Thaksin Camp Looking Beyond Assets-Case Verdict

[webfact]

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Thaksin camp looking beyond assets-case verdict: Suriyasai

By Political Desk

The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Suriyasai Katasila, spokesman for the yellow shirt People's Alliance for Democracy and the New Politics Party, answers questions from the The Nation's Political Desk about the upcoming ruling in the historic assets-foreclosure case and its consequences.

What is your view about the political situation around February 26 [when the court verdict is scheduled to be read]?

Whatever the court's ruling will be, the political conflict won't end or ease immediately. The verdict will be interpreted by the [rival] political camps in a way that would serve their cause. I think Thaksin [shinawatra, an ex-PM and defendant in the case] and his people look beyond this Bt76-billion assets-seizure case. They may already be expecting a bad outcome. Thaksin and the Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship [the red shirts] have arranged an "army" for a protracted war. This case is just a battle, not a war. They may lose this battle but that does not mean they will lose the war. They are waging a war but the government just thinks of occasional battles. If things go on like this, the government may be defeated in the last battle.

Is it possible the verdict will not be delivered on February 26?

That's impossible. If the verdict cannot be read due to political disturbances, the justice system's reputation will be damaged. When the state's power is challenged, confidence in the country will be severely affected. I don't think the DAAD and Thaksin's network will aim at pressuring for a collapse of the case because they will risk destroying their legitimacy. In doing so, authorities will get the legitimacy to crack down on them. Criticising courts is a very sensitive issue in Thai society.

If there is violence, do you think it will happen before or after D-Day?

Possibly it would take place before February 26 or the violence would end before February 26. It is obvious that an unidentified armed group has been designed to get involved. This is not only to incite violence or rioting by the red shirts, but also to bring about political changes before or after February 26.

I don't think this issue is about three groups; it's rather 2 groups - the Thaksin group, the anti-Thaksin group and a half group that sides with none of the two. They include the smaller coalition parties. Which of them does not want to rejoin Thaksin politically if the spoils are shared satisfactorily?

What is your suggestion for the country to minimise the impact?

All the parties must respect the justice process and allow the judiciary to work independently. If you campaign against the courts and the justice system, the country won't go anywhere. Disputes and court cases will not come to a conclusion. Pitching the masses against one another has become a new political model. If this is allowed to continue, the country's outlook is hopeless.

Is the PAD going to accept the court verdict?

The PAD has set no conditions for the justice system. In the past we presented arguments on legal and constitutional issues. On many of the cases, we won and the courts agreed to a review. Not once did we rally to pressure the courts. We are always ready to respect the justice system.

What could cause the yellow shirts to call another major rally?

Now there are no conditions for the PAD to come out for a rally. It's now a matter between the government on one side and the DAAD and Thaksin on the other. The situation and equation of power are ever changing and getting more complex. Before our next move, we need to make a careful analysis to clearly identify friends and foes so that we won't end up becoming a victim of any group of power. In this situation, it's better we stay put in our safe zone.

Rumours of a coup have become rife, what do you think about its likelihood?

There exist conditions for a coup. Our country is facing a security crisis and there are conditions for violence. With those factors, there is a possibility of a coup. I'm not convinced the DAAD and Thaksin oppose a coup if that serves their interest. Their ongoing rally is undeniably an invitation for a coup.

-- The Nation 2010-02-18

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[hammered]

Interesting and fence sitting. I thought the new round was between the reds and greens rather than the reds and government though.

[Samuian]

Interesting and fence sitting. I thought the new round was between the reds and greens rather than the reds and government though.

Yeah, what else then just watching the game, right now?

I get the impression it's against anything that isn't with the UDD - Reds, pro-Thaksin Camp!

Just look at Newin for example, as long as he was with them, he was alright,

"da man", when he moved the other side, he was a traitor!

I don't get what he means with "they will win the battle, but lose the war.."!

[NADTATIDA1]

"I don't think this issue is about three groups; it's rather 2 groups - the Thaksin group, the anti-Thaksin group and a half group that sides with none of the two. They include the smaller coalition parties. Which of them does not want to rejoin Thaksin politically if the spoils are shared satisfactorily?"

Trying to understand what he says is like solving a cryptic crossword with no clues!

[Curt1591]

...if the spoils are shared satisfactorily...

Honesty, at last!

Kind of sums up the entire Thai political situation.

Most Thais simply want them take their money and knock this BS off.

[hammered]

In the long term I think it would be quite interesting if the red movement actually moved away from Thaksin. You either analyse this as all about Thaksin's money or as a temporary confluence between social activists and a powerful figure who inspite of his obvious mighty failings is seen as the lesser of the evils by those allying with him. I tend to think the latter, even though I personally think the alliance damages the activists, although I am not certain that the activists have much strength devoid of the powerful figure. However, it will be interesting to see how things develop that way.

[tonywebster]

When the state's power is challenged, confidence in the country will be severely affected.

this is an interesting comment he makes, I wonder if by saying this he is condemning his own group for their actions in the trespass at Government house, the blockade of parliament, the seizure of the airports etc, or maybe he is just assuming the yellows are ok to do this but if the reds do it then it is bad. It is clear the PAD had no concerns that they were damaging confidence in the country with their actions.

what is good for the goose etc............

[way2muchcoffee]

When the state's power is challenged, confidence in the country will be severely affected.

this is an interesting comment he makes, I wonder if by saying this he is condemning his own group for their actions in the trespass at Government house, the blockade of parliament, the seizure of the airports etc, or maybe he is just assuming the yellows are ok to do this but if the reds do it then it is bad. It is clear the PAD had no concerns that they were damaging confidence in the country with their actions.

what is good for the goose etc............

No. What's good for the goose is not good for the gander. It is impossible to criticize one group without criticizing the other.

The PAD screwed up badly. They should never have extended their protest to occupying government house and they definitely should not have closed down the airport. These actions were not good for Thailand. The PAD would should have limited their protests to the camps at Sanam Luang and neighboring areas.

The red shirts have engaged in equally egregious activities including ASEAN disruption, sonkhran riots, and the violence in Udon Thani and Chiang Mai.

It is okay to 'challenge' government via peaceful protests, but no group has actually done this. I do not wish to compare levels of bad behavior as that is purely a matter of opinion. What is not a matter of opinion is that actions of both groups have damaged the country.

All groups are deserving of condemnation for various reasons including: Democrats, PTP, Thaksin, Military, UDD, DAAD, RCM51, Udon Lovers, and the PAD.

Edited February 18, 2010 by way2muchcoffee

[zaphodbeeblebrox]

I think Thaksin [shinawatra, an ex-PM and defendant in the case] and his people look beyond this Bt76-billion assets-seizure case.

This couldn't be further from the truth. The red-shirts have staked their entire political future on getting a hold of Thaksin's assets. Why else are they equating the February 20 rally with the endgame? They need Thaksin's money if they want to prevail in the next election. If he loses the assets case, the red-shirts only chance is to bring down the government.

If Thaksin can hold onto any of his assets, he would be smart to leave Thailand alone. But, he hasn't been acting too smart during his exile.

[tonywebster]

When the state's power is challenged, confidence in the country will be severely affected.

this is an interesting comment he makes, I wonder if by saying this he is condemning his own group for their actions in the trespass at Government house, the blockade of parliament, the seizure of the airports etc, or maybe he is just assuming the yellows are ok to do this but if the reds do it then it is bad. It is clear the PAD had no concerns that they were damaging confidence in the country with their actions.

what is good for the goose etc............

No. What's good for the goose is not good for the gander. It is impossible to criticize one group without criticizing the other.

The PAD screwed up badly. They should never have extended their protest to occupying government house and they definitely should not have closed down the airport. These actions were not good for Thailand. The PAD would should have limited their protests to the camps at Sanam Luang and neighboring areas.

The red shirts have engaged in equally egregious activities including ASEAN disruption, sonkhran riots, and the violence in Udon Thani and Chiang Mai.

It is okay to 'challenge' government via peaceful protests, but no group has actually done this. I do not wish to compare levels of bad behavior as that is purely a matter of opinion. What is not a matter of opinion is that actions of both groups have damaged the country.

All groups are deserving of condemnation for various reasons including: Democrats, PTP, Thaksin, Military, UDD, DAAD, RCM51, Udon Lovers, and the PAD.

so we agree

[yoshiwara]

I think Thaksin [shinawatra, an ex-PM and defendant in the case] and his people look beyond this Bt76-billion assets-seizure case.

This couldn't be further from the truth. The red-shirts have staked their entire political future on getting a hold of Thaksin's assets. Why else are they equating the February 20 rally with the endgame? They need Thaksin's money if they want to prevail in the next election. If he loses the assets case, the red-shirts only chance is to bring down the government.

If Thaksin can hold onto any of his assets, he would be smart to leave Thailand alone. But, he hasn't been acting too smart during his exile.

Exactly.

The problem which is causing the Reds serious trouble at the moment is that they shot their bolt during the violent activities of last Songkram and so 'spontaneous rioting' will just look like a re-run of what went before and they will not be able to throw the blame elsewhere. Their talk of an imminent coup is just that. Talk. They really would like to provoke another coup in order to shore up support as 'defenders of democracy'. However, time is running out and the diversionary masks have all been dumped for the one true real campaign. Defend Thaksin and his money. No doubt the Thaksin apologists on the forum will make some last-ditch attempts to further cloud the waters, but even their teeth are now clearly showing. The shadows are gone.

[elcent]

The PAD has set no conditions for the justice system. In the past we presented arguments on legal and constitutional issues. On many of the cases, we won and the courts agreed to a review. Not once did we rally to pressure the courts. We are always ready to respect the justice system.

PAD ignored court injunctions more than once. What about that fact?

[siampolee]

None of the factions involved are innocent, possibly the yellow shirt brigade were a trifle less violent than the red shirt brigade however that assumption depends on the faction you may favour or support.

What to my mind is clear is the fact that certain interested parties of all political hues and those with vested financial interests covert and overt are manipulating the truth and the people, the military, the police and the fourth estate to further their own ends.

Their is no interest in the common man here as we all know, granted in the twenty or so years I have lived here there have been positive changes, however the cost has been astronomical compared to the so called improvements.

Politicians feather their own nests, they regard the party they lead or own as their personal property to further their own ends, all the hand are in the pork barrel.

Democracy here is an entirely different brand to that which we see and no doubt many of us westerners have lived in.

Here the system is based upon patronage always has been and no doubt will be so for the foreseeable future too.

My dear old mother in law a farmers wife, short on education but long in wisdom encapsulates the whole scenario nicely as she says.

''The politicians give us 200 baht to vote for them, we pay back 2,000 baht so as they can lead the high life whilst we labour for satang in the fields onder a hot sun"

As usual the little people are kept in their place and controled by money and to a degree fear too, this current batch of demonstrations are not to benefit Somchai and Porntip in the street, they are aimed at the benefit of the corrupt fat cat power crazed politicians who even as we read are squabbling over who the puppet master should have leading his own party.

Count how many of the current batch of politicians involved in the current uproar have changed from party to party, it's not about political belief it's all about ''What's in it for me.''

Damm good job that the local politicians do not suffer from travel sickness, next step in the illness stakes will no doubt be ''Bang Bang fever''

Indeed be prepared for those old style Russian heart attacks so beloved by Joe Stalin, Adolf Hitler, Mao Tse Tung and goodness knows how many others great liberators of the masses.

[h90]

When the state's power is challenged, confidence in the country will be severely affected.

this is an interesting comment he makes, I wonder if by saying this he is condemning his own group for their actions in the trespass at Government house, the blockade of parliament, the seizure of the airports etc, or maybe he is just assuming the yellows are ok to do this but if the reds do it then it is bad. It is clear the PAD had no concerns that they were damaging confidence in the country with their actions.

what is good for the goose etc............

No. What's good for the goose is not good for the gander. It is impossible to criticize one group without criticizing the other.

The PAD screwed up badly. They should never have extended their protest to occupying government house and they definitely should not have closed down the airport. These actions were not good for Thailand. The PAD would should have limited their protests to the camps at Sanam Luang and neighboring areas.

The red shirts have engaged in equally egregious activities including ASEAN disruption, sonkhran riots, and the violence in Udon Thani and Chiang Mai.

It is okay to 'challenge' government via peaceful protests, but no group has actually done this. I do not wish to compare levels of bad behavior as that is purely a matter of opinion. What is not a matter of opinion is that actions of both groups have damaged the country.

All groups are deserving of condemnation for various reasons including: Democrats, PTP, Thaksin, Military, UDD, DAAD, RCM51, Udon Lovers, and the PAD.

You can't tell PAD screwed up badly??....They ousted Thaksin twice from the government.

Peaceful does not work if the government rent thugs who beat you and shoot M79 grenades on you. For civil peaceful protest you also need a peaceful government.

[ivowatson]

In the long term I think it would be quite interesting if the red movement actually moved away from Thaksin. You either analyse this as all about Thaksin's money or as a temporary confluence between social activists and a powerful figure who in spite of his obvious mighty failings is seen as the lesser of the evils by those allying with him. I tend to think the latter, even though I personally think the alliance damages the activists, although I am not certain that the activists have much strength devoid of the powerful figure. However, it will be interesting to see how things develop that way.

I just hope it doesn't turn out just as in the South. In the end, people will react with violence. After all the exploiting, violence, humiliation, many think enough is enough. How many times can you break people. Okay, they did bet on the wrong horse and he just used them for their votes but they don't really care. He gave them attention and hope and that's a lot more than anyone ever did. There needs to be done something for those people. Wouldn't it be great if Thaksin's money went to them indirectly. All problems solved.

[scorecard]

In the long term I think it would be quite interesting if the red movement actually moved away from Thaksin. You either analyse this as all about Thaksin's money or as a temporary confluence between social activists and a powerful figure who in spite of his obvious mighty failings is seen as the lesser of the evils by those allying with him. I tend to think the latter, even though I personally think the alliance damages the activists, although I am not certain that the activists have much strength devoid of the powerful figure. However, it will be interesting to see how things develop that way.

I just hope it doesn't turn out just as in the South. In the end, people will react with violence. After all the exploiting, violence, humiliation, many think enough is enough. How many times can you break people. Okay, they did bet on the wrong horse and he just used them for their votes but they don't really care. He gave them attention and hope and that's a lot more than anyone ever did. There needs to be done something for those people. Wouldn't it be great if Thaksin's money went to them indirectly. All problems solved.

Can't agree with several points;

1. There is no comparison whatever with the south of Thailand. They are totally different matters in every way.

2. "He gave them attention and hope". Can never agree with this, he bought their votes and their emotions, nothing more than that.

3. Are you suggesting that if thaksins money is confiscated then it should be given to the rural poor:

- So who makes that decision?. PM Chalerm and finance minister Jatuporn?

- And how does it help to get the rural poor into a much better life other than perhaps pay off their debts so that the local poo yai (many of them PT members) can quickly get them back into debt.

- Would this bring solid structural change to their opportunities in life? NO. (What party, including Thakins TRT etc., actually did anything to massively improve the levels of education in the Essan areas? None! And education is the key.)

Talk about 'where' the money should go is fruitless and unproductive. The funds (if he is found guilty) should be added to Thailands general revenues without any form of earmarking whatever.

[hammered]

In the long term I think it would be quite interesting if the red movement actually moved away from Thaksin. You either analyse this as all about Thaksin's money or as a temporary confluence between social activists and a powerful figure who in spite of his obvious mighty failings is seen as the lesser of the evils by those allying with him. I tend to think the latter, even though I personally think the alliance damages the activists, although I am not certain that the activists have much strength devoid of the powerful figure. However, it will be interesting to see how things develop that way.

I just hope it doesn't turn out just as in the South. In the end, people will react with violence. After all the exploiting, violence, humiliation, many think enough is enough. How many times can you break people. Okay, they did bet on the wrong horse and he just used them for their votes but they don't really care. He gave them attention and hope and that's a lot more than anyone ever did. There needs to be done something for those people. Wouldn't it be great if Thaksin's money went to them indirectly. All problems solved.

I agree something needs to be done. However, doing things takes time and right now no government of any persuasion seems to have time, so maybe stability is needed, but for stability people need to think something is being done for them. It is a hard one

[way2muchcoffee]

You can't tell PAD screwed up badly??....They ousted Thaksin twice from the government.

Peaceful does not work if the government rent thugs who beat you and shoot M79 grenades on you. For civil peaceful protest you also need a peaceful government.

It doesn't matter what good PAD may have done when you consider their airport takeover. With that single act they lost any moral high ground the once held. The same argument applies to Thaksin. While he may have done some good things for rural Thailand he must be held accountable for his other actions. Illegal acts are just that and must be dealt with in a court of law. It is the only way forward for Thailand.

Edited February 19, 2010 by way2muchcoffee

[jayboy]

"He gave them attention and hope". Can never agree with this, he bought their votes and their emotions, nothing more than that.

You are wrong.Even his political enemies accept Thaksin gave rural Thais attention and hope.If you are in error on what is undisputable your other points won't be taken seriously I'm afraid

[scorecard]

"He gave them attention and hope". Can never agree with this, he bought their votes and their emotions, nothing more than that.

You are wrong.Even his political enemies accept Thaksin gave rural Thais attention and hope.If you are in error on what is undisputable your other points won't be taken seriously I'm afraid

OK, so:

1. Quote some examples of his political opponents saying that he gave rural Thais attention and hope. And perhaps you would like to give some rational arguments, facts, etc., to support your claims about attention and hope.

2. Please list the things that he did for the rural Thais that would fall in the category of deep, wide, solid structural reforms aimed specifically at building a fairer Thailand and which gave the rural Thais a real opportunity to actually really have a better quality of life.

And please don't list handouts, that's not the answer.

Over to you.

Edited February 19, 2010 by scorecard

[jayboy]

"He gave them attention and hope". Can never agree with this, he bought their votes and their emotions, nothing more than that.

You are wrong.Even his political enemies accept Thaksin gave rural Thais attention and hope.If you are in error on what is undisputable your other points won't be taken seriously I'm afraid

OK, so:

1. Quote some examples of his political opponents saying that he gave rural Thais attention and hope. And perhaps you would like to give some rational arguments, facts, etc., to support your claims about attention and hope.

2. Please list the things that he did for the rural Thais that would fall in the category of deep, wide, solid structural reforms aimed specifically at building a fairer Thailand and which gave the rural Thais a real opportunity to actually really have a better quality of life.

And please don't list handouts, that's not the answer.

Over to you.

As to your points:

1.Why on earth do you think that the current Government is preserving and in some cases enhancing Thaksin's policies towards the rural majority? Thaksin changed the game plan forever.

2.You miss the point completely.I made no claims for the benefits of the "populist" policies.As it happens I think they made less of a contribution than some supporters maintain.What is utterly indisputable however is that Thaksin took the majority of Thais seriously, and in doing so challenged the feudalists, their military goons, the lazy corporate monopolists and assorted middle class dupes.Was he corrupt and greedy himself? Yes of course.