Thailand On Alert As Thaksin Fans Weigh Fortune Seizure

[webfact]

Thailand on alert as Thaksin fans weigh fortune seizure

BANGKOK: -- (AFP) - Thailand was on alert for civil unrest Saturday as loyal fans of ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra weighed a court ruling that seized more than half his 2.3-billion-dollar fortune a day earlier.

Some 150 riot police stood guard outside the country's top court that on Friday stripped the fugitive tycoon of the money they said he had accumulated by abusing his power as prime minister.

Thousands of other security personnel manned checkpoints and key buildings around Bangkok despite commentators saying the court's verdict was an apparent compromise aimed at avoiding violence.

"We are ready for any situation," said senior police officer Weerawith Chanchamroen.

After reading out a seven-hour verdict broadcast on national television and radio, the judges said the government should seize 46 billion baht (1.4 billion dollars) of the assets from the sale of Thaksin's telecoms firm.

But they said the twice-elected former leader, who was removed from office in a coup in 2006, could hold on to the money he had already accumulated before taking office in 2001.

Thaksin, who lives abroad to avoid a two-year jail term for corruption at home, said in a video speech from exile in Dubai that he was the "political martyr" of a conspiracy to remove him from politics.

Police stations throughout the country held a joint video conference on Saturday as they watched for signs of trouble, but no incidents had yet been reported, said a Bangkok police spokesman.

Thaksin's supporters, dubbed the "Red Shirts" for the colour they wear, have vowed to press ahead with plans to rally from March 12 in Bangkok, but his political allies Saturday promised peaceful action.

"We can protest but peacefully. It's not only the duty of the party but everyone to fight for justice," said Chavalit Yongchaiyuth, chairman of the Thaksin-allied Puea Thai party.

Red Shirt riots at an Asian summit and in Bangkok in April 2009 left two people dead and scores injured.

The ruling Democrat party appealed to Thaksin to leave the political fray.

"Every side should accept the verdict. We want to ask Thaksin to quit the political movement, because if he quits the Red Shirts will quit too," said party spokesman Theptai Seanapong at a press conference.

Thousands of troops and police were deployed across the country in the build-up to Friday's verdict.

The government had applied for the seizure of the proceeds from the sale of shares owned by Thaksin and his family in his Shin Corp telecoms giant, which was bought by Singapore-based Temasek holdings in January 2006.

The judges said in the ruling that Thaksin had used his power to benefit Shin Corp and illegally hid his ownership of the shares, among other graft charges.

The case goes to the heart of societal rifts that have dogged Thailand since the coup.

The Red Shirts, largely from Thaksin's stronghold in the nation's poor north and northeast, loved his populist policies and accuse the current government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva of being an unelected elite.

The tycoon's opponents in the Bangkok-based circles around the palace, military and bureaucracy accuse Thaksin of being corrupt, dictatorial and of threatening Thailand's widely revered monarchy.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-02-27

Published with written approval from AFP.

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[george]

NationChannel24 reports:

Security has been increased in inner Bangkok after the Court ruled to seize Thaksin Shinawatra’s 46-billion-THB assets.

-- The Nation 2010-02-27

[oceano]

NationChannel24 reports:

Security has been increased in inner Bangkok after the Court ruled to seize Thaksin Shinawatra’s 46-billion-THB assets.

-- The Nation 2010-02-27

Geoge may i ask to you what you think will happen in the future?

I think you have more knowledge than all of us about all this.

[Insight]

from the viewpoint of a self-proclaimed ex-commie.

Right On! Heaven forbid that they should have a different viewpoint to your own. The sheer audacity!

mca, check out this gem of a paragraph in the aforementioned article

The anti-Thaksin yellow shirt protesters who helped usher in the current government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejajiva openly spoke of wanting a new system where some people's votes counted for more than others.

How open to misinterpretation is that one? It could at least do with a comma or two.

[george]

NationChannel24 reports:

Security has been increased in inner Bangkok after the Court ruled to seize Thaksin Shinawatra’s 46-billion-THB assets.

-- The Nation 2010-02-27

Geoge may i ask to you what you think will happen in the future?

I think you have more knowledge than all of us about all this.

Time will tell, but better to be safe than sorry.

[yoshiwara]

The reds are now a broken force with Thaksin. They cannot exist without him and they cannot continue with him. The legal cases against Thaksin will now come one after another. Thaksin will lose if he goes down the violence route (again + been there done that) and it is just as likely he will plead for reconciliation, not that the establishment are ever going to fall for that one. One thing is for sure is that no party associated with, or campaigning for criminal Thaksin will be allowed to run in 2011. The reds either go independent or go down with the master. In short no option for them as they have no alternative head. Finished.

[LivinLOS]

The anti-Thaksin yellow shirt protesters who helped usher in the current government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejajiva openly spoke of wanting a new system where some people's votes counted for more than others.

How open to misinterpretation is that one? It could at least do with a comma or two.

I am reading the OP and dont see this statement..

Where do you mean ??

[johncitizen]

The Reds aren't any worse off because of this- as Thaksin's assets were seized, neither he nor they had access to them. You Sondhi lovers might want to remember that next time you accuse the UDD of "being on Thaksin's payroll." Paid with what? Monopoly money?

If anything, they'll come out of this stronger, and less willing to work within Abhisit's so-called "rule-of-law" than ever.

[ballpoint]

The Red Shirts, largely from Thaksin's stronghold in Thailand's impoverished north and northeast, loved his populist policies and accuse the current government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva of being an unelected elite.

The tycoon's opponents in the Bangkok-based circles around the palace, military and bureaucracy accuse Thaksin of being corrupt, dictatorial and of threatening Thailand's widely revered monarchy.

Fair and balanced? Most of Thaksin's supporters are poor, all of his opponents are associated with the palace, military and bureaucracy? What is is about him that makes most western news media want to distort the truth, or print down right lies, favouring him?

[givenall]

Both Yellow and Red were party of Money and have no political affiliations. The romance of both will diaper slowly in near future. They power to be has shown who is in charge and neither Yellows’ nor Reds’ are part of the power scheme in Thailand.

Adn I will not miss them at all

[tooninthai]

The anti-Thaksin yellow shirt protesters who helped usher in the current government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejajiva openly spoke of wanting a new system where some people's votes counted for more than others.

How open to misinterpretation is that one? It could at least do with a comma or two.

I am reading the OP and dont see this statement..

Where do you mean ??

Exactly. Where?

There is no mention of that in the topic or the wording in the OP on this topic. Is this more inflammatory, out of context rabble rousing?

Seems to me things are bad enough in this country without more talk like that. And it is bad enough that the media keep doing it.

[george]

Private sector believes peaceful protests won’t disrupt Thai economy

BANGKOK: -- Thailand’s private sector is optimistic that only peaceful rallies which will be held next month by anti-government protesters following Friday’s verdict given by the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions to seize the assets of fugitive, ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will not negatively affect national economy, according to leading businessmen.

Payungsak Chartsuthipol, vice president of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), said impact on the country’s economy would be minimal if no violence takes place during rallies next month. Industrial operators are now watching only on safety of their plants and employees.

Mr Payungsak said foreign investors are now concerned that Thai political turbulence on a short-term basis might affect their investment plans in this country on a long-term basis.

The global economy, he said, has started to recover. Coupled with a steadily increase in domestic consumption and rising prices of agricultural produce are expected to help expand the Thai economy this year, probably higher than a forecast projected by the Thai government.

Pornsil Patchrintanakul, deputy secretary-general of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said that plans by the anti-government United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) to rally in the capital on March 12 “could be tolerated by the private sector if it is peaceful. Violent demonstrations will negatively impact the Thai economy which is in the process of recovering.

"The economy, especially the tourism industry," Mr Pornsil said, "will be most severely impacted”.

The UDD leaders announced that their supporters nationwide will rally in Bangkok beginning March 12, claiming that one million persons will the protest at Sanam Luang on the morning of March 14 to oust the Abhisit Vejjajiva government from office.

The planned rally follows the Court action Friday on Bt46 billion of seized assets from Mr. Thaksin from the entire Bt76.6 billion in his frozen assets as they were “accumulated as ill-gotten gains”.

The judges said the remaining assets valued at Bt30.2 billion will be returned to Mr Thaksin and his ex-wife Pojaman na Pombejra for the sake of fairness as the Court agreed they were acquired before Mr. Thaksin became prime minister in 2001.

Thanawat Palavichai, director of University of Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC) Economic and Business Forecast Centre, said many people are watching to see whether any violence occur in the March 12 rally.

“People are slowing down spending on everything, including buying new houses, due to political uncertainties”, said Mr Thanawat.

-- TNA 2010-02-27

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[IvanDobsky]

The Reds aren't any worse off because of this- as Thaksin's assets were seized, neither he nor they had access to them. You Sondhi lovers might want to remember that next time you accuse the UDD of "being on Thaksin's payroll." Paid with what? Monopoly money?

If anything, they'll come out of this stronger, and less willing to work within Abhisit's so-called "rule-of-law" than ever.

If it wasn't just a one-man show, it would be credible.

"You Sondhi lovers" lmao

[SomTumTiger]

The Reds aren't any worse off because of this- as Thaksin's assets were seized, neither he nor they had access to them. You Sondhi lovers might want to remember that next time you accuse the UDD of "being on Thaksin's payroll." Paid with what? Monopoly money?

If anything, they'll come out of this stronger, and less willing to work within Abhisit's so-called "rule-of-law" than ever.

Ahhhh, the "Thaksin is a Victim" brigade has finally arrived. With their tired old "if your not red then your yellow" argument. And then the "Thaksin doesn't have any money" argument. I suppose Monopoly money paid for that private jet he flys around in. What a nub.

[Insight]

The anti-Thaksin yellow shirt protesters who helped usher in the current government of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejajiva openly spoke of wanting a new system where some people's votes counted for more than others.

How open to misinterpretation is that one? It could at least do with a comma or two.

I am reading the OP and dont see this statement..

Where do you mean ??

Exactly. Where?

There is no mention of that in the topic or the wording in the OP on this topic. Is this more inflammatory, out of context rabble rousing?

Seems to me things are bad enough in this country without more talk like that. And it is bad enough that the media keep doing it.

The quote isn't from the OP, it was from a BBC opinion piece on the verdict. The discussion surrounding it was started on a previous thread.

I highlighted it because I thought it was unusually poorly written given the source. When I first scanned passed it I thought the sentence began at the words "Prime Minister".

[Moonrakers]

The Reds aren't any worse off because of this- as Thaksin's assets were seized, neither he nor they had access to them. You Sondhi lovers might want to remember that next time you accuse the UDD of "being on Thaksin's payroll." Paid with what? Monopoly money?

If anything, they'll come out of this stronger, and less willing to work within Abhisit's so-called "rule-of-law" than ever.

You think that Thaksin has no other money than this? 

[hhgz]

"The collective mood of the 30 or so red shirts...was one of resignation, anger and defiance."

Wow, a front page story based on 30 people - where are the other 29,970 that we were expecting? The big difference: the 30 people didn't receive anything, and the others were waiting for their pay.

[slapout]

If the remainder is to be reimbursed to T and the ex, how is it to be divided between these two representatives of the virtuous family. What about the tax man, other creditors who want a slice, as well as those who loaned money to the cause while awaiting the windfall of returned monies which may be legally questioned. May be a long Que and slow moving, especially if the monies are routed through the defendants hands.

[eldar1]

The UDD leaders announced that their supporters nationwide will rally in Bangkok beginning March 12, claiming that one million persons will the protest at Sanam Luang on the morning of March 14 to oust the Abhisit Vejjajiva government from office.

I'm betting that this rally will never happen, it's been postponed from march 1st to the 12th and probably will be postponed once again and then cancelled. In my honest opinion the red shirt have less than 10,000 followers left and the leadership deep down knows that, but they just can't really admit it to themselves. All this talk about million man marches and bringing down the goverment in 7 days is just them having drunk too much of their own kool-aid.

The media should help the red shirts accept the fact that they backed the wrong corrupt horse and move on by just not paying attention to the last remaining vestiges of this once powerful movement.

[Thailand]

Time for those elections now that Thaksin's will and that of the red shirts is broken as confirmed by a number of knowledgeable posters-don't hold your breath.

[lazygourmet]

I was hanging around in Sanam Luang this afternoon, while my guests were visiting The Grand Palace...

Except a deserted -minimalist- stage, the only traces of red color I have seen there, where empty cans of Coke on the grounds.

[Ricardo]

The Reds aren't any worse off because of this- as Thaksin's assets were seized, neither he nor they had access to them. You Sondhi lovers might want to remember that next time you accuse the UDD of "being on Thaksin's payroll." Paid with what? Monopoly money?

If anything, they'll come out of this stronger, and less willing to work within Abhisit's so-called "rule-of-law" than ever.

So you don't believe Thaksin's own claims, that he has hundreds of millions of dollars, off-shore ? Nor do I ... I think it's probably billions, but who will ever know, certainly not the Thai tax-man.

[BigC]

The Reds aren't any worse off because of this- as Thaksin's assets were seized, neither he nor they had access to them. You Sondhi lovers might want to remember that next time you accuse the UDD of "being on Thaksin's payroll." Paid with what? Monopoly money?

If anything, they'll come out of this stronger, and less willing to work within Abhisit's so-called "rule-of-law" than ever.

You think that Thaksin has no other money than this? 

taksin get 18 milliom per month from GSM and other businesses why can't he settle down with what he has got. there againn the super rick makes problems not because they need to just because they can and they are bored

[thaiedward]

The Reds aren't any worse off because of this- as Thaksin's assets were seized, neither he nor they had access to them. You Sondhi lovers might want to remember that next time you accuse the UDD of "being on Thaksin's payroll." Paid with what? Monopoly money?

If anything, they'll come out of this stronger, and less willing to work within Abhisit's so-called "rule-of-law" than ever.

You think that Thaksin has no other money than this?

taksin get 18 milliom per month from GSM and other businesses why can't he settle down with what he has got. there againn the super rick makes problems not because they need to just because they can and they are bored

I agree. It's the irrational greed that I don't understand! Are the super-rich simply disappointed by the notion that they share the same, inevitable fate as all mankind: i.e., sharing common space with the proletariat in some afterlife, parallel universe?

[SomTumTiger]

Time for those elections now that Thaksin's will and that of the red shirts is broken as confirmed by a number of knowledgeable posters-don't hold your breath.

No reason to have elections - government is governing, coalition is stable. That, in and of itself, must drive the Reds crazy. As they are the only ones calling for a new round, it's easy to see which horse "Thailand" is backing. To bad its the wrong one.

[mca]

So my inevitable fate is to be in a parallel universe thaiedward?

You've been drinking too much of granny's cough medicine again haven't you?

[SomTumTiger]

So my inevitable fate is to be in a parallel universe thaiedward?

You've been drinking too much of granny's cough medicine again haven't you?

I miss your Thaksin avatar mca - what happened to it?

[thaiedward]

So my inevitable fate is to be in a parallel universe thaiedward?

You've been drinking too much of granny's cough medicine again haven't you?

Your second sentence is more or less 'on the beam'. With regard to your first, may I politely inquire about your plans?

[cdnvic]

Back on topic please.

[mca]

Som Tum Tiger. As has been pointed out a while back that wasn't me. As a matter of fact I've never used an avatar on this site.

Edited February 28, 2010 by mca