Thaksin Accuses Political Opponents Of "false Patriotism"

[webfact]

THAKSIN'S LECTURE

Thaksin accuses political opponents of "false patriotism"

By Deutsche Presse Agentur

Phnom Penh (dpa) - Thailand's fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra said at a seminar in Phnom Penh Thursday that his domestic political opponents are suffering from "false patriotism" in their disagreements with Cambodia.

Addressing a mix of 250 government officials and business people at the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Thaksin said a more prosperous Cambodia would mean opportunities for Thailand as well.

"A prosperous neighbour means better opportunities for us to grow together," he said, but added: "Of course, not all my compatriots see it that way right now."

"I do not believe those who do not share our vision now are myopic," he said. "Their domestic political compulsions force them to false patriotism. Let's pray that they too will one day appreciate this partnership for progress."

Thaksin was addressing the seminar in his capacity as economic adviser to the Cambodian government, an appointment that has riled Bangkok and led relations between the two kingdoms to their lowest point in years.

Both countries' ambassadors were recalled last week, and relations could yet worsen.

Cambodian Foreign Affairs spokesman Koy Koung said the ministry had no official knowledge of the visit and was looking into the report's veracity.

However, Koy Koung said if news of the visit were true, it should not be seen as Thaksin engaging in politics on Cambodian soil. Phnom Penh has repeatedly stated that Thaksin would stay away from politicking since it would conflict with Cambodia's constitution.

"If they really come, I think it's just a private courtesy call," Koy Koung said. "I guarantee that Thaksin has come to Phnom Penh just as an economic adviser. Not (for) politics. Not (for) anything else."

He said Phnom Penh was "absolutely not" concerned whether Bangkok read the situation differently.

"It's up to the Thai side because the Cambodian side has reiterated that the Thaksin role is an economic matter," he said.

Thaksin, who was prime minister from 2001 to 2006 before being toppled in a bloodless coup, faces a two-year jail sentence in Thailand for abuse of power. He has been living in self-imposed exile, mostly in Dubai, since August 2008.

On Wednesday Cambodia formally rejected an extradition request from the Thai government for Thaksin, describing the former premier's conviction in a Thai court as politically motivated.

Thaksin was overthrown after he lost the backing of Thailand's Bangkok-based middle class and political elite. He remains popular with the poor because of his populist economic policies.

-- The Nation 2009/11/12

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[givenall]

It is obvious that Mr. T is finding himself in more and more isolations. And luckily he is becoming more and more irrelevant to Thai politics and society.

[mrtoad]

The desperate man continues to whine.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

So.. any comments on what Mr. Thaksin said then.. Youknow, the topic? I think you're both well off it.

I think there's not much in the article on what Thaksin said in his speech, the lines they chose are really exceptionally brief, though they do state an obvious truth, that a prospering Cambodia is a great prospect for trade with Thailand.

Carry on.

Edited November 12, 2009 by WinnieTheKhwai

[Publicus]

Thaksin's Law:

When in a Hole Keep Digging.

He sounds a CEO who's talking about merging two corporations.

Edited November 12, 2009 by Publicus

[webfact]

Thaksin lambasts Thai government before Cambodian economists

BANGKOK, Nov 12 (TNA) - Convicted ousted Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra on Thursday lectured several hundred Cambodian businessmen and economists in Phnom Penh, attacking the Thai government for 'false patriotism' on his first assignment as an economic adviser to the Cambodian government.

Security officials ushered reporters out of the lecture venue minutes into the Thaksin talk, effectively precluding an independent assessment of what he actually had to say about "Cambodia and the World after the Financial Crisis," his announced topic.

The lecture by the fugitive Thai premier at Cambodia's finance ministry was made at the invitation of the Cambodian government after it had appointed him as its economic adviser and personal adviser to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.

The Associated Press (AP) news agency quoted Mr Thaksin as saying to his audience "Of course, not all my compatriots see it that way right now. I do not believe those who do not share our vision now are myopic. Their domestic political compulsions force them to false patriotism. Let's pray that they too will one day appreciate this partnership for progress."

The fugitive former Thai premier reportedly planned to visit the ancient Angkor Wat temple complex after his lecture and may then play golf with Prime Minister Hun Sen.

Meanwhile, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva chaired a National Security Council meeting believed to focus on Thailand's next move after Cambodia rejected Thailand's request for Mr Thaksin's extradition.

The diplomatic spat between Thailand and Cambodia flared up when the Cambodian government appointed the former Thai premier as its economic adviser.

Thailand reacted by recalling its ambassador to Phnom Penh and revoking a memorandum of understanding over the overlapping maritime boundaries by Thailand and Cambodia signed in 2001.

The Cambodian government shunned Thailand's retaliatory move, withdrawing its ambassador to Bangkok as a reciprocal action and handing over an already prepared note flatly rejecting Thailand's request to extradite Mr Thaksin only minutes after Thai diplomats presented the extradition papers to officials at Cambodia's foreign affairs ministry Wednesday morning.

In a related development, the so-called Patriotism Group 52, including a group of taxi drivers with their vehicles, gathered at the Cambodian embassy in Bangkok amid tight security.

The demonstrators submitted an open letter to representatives of the Thai foreign affairs ministry as the Cambodian government had recalled its ambassador to Phnom Penh.

The gathering was intended to express their dissatisfaction with Mr Thaksin's appointment as Cambodian economic adviser as well as its rejection to extradite Thailand's ex-premier.

The letter called on Mr Hun Sen to stop interfering with Thailand's judicial process, to stop being a political tool for Mr Thaksin and to respect international protocol by extraditing the fugitive premier.

They also demanded that Mr Hun Sen and Mr Thaksin end their partnership.

However, the demonstrators dispersed peacefully after handing over the letter. (TNA)

-- TNA 2009/11/12

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[Thailand]

I am pretty well sure that Thaksin can add value to Cambodia's economic future he is after all an astute business man who simply got caught with his finger in the till and was "couped" out of power.

The Thai government will be blinkered to anything that may possibly be positive if it has even a hint of a Thaksin spin on it. He is probably best ignored but that cannot happen and he knows it and subsequently takes full advantage.

[Jingthing]

Thailand is a major country in this region. Now tiny countries might be different, but my feeling is that for a political leader who harbors any hope whatsoever of becoming the leader of a major country (for the first time or to return) to become allied with a competitive close neighbors's government is simply POLITICAL SUICIDE. There is no logical reason to believe anymore that Thaksin deep in his heart believes he will ever return to power in Thailand. Black Songkran was the beginning of the end, this is the end.

http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/truethai/2009/11/08/entry-1

Edited November 12, 2009 by Jingthing

[rixalex]

So.. any comments on what Mr. Thaksin said then.. Youknow, the topic?

OK, i'll give it a shot.

Koy Koung said. "I guarantee that Thaksin has come to Phnom Penh just as an economic adviser. Not (for) politics. Not (for) anything else."

I'd like to know more about the terms of this guarantee Mr Koung speaks of.

[Insight]

I am pretty well sure that Thaksin can add value to Cambodia's economic future he is after all an astute business man who simply got caught with his finger in the till and was "couped" out of power.

The Thai government will be blinkered to anything that may possibly be positive if it has even a hint of a Thaksin spin on it. He is probably best ignored but that cannot happen and he knows it and subsequently takes full advantage.

Alan Sugar, Richard Branson et al, take note.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

So.. any comments on what Mr. Thaksin said then.. Youknow, the topic?

OK, i'll give it a shot.

Koy Koung said. "I guarantee that Thaksin has come to Phnom Penh just as an economic adviser. Not (for) politics. Not (for) anything else."

I'd like to know more about the terms of this guarantee Mr Koung speaks of.

LOL. Yeah, noticed that as well. The journalist put that there for a reason of course, however I think Mr. Koung was speaking more in the longer term about Mr. Thaksin's role as an adviser. Anyway, people expect Thaksin to comment on the situation in Thailand of course, and he's eager to oblige. It'd be something else if there was any base whatsoever to some rumours (without source) peddled by The Nation about a 'Cambodian War Room'.

[caf]

Thailand is a major country in this region. Now tiny countries might be different, but my feeling is that for a political leader who harbors any hope whatsoever of becoming the leader of a major country (for the first time or to return) to become allied with a competitive close neighbors's government is simply POLITICAL SUICIDE. There is no logical reason to believe anymore that Thaksin deep in his heart believes he will ever return to power in Thailand. Black Songkran was the beginning of the end, this is the end.

http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/truethai/2009/11/08/entry-1

Actually, Thailand comes at the bottom of most economic indicators within asean. there was an interestinmg seminar on countries in asean earlier this week in Chiamgmai which is why I make this comment.

With the utmost respect, I think you need to check your facts.

And how can you see into Taksin's mind. Do you have some sources or experiences. Are you able to back up these observations by quoting reliable statistics or sources. You have your persoanl views of course but whatb would be informative is how you back them up. ( as i have done above for example - from data that can be checked rather than personal gut feels

Edited November 12, 2009 by caf

[Publicus]

Thailand is a major country in this region. Now tiny countries might be different, but my feeling is that for a political leader who harbors any hope whatsoever of becoming the leader of a major country (for the first time or to return) to become allied with a competitive close neighbors's government is simply POLITICAL SUICIDE. There is no logical reason to believe anymore that Thaksin deep in his heart believes he will ever return to power in Thailand. Black Songkran was the beginning of the end, this is the end.

http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/truethai/2009/11/08/entry-1

Actually, Thailand comes at the bottom of most economic indicators within asean. there was an interestinmg seminar on countries in asean earlier this week in Chiamgmai which is why I make this comment.

With the utmost respect, I think you need to check your facts.

And how can you see into Taksin's mind. Do you have some sources or experiences. Are you able to back up these observations by quoting reliable statistics or sources. You have your persoanl views of course but whatb would be informative is how you back them up. ( as i have done above for example - from data that can be checked rather than personal gut feels

There isn't anything in forum rules about having to file a legal brief with each post.

[jackspratt]

I guess based on economic indicators, the USA doesn't look to flash at the moment either.

Fact of the matter is Thailand has the 2nd largest GDP amongst the ASEAN countries, and in my eyes at least, that makes it a major country in the region.

As far as Thaksin is concerned, it is good to see that he stuck to Hun Sen's script, and refrained from any politicking in Kampuchea

[Jingthing]

Honestly, I don't think it really makes any difference how major the country is. A political hopeful does not work for a competitive neighbor if they have future political hopes in their home country. That is something FORMER political leaders do. It is time for the people of Thailand to fully accept this is the POST Thaksin era. Move on, please, before it is too late, which it might actually be ...

[Ricardo]

Thaksin is reported as saying that his political opponents are suffering from "false patriotism" ? Well, I guess that he might be considered an expert on the subject, at that !

[Stumbo]

Unfortunately the anti Taksin brigade never has anything of note to add to the debate, they just roll out the same old tired comments they have been cut and pasting for years.

Personally I think his comment is right, it is false patriotism trying to stir up nationalistic fervor. Governments with problems all throughout history use this to divert attention from their failings. As to whether he is the brain dead moron making a tactical blunder, that so many here with such more successful lives claim, only time will tell as we observe events unfold.

[Meridian007]

Yes, actually it is nationalism because it is more cultural than state-based. The government doesn't have to do much as the Thai people have always seen Cambodians as being inferior (and vice versa), and any reason to support this emotional response catches fire quickly.

While I think it is a scary thing, if this is what is needed for the Thai people to see how selfish Thaksin is, and how much he cares about the the Thai people, then so be it. He is good at digging his own grave.

[mrtoad]

Unfortunately the anti Taksin brigade never has anything of note to add to the debate, they just roll out the same old tired comments they have been cut and pasting for years.

Personally I think his comment is right, it is false patriotism trying to stir up nationalistic fervor. Governments with problems all throughout history use this to divert attention from their failings. As to whether he is the brain dead moron making a tactical blunder, that so many here with such more successful lives claim, only time will tell as we observe events unfold.

I think you will find that both sides of the coin, be it Thaksin or Anti-Thaksin politicians have been guilty of using the nationalist card. You obviously haven't been around here long, if you don't think that Thaksin was not guilty of this sort of BS as well.

[rixalex]

it is false patriotism trying to stir up nationalistic fervor.

Who is it that's doing the stirring up?

so many here with such more successful lives

Not sure how many here have been convicted of a crime and are on the run? A few i guess.

[321niti123]

In a related development, the so-called Patriotism Group 52, including a group of taxi drivers with their vehicles, gathered at the Cambodian embassy in Bangkok amid tight security.

The demonstrators submitted an open letter to representatives of the Thai foreign affairs ministry as the Cambodian government had recalled its ambassador to Phnom Penh.

The gathering was intended to express their dissatisfaction with Mr Thaksin's appointment as Cambodian economic adviser as well as its rejection to extradite Thailand's ex-premier.

The letter called on Mr Hun Sen to stop interfering with Thailand's judicial process, to stop being a political tool for Mr Thaksin and to respect international protocol by extraditing the fugitive premier.

They also demanded that Mr Hun Sen and Mr Thaksin end their partnership.

However, the demonstrators dispersed peacefully after handing over the letter. (TNA)

-- TNA 2009/11/12

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

This says taxi drivers, aren't taxi drivers the main support of the red shirt thaksin supporters. It seems like he's losing support, losing a lot of support.

[RickBradford]

Patriotism is the last refuge of a scoundrel - Samuel Johnson, 1775.

I wonder what that makes 'false patriotism'....

[Jingthing]

False patriotism is just another way of saying political enemies. Not to be taken seriously.

[ratcatcher]

"Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."

John F. Kennedy

How much has Thaksin taken from Thailand versus how much has he given to Thailand.

[h90]

"Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."

John F. Kennedy

How much has Thaksin taken from Thailand versus how much has he given to Thailand.

What has he given to Thailand?

Taken is simple...3000 lifes huge amount of money

[lazygourmet]

Stop Thaksin Shinawatra from poisoning the Kingdom of Thailand

Join us now!

[AoUdomAl]

Stop Thaksin Shinawatra from poisoning the Kingdom of Thailand

Join us now!

My goodness they've got 11,598 members already. Very good comments and links with a rather pithy group logo pic:

[awd]

"Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country."

John F. Kennedy

How much has Thaksin taken from Thailand versus how much has he given to Thailand.

What has he given to Thailand?

Taken is simple...3000 lifes huge amount of money

This is perhaps Abhisit's biggest moral failure. He has defended the Army relentlessly in the Rohinga matter and defended the Police and refused to take any action against them in the speed freak et al killings. Abhisit seems only interested in promoting the worst elements of the PAD, the military, the police. This is the primary reason he receives little support from the Thai people.

[animatic]

Hmmm I remember the Dixie Chicks disagreed with G. W. Bush on stage in England before the

2nd gulf war and said they werer embarrashe he was from Texas. I spur of the moment out burst,

on stage in an ALLIED countries rock show. They are STILL vilified 7-8 years LATER in many conservative circles,

for embarrassing the USA by speaking against Bush on 'Foreign soil'.

So what kind of patriotism does Thaksin have going on to foreign soil and actively denigrate the Thai government,

from a country that actively has a SHOOT TO KILL ORDER, against Thai soldiers in a festering border dispute?

The name Hanoi Jane comes to mind. Jane Fonda, devoutly anti-War went to North Viet Nam,

and toured, and has been castigated and boo'd by some for 40 YEARS since then for doing that.

So what should we think of Thaksin taking an position aiding an neighbor

that has shot Thai soldiers within the last few months?

False patriotism he charges?

What a crock of buffalo dung coming from this little desperate man.

His money is on the block and he will do ANYTHING to find a lever in the government to save some or all off it.

It seems aiding and abetting the enemy or out right treason is not too far a stretch for him,

since he seems to feel he owns the country mand can do as he please because evil men deposed him,

and that he is without fault.

As he gets under increasing pressure,

he has shown worse and worse decision making under that pressure,

this is clearly reflected in his current moves vis a vis Cambodia.

[awd]

Go Dixie Chicks! May they live forever!