom he holds prominent roles. As well as Chairman of the Premier League, Richards, knighted in 2006 for services to sport, is Vice-Chairman of the Football Association, Chairman of the FA's international committee and a Deputy Chairman of England's 2018 World Cup bid.

Yesterday a Premier League statement said: 'Dr Sulaiman Al Fahim invited Sir Dave Richards to meet him before the UEFA Champions League final in Rome at the end of May. Pairoj Piempongsant was present but, when the topic of Portsmouth FC was raised, Sir Dave asked him to leave, which he duly did.

'Since that time Sir Dave has been working appropriately with members of the Premier League executive to apply the relevant rules to the prospective acquisition of Portsmouth FC, including the Fit and Proper Persons Test and shareholder disclosure, making it abundantly clear that any involvement of Thaksin Shinawatra and his associates would not be permitted.'

Despite the League's defence of its Chairman, it is known that the Rome meeting was a source of displeasure to the Premier League. One source claimed Richards seemed to have taken it upon himself to see if Al Fahim was 'a good chap' and suggested deals to own Premier League clubs were still being approved 'without sufficient regard to protocol'.

Richards's position will not be helped by continuing uncertainty over who is behind the Portsmouth bid.

The club deny that either Shinawatra or Piempongsant have a financial interest in the deal and claim Al Fahim has told the Premier League he and AAA would be the sole purchasers of the club.

But the Premier League insist that a meeting with Al Fahim last week simply informed him what information he would have to provide before a takeover would be approved, namely the identity of any investor with a stake of more than 10 per cent in the club.

The Mail on Sunday can reveal that when two parties were approached about becoming part of a Portsmouth takeover and asked who was the ultimate source of the money, they were told that it came from Shinawatra and Piempongsant.

The first of those two was a British entrepreneur who was on business in Dubai, where Al Fahim is based and where Shinawatra has spent a great deal of his time since the UK revoked his visa last November following his conviction for corruption back in his Thai homeland.

The second was leading London law firm Hammonds. Both declined to become involved because of the alleged identity of the investors.

Portsmouth's assertion that Al Fahim is the 'sole purchaser' appears to run contrary to what Al Fahim's own spokesman, Ivo Ilic Gabara, told The Mail on Sunday last weekend when he refuted allegations of Shinawatra's involvement, but declined to deny Piempongsant had a financial interest or to say who had put the money into AAA.

Last Saturday Gabara said the rumours about Shinawatra were unfounded, but did not deny Piempongsant had a financial interest in the deal and would not name the investors from 'the Middle East and Asia' who Al Fahim had previously claimed were his backers.

Last night Gabara insisted the position remained the same. He said: 'The former Prime Minister of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra, is not party to the bid. The offer to buy the club was made by AAA, which is fully owned by Sulaiman Al Fahim.

'If there are investors who end up owning more than 10 per cent of Portsmouth Football Club, they will be disclosed to the Premier League and then to the public.'

Given the continuing rumours of Shinawatra's involvement, the Premier League are bound to seek further clarification before any deal is complete, as Richards himself confirmed.

'The Premier League have met the advisors to Dr Sulaiman this week and we have made it very clear that we want to know who are the shareholders in the possible takeover of Portsmouth,' he said.

'The people involved have to meet the Fit and Proper Persons Test. There has been a suggestion that possibly Dr Thaksin is involved. If that is the case, the takeover will not be allowed to go through.'

- Daily Mail / 2009-06-13

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

Thaksin deal maker Pairoj Piempongsant (left) and Sulaiman al-Fahim (right)

Edited June 14, 2009 by sriracha john

[hammered]

You'd think Thaksin would stop trying to annoy various European countries. It all seems to result in negative publicity for him these days.

[sriracha john]

Attorney-General for Foreign Affairs Denies Having Report on Thaksin in Asia

An attorney-general tasked with foreign affairs ministry revealed he has not received any confirmation regarding that former Prime Minister Thaksin is now hiding in Asia.

Sirisak Tiyaphan, Director-General of office of Attorney-General of foreign litigation said he has not received confirmation, from the Foreign Affairs Ministry or from the police tasked with determining Thaksin's whereabouts, regarding a report that Thaksin is now residing in Asia.

He added that so far, all the Foreign Affairs Ministry can confirm is that Thaksin has stayed in the United Arab Emirates and Nicaragua.

The Ministry has sent verbal notes asking for cooperation in apprehending Thaksin from the two countries, but to no avail.

Sirisak said the possibility of having Thaksin tried on Thai soil before his conviction expires depends mainly on efforts to have a bilateral extradition treaty drawn up between Thailand and the countries where Thaksin has been hiding.

-- Tan Network 2009-06-29