Thaksin Says Abhisit Has No Leadership

[george]

Thaksin says Abhisit has no leadership

Ex-premier Thaksin Shinwatra Saturday criticised Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, saying he had failed in running the country and lacked leadership and courage over the appointment of the national police chief.

Thaksin phoned in to his supporters gathered for a training session organised by the 111 Thai Rak Thai Foundation in Phuket.

He said three years after the military coup that brought down his government, the country had been destroyed economically and politically, with respected institutions discredited and politicised.

"The country's credibility is ruined. No country wants to bring its investment to Thailand because of the country's political instability,'' he said.

-- The Nation 2009-10-03

[Jingthing]

"The country's credibility is ruined. No country wants to bring its investment to Thailand because of the country's political instability,'' he said.

-- The Nation 2009-10-03

I consider this statement extremely undiplomatic coming from a man who obviously wants to take power again. Whether true or not, broadcasting negative messages like that about Thailand exacerbates an already poor international public relations situation. Normal national leaders talk up their country for external exposure. He wants people to actually believe he puts Thailand first? Hmmmmm.

Edited October 3, 2009 by Jingthing

[animatic]

It's for internal consumption.

Besides the PM just made a very nice international splash,

and DID make the speech Thaksin never got to do...

And is STILL in the top job... Must rankle in Dubai big time!

Thaksin's GOTTA say something negative about him, or look weakened.

Never mind that the world economy tanks and brought Thailand with it,

no matter blame Abhisit for everything, he has no other choice but

repeatedly try this hoary chestnut.

But I can imaging his bile rising like the rectal thermometer's redline.

[JUDAS]

"But I can imaging his bile rising like the rectal thermometer's redline. " What a wonderful mental picture that has painted for me

[Publicus]

Thaksin himself is the greatest source of political instability and thus investor reluctance to commit to Thailand.

Deposed leaders typically get on with their lives. Sure the assets of the Thaksin Organized Crime Family are frozen so the former Godfather is raising hel_l, but because Thaksin is a meglomaniac his obsessive compulsiveness extends beyond money no matter how many zeros run on after the first comma.

I recall a statement several years ago by Thaksin that he'd rather die than lose.

We see the post coup Thailand but we can only extrapolate a Thailand ruled by Thaksin absent the intervention. The reality of the past 3 years is not pleasant but the realistic probabilities of the past three years of uninterrupted Thaksin rule are horrific to consider. Mass opposition to Thaksin would have continued so what should we realistically expect he would have done to "stabilize" Thailand?

Edited October 3, 2009 by Publicus

[AussieFarang]

That strange feeling that you're having Thaksin is honesty. This must be the first honest and accurate comment you've ever made.

[asiasurfer]

I absolutely have to agree with Thaksin. Abhisit is not competent enough for the job and is merely a marionette of the military. Abhisit has failed to reunite the country and caused further political instability and dissatisfaction amongst Thai people. Voices of Thaksin-supporters remain unheard, deepening the divide amongst the population.

[Jingthing]

Some would say Thaksin himself is the primary catalyst for deepening the divide.

[dee123]

Lets face it Jingthing Thai politics and it history of military coups and restricted press freedom are the catalysts for these tragic events.Anyone who rocks the boat of the establishment be they good or bad politicians will take the blame,deserved or not.

Edited October 3, 2009 by dee123

[dee123]

Abhisit is absolutely astonishing.I think he has started to believe the rubbish he is forced to speak.

[monoli87]

The national police chief nominees is the main proof in regard the statement quote by khun Thaksin says khun Abhisit has no leadership.

how could a prime minister nominees being rejected by cabinet....

[NanLaew]

I mean, what better indicator that Abhisit is weak and vacillating than his recent statement to revisit the "Don Muang as a second airport" scenario. Pretty much says who's pulling the strings no?

Thailand had a never-ending debate about a new airport since the 1970's and spent millions on feasibility studies only for each plan to be shelved thus protecting (the military cash cow at) Don Muang. Against all odds, Thaksin actually delivered a new airport that pisses all over Don Muang and the military don't like that as it means their snout is well out of the airport trough.

Edited October 3, 2009 by NanLaew

[webfact]

UPDATE

Thaksin accuses Abhisit of lacking leadership

By THE NATION ON SUNDAY

Published on October 4, 2009

Ex-premier Thaksin Shinwatra yesterday criticised Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, saying he had failed in running the country and lacked leadership and courage over the appointment of the national national police chief.

Thaksin phoned in to his supporters gathered for a training session organised by the 111 Thai Rak Thai Foundation in Phuket.

He said three years after the military coup that brought down his government, the country had been destroyed economically and politically, with respected institutions discredited and politicised.

"The country's credibility is ruined. No country wants to bring its investment to Thailand because of the country's political instability,'' he said.

Thaksin accused the Abhisit government of being in neutral gear.

"He is unable even to appoint a national police chief. Running the country nowadays is harder than 20-30 years ago because the world is thoroughly linked. Leaders must have strategies,'' he added.

Thaksin also suggested that the government should solve the violence in the deep South not by initiating negotiations with the insurgents, but by doing anything that makes them want to come to the negotiation table.

"Nowadays the government just does one thing - pay soldiers allowances. That's why they cannot fight. They can only seize television stations,'' he said.

Thaksin denied reports that he was suffering from a serious disease, saying his health was strong and he was just homesick.

-- The Nation 2009/10/04

[Thailand]

Whatever the case there is no way Thaksin is going to praise Abhisit on his performance no matter what.

Hardly unexpected.

Edited October 4, 2009 by Thailand

[webfact]

Ex-premier Thaksin Shinwatra yesterday criticised Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, saying he had failed in running the country and lacked leadership and courage over the appointment of the national national police chief.

because none of his red brethren was appointed?

"The country's credibility is ruined. No country wants to bring its investment to Thailand because of the country's political instability,'' he said.

Thaksin should look into the mirror.

He is a mortally offended man. And that makes him dangerous in some way.

[Thai at Heart]

I wouldn't expect Thaksin to say anything less, and the schamozzle about the police chief doesn't exactly cover Abhisit in glory.

He did ok with the UN. Locally it has been touted as a success, but in the rest of the world, Thailand and Abhisit have a long way to go to convince foreign investors that he isn't just a puppet that has been shoe-horned into position at the request of the army.

It is definitely a case of no news being good news for Thailand. The longer Thailand can keep it's name out of the headlines for the wrong reasons, the quicker the memories of coups, airport closures and riots will fade. And of course the tricky issue of an election will have to handled sometime in our lifetimes we hope.

[Bagwan]

The national police chief nominees is the main proof in regard the statement quote by khun Thaksin says khun Abhisit has no leadership.

how could a prime minister nominees being rejected by cabinet....

Do Google 'collective responsibility'. If what a PM says goes, you have a dictatorship. Only a Thaksin supporter could support your view. The honourable thing for a politician or business leader to do if he cannot carry the Cabinet or Board of Directors with him is to ask for a vote of confidence. If he doesn't get, he resigns. A foreign concept for Thailand I guess.

[brahmburgers]

I absolutely have to agree with Thaksin. Abhisit is not competent enough for the job and is merely a marionette of the military. Abhisit has failed to reunite the country and caused further political instability and dissatisfaction amongst Thai people. Voices of Thaksin-supporters remain unheard, deepening the divide amongst the population.

You can agree with T all you want, and you can just as readily find fault with A. Similarly, T can bellyache all he wants - within political wranglings and gossip circles.

However, a line should be drawn between political jockeying among gossipers, and statements made on a world pedestal for all to see.

Sure, T's harmful-to-Thailand statements are preaching to the choir, but people worldwide hear them, and subsequently view Thailand as much more troubled than it really is.

If T was a surgeon in competition with another surgeon, he might walk in the other doctor's clinic and say, "you're all crazy to give this surgeon your business. He makes all sorts of mistakes. He'll leave his tools in your abdomen, he'll intentionally infect your wounds." No matter if it's true. The important thing is to seed doubts in everyone's minds. One of the most immature and harmful ways to gain a prominent position - is to make wild claims putting down your competitors.

Thaksin is adhering to the philosophy of US ultra conservatives during the Vietnam war: "You gotta destroy the village in order to save it"

T is also a snake in the grass. Sometimes he'll grin and act nice with PM A. Other times, he'll fire ranting attacks against the man. Native Americans call that 'speaking with forked tongue.'

[Plus]

To those who talk about Abhisit being a military puppet and still talk about appointing national police chief - how can you possibly ignore the fact staring in your face - Abhisit pushed for his candidate AGAINST the army preferred choice?

[Bagwan]

Thaksin offering advice on quelling the violence down South? Same same as a blind man ushering people across Sukhumvit. Is loading up trucks with bodies and transporting them around until they become corpses the right way forward then?

Thank God that the Government are paying the soldiers, else they might follow the fine example of men in tight uniforms, and help themselves. I have a mental image of the Thai equivalent of Pte. Parts manning an extortion point (aka road checkpoint) with a rifle in his hands.

[RKASA]

I think Abhisit does well in this case to stand for his choice.  One of the first steps in controlling the Police is to be sure the leadership of the police force serves the administer and serves at the pleasure of the PM.  That choice should only be vetoed by the house if they find the choice is unfit.  (not like dems in the US that use that to mean not their choice), but rather to confirm the person is fit to serve only and the choice remains the PM's.  The remainder of the force is subject to normal civil service rules of promotion.  You don't let the foxes choose who guards the hen house.  This should also apply to the leadership of the military, all PM's needs the right to hire and fire if anyone should expect that he will be able to lead these kinds of powerful groups.

[mccw]

The national police chief nominees is the main proof in regard the statement quote by khun Thaksin says khun Abhisit has no leadership.

how could a prime minister nominees being rejected by cabinet....

does it not show strength that he still got his man in the post despite opposition?

Abbahist is a smart man, educated at oxford, and seems to have decent morals with it. He is quite blatantly better than sum corruption carrear politician strong man only out to inrich himself, the promblem is he has to deal with such people. As his confidence increases to put his own people in to posts of power, as we can see him now doing, he should be able to push his own way more effectively and thailand can become more stable and function decently allowing investment to return.

On a side note, it would be a good thing to have 2 airports.

[Gonzo the Face]

We have countries, and their people, all over the world suffering from the economic and financial conditions.

Some of the worlds strongest economic powers are just now showing signs of recovery.

Yet, we have Thaksin, the number 1 pig at the trough of corruption, saying that the current prime minister should have done more and better than the bigger and stronger governments of the world. What an ID 10 T mistake Thaksin is.

I Think Abhisit it doing a commentable job, considering the thorns being stuck in his sides from all the Thaksin Lemmings, who are only interested, not in the country , but in feathering and fattening their own next.

I think its time for Thailand to put an end to the square heads mouth. He, and his lemming morons, are the biggest of all thorns presently dividing Thailand. There is no question about that. NONE !

He is corrupt and always will be. His goals are only to serve himself first and to convince the lemmings he is doing it only for them.

Time , I think, for Thailand to put out a WANTED POSTER for this fugitive from justice. Put a super healthy bounty on it with a 10 times bonus if he does not complain.

Edited October 4, 2009 by Gonzo the Face

[animatic]

To those who talk about Abhisit being a military puppet and still talk about appointing national police chief - how can you possibly ignore the fact staring in your face - Abhisit pushed for his candidate AGAINST the army preferred choice?

And the fact HIS man IS the defacto Police Chief now.

It is officially a temp appointment, but it also allows him to

a ) do the job, build power

b ) solidify his position and make deals

c ) apply pressure where needed

But makes it easier to make it finalized,

and less loss of face for opposition factions.

[Publicus]

To those who talk about Abhisit being a military puppet and still talk about appointing national police chief - how can you possibly ignore the fact staring in your face - Abhisit pushed for his candidate AGAINST the army preferred choice?

And the fact HIS man IS the defacto Police Chief now.

It is officially a temp appointment, but it also allows him to

a ) do the job, build power

b ) solidify his position and make deals

c ) apply pressure where needed

But makes it easier to make it finalized,

and less loss of face for opposition factions.

Abhisit's increasing successes and his improved stature as PM have Thaksin turning green and howling ever more at the autumn moon.

[Sisaketmike]

Thaksin says Abhisit has no leadership

Ex-premier Thaksin Shinwatra Saturday criticised Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, saying he had failed in running the country and lacked leadership and courage over the appointment of the national police chief.

Thaksin phoned in to his supporters gathered for a training session organised by the 111 Thai Rak Thai Foundation in Phuket.

He said three years after the military coup that brought down his government, the country had been destroyed economically and politically, with respected institutions discredited and politicised.

"The country's credibility is ruined. No country wants to bring its investment to Thailand because of the country's political instability,'' he said.

-- The Nation 2009-10-03

Mr. Thaksin. How can you make such a statement if your own country would like to put you in jail? You criticize others? Don't you have a mirror, please look inside one and you'll see the most corrupt guy who should never have anything to do with politics. You made the "Anti Drug Campaign", where thousands got killed, because your son was also on Jaba? Mr. Abhisit has to deal with a situation you'd left. Consider yourself as a criminal, so please think before you talk.

[Supernova]

Whatever the case there is no way Thaksin is going to praise Abhisit on his performance no matter what.

Hardly unexpected.

Yeah.

The same could be said about Thaksin. No matter what he does, he will always be seen as the villain in some people's minds. It really is a shame though, many folks here can't seem to look beyond his shortcomings to gain insight of what is really going on.

I Think Abhisit it doing a commentable job, considering the thorns being stuck in his sides from all the Thaksin Lemmings, who are only interested, not in the country , but in feathering and fattening their own next.

Is this a joke?! 'cause I ain't laughing...

Like Samak and Somchai, the current Government is an epic FAIL.

Yet, we have Thaksin, the number 1 pig at the trough of corruption, ...

He is corrupt and always will be. His goals are only to serve himself first and to convince the lemmings he is doing it only for them.

Hardly worth mentioning.

All Thai politicians are corrupt, self-serving, and will only do what benefits them most.

[RandyWhite]

To those who talk about Abhisit being a military puppet and still talk about appointing national police chief - how can you possibly ignore the fact staring in your face - Abhisit pushed for his candidate AGAINST the army preferred choice?

And the fact HIS man IS the defacto Police Chief now.

It is officially a temp appointment, but it also allows him to

a ) do the job, build power

b ) solidify his position and make deals

c ) apply pressure where needed

But makes it easier to make it finalized,

and less loss of face for opposition factions.

Abhisit's increasing successes and his improved stature as PM have Thaksin turning green and howling ever more at the autumn moon.

Yeah, ok. "Politics is the art of compromise."

Abhisit's biggest fault is that he's a big Barry Manilow fan: talk about conservative!

To me -Abhisit's biggest problem is not Thaksin or that he isn't a smart leader, but that he heads a weak coalition government.

By contrast, Thaksin's biggest problem remains that he acts and speaks like an uneducated man (unless he's reading a prepared speech):

As the saying goes, "If it waddles like a duck and quacks like a duck, it's probably a duck."

RAW.

[Rumfoord]

Mr. Thaksin. How can you make such a statement if your own country would like to put you in jail? You criticize others? Don't you have a mirror, please look inside one and you'll see the most corrupt guy who should never have anything to do with politics. You made the "Anti Drug Campaign", where thousands got killed, because your son was also on Jaba? Mr. Abhisit has to deal with a situation you'd left. Consider yourself as a criminal, so please think before you talk.

Thaksins son was on ya ba? can you back up that claim? and thousends got killed for that reason?

btw. aren't you one of the smart brain poster that demand public execution in every drug releated topic?

and Abhist has to carry now the burden Thaksin had left 3 years ago?

[animatic]

Looks like he has a sole afterall.