France Bans Thaksin From Talking Politics

[Samuian]

Despite everything that he has done, most western countries still see Thaksin as an elected leader who was ousted by a coup. I may be wrong, but I don't think that any country will extradite him to Thailand unless he really pisses them off.

There's also the whole death penalty issue. Many countries won't extradite anyone, much less someone with a political history, when they could end up facing the death penalty. I suspect that that is why the govt. has backpedaled on his terrorism charge. A terrorism conviction could lead to the death penalty. In most European countries, an overseas death penalty is a 'get out of jail and make yourself at home' card!

Cambodia?

Myanmar?

North Korea?

Montenegro?

Nigeria?

Nicaragua?

They might and they can...up to them...

He was NOT an "elected PM" anymore@!

He wasn't!

He was a caretaker PM with a dissolved house - as in done, dissolved.. no more - over and HE did hesitate to hand in the keys..

Audience with the Head of State didn't help him to come to his senses, after he left for NY, the Security Forces moved int... to secure the house!

You may like the word I chose to sketch the event... well words, they can be transformed at will and intention!

See?

Maybe that is one of the reasons he is so mad at.... ah well'

maybe he's mad anyway...

[Thai at Heart]

Despite everything that he has done, most western countries still see Thaksin as an elected leader who was ousted by a coup. I may be wrong, but I don't think that any country will extradite him to Thailand unless he really pisses them off.

There's also the whole death penalty issue. Many countries won't extradite anyone, much less someone with a political history, when they could end up facing the death penalty. I suspect that that is why the govt. has backpedaled on his terrorism charge. A terrorism conviction could lead to the death penalty. In most European countries, an overseas death penalty is a 'get out of jail and make yourself at home' card!

Cambodia?

Myanmar?

North Korea?

Montenegro?

Nigeria?

Nicaragua?

They might and they can...up to them...

He was NOT an "elected PM" anymore@!

He wasn't!

He was a caretaker PM with a dissolved house - as in done, dissolved.. no more - over and HE did hesitate to hand in the keys..

Audience with the Head of State didn't help him to come to his senses, after he left for NY, the Security Forces moved int... to secure the house!

You may like the word I chose to sketch the event... well words, they can be transformed at will and intention!

See?

Maybe that is one of the reasons he is so mad at.... ah well'

maybe he's mad anyway...

Careful. If enough people start saying that he is insane, no one will extradite him because of diminished responsibility.

[bartlaz]

yesterday on twitter, Thaksin's daughter posted (in thai) that central world wont be a loss since most thai are too poor to shop there.

another idiot

shame on her !

there is no more Central World. What a disgrace .Shame on you people, only think about your shopping tour, your money to buy anything it thailand, even love.

never mind if hundred POOR people died protesting for they right to participate in the country's decisions, to be PART of this country.

never mind if 90% of the country is suffering working as slave for few money, can't have access to good medical care and school. never mind.

never mind

also we, "rich" farangs like thialand in this way. that's why we're here. here we look handsome and rich. We even can buy love everyday for few money.

PS: don't try to say i'm pro-thaksin. i don't people like Thaksin! I don't want he comes back. hope he stays far dorm thailand.

I'm just for the democracy and a better distributed wellness and i'm against the classism. if u live in thailand u know very well for rich people

the poor is not just poor, is a monkey. that's what i hate.

Instead of all this bleeding heart BS, why don't you tell us what policies you would like a government to implement?

You think getting rid of inequality is easy?

Why don't you acknowledge the great things Abhisit has achieved including:

Free education

Guaranteed income for farmers

transfer of loan shark loans to government banks at affordable interest rates

I could go on

U're right: getting rid of inequality it is not easy.quiet impossible, and i don't have any recipe for it, unfortunately.

even if i had it i doubt any govern would use it, especially in thailand.

Free education? Maybe the nursery. Could u be more specific about this? i see u must pay to study here. is there is something free so that institution is considered low class, for poor people, so the last. then u will be the last when u will find a job. and u know in thailand what it means.

Guaranteed free income for farmers? I've just came back from chiangmai, where i lived with farmers. they don't see any income form the govern. there are poor. and in the last years the situation is getting worse. even if the education would be free they couldn't send kids to school coz they need them to help the family as soon as possible.

so for the 2 reasons above even if there was a free education in thailand it wouldn't be an effective strategy to get rid of the inequality.

[Rainmon]

yesterday on twitter, Thaksin's daughter posted (in thai) that central world wont be a loss since most thai are too poor to shop there.

another idiot

shame on her !

there is no more Central World. What a disgrace .Shame on you people, only think about your shopping tour, your money to buy anything it thailand, even love.

never mind if hundred POOR people died protesting for they right to participate in the country's decisions, to be PART of this country.

never mind if 90% of the country is suffering working as slave for few money, can't have access to good medical care and school. never mind.

never mind

also we, "rich" farangs like thialand in this way. that's why we're here. here we look handsome and rich. We even can buy love everyday for few money.

PS: don't try to say i'm pro-thaksin. i don't people like Thaksin! I don't want he comes back. hope he stays far dorm thailand.

I'm just for the democracy and a better distributed wellness and i'm against the classism. if u live in thailand u know very well for rich people

the poor is not just poor, is a monkey. that's what i hate.

Instead of all this bleeding heart BS, why don't you tell us what policies you would like a government to implement?

You think getting rid of inequality is easy?

Why don't you acknowledge the great things Abhisit has achieved including:

Free education

Guaranteed income for farmers

transfer of loan shark loans to government banks at affordable interest rates

I could go on

There is and will always be inequality in this world, a gap between the haves and have nots, the rich and the poor, I will never understand why people think the government is there to take care of them and solve their problems. They tried this in Russia and China and so far pure socialism and communism does not work, there are still very poor people and inequality in these countries. Maybe in a few hundred years the Utopian Star Trek Society will come into existence where people don't need money and there is social and moral equality without bias or prejudice, but I doubt it... I can understand some of the red complaints, but why not try to make change without violence, look at what Gandhi achieved with non-violent protests. Peace...

Edited May 22, 2010 by Rainmon

[CHdiver]

wrong link grrr..

Edited May 22, 2010 by CHdiver

[sawadeeken]

YES, By the way, In my opinion PM Abhisit has done an unbelievable 'great' job........... If I could, I would re-elect him............ He had an impossible job to do and he did it ---- with minimal injuries as his goal, AND HE DID IT!!!!!!

EDITED: FOR SPELLING

Edited May 22, 2010 by sawadeeken

[misterjag]

It's easier to demonize Thaksin than address the serious divisions in this country that led to the crisis.

[ratcatcher]

It's easier to demonize Thaksin than address the serious divisions in this country that led to the crisis.

Many of the divisions in this country that led to the crisis were exacerbated by the demon Thaksin.

[dttk0009]

It's easier to demonize Thaksin than address the serious divisions in this country that led to the crisis.

Many of the divisions in this country that led to the crisis were exacerbated by the demon Thaksin.

And blamed on Abhisit, no less. Pure hypocrisy.

[dhrobertson]

Instead of all this bleeding heart BS, why don't you tell us what policies you would like a government to implement?

You think getting rid of inequality is easy?

Why don't you acknowledge the great things Abhisit has achieved including:

Free education

Guaranteed income for farmers

transfer of loan shark loans to government banks at affordable interest rates

I could go on

U're right: getting rid of inequality it is not easy.quiet impossible, and i don't have any recipe for it, unfortunately.

even if i had it i doubt any govern would use it, especially in thailand.

Free education? Maybe the nursery. Could u be more specific about this? i see u must pay to study here. is there is something free so that institution is considered low class, for poor people, so the last. then u will be the last when u will find a job. and u know in thailand what it means.

Guaranteed free income for farmers? I've just came back from chiangmai, where i lived with farmers. they don't see any income form the govern. there are poor. and in the last years the situation is getting worse. even if the education would be free they couldn't send kids to school coz they need them to help the family as soon as possible.

so for the 2 reasons above even if there was a free education in thailand it wouldn't be an effective strategy to get rid of the inequality.

Over a year ago, Abhisit announced free education up to 16 yeras for both girls and boys. It's a start. (When I went university in the UK many years vago, tuition and living costs were paid by the government. These days, students have to pay......)

Rice farmers now have an income "floor". This essentially guarantees a minimum income.

I would like to see incentives to encourage industrial de-centralisation. In high volume manufacture of electronics, companies were incentivised to move to Chiang Mai and Korat for example.

Maybe with the new bridge at Mukdahan opening infrastructure to DaNang could be the seed for a development hub in that area.

Edited May 22, 2010 by dhrobertson

[dhrobertson]

It's easier to demonize Thaksin than address the serious divisions in this country that led to the crisis.

Please tell what you believe these serious divisions to be? Are you just talking about income?

Sure, central Thais look down on Isaan people for being uneducated peasants. So what? People look down on other people the world over. Swedes look down on Norwegians, Brits look down on the Irish. Singaporeans look down on everyone. So what?

[animatic]

It's easier to demonize Thaksin than address the serious divisions in this country that led to the crisis.

Many of the divisions in this country that led to the crisis were exacerbated by the demon Thaksin.

He took a comon problem world wide, and made it an even greater problem for more people.

While doing NOTHING of substance to solve the problems at their core. He sure made the hatred bigger.

While bringing the original issues to the fore front would have been great, especially if acted on,

but Thaksin directed the protests to his enemies, and away from the majority of the people,

who hands-on actually perepetuate the problem for the poorest people.

And most of those are in his control network, used to herd the poor

where the puyais want them as a pressure tactic.

And milk the poor of their meagre profits.

Just more using the poor as pawns in a greater game

and leaving them with as little or less than they started with.

[Thai at Heart]

It's easier to demonize Thaksin than address the serious divisions in this country that led to the crisis.

Many of the divisions in this country that led to the crisis were exacerbated by the demon Thaksin.

He took a comon problem world wide, and made it an even greater problem for more people.

While doing NOTHING of substance to solve the problems at their core. He sure made the hatred bigger.

While bringing the original issues to the fore front would have been great, especially if acted on,

but Thaksin directed the protests to his enemies, and away from the majority of the people,

who hands-on actually perepetuate the problem for the poorest people.

And most of those are in his control network, used to herd the poor

where the puyais want them as a pressure tactic.

And milk the poor of their meagre profits.

Just more using the poor as pawns in a greater game

and leaving them with as little or less than they started with.

It doesn't help that the culture encouraged the "poor" to be compliant, deferent, avoid "jai rorn" and all the other psychological elements that may have come with living relatively impoverished lives. It isn't that poverty doesn't exist all over the world, and that people don't struggle through.

It is when someone points out to you that apparently no one really paid or is paying attention to your plight that riots and protests break out the world over. It doesn't help that the one person who had your interests firmly at heart is facing an inevitability.

Farmers have taken the rough with the smoothe in Thailand since time immemorial. Thank god the country is so bountiful that there has and probably never will be a famine here.

I have been in China and seen farmers riot over the prices being paid for their produce, yet in Thailand this has NEVER happened. Why? Because the culture and society has prevented them from becoming enraged and organised about their lot in life. Seems like the wool has been pulled back from the poor's eyes by a guy who was probably never going to deliver what they wanted, but the realisation that they could do something to better their lot in life was too much to resist. Now it has led to a horrendous couple of months in Bangkok and what most would call a catastrophe.

The situation is politically awful in Thailand today, and the only hope is for Abhisit to continue, and prioritize social and economic programs for the poor. God forbid he is thrown out of office and we have a political party that will be bent on political revenge. The country might not survive.

[RKASA]

It's easier to demonize Thaksin than address the serious divisions in this country that led to the crisis.

Many of the divisions in this country that led to the crisis were exacerbated by the demon Thaksin.

He took a comon problem world wide, and made it an even greater problem for more people.

While doing NOTHING of substance to solve the problems at their core. He sure made the hatred bigger.

While bringing the original issues to the fore front would have been great, especially if acted on,

but Thaksin directed the protests to his enemies, and away from the majority of the people,

who hands-on actually perepetuate the problem for the poorest people.

And most of those are in his control network, used to herd the poor

where the puyais want them as a pressure tactic.

And milk the poor of their meagre profits.

Just more using the poor as pawns in a greater game

and leaving them with as little or less than they started with.

It doesn't help that the culture encouraged the "poor" to be compliant, deferent, avoid "jai rorn" and all the other psychological elements that may have come with living relatively impoverished lives. It isn't that poverty doesn't exist all over the world, and that people don't struggle through.

It is when someone points out to you that apparently no one really paid or is paying attention to your plight that riots and protests break out the world over. It doesn't help that the one person who had your interests firmly at heart is facing an inevitability.

Farmers have taken the rough with the smoothe in Thailand since time immemorial. Thank god the country is so bountiful that there has and probably never will be a famine here.

I have been in China and seen farmers riot over the prices being paid for their produce, yet in Thailand this has NEVER happened. Why? Because the culture and society has prevented them from becoming enraged and organised about their lot in life. Seems like the wool has been pulled back from the poor's eyes by a guy who was probably never going to deliver what they wanted, but the realisation that they could do something to better their lot in life was too much to resist. Now it has led to a horrendous couple of months in Bangkok and what most would call a catastrophe.

The situation is politically awful in Thailand today, and the only hope is for Abhisit to continue, and prioritize social and economic programs for the poor. God forbid he is thrown out of office and we have a political party that will be bent on political revenge. The country might not survive.

"I have been in China and seen farmers riot over the prices being paid for their produce, yet in Thailand this has NEVER happened. Why?"

They closed the cross roads of 11 and 12 in Wong Thong for a whole day over the price of corn a year ago. I guess if nobody died ---- why listen.

[misterjag]

Thaksin is to blame for giving poor Thais a taste of political empowerment. Thaksin set the wheels in motion, but now the genie's out of the bottle. There's no turning back. He could drop dead of a heart attack tomorrow and it would have little impact on the strength of the grassroots movement he inspired. Ordinary Thais learned a lesson they'll never forget: the ballot box is a powerful weapon for change.

[Thongkorn]

Now if they could only ban him from breathing.

Mr T, an oxygen thief

add another one to the charges

As a terrorist, he can’t fly so he is stuck in France till Thai Government is working on the extradition process. But knowing him he already flee and in hiding again

if he was in London they would give him benefits and a council house. because he has human rights.

[dhrobertson]

Thaksin is to blame for giving poor Thais a taste of political empowerment. Thaksin set the wheels in motion, but now the genie's out of the bottle. There's no turning back. He could drop dead of a heart attack tomorrow and it would have little impact on the strength of the grassroots movement he inspired. Ordinary Thais learned a lesson they'll never forget: the ballot box is a powerful weapon for change.

One of the problems is that Thai political parties never publish manifestos.

So whereas I agree that the ballot box is the ultimate arbiter, how can people decide how to vote?

Right now feudal tribalism and bribery dictate voting.

One useful thing these forums (fora?) could do would be to build a serious list of suggested policies which could be adopted.

Seriously, I hope to see serious journalism in the run up to an election with candidates interviewed and policies examined.

MODERATORS, what about a new thread for constructive suggestions? Who knows where it might lead? Farangs offer intelligent suggestions! The shock!

[souvenirdeparis]

France has a long history of Basque ETA using their territory as a safe house

and staging area to attack Spanish territory, they are NOT amused with this.

Thaksin if charged will face a tough slog, as long as he isn't charged with a chance

of capital punishment France will ship him out. But if he gets a capital charge they

might not easily allow him out. But his life waiting it out there will be miserable

in a tough french gaol too. So charge him with some thing tough then the capital charge,

if applicable, when he's on Thai soil, etc.

Not only the Basques...

Khomeiny, Bokassa, Duvalier, Mobutu...etc...

Just to name a few, used to be more than welcome in France at one stage of their exile

France: an universal model for human right... yes indeed!

sad to say, Khomeny later told he was flabbergasted upon arrival in France under political asylum (I think this was the motive) with the facilities he was given , the govt all but providing him with a private secretary to help him broadcast his views ; there will always be a " human rights " loop hole if the govt decides so for whatever reason. For instance Chinese pressures could have an effect,if they deem T a valuable pawn.

As to the French borders

Then w ithout taking side on this matter, Polanski could live very quietly in France and got immediate and still-standing support from the "elite" when he was arrested in Switzerland .You can read at length how hard it is for him being stuck in his chalet.

of course you'll have no difficulties finding French who equate the Thaï army with the Burmese junta. Articles on the reds were the usual French press hogwash .

one last thing, of course the old cunning fox was not in France per chance at the peak of the turmoil; he knew he'd be snug as a bug in a rug here-even with better police protection than in Montenegro. And without this small gaffe (blunder) of the press meeting he'd still live it up in grand style (not that he's under the bridges at the moment, but not a word on his whereabouts in the press) And then again, maybe it wasn't a gaffe after all.

Edited May 22, 2010 by souvenirdeparis

[asiawatcher]

Well done froggies - pity you didn't hold him at Surete' on suspicion of terrorism and links to terrorists as he flies off into the sunset on yet another mission of destroying Thailand. Maybe he can garner help from Osama Bin Laden - they could swap notes.. I can just see it

Osama --- "Do you have any sand"

Takky --- "No only corruption"

[gemini81]

It's easier to demonize Thaksin than address the serious divisions in this country that led to the crisis.

Many of the divisions in this country that led to the crisis were exacerbated by the demon Thaksin.

He took a comon problem world wide, and made it an even greater problem for more people.

While doing NOTHING of substance to solve the problems at their core. He sure made the hatred bigger.

While bringing the original issues to the fore front would have been great, especially if acted on,

but Thaksin directed the protests to his enemies, and away from the majority of the people,

who hands-on actually perepetuate the problem for the poorest people.

And most of those are in his control network, used to herd the poor

where the puyais want them as a pressure tactic.

And milk the poor of their meagre profits.

Just more using the poor as pawns in a greater game

and leaving them with as little or less than they started with.

Well said again. He gave them some candy along the way, then left them out in the sun.

Since then, Abhisit has offered many programs (free of tricks or cheating, such as those loans the poor farmers couldn't pay back when Thaksin was in office) I see they ignore that.

Another thing they ignore, is the budget set for each province, and as well each district/amphur (based on population!) Do they or do they not realize wealth is attempted to be distributed. Only problem is the middle men (the red leaders) are at the top of the food chain and absorb a lot.

The rice farmers are tax exempt and a host of other things.

I think they want further hand-outs. That is an issue in Europe, U.S., Canada, and other countries as well, lazy wanting to be rewarded. Still, the citizens aren't burning and pillaging their own native soil.

They need to get over their self pity, self oppression, drop their c_cks and put on their socks and get to work to make their own lives better, rather than look for handouts and find scapegoats for the life they've chosen to live.

[gemini81]

Thaksin is to blame for giving poor Thais a taste of political empowerment. Thaksin set the wheels in motion, but now the genie's out of the bottle. There's no turning back. He could drop dead of a heart attack tomorrow and it would have little impact on the strength of the grassroots movement he inspired. Ordinary Thais learned a lesson they'll never forget: the ballot box is a powerful weapon for change.

then they haven't learned a d_mn thing. thats the wrong mindset for a new beginning and a modernization. I see a lot of it is their refusal and resistance to change and assimilate with all Thais, rather than divide people.

[robint]

well done phuket Stan,

A Toxin list of shame - but wait a minute I thought the Reds were fighting against the rich elite???????????

now we want some clever trevor to put all that on wikipedia, im not smart enough to know how thats done, but lets have it there for posterity

and any other dirt that can be quoted from source

right on

this is the power of the internet ( that some governments seek to control - wonder why?

all hands to the pumps guys

[robint]

Yes......most Thais cant afford to shop there because Thaksin family and there cronies own everything......a list below

<snip>

Supachai Yawaprapas, et al. 2001. Bureaucrats?perspectives on corruption and position buying. Office of the Civil Service Commission, Bangkok.

Sorry should have included this for the above

##############

//edit by raro: Please do not requote such lengthy posts, it makes the forum difficult to read. Thanks.

[silk]

Democrats Link Riots with Red-shirt Networks Overseas

The ruling Democrat Party suggests red-shirt elements overseas have also played a part in the recent riots in Bangkok.

Democrat spokesperson Buranut Samutharuk said his party has obtained evidence that red-shirt networks overseas have incited anti-government protesters to stage mayhem in Bangkok.

Buranat indicated that the red-shirt networks have encouraged the protesters to stage arson attacks on shopping malls and banks.

Buranut revealed the suggestions on arson attacks were made through a website called NorPorChorUSA2.com. The website has already been blocked by the Thai authorities.

The party spokesman said the interview of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra with Asia Times magazine over his alleged order for red-shirt protesters to spread violence if they are dispersed will be used as evidence in an ongoing investigation against the former premier.

This might depend on the passport he is using

Buranut also said the Foreign Ministry has received full co-operation from European countries to restrict Thaksin's movement and ensure their countries are not being used as a springboard for political attacks against Thailand.

France has recently issued a ban on Thaksin from delivering a speech at a seminar on the political crisis in Thailand. He then reportedly flew to London.

-- Tan Network 2010-05-22

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

UK took away his visas some time ago , so they wont let him in, he may fly there but they wont let him land

[ThailandTommy]

Now if they could only ban him from breathing.

Mr T, an oxygen thief

add another one to the charges

As a terrorist, he can't fly so he is stuck in France till Thai Government is working on the extradition process. But knowing him he already flee and in hiding again

Now he is a terrorist? Well pal he is a terrorist with his own private aircraft! So I guess he can 'flee and hide' anytime it takes his fancy? Is walking with his family in one of the busiest streets in Paris defined as 'hiding'? BTW how well do you know him? I mean is it just a nod of acknowledgment in passing? Or do you meet for lunch/dinner?

Edited May 22, 2010 by ThailandTommy

[TPI]

Yes......most Thais cant afford to shop there because Thaksin family and there cronies own everything......a list below

SHINAWATRA'S BUSINESS NETWORK

.

PHANTHONGTAE SHINAWATRA'S BUSINESSES

YAOWAPHA WONGSUWAT'S BUSINESSES (concealed ownership)

SUPPORTERS OF THAKSIN AND UDD

FAMILIES THAT BENEFITTED FROM THAKSIN'S POLICY CORRUPTION

SYMPATHISERS BY ASSOCIATION

REFERENCES

ADDITIONAL REFERENCES

ADDITIONAL REFERENCES IN THAI

"Jesus wept" Shortest verse in the Bible

"Poor Issan rice farmers"

[souvenirdeparis]

Now if they could only ban him from breathing.

Mr T, an oxygen thief

add another one to the charges

As a terrorist, he can't fly so he is stuck in France till Thai Government is working on the extradition process. But knowing him he already flee and in hiding again

about the private aircraft, it brings back to mind the old story of the Thai Airway plane that was to take the govt from BKK to CM just after his first election ( I hope I'm not mixing it up again with Mexican folk lore like I sometimes do) and wham , said plane exploded on the tarmac of Don Muang.There was one pilot on board only, he was not supposed to be there .BKK Post said " army explosive specialist". My then wife told me " He did it because he wants his own plane " , of course I found her assumption preposterous ( brings back to mind that's what she said at the divorce too "I'm through with his finding my assumptions preposterous"

What kind of jet plane does he now have?

[end of my post; I did everything right but I have problems with the quotes ]

Now he is a terrorist? Well pal he is a terrorist with his own private aircraft! So I guess he can 'flee and hide' anytime it takes his fancy? Is walking with his family in one of the busiest streets in Paris defined as 'hiding'? BTW how well do you know him? I mean is it just a nod of acknowledgment in passing? Or do you meet for lunch/dinner?

Edited May 22, 2010 by souvenirdeparis

[souvenirdeparis]

here it is

; so it was not a govt trip, but private : article says he went to inaugurate relative's shoppin mall.

the last sentence is interesting in itself.

Bomb caused explosion on Thai PM's plane

By Uamdao Noikorn, AP

Sunday, 4 March 2001 how time flies

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said a bomb probably caused an explosion that destroyed a Thai Airways jetliner he was about to board at Bangkok airport yesterday.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said a bomb probably caused an explosion that destroyed a Thai Airways jetliner he was about to board at Bangkok airport yesterday.

"It is relatively clear now it was not the engine, and the only thing that it could definitely be is an explosive device," Thaksin told reporters in the northern city of Chiang Mai. His comments were broadcast by the Ruam Duay Chuay Kan radio station.

Thaksin had been due to fly with 148 other passengers from Bangkok to Chiang Mai on the Boeing 737-400 Saturday when it exploded 35 minutes before scheduled departure at the domestic terminal.

One cabin crew member died and seven airline staff were injured. No passengers had boarded the plane.

Investigators were sifting through the gutted wreckage Sunday and said it was too early to draw a conclusion about the cause.

Thaksin said that investigators did not yet know whether the blast was from a bomb or some other kind of explosive in the aircraft.

Thaksin, who earlier was briefed by the national police chief, said he believed the blast was intended as a "threat to life" but was not the work of terrorists.

"Looking at the wreckage, the source of explosion came from where the prime minister was supposed to be seated," Police Gen Prasarn Wongwai, a security adviser to Thaksin, said on the radio.

"I believe the bomb should be the white phosphorus type," Prasarn said. "I already talked to the prime minister and he seems to have a clue who did it. But he wouldn't want to talk too much because it might pressure the investigation officials."

The Nation newspaper quoted a police source as saying that if a bomb was to blame, it could be linked to Thaksin's pledge to crack down on drug smuggling, largely blamed on drug lords in neighboring Myanmar, also known as Burma.

Thaksin took power last month after his Thai Rak Thai, or Thai Love Thai, party won general elections by an unprecedented margin. The campaign was marred by violence and vote fraud, which is usual in Thai elections.

Thaksin said that his government's top priority over the next four years would be to curb the "rampant" drug trade. He will meet next weekend with all concerned government agencies to formulate a strategy.

Thaksin, who had flown to the city by military plane, opened a relative's shopping mall early today. He was then due to visit a Buddhist temple to pay homage to his ancestors before returning to Bangkok latertoday.

The Nation quoted an unidentified airline source as saying that the blast occurred under seats 11A and 11B, where Thaksin and his son, Phanthongthae were supposed to sit.

Police Maj Gen Tritos Ronnarithchai, responsible for security of VIPs in Thailand, said he had not received any intelligence of death threats to Thaksin.

Thaksin said Saturday his movements were now restricted for security reasons.

Thailand has a history of coups and violent overthrows of governments, but no prime minister has faced an assassination attempt. The nation has enjoyed political stability under a succession of democratic governments for the last eight years.

The prime minister had not reached the airport when the explosion occurred. No passengers or pilots had boarded the plane but the luggage had been loaded. A steward, Kampol Meerlap, who was preparing the front section of the aircraft was killed.

Airline officials said it was impossible for the plane to explode from an internal malfunction if the engines had not yet been started. The fully loaded fuel tanks, located in the plane's wings, were intact, they said, indicating that burning fuel was not the cause of the explosion.

Saturday's explosion was the worst tragedy for the national airlines since the December 11, 1998 crash of an Airbus A310-200 that killed 101 people. The domestic flight from Bangkok to Surat Thani, 330 miles to the south, went down in a swamp while trying to land in bad weather.

The explosion came two days after Thaksin gave Thailand's Constitutional Court 21 boxes of documents as part of his defence against a corruption indictment that could evict him from office. He is accused of deliberately concealing assets in 1997 by transferring large amounts of stock shares to domestic servants.

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Edited May 22, 2010 by souvenirdeparis

[gregb]

Thaksin is to blame for giving poor Thais a taste of political empowerment. Thaksin set the wheels in motion, but now the genie's out of the bottle. There's no turning back. He could drop dead of a heart attack tomorrow and it would have little impact on the strength of the grassroots movement he inspired. Ordinary Thais learned a lesson they'll never forget: the ballot box is a powerful weapon for change.

Good.

Now let's hope they understand the responsibilities that come with using that tool. The first one is that nobody is above the law, and you can not elect criminals to positions of authority, no matter how many spoils of their crimes they offer you. Adherence to the law comes first. Don't be surprised when coups are launched to set things right if you break that covenant with society.

Once all ordinary Thais figure that out, we may actually be heading somewhere good for a change. I wonder how many generations it will take to get there, and how much bloodshed there will be in the meantime?

One thing is for sure. Based on the rhetoric I still see coming from the red camp, we're a long way away from that goal. All we have to look forward to right now is more violent red mobs filled with frustration because their new found sense of empowerment doesn't immediately give them the easy life they want.

Say what you want, but Thaksin's irresponsible terrorist attacks have not been good for Thailand or the Thai people.

[A_Traveller]

FACT: The explosion and destruction of the Thai flight was NOT caused by an explosive device.

The accident was investigated by both the Thai authorities and the NTSB [uS] to establish the cause. I'll look up the link to the NTSB report shortly.

Regards

PS I'm not at my usual location so don't have the search saved here, so :-

Preliminary NTSB release [Note the sound signature reference to the earlier Philippine Airlines 737-300 centre wing fuel tank explosion in May 1990]

NTSB Press Release Page [From here one access the photos, including the tank damage itself]

NTSB Narrative extracts

Boeing 737-400 "Narathiwat" was parked at gate 62 at the domestic terminal of Bangkok Airport and was being prepared by 5 cabin crew members and 3 ground staff members for a flight to Chiang Mai (TG 114). Ground temperatures were in the high 35 degree Celsius and the air conditioning packs, which are located directly beneath the center wing tank and generate heat when they are operating, had been running continuously since the airplane's previous flight, including about 40 minutes on the ground. At 14:48, some 27 minutes before scheduled departure time, fuel vapours in the center wing tank probably ignited, causing an explosion. A fire erupted in the cabin, killing a flight attendant and injuring 6 others. Eighteen minutes later, the fire caused the right wing tank to explode. The fire was put out in an hour, but by then the aircraft had been gutted by the fire.

PROBABLE CAUSE: "An explosion of the center wing tank resulting from ignition of the flammable fuel/air mixture in the tank. The source of the ignition energy for the explosion could not be determined with certainty, but the most likely source was an explosion originating at the center wing tank pump as a result of running the pump in the presence of metal shavings and a fuel/air mixture."

In 2005 the NTSB complained about the FAA"s lack of action on the situation.

Edited May 22, 2010 by A_Traveller