Thaksin's " Big Surprise " Still A Secret

[zzaa09]

There's an update on The Nation re the phone in. Promises to promote Thailand overseas, and a red shirt rally to oust the govt (again) on the 7th August.

Many people on the Thai forums noting Thaksin's weight loss, attributing it to his rumoured cancer.

Not many warm feelings being sent in Thaksin's general direction in this household tonight. In fact some comments were very uncharacteristically damning, especially when hearing about the black magic carried out by the monks.

Promote Thailand.....where? He's been banned, restricted, or dismissed by half the countries in the world.

[sriracha john]

Thaksin vows to come back

Fugitive Thai former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra treated his supporters to wine, food and song on his birthday yesterday, crooning about his political comeback in a video clip broadcast to his followers.

“Go ahead and step on me,” sang Thaksin in his birthday song titled “I will come back.”

“I’ll wait for the day the sky changes its colours. I have become a wanderer, sleeping in different places like a criminal,” sang the ex-premier who was ousted by a coup in 2006 and faces a two-year jail sentence in Thailand should he return.

Thaksin has been living in self-imposed exile since jumping bail in August 2008, travelling the world using various passports acquired after losing his Thai passport in April this year.

Despite his fugitive status, Thaksin remains a key player in Thai politics as the main decision-maker and financier behind the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), the so-called “Red Shirts,” and the Puea Thai opposition party.

His supporters yesterday organised various events nationwide to publicise Thaksin’s 60th birthday and keep him in the political limelight.

Yesterday morning thousands of Thais, sporting red shirts, gave alms to Buddhist monks and attended prayers at temples to mark the birthday of Thaksin. The UDD organised events to celebrate Thaksin’s birthday, including the baking of 2,492 cakes to mark the year of his birth according to the the Buddhist calendar, and the signing of a 2,492- foot-long birthday card, which they hope will make the Guinness Book of Records.

In Bangkok, a birthday banquet at the Royal Dragon Restaurant was held yesterday evening with 350 tables and about 3,500 guests for Thaksin’s relatives and political allies, who will be treated to the former telecommunications tycoon’s song and a call-in. Similar events were organized at Nonthaburi and Lopburi.

In an interview on Saturday, Thaksin bragged that he had stolen the limelight from current Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejajjiva, his arch-political rival. But Abhisit, when asked on his Sunday TV show about the hubbub over Thaksin’s birthday, only offered some religious advice to the ex-leader. “I would like to say ‘if you are enlightened and understand dharma, you will be much happier,’” said Abhisit. Dharma is the Buddhist belief in reaping what one sows, good or bad, either in this life or the next.

- DPA / 2009-07-27

[sriracha john]

Ousted Thai PM calls supporters on his birthday

Thousands of supporters of ousted Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra celebrated his birthday Sunday with lavish Buddhist ceremonies, praying to cardboard cutouts of his image and chanting prayers to cleanse his karma of the misfortune they say has dogged him.

"Many people love him and would like to celebrate his 60th anniversary birthday, which is more special than any normal birthday," said Noppadol Pattama, Thaksin's lawyer.

The 60th birthday is important in Asian culture because it represents the completion of five 12-year cycles of the zodiac.

Part political rally, part religious ceremony, Sunday's birthday festivities were held in at least 10 temples, local media reported. The ceremonies were rich in symbolism, with one in Muang District handing out 2,492 cakes and a 2,492-foot (760 meter) -long birthday card for people to sign _ the number representing the Buddhist year in which Thaksin was born.

At the largest gathering, some 5,000 supporters spilled out of a temple in Nonthaburi province, offering Buddhist prayers _ normally reserved for the dead _ to rid Thaksin's karma of bad luck.

Since Thaksin couldn't attend, they prayed to several cutouts of the politician.

Photos of him were also placed in an empty coffin.

Several supporters visited Thaksin in Dubai, where he is staying, to deliver thousands of birthday cards, according to The Nation newspaper. One even wrote a song in his honor titled "I Will Return."

Speaking late Sunday night via video link, Thaksin, a former telecommunications billionaire, said he forgave his opponents, urged the country to unite and vowed to someday return home.

"Some people asked me whether I will give up after a long fight that seems to have no end," Thaksin said.

"I said to those people that money is nothing to me but the people's kindness is the greatest thing that ever happened to me," he said. "So I will fight for justice until I receive justice and then I will come back and return the favor."

He also celebrated the day by launching his own Twitter page, offering to help Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva "solve the problems of the country."

Thaksin's removal was supposed to end Thailand's political instability. Instead, it further polarized the country and led to competing protests by pro- and anti-Thaksin forces.

- Associated Press / 2009-07-26

[sriracha john]

Former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat helps a monk to cut a string binding a life-size cutout of Thaksin to a stick bearing thorns, to release Thaksin from bad luck.

Bangkok Post / 2009-07-27

Thaksin sings in 'big surprise'

'I will come back,' he croons to birthday bash

Thaksin Shinawatra's "big surprise" on his 60th birthday has failed to live up to the expectations of many people.

The ousted prime minister yesterday clearly avoided touching on politics and only performed a song as a treat for his supporters.

The much-hyped "big surprise" turned out to be a VCD of him carrying a monk's robes for making merit, accompanied by singing.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/2098...in-big-surprise

-- Bangkok Post 2009-07-27

[scorecard]

He urged Thaksin to stop any movements that could create hostility in Thailand. He gave an analogy that if the head stops moving, the tail will too, and then peace can be restored.

Best statement yet.

This is what it all boils down to.

Thaksin has every right to challenge the continuing involvement of the Privy Council and the Military in Thai politics.

And the people have every right to demand that taksin:

- Be procecuted and punished for massive corruption

- Be prosecuted and punished for massive abuse of power for business and personal gain

- Be prosecuted and severly punished for massive human rights abuse, including the deaths of some 2, 500 Thai men women and children

And taxsin has conveniently forgotten his business start up links to an army general who was one of the main institagors and leaders of the 2003 coup.

[scorecard]

There is nothing in the report to suggest he does plan a black magic ceremony nor does the report back up the claims.

There is also a red shirt leader (an organiser perhaps) claiming it will not take place.

i see it as a sensationalist newpaper headline that will sell papers.

it could also be argued the local western media is doing a fair bit of black magic themselves in the form of mind control/brainwashing over their mislead farang readers.

perhpas the editors of these newpapers sacrifice chickens and chant daily to power the brainwashed farang to post their anti-thaksin nonsense here on thai visa .

naar, I see another picture - taxsin brainwashing the red shirt thugs and brainwashing the naive farmers

[sriracha john]

PM declines knowledge of birthday wish to Thaksin via Twitter

BANGKOK, 26 July 2009 (NNT) – Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has confirmed no knowledge of a birthday wish posted under his user-name on the Twitter account of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

During a football friendship match today between Thai cabinet members and foreign ambassadors to Thailand at Crystal Football Club, Prime Minister Abhisit insisted that he had no knowledge as to who had written such comment on Thaksin’s Twitter page on his behalf. He assured that he would look into the details of this issue.

Regarding the football match, the cabinet members wore blue shirts while the ambassadors were in yellow.

The Prime Minister wore number 9 while Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij was number 2. Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya was number 3, and Deputy Finance Minister Pradit Phataraprasit was number 10.

The ambassadors’ team consisted of those from various nations including the UK, the Philippines, Australia, Laos and Malaysia.

-- NNT 2009-07-26

[Meridian007]

Come on, it's no big surprise that he can sing, his ability is known throughout the internet!

I bet (and I wish) he could do a great version of "So Long, Farewell" from the Sound of Music. That would be the best surprise he could give this country...

[sriracha john]

PM declines knowledge of birthday wish to Thaksin via Twitter

BANGKOK, 26 July 2009 (NNT) – Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has confirmed no knowledge of a birthday wish posted under his user-name on the Twitter account of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Wonder who was the impostor.

Edited July 27, 2009 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Ousted premier Thaksin will set up satellite TV stations

BANGKOK, July 27 (TNA) - Ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra celebrated his 60th birthday on Sunday with what he earlier branded “a big surprise," announcing that he planned to set up a satellite television business with at least three channels dedicated to the Thai people.

The announcement, via video link at about 9pm Sunday evening, was aired at a birthday dinner party at the Mangkorn Luang (Royal Dragon) Restaurant in Bangkok and two other sites holding parties to celebrate his birthday -- Wat Uthaitaram in suburban Bangkok and in At Samat district of Roi-Et.

A number of Puea Thai Party members of parliament and members of the anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) joined the event at the restaurant.

Dressed in a red shirt, Thaksin said he planned to establish satellite television networks with 100 channels, with at least three channels to serve the Thai people.

One channel was expected to be used to promote Thailand’s ‘One Tambom One Product’ (OTOP) output, another to broadcast ‘reality shows’ about Thai poverty and how the wealthy will help them, and the third channel will concentrate on providing education programmes for Thai students.

Earlier in the day, thousands of admirers of the ex-premier gathered at temples across the country to perform merit making ceremonies in their celebration of Thaksin’s 60th birthday Sunday morning and to ward off his bad luck.

Thaksin’s younger sister Yaowapa Wongsawat and her husband Somchai Wongsawat, a former prime minister, led opposition politicians and members of the UDD in performing Buddhist religious rites at Kaewfah temple in suburban Nonthaburi.

The ex-premier telephoned the temple to speak to his supporters, thanking them, and to present a tape of himself singing a song “I Will Come Back” that was composed especially for him. The ousted premier said he hopes to be able to return home in the future.

At Bangkok’s Wat Uthaitharam, taxi drivers gathered to conduct their own birthday event for Thaksin despite an afternoon rain. The group’s leaders took turns aiming birthday wishes for Thaksin and attacking the government’s performance on the stage.

In Chiang Mai, his hometown, a birthday party was held at the Varorot Grand Palace Hotel. Among the evening’s activities were collecting 2,492 cakes and presenting 2,492 birthday cards for Thaksin in special significance of the year 2,492 of the Buddhist Era (B.E.), Thaksin’s birth year.

In the northeastern province of Udon Thani, political revellers made birthday cards for him and the local group’s leaders said they planned to fly to Dubai to present them to Thaksin.

In the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat, Red Shirt groups gathered at Suan Khan temple. It was the only province in the south, stronghold of the ruling Democrat party of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, which held a birthday celebration for Thaksin.

The world-travelling former premier was ousted in a 2006 coup after being accused of corruption and abuse of power. He remains popular, especially among people in the rural areas. It is believed that the self-exiled former premier is now staying in Dubai.

-- TNA 2009-07-27

[sriracha john]

PM declines knowledge of birthday wish to Thaksin via Twitter

BANGKOK, 26 July 2009 (NNT) – Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has confirmed no knowledge of a birthday wish posted under his user-name on the Twitter account of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The faked message:

"if you're enlightened and understand dharma, you'll be much happier."

The Nation

[sriracha john]

PM's Office Minister Affirms PM Had Never Wished Thaksin a 'Happy Birthday'

The Prime Minister's Office Minister affirms that the premier has never sent a birthday wish to fugitive former premier on Twitter, while former army commander supports the attempt to bestow a royal pardon decree, as it is the only way Thaksin could return to Thailand.

Prime Minister's Office Minister Sathit Wongnongthoey said he is in the middle of investigating Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva's Twitter account, which appear to have sent a birthday wish to fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's Twitter web page.

Initially, Sathit was aware that the premier's Twitter was set up in around two to three forms; meaning that Twitter can be set up by anyone, through anyone's name. He also admits that performing an investigation in the cyber world is difficult, which will require more time. However, Satit believes that the birthday message on Thakin's Twitter did not come from the premier's official Twitter account.

Regarding to the fugitive ex-premier's boasting that, he will produce about a hundred TV channels; to introduce the OTOP products of Thailand through a global broadcast, produce a reality show about lives of the poor people in Thailand, and open a tutoring center, Satit said he was not informed about the fact, as it is the responsibility of the National Telecommunications Commission not the PM's Office.

Meanwhile, former Army Commander General Chaisit Shinawatra revealed that he agrees to the attempt in asking for a royal pardon, as he believes it is the only way that Thaksin could return to Thailand. He was uncertain whether Thaksin will issue the petition on his own or not, but was more certain that it is likely to be drafted by the red-shirt group members.

General Chaisit added that Thaksin should not come back if he will not receive justice. Nevertheless, from inquiring his personal astrologer, who forecasted that Thaksin will be able to travel back to the country during the beginning of next year.

-- Tan Network 2009-07-27

[Samuian]

Interesting development - does the "man in Dubai"

start to make up his campaigns, by himself from now on?

Very funny man - or very bad advisory team!

[Koo82]

Phuket Red-Shirts

About 50 supporters

Over 100 red-shirts in Lampang

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

Some 200 red-shirts in Phitsanulok

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

Some 20 red-shirts in Songkhla

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

Some 1,000 red-shirts gather in Roi Et

Impressive nation-wide turn-outs

Guess how many reds at Wat Uthaitharam Rama 9, done by Khun Shinawat Haboonpad, Taxi Community Radio Station:

When no rain:

and under the rain:

[mrtoad]

Doesn't look like the sort of numbers that the fugitives spin team had been predicting.

[animatic]

Doesn't look like the sort of numbers that the fugitives spin team had been predicting.

Looks that way.

Somchai MacIntire draws more for a set of disco oldies at lunch break on a Wednesday.

Carabao draws that many to PAY, 300baht and stand in the rain in ankle deep mud.

Academy Fantasia draws 10 times more on any Saturday and they can hardly sing on key....

Central World draws this many for a 20% off sale every day all week long.

[animatic]

Former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat helps a monk to cut a string binding a life-size cutout of Thaksin to a stick bearing thorns, to release Thaksin from bad luck.

Bangkok Post / 2009-07-27

Looks more like Yowawhopper is forcing Somchai to do a Black Magic Scrotum Transplant,

to replace his balls, that she keeps in her dresser, with some of her brothers figurative cojones.

After the ceremony the cactus shaped french-tickler is donated to an Issan girls charity,

as a good luck cod piece for school festivals.

This pseudo caption makes as much sense as the real one....

Nice placement of that stick of thorns folks... daft, just daft.

[Koo82]

Doesn't look like the sort of numbers that the fugitives spin team had been predicting.

That was one of 60 places having his Birthday ceremony.

[Koo82]

Phuket Red-Shirts

About 50 supporters

Over 100 red-shirts in Lampang

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

Some 200 red-shirts in Phitsanulok

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

Some 20 red-shirts in Songkhla

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

Some 1,000 red-shirts gather in Roi Et

Impressive nation-wide turn-outs

Here's 1,000 reds in Amphor Atsamat, Roi Et on Khun Thaksin's Birthday party:

Edited July 28, 2009 by Koo82

[Plus]

Reds think that if they have a lot of people saying that white is black, it will really change color.

One or even five million signatures to support unlawful action won't make it right. The numbers are a testament to their inability to see the reality.

They seem to drift far far apart from the rest of the Thai society. Maybe Thaksin should buy them an island where they can do whatever they want.

[mc2]

thx for the photos kuu82, (looks like more than 1000 to me)

[timekeeper]

in the west they say the sun only shines on the righteous........

[timekeeper]

Phuket Red-Shirts

About 50 supporters

Over 100 red-shirts in Lampang

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

Some 200 red-shirts in Phitsanulok

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

Some 20 red-shirts in Songkhla

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

Some 1,000 red-shirts gather in Roi Et

Impressive nation-wide turn-outs

Here's 1,000 reds in Amphor Atsamat, Roi Et on Khun Thaksin's Birthday party:

was there free beer, free food, a free red shirt and 500 baht for everyone?

as is per the usual form at these red shirt jollies.......

[Koo82]

I can tell many have come to either the reds meetings or Khun Thaksin's Birthday parties with the hope to take 500 Baht but they came home with no money Who doubts that can just come and see for yourself.

mc2, glad you like the photo. Who's that in your avatar?

[timekeeper]

I can tell many have come to either the reds meetings or Khun Thaksin's Birthday parties with the hope to take 500 Baht but they came home with no money

the usual suitcases full of money from Hong Kong didn't make it in time then?

[Samuian]

I can tell many have come to either the reds meetings or Khun Thaksin's Birthday parties with the hope to take 500 Baht but they came home with no money

the usual suitcases full of money from Hong Kong didn't make it in time then?

Anyone supporting this egomaniac madness, ever lost a single thought on how and when this "Investment"

is calculated to make any returns and if ever who is going to pay if profit taking time is up?

Or do his supporters really believe he is doing this for them and out of charity?

Edited July 28, 2009 by Samuian

[mrtoad]

Doesn't look like the sort of numbers that the fugitives spin team had been predicting.

That was one of 60 places having his Birthday ceremony.

Yes, and we have seen the rather dismal attendances.

[Plus]

I've posted the same question in a couple of other birthday related threads, but here it goes again:

The attendance was very very short of "majority" of Thai voters (about 16 million), and their petition is in one-two million range.

There just aren't that many reds they believe themselves. Certainly not enough to claim some sort of a democratic mandate.

[webfact]

IMHO the whole thing is not a political issue any longer but a personality cult issue!

Thats dangerous when it turns into worshiping someone or something...

People can get blinded and manipulated easily and that can be disastrous for followers...

Some "cult leaders" leap into my mind but it is not appropriate to mention them here.

Edited July 28, 2009 by webfact

[sukeroku]

I've posted the same question in a couple of other birthday related threads, but here it goes again:

The attendance was very very short of "majority" of Thai voters (about 16 million), and their petition is in one-two million range.

There just aren't that many reds they believe themselves. Certainly not enough to claim some sort of a democratic mandate.

Tell that to Abhisit who tends to believe the polls that put him behind Thaksin in popularity outside of military/elite circles. No elections soon in Thailand... Same, same Burma.