Thaksin Passes The Point Of No Return : Anand

[webfact]

ASIA TIMES ONLINE

Thaksin passes the point of no return : Anand

BANGKOK: -- It is beyond point of no return for ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra, judging from his words and actions, former Prime Minister Anand Panyarachun said.

In an exclusive interview with Asia Times online, Anand expressed doubts on Thaksin's strategy in the past two years.

"I don't see much prospect of his return. I'm not quite sure his strategy is a correct one. He's a personable guy.

I have no problems in dealing with him, but in the past two years he has been perceived, rightly or wrongly, to have gone beyond the point of return in terms of his rhetoric, in terms of his actions," Anand said.

Anand said Thaksin's strategy did not work with Thai people as in many people's views, he is corrupt person and has flaws in his character.

"To situate himself outside the country and start inciting insurrection in the country, I don't think it goes down well," Anand said.

He also said in the interview with Asia Times online that holding new elections would help to resolve the country's escalating political crisis, but not be a cure-all.

Commenting on the red shirts' ongoing protests, Anand said they must be bankrupt of ideas and there is no leadership. Their present leaders who Anand said had no credibility used rhetoric all the time.

Full Interview: Asia Times Online

-- The Nation 2010-03-24

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[hammered]

Interesting and usually when he speaks worth analysing. This one is worth reading in full imho for some of the stuff not quoted

[warfie]

I'm not quite sure his strategy is a correct one.

I'm not quite sure if "strategy" is a term which can be applied....

[Jerrytheyoung]

Do agree with most of the analysis concerning Thaksin. however it is a dynamic situation which may evolve as the Pandora box is open... going to tough days....

[hammered]

Do agree with most of the analysis concerning Thaksin. however it is a dynamic situation which may evolve as the Pandora box is open... going to tough days....

The intersting part of this is that is it just analysis? When Anand speaks a lot of people listen and this interview includes a lot of sense but also a lot of stuff that different sides could grasp at. The Thaksin isnt returning bit is only one part, but so is the acknowledgement of red complaints. The bit about the miliatry is interesting too as is the stuff about the institution.

[Rinrada]

He would say that....

[SomTumTiger]

From the article, it is easy to see why Anand is one of the most respected figures in Thai society. Clear, levelheaded, direct, open, and polite. Everything that Thaksin is not. We need more of him, and less of PTP/new money elite idiots.

[Insight]

"ad-hocracy"

[animatic]

My favortie quote in this

... Despite the UDD's and Thaksin's criticisms and calls for "true democracy",

Anand believes that Thailand will continue to muddle through with its particular brand of democracy,

which he describes loosely as an "ad-hocracy" where politicians improvise and "roll with the punches".

Now THAT is a quotable little bit.

[Payboy]

He would say that....

From the same article....

Anand Panyarachun epitomizes the ammataya, or aristocratic elite

[Jimmu]

His analysis of Thaksin's position whilst interesting and in the main fairly accurate is one thing. The propaganda nearing the end of the article ,however, is disappointing! An independent kingdom for nearly 800 years... What utter nonsense. Continually cultivating this myth only highlights how weak the position of the political classes truly is!

[antony77]

He would say that....

From the same article....

Anand Panyarachun epitomizes the ammataya, or aristocratic elite

better them than the redshirts led by Chalerm and Chavalit.

[moresomekl]

Khun Anand is a very wise person .

In my opinion his views about Thaksin and what early election would do

sums it up .

What in my view Thailand needs is a strong executive

branch , entirely separated from the legislative branch (current elected parliament)

backed by a strong system of checks and balance answerable to HM .

Then the PM elected by all the people directly has time (3-4 years) to

do his job for the country without constant disruption by MP switching loyalties

17 coups since WWII , only one PM that could accomplish a full term

ppl in the street claiming that this or that governement is not legally elected

right or wrong , all these would stop

The system of Constitutional monarchy does not put a constrain on how

the governement respective branches work or are elected .

The british model may work in UK , it has not worked well

in Thailand .

But then maybe i miss something .

Edited March 24, 2010 by moresomekl

[Samuian]

Do agree with most of the analysis concerning Thaksin. however it is a dynamic situation which may evolve as the Pandora box is open... going to tough days....

The intersting part of this is that is it just analysis? When Anand speaks a lot of people listen and this interview includes a lot of sense but also a lot of stuff that different sides could grasp at. The Thaksin isnt returning bit is only one part, but so is the acknowledgement of red complaints. The bit about the miliatry is interesting too as is the stuff about the institution.

Very thai'ish.... but with one issue he has been very clear: "the doors are closed"!

And the fugitive lost any credibilty and respect in very important circles....

was imho the most important essence of the message!

[moresomekl]

He would say that....

From the same article....

Anand Panyarachun epitomizes the ammataya, or aristocratic elite

better them than the redshirts led by Chalerm and Chavalit.

Yes he is a patriot

[Jingthing]

Yes, the reds clearly need new, intelligent leadership and they need to make it clear that Thaksin may be in their hearts but he is never coming back to leadership or Thailand, except if he chooses to face the jail system. That is their problem. They both don't seem to have the leadership or the will to face reality. I also totally agree that Thaksin is clearly surrounded by YESMEN who tell him what he wants to hear. This is a common problem for leaders with his style of psychological problems.

[moresomekl]

Do agree with most of the analysis concerning Thaksin. however it is a dynamic situation which may evolve as the Pandora box is open... going to tough days....

The intersting part of this is that is it just analysis? When Anand speaks a lot of people listen and this interview includes a lot of sense but also a lot of stuff that different sides could grasp at. The Thaksin isnt returning bit is only one part, but so is the acknowledgement of red complaints. The bit about the miliatry is interesting too as is the stuff about the institution.

Very thai'ish.... but with one issue he has been very clear: "the doors are closed"!

And the fugitive lost any credibilty and respect in very important circles....

was imho the most important essence of the message!

The fugitive has been promoting violence according to US communication intercept .

What do you expect ?

[OzMick]

the government model suggested by Khun Moresomeki would do little to sooth the red shirts belief that the government is made up of elites - or have I missed a US president in the last 50 years who was not a millionaire? and I only draw the line at 50 because I'm not sure about Eisenhower.

[webfact]

Former PM Comments on Red Shirt Rally in Interview with Asia Times

In an interview with a foreign news correspondent, former Prime Minister Anand Panyarachun claimed that the issues raised by the red-shirts are valid, but not without a hidden agenda.

The Asia Times Website has published an article called “A royalist speaks in Thailand”.

The article is based on an interview with former Prime Minister Anand Panyarachun. While the author of the article has called Anand, a royalist, the red-shirts have labeled him an “aristocrat”.

In the article, Anand made comments regarding the ongoing red-shirt rally. Anand said that the red-shirt protesters are bankrupt of ideas and that their movement lacks true leadership.

The former prime minister also explained that the red-shirt leaders use rhetoric. He also noted that the current leaders lack creditability while Thaksin's more credible affiliates have remained silent.

Anand also claimed that during the past several years, Thaksin has been surrounding himself with only the people within his circle, which consists of people who worship Thaksin and those who have their own personal agenda.

He also said it's possible that Thaksin is being misled from listening to one-sided stories from these people, who have promised him a decisive battle.

Regarding the red-shirts' true objective, Anand believes some of the their grievances are valid, but that these social problems, such as the disparity between rich and poor, have also existed in other democratic nations for a long time.

Many other democratic governments also struggle to address these problems, suggesting the existing of such problems doesn't mean Thailand is being governed by amataya or bureaucracy polity.

Anand also believes the red-shirts have a hidden agenda as they are trying to turn their political struggle into a “class war”, but he believes this will not work for Thailand.

When asked about Thaksin's chance of returning to Thailand, Anand claimed Thaksin may have been using the wrong strategy despite being a charismatic figure, and the rhetoric he has been using over the past few years has passed the point of no return.

-- Tan Network 2010-03-24

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[MaiDong]

I've just been told by my wife that her family in the country is being told, by the red tv channel(whatver that is) that villagers are being told they will receive B500,000 if thaksin returns to thailand, they all believe it too <snip>

The lies are becoming a joke but the villagers still believe everything the red channel is spouting, worrying.

Thaksin has passed the point of no return in my eyes.

[rreddin]

Do agree with most of the analysis concerning Thaksin. however it is a dynamic situation which may evolve as the Pandora box is open... going to tough days....

The intersting part of this is that is it just analysis? When Anand speaks a lot of people listen and this interview includes a lot of sense but also a lot of stuff that different sides could grasp at. The Thaksin isnt returning bit is only one part, but so is the acknowledgement of red complaints. The bit about the miliatry is interesting too as is the stuff about the institution.

Very thai'ish.... but with one issue he has been very clear: "the doors are closed"!

And the fugitive lost any credibilty and respect in very important circles....

was imho the most important essence of the message!

The fugitive has been promoting violence according to US communication intercept .

What do you expect ?

This last part explains why, in this neck of the woods, there has been growing resentment of the US of late. Note, there is no resentment against individual Americans. It is directed against the US "state", which is perceived as opposing their (red shirt) aspirations.

[yoshiwara]

This last part explains why, in this neck of the woods, there has been growing resentment of the US of late. Note, there is no resentment against individual Americans. It is directed against the US "state", which is perceived as opposing their (red shirt) aspirations.

The violent aspirations one presumes.

Anti-Americanism is always a good number for corrupt populists.

So now the reds are anti-US and anti-gay and what's next on the menu?

Edited March 24, 2010 by yoshiwara

[elcent]

There is where the main problems are ... He was very neutral in this interview and admitted that some pleas are legitimate but then ...

"We have become overly obsessed, this fixation with personal politics," said Anand. "In Asian culture, particularly in Thailand, everything is personal. And that's not good for democracy."

They must be bankrupt of ideas. And there's no leadership. These three or four guys (UDD leaders Jatuporn Promphan, Nattawut Saikua, Veera Musikhapong) use rhetoric all the time. They have no credibility. Some of the more credible figures in Thaksin's camp never came out.

[Roota]

Yes he is a patriot

And the most reluctant of PMs and one of the best. We should be grateful he's still around during the current mess to provide some much needed wisdom.

[moresomekl]

Yes he is a patriot

And the most reluctant of PMs and one of the best. We should be grateful he's still around during the current mess to provide some much needed wisdom.

I concurr

[Tokay]

Are the red shirts still at it? Someone just let them have their way so the yellow shirts can take their place. Can't wait.

[hammered]

Are the red shirts still at it? Someone just let them have their way so the yellow shirts can take their place. Can't wait.

Funny thing today in Chonburi someone commented to me they had after a few days picked up a paper and noticed the red shirts are still around. There are quite a few people now avoiding news sources bored by it all

[onlooker]

Is this the same Anand as the one who was installed by Gen Suchinda as a civilian PM after the coup in the early 90s? And the same one who then awarded a multi billion baht concession to Telecom Asia (now True). The same Telecom Asia that made Gen Suchinda its Chairman when he was outed from power.

Obviously no conflicts of interest or favouritism there then.

[Junglejerk]

I wish Taksin won't return to Thailand anymore. BTW, my SIN boss like him very much..poor..

I think I'm gonna quit working with him.

Edited March 24, 2010 by Junglejerk

[Samuian]

I wish Taksin won't return to Thailand anymore. BTW, my SIN boss like him very much..poor..

I think I'm gonna quit working with him.

Carved from the same wood.... if it's lucrative, there is no morale, if it is very lucrative, no law,

no nothing.... not even pride, self esteem, nor dignity money does cover for all of this lack!