Thaksin, Supporters Vow To Fight Thai Verdict

[george]

Thaksin, supporters vow to fight Thai verdict

BANGKOK: -- (AFP) - Thailand's fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his supporters vowed Saturday to fight back against a court order seizing more than half of his 2.3-billion-dollar fortune.

Thaksin, who was toppled in a coup in 2006, rejected calls from the ruling party to leave the political stage and dismissed their arguments that a compromise had been struck by returning a portion of his frozen funds.

His supporters, dubbed the "Red Shirts" for their colourful garb, said they would press on with their plans for mass rallies in Bangkok in mid-March, dimming hopes that the verdict could ease Thailand's political turmoil.

"I'm not going to let anyone keep me down. I will fight in every way that I can. I will not chicken out," Thaksin wrote on his Twitter page Saturday.

In a separate statement issued from Dubai, where he is living to avoid a two-year jail term for corruption at home, the tycoon urged the Red Shirts to fight on and said he would "keep fighting for democracy and justice."

The ruling Democrat party said Thaksin should accept the verdict and stop egging on his supporters, who have called for fresh elections and the resignation of current Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.

"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," Theptai Seanapong, a party spokesman, told reporters.

Abhisit, the Oxford-educated premier accused by the Red Shirts of leading an elitist, military-backed government since he took power in December 2008, rejected Thaksin's accusation that his family's money had been "stolen".

"I don't think we're stealing anyone's money. The money now belongs to the country... I would like everybody to respect the verdict," Abhisit told reporters.

The Supreme Court found Friday that Thaksin had abused his power as prime minister to boost his business interests and ruled to seize 46 billion baht (1.4 billion dollars) from the 2006 sale of shares in his telecoms firm.

In a seven-hour verdict broadcast on national television and radio, judges said the twice-elected former leader could hold on to the money he had accumulated before taking office in 2001.

Thaksin denied that he had used his position as head of government to benefit Shin Corp and that he had illegally hid his ownership of the shares, among other graft charges.

His lawyers Saturday said they would consider submitting fresh evidence to the Supreme Court within 30 days and would mull an appeal to the World Court.

The Red Shirts have said they will gather from March 12 in Bangkok to topple the government, leading many to fear a reprisal of scenes last April when riots at an Asian summit and in the capital left two people dead and scores injured.

"I would like to tell the Democrats: don't be so jubilant about the misfortune of a man who has been treated unjustly," Red Shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan said Saturday.

"Thai society will not accept those who tread on the unfortunate."

Authorities deployed up to 35,000 extra security forces across the country for the verdict but there was no sign of trouble from the Red Shirts, who have insisted they will continue their movement without violence.

The court case goes to the heart of 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 Abhisit's government of failing to heed their problems.

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.

Abhisit now heads a fragile six-party coalition that analysts say has clung to power only with the wavering support of the powerful military. He took power after a court verdict drove Thaksin's allies from government.

-- ©Copyright AFP 2010-02-27

Published with written approval from AFP.

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[frodo]

In short, Thaksin is nothing but a habitual liar. His statements yesterday, totally contradict what he says today. Pathological and selfish liar.

His words, "I will not chicken out." His words are 100% meaningless. A chicken runs and hides, and the shoe fits perfectly. A coward and a liar. Pathetic.

[Phil Conners]

It's a new message every day.

[eldar1]

What possible significant new evidence could they have that they did not have before ? Maybe they will go for the evil twin brother defense;

"Your honour, we the defense would like to submit new evidence to the court, we have reason to believe that it was not our client who committed these act but it was his evil twin brother spongebob squarehead"

[frodo]

The other online media reports that he is now looking at ways to bring all the way to the International Court of Justice. Good luck chump!

[britmaveric]

Good on the Reds, if they disagree with the verdict they should by all means fight for what they believe.

[tominbkk]

Good on the Reds, if they disagree with the verdict they should by all means fight for what they believe.

agree, can't wait to see a sea of red.....running down the street.

[Jingthing]

Good on the Reds, if they disagree with the verdict they should by all means fight for what they believe.

agree, can't wait to see a sea of red.....running down the street.

I thought it was illegal to question a Thai court verdict. As such, isn't it very outrageous for a foreigner to be whipping up revolutionary sentiments?

[tominbkk]

Good on the Reds, if they disagree with the verdict they should by all means fight for what they believe.

agree, can't wait to see a sea of red.....running down the street.

I thought it was illegal to question a Thai court verdict. As such, isn't it very outrageous for a foreigner to be whipping up revolutionary sentiments?

Hmmm, well I was trying to be sardonic, not sure about britmaveric....

[frodo]

If people agree with and accept the verdict, it doesn't mean they necessarily support PAD or any color for that matter.

Thaksin broke the law and paid the price. Not to hard to understand.

[ovenman]

Good on the Reds, if they disagree with the verdict they should by all means fight for what they believe.

agree, can't wait to see a sea of red.....running down the street.

I thought it was illegal to question a Thai court verdict. As such, isn't it very outrageous for a foreigner to be whipping up revolutionary sentiments?

I suppose it would be were he actually in Thailand.

[frodo]

Good on the Reds, if they disagree with the verdict they should by all means fight for what they believe.

agree, can't wait to see a sea of red.....running down the street.

I thought it was illegal to question a Thai court verdict. As such, isn't it very outrageous for a foreigner to be whipping up revolutionary sentiments?

Hmmm, well I was trying to be sardonic, not sure about britmaveric....

I had thought so. Many ways to read that

[ThaksinKharma]

Good on the Reds, if they disagree with the verdict they should by all means fight for what they believe.

agree, can't wait to see a sea of red.....running down the street.

I thought it was illegal to question a Thai court verdict. As such, isn't it very outrageous for a foreigner to be whipping up revolutionary sentiments?

I suppose it would be were he actually in Thailand.

He would have something in common then with Thaksin in the OP, whose fighting rhetoric sounds hollow from 4,890 km away.

quote:

In a separate statement issued from Dubai, where he is living to avoid a two-year jail term for corruption at home, the tycoon urged the Red Shirts to fight on and said he would "keep fighting for democracy and justice."

although with London being 9,540 km away, I suppose it's even that much more hollow. At these sorts of distances, it's much easier to be brave with other people's lives at stake.

[LuckyLew]

Was wondering ...

Since he is currently a fugitive from law and on the run

Will he actually get access to the money that is not

being seized?

Is the supreme court allowed to stipulate you must return

and serve your sentence then you can have your money

back?

Very funny that he says

"I am not chicken"

Said while fleeing Thailand

[neverdie]

Ohh Mr Thaksin

[britmaveric]

^actually this is far better....

[mic6ard]

Didn't he stated that he would accept the verdict wednesday/thursday? Now that it's out, he's going to fight it. What a hypocrite, make up your mind man. if he's so afraid of getting unfair treatment, then maybe apply for 'political' asylum? But then again he has the 2 years sentence that he ran out of, hanging over him. Man this is a mess. I'm a thai and I'm bored of it as a business owner, this is really killing me.

[cmdream]

Didn't he stated that he would accept the verdict wednesday/thursday? Now that it's out, he's going to fight it. What a hypocrite, make up your mind man. if he's so afraid of getting unfair treatment, then maybe apply for 'political' asylum? But then again he has the 2 years sentence that he ran out of, hanging over him. Man this is a mess. I'm a thai and I'm bored of it as a business owner, this is really killing me.

Relax, it is over for him in Thailand and he knows it. A few days of anxiety about what his supporters will do and back to normal. The Thais have seen much political turmoil over the years. Just another bump in the road to becoming a first world Nation.

[britmaveric]

The fight continues for democracy and I do think the reds will continue regardless of Khun T. Far from being a 1st world country still stuck in the mire of a 3rd world country for sometime I'm afraid.

[elshaheen]

This man is truly insane - Bi polar.

[IvanDobsky]

The fight continues for democracy and I do think the reds will continue regardless of Khun T. Far from being a 1st world country still stuck in the mire of a 3rd world country for sometime I'm afraid.

2nd world, third world would be Sudan, Afghanistan, Burma...

Didn't Khun T say that democracy was not his goal? or has he changed his mind again?

I found this interesting:

"I would like to tell the Democrats: don't be so jubilant about the misfortune of a man who has been treated unjustly," Red Shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan said Saturday.

"Thai society will not accept those who tread on the unfortunate."

So they've already developed their line of spin. The poor martyr.

Mr T changes his mind more often than my wife does in a shoe shop. Last week, he was going to accept the verdict but now?? Retire from politics? Right.

[geriatrickid]

This man is truly insane - Bi polar.

And your qualifications to diagnose mental illness are? If you have access to his medical dossier and you have "shared" it, then you have committed a criminal and civil offense.

Feeling important are you? How would you feel if I accused you of being a pervert? It wouldn't be very nice would it?

If you disagree with Mr. Thaksin or if you dislike him, that's one thing, but it is quite another to make an unfounded statement intended to malign someone. You demean those that struggle with the illness or that have to deal with those that have it. Grow up.

[Cnxforever]

What possible significant new evidence could they have that they did not have before ? Maybe they will go for the evil twin brother defense;

"Your honour, we the defense would like to submit new evidence to the court, we have reason to believe that it was not our client who committed these act but it was his evil twin brother spongebob squarehead"

Why don't all of you Thaksin bashers educate yourself before you post here - it is really getting boring reading all those replies without the posters even bothering to find out what really happened.

Thaksins entire defense is publicly posted for evereyone to read on his website www.thaksinlive.com - if you read it you can then discuss the FACTS - and not rumors and the propaganda of his enemies.

You can also read his life story there and then you will understand why the poor Thais love him - because he and his family had to struggle to survive as millions of Thais do today.

Read the story of a little boy who got up every morning at 5 to help his parents sell coffee and clothes before going to school - and compare him to his enemies who have mostly been born stinking rich by stealing from the Thai people for hundreds of years.

If you read his story you will understand why he was making money available through village funds and you will understand his other populist policies - because he knows first hand that if you are poor in Thailand you get nothing!

Read it and then you can make up your mind and comment here. Read a certain Duncan McCargo document on the Thai elite on google and then comment here if you like.

Read and if you agree with me please pass on the information to others so we can all make an open minded informed decission.

This is the age of the internet you can get real infomation out there not the news the anti democratic propaganda machine has churned out for the last 50 years in this country!

[britmaveric]

Lot of people have an illness known as Khun T derangement syndrome. At the end of the day I am sure he has done no worse a job then any other thai politician. Maybe this is a new start, however let's see what happens to the cases with the PAD. This will tell us a lot about whether this was indeed political or indeed about corruption.

[frodo]

The fight continues for democracy and I do think the reds will continue regardless of Khun T. Far from being a 1st world country still stuck in the mire of a 3rd world country for sometime I'm afraid.

Didn't Khun T say that democracy was not his goal? or has he changed his mind again?

Mr T changes his mind more often than my wife does in a shoe shop. Last week, he was going to accept the verdict but now?? Retire from politics? Right.

You got that right.

I accept the verdict. I don't accept the verdict.

No more politics. I'm back to politics.

Democracy is not my goal. I'm the champion of democracy.

The courts are fair...he won (2001). The courts are exploited...he lost (2010)

The UN is not my father. I will take this to the UN International Court of Justice.

Nothing but a dizzy drama queen.

[ThaksinKharma]

The fight continues for democracy and I do think the reds will continue regardless of Khun T. Far from being a 1st world country still stuck in the mire of a 3rd world country for sometime I'm afraid.

Didn't Khun T say that democracy was not his goal? or has he changed his mind again?

Mr T changes his mind more often than my wife does in a shoe shop. Last week, he was going to accept the verdict but now?? Retire from politics? Right.

You got that right.

I accept the verdict. I don't accept the verdict.

No more politics. I'm back to politics.

Democracy is not my goal. I'm the champion of democracy.

The courts are fair...he won (2001). The courts are exploited...he lost (2010)

The UN is not my father. I will take this to the UN International Court of Justice.

Nothing but a dizzy drama queen.

Indeed he is perplexing.

His constantly changing statements.... often to extreme polar opposites...

Could easily make many people believe he does have bipolar disorder as over the years he has displayed quite a few of its classic symptoms.

Although he would require a clinician to officially certify that, it certainly is suggestive that somethings not quite right in that rather uniquely-shaped head of his.

[eldar1]

Why don't all of you Thaksin bashers educate yourself before you post here - it is really getting boring reading all those replies without the posters even bothering to find out what really happened.

Thaksins entire defense is publicly posted for evereyone to read on his website www.thaksinlive.com - if you read it you can then discuss the FACTS - and not rumors and the propaganda of his enemies.

You can also read his life story there and then you will understand why the poor Thais love him - because he and his family had to struggle to survive as millions of Thais do today.

Read the story of a little boy who got up every morning at 5 to help his parents sell coffee and clothes before going to school - and compare him to his enemies who have mostly been born stinking rich by stealing from the Thai people for hundreds of years.

If you read his story you will understand why he was making money available through village funds and you will understand his other populist policies - because he knows first hand that if you are poor in Thailand you get nothing!

Read it and then you can make up your mind and comment here. Read a certain Duncan McCargo document on the Thai elite on google and then comment here if you like.

Read and if you agree with me please pass on the information to others so we can all make an open minded informed decission.

This is the age of the internet you can get real infomation out there not the news the anti democratic propaganda machine has churned out for the last 50 years in this country!

i know this is a flamebait, but none the less i will hazard a reply.

First of all the website you provide is a propaganda site and therefore inherently contains hardly any factual information at all.

Thaksin did NOT come from a poor family, his farther owned serveral businesses and was an MP, they might not have been a rich as they are now, but they were definitely well to do.

This kind of mutes the nice little ancedote about getting up at 5 to help his poor family before going to school.

Populist policies of giving money to the poor are just that, populist and nothing more, a politician uses them to become popular and for no other reason.

while it is true that the poor in thailand have always been used and abused, just because you give them a proverbial bone does not make you a saint. If that were the case then a certain man by the name of pablo escobar would have to be one too. Pablo the most infamous drug kingpin in history who started the current nacro terrorism policy "plata o plomo" (silver or bullets) donated vast sums of money to the poor as well but he can hardly considered a saint.

Most of the people here that are anti-thaksin are not anti-poor, i'm sure we would all like to help them as much as we can, just because we hate the man does not mean we hate the poor. Besides IHMO thaksin was just using the plight of the poor for the glory of himself, which might actually be worse than what the "elites"do.

[eldar1]

^ they did have "their shot" back in April of last year when they ran amok in Bangkok, trying to blow up king power (unsuccessfully) and using burning buses as unguided missiles. so if you follow the tit-for-tat rule, it's the yellows turn to disrupt the country again

[Sarge]

not quite, the terrorists in yellow did manage to bring down an elected government, the UDD movement is still work in progress. Nothing less than Abhisit removal from power will do

[Cnxforever]

"First of all the website you provide is a propaganda site and therefore inherently contains hardly any factual information at all."

I hardly think so - the defense listed there is the official defense from his layers used in in the supreme Court.

"Thaksin did NOT come from a poor family, his farther owned serveral businesses and was an MP, they might not have been a rich as they are now, but they were definitely well to do."

Who gave you that idea?? His father did not have the education to become an MP - if you read thaksins story you will exactly know what he did - but you are to blinded by your hatred of him to even try to find the truth! go to San kampheng and talk to old people who know his family a long time - they will tell you the truth.

"This kind of mutes the nice little ancedote about getting up at 5 to help his poor family before going to school. "

at least he knows where he comes from and I admire somebody who becomes a business tycoon and PM of his country from such humble beginnings - all i sence from you is envy and jelousy.

"Populist policies of giving money to the poor are just that, populist and nothing more, a politician uses them to become popular and for no other reason. "

So Abhisit trying to be a cheap copy of Thaksin - starting off his premier ship with nothing but populist policies - shoveling out money is fine?? The Thais I know told me when they handed out billions in the form of 2000 baht - and that not to the really needy - the Thais called it a "sticky tape on peoples mouth" - we staged a coup took over and now we are paying you off to shut you up. Most Thais are not as stupid as you think!