Thaksin Distancing Himself From Reds And Recent Violence?

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE

Thaksin distancing himself from reds and recent violence?

By Avudh Panananda

The Nation

A number of positive signs have emerged in recent weeks giving hope the country can overcome its predicament, although the situation remains fragile and precarious.

Depending on how key players responsible for the political polarisation can tone down their egocentricity for the sake of the greater good next year, when there will be a general election and celebrations for His Majesty's auspicious 84th birthday, a fresh start could usher in for the country.

Since the end of the red-shirt rally in May, fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra has been putting out feelers to signal he is a changed man.

Thaksin is keeping a low-profile. Gone is his tough rhetoric promoting the red-shirts' struggle. He has cut down on his "tweets". And his central message has turned passive in a bid to distance him from violence in lieu of the aggressive remarks against his opponents.

With Thaksin turning 61 last month, his friends and relatives, particularly his sister Yaowapha and her husband Somchai Wongsawat have renewed their efforts to seek out a sympathetic ear for his legal wrangling.

To the powers-that-be, Yaowapha has delivered an explicit message that her brother wants to come home. But does this signal a willingness by Thaksin to be humble and play by the rules, instead of seeing himself as bigger than the game?

Should Thaksin decide to comply with the law and abide by judicial decisions, he may find his problems resolved in a speedy manner. The King will reach his seventh cycle and this may be a good opportunity for the former PM to bury the hatchet. It should not escape Thaksin's attention that the royal birthday is an occasion for pardon reviews.

The vetting of the red-shirt petition on his behalf for a royal pardon is expected to be completed later this year.

Last week the Appeals Court freed red-shirt leader Veera Musigapong on Bt6-million bail, pending his trial for terrorism. The move is seen as a shift from confrontation to accommodation between the authorities and the red shirts.

Next week the Supreme Court will cast a crucial vote to decide whether to launch an appellate review into the verdict to seize Bt46 billion in assets from Thaksin and his family in February.

If Thaksin opts to repent in order spend his retirement at home, then it is not far-fetched that problems previously seen as insurmountable will start unravelling.

Fugitive red-shirt leader Jakrapob Penkair made a frank assessment that Thaksin was pondering his next steps focusing on his future rather than the red-shirt movement.

In an interview aired by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on Saturday, Jakrapob admitted that while Thaksin would remain an icon of the movement, he was reflecting on his involvement.

"I think that he is re-evaluating whether or not it is a fight worth fighting," he said.

Though conceding that weapons were found among the reds, Thaksin denied condoning or instigating violence.

Jakrapob said organisers of the red-shirt protest had a group of advisers and violence erupted not because of advice they were given but the apparently poor organisation of the rally.

In contrast to denials by other leaders like Jatuporn Promphan and Natthawut Saikua, Jakrapob admitted some protesters were armed, although he insisted the people with no links to the reds were responsible for the "unrest".

He also insisted that with or without Thaksin, the reds would remain a viable movement due to domestic and international support. He said the reds would get financial backing from international donations.

Jakrapob is the first to step out and claim that Thaksin is having second thoughts about his links to the reds.

Unfolding events will prove either Thaksin is in a tactical retreat to mount a new offensive or if he is genuinely showing remorse in order to win forgiveness and get "his life back".

-- The Nation 2010-08-03

[canuckamuck]

Should Thaksin decide to comply with the law and abide by judicial decisions, he may find his problems resolved in a speedy manner. The King will reach his seventh cycle and this may be a good opportunity for the former PM to bury the hatchet. It should not escape Thaksin's attention that the royal birthday is an occasion for pardon reviews.

I don't understand this part, is there something political that occurs to coincide with the 7th cycle? What do the cycles represent?

[jackdawson]

not that i'd get close to it , but i'd probably "distance" myself too from a "group" that had success w/in it's grasp (an early election) but which snatched defeat from the jaws of victory by choosing to resort to violence, arson and murder.

but that's just me

[AZBill]

At this level it's all about political positioning. You can't undue the past. Everything from here on from Thaksin is all spin in an effort to rewrite history to save his own skin. He doesn't care about the people of the Red Party or anyone else but himself and his billions. To think otherwise is simply to deny reality. As usual the poor masses are being used as a tool by the elite, of which Thaksin is a poster child.

[OzMick]

Poor old Seh Daeng, only dead a couple of months, and his close mates seem to have forgotten that he even existed.

[march]

Poor old Seh Daeng, only dead a couple of months, and his close mates seem to have forgotten that he even existed.

The Seh Daeng Red Bomber Battalion seem to still be very active in their quest for death and mayhem:

Bhum Jai Thai Party's headquarters and Ram Intra Road bombs

Warisriya Bunsom

Korbchai Bunplod

Kamphol Khamkhong

Dejphol Phutthajong

Anek Singhunthod

Big C bomb

Patiphak Ekapiwat's brother and four others

Assorted grenade attacks

Rachata Wongyod

Additional assorted grenade attacks

Surachai Thewarat

The above coming from the two threads:

and

[dom samui]

BURNING ISSUE

Thaksin distancing himself from reds and recent violence.

May be because it is a BURNING (T)ISSUE ?

[givenall]

Sure he is a change man, he changes with the wind, but under nigh he is the same evil man he always will be

[Robby nz]

And yet he still "Phoned in" to the latest red meeting last weekend?

[Tropicalevo]

Should Thaksin decide to comply with the law and abide by judicial decisions, he may find his problems resolved in a speedy manner. The King will reach his seventh cycle and this may be a good opportunity for the former PM to bury the hatchet. It should not escape Thaksin's attention that the royal birthday is an occasion for pardon reviews.

I don't understand this part, is there something political that occurs to coincide with the 7th cycle? What do the cycles represent?

I am not sure on the exact details, but in Budhism, a lot of things revolve around 12 years. (Being one cycle). I do know that every 12th year is special, and a time to celebrate. Typically His Majesty the King will pardon people on his birthday, but especiaaly on the cyclic years.

Again, I belive that the 7th cycle is another special one, as will be the 12th cycle etc.

Hope this helps and does not confuse

[Motoon]

Should Thaksin decide to comply with the law and abide by judicial decisions, he may find his problems resolved in a speedy manner. The King will reach his seventh cycle and this may be a good opportunity for the former PM to bury the hatchet. It should not escape Thaksin's attention that the royal birthday is an occasion for pardon reviews.

I don't understand this part, is there something political that occurs to coincide with the 7th cycle? What do the cycles represent?

I am not sure on the exact details, but in Budhism, a lot of things revolve around 12 years. (Being one cycle). I do know that every 12th year is special, and a time to celebrate. Typically His Majesty the King will pardon people on his birthday, but especiaaly on the cyclic years.

Again, I belive that the 7th cycle is another special one, as will be the 12th cycle etc.

Hope this helps and does not confuse

The mentioned cycle refers to the Chinese Zodiac cycle which is represented by 12 animal symbols, one for each year within a 12 years cycle. Therefore the sign of the year you're born is repeated every 12 years, which makes it an auspicious year, as you have concluded a full turn of the wheel. Note that traditionally a Chinese Year starts between late January to early February, based on the cycles of the moon or lunar calendar.

[dantilley]

Quite a positive article on the whole, I hope they're right in their assessment.

[junglist]

Its sounds like Mr. T is scared and running out of options. I feel sorry for him but I don’t forgive or forget what he has done. Too much blood are on his hands and I think he knows this.

[march]

The vetting of the red-shirt petition on his behalf for a royal pardon is expected to be completed later this year.

I wonder if the Reds regret their stupidity in getting 3.5 million signatures that all have to be individually verified when all that is required is one.

[mausplan]

maybe a sincere change of heart from spending a lot and ending up with less than he started with.

Remember , he flew Panlop and Seh Daeng out to see him last February and Sae Daeng talked about having met him in Cambodia before that , Panlop was going to set up the Red Army with SD as commanding general .

Now, he is Mr Nice guy , yeah right ?

[siampolee]

Any comments issuing forth from Thaksins lips should indeed be regard as somewhat a somewhat romantic notion, how many times have we heard his utterance then within a short space of time a total denial about making comments .

The man is indeed a, ''Born Again Liar."

[jayjay0]

Poor old Seh Daeng, only dead a couple of months, and his close mates seem to have forgotten that he even existed.

You might say he out lived his purpose.

[yellow1red1]

Avudh Panananda

The Nation

It should not escape Thaksin's attention that the royal birthday is an occasion for pardon reviews.

How is it this writer is allowed to suggest or even hint at what actions His Majesty should or could take?

Is this Topic open for discussion, then?

[whybother]

I thought you were allowed to discuss the King and what he says. LM laws (and therefore TVF rules) say that you're not allowed to say bad things about the King or discuss the King and politics.

@Y1R1: It's a well known fact that the King gives pardons on his birthday. Reminding someone else of that is not a suggestion to the King.

Edited August 3, 2010 by Mario2008
deleted qoutes removed

[SamritT]

Thaksin & violence are 2 of a kind. They cannot be distanced from each other. Remember the 3,000 people killed by Thaksin's order?

[moe666]

Poor old Seh Daeng, only dead a couple of months, and his close mates seem to have forgotten that he even existed.

Well thats what happens when you move or die. O ya I remember that guy he was a real a-hole.

[Mario2008]

1 post and two replies to it have been deleted.

You can discuss the law relating to granting a pardon, but do not bring His Majesty the King into the political discussion! We have zero tolerance regarding such posts.

[bendejo]

Any comments issuing forth from Thaksins lips should indeed be regard as somewhat a somewhat romantic notion, how many times have we heard his utterance then within a short space of time a total denial about making comments .

The man is indeed a, ''Born Again Liar."

Agreed.

The appearance of distancing himself -- he's afraid he's going to be branded with the 't-word' and one day he's going to land his plane in yet another country and find himself in shackles and a concrete cage. I don't care how many times people declare otherwise, all this redshirt stuff is about him and his $$. Period. Keep your eye on the ball.

But you know, it's all pretty cowardly: running a faux-political movement and instead championing it he denies it. "How can I be involved? I was shopping that day, didn't you see the photo?" His stooges are just that, nothing but employees; he only hires stupid people because he's afraid of being out-smarted from within. And then the tactics. 'Peaceful protesters' and don't look at the armed lads surrounding them. As Jatuporn said on the news "don't say that the protesters are being paid because that demeans the cause." Now they are setting off bombs that kill civilians at random and don't admit it.

Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.

[BLUENILE]

Interesting link, Red Shirts now coordinated from outside Thailand

http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2010/s2969629.htm

[ballpoint]

Thaksin lied when he promised to solve Bangkok's traffic problems or resign.

Thaksin lied when he campaigned under the promise that since he was already wealthy he didn't need to be corrupt.

Thaksin lied when he declared his assets after buying the 2001 election.

Thaksin lied when he "resigned" following the 2006 election, in which he cheated and lost his mandate to rule.

Thaksin lied when he said "I'm through with politics" following the 2006 coup.

Thaksin lied when he appeared on international television in 2009, giving nonsensical claims of government violence towards his red thugs.

Thaksin is lying now. It always has been and always will be about him getting his money and power back. His supporters can be divided into those out for a quick gain (the vote sellers, the paid protestors, the hired posters), those out for a long term position at the trough (the high level financiars of the terridist organisation, looking to make a profit on their investment), and those who feel that their lives were better during his reign, and to hel_l with the corruption, intimidation and murder of the many whose lives definitely weren't. Those latter are just as much to blame for the continuation of the rich/poor gap as the "elites" they profess to rail against.

The only way you know Thakisn isn't lying is when he's not talking, and even then someone else is being paid to lie for him.

[Thai at Heart]

Thaksin lied when he promised to solve Bangkok's traffic problems or resign.

Thaksin lied when he campaigned under the promise that since he was already wealthy he didn't need to be corrupt.

Thaksin lied when he declared his assets after buying the 2001 election.

Thaksin lied when he "resigned" following the 2006 election, in which he cheated and lost his mandate to rule.

Thaksin lied when he said "I'm through with politics" following the 2006 coup.

Thaksin lied when he appeared on international television in 2009, giving nonsensical claims of government violence towards his red thugs.

Thaksin is lying now. It always has been and always will be about him getting his money and power back. His supporters can be divided into those out for a quick gain (the vote sellers, the paid protestors, the hired posters), those out for a long term position at the trough (the high level financiars of the terridist organisation, looking to make a profit on their investment), and those who feel that their lives were better during his reign, and to hel_l with the corruption, intimidation and murder of the many whose lives definitely weren't. Those latter are just as much to blame for the continuation of the rich/poor gap as the "elites" they profess to rail against.

The only way you know Thakisn isn't lying is when he's not talking, and even then someone else is being paid to lie for him.

Unfortunately that cuts in all directions with the vast majority of politicians throughout the world. When it comes to Thai politics, well, what can one say.

That is probably why the most dangerous politicians of all are the ones who say absolutely nothing.

[slapout]

"That is probably why the most dangerous politicians of all are those who say absolutely nothing".

This would probably apply to a vast majority, when it comes to content of what they say, now if we could just get them to zip their mouth and join their partners in crime (most dangerous), a avenue for improvement may open up.

[rubl]

And yet he still "Phoned in" to the latest red meeting last weekend?

It's indeed interesting that the message to get across seems to differ depending on the target group. Somehow I doubt the common red supporters will know or have read this English language post. Unlikely our dear friends from the PTP will inform them.

[siampolee]

As has been said by ballpoint.

ballpoint, on 2010-08-03 11:32, said:

Thaksin lied when he promised to solve Bangkok's traffic problems or resign.

Thaksin lied when he campaigned under the promise that since he was already wealthy he didn't need to be corrupt.

Thaksin lied when he declared his assets after buying the 2001 election.

Thaksin lied when he "resigned" following the 2006 election, in which he cheated and lost his mandate to rule.

Thaksin lied when he said "I'm through with politics" following the 2006 coup.

Thaksin lied when he appeared on international television in 2009, giving nonsensical claims of government violence towards his red thugs.

Thaksin is lying now. It always has been and always will be about him getting his money and power back. His supporters can be divided into those out for a quick gain (the vote sellers, the paid protestors, the hired posters), those out for a long term position at the trough (the high level financiars of the terridist organisation, looking to make a profit on their investment), and those who feel that their lives were better during his reign, and to hel_l with the corruption, intimidation and murder of the many whose lives definitely weren't. Those latter are just as much to blame for the continuation of the rich/poor gap as the "elites" they profess to rail against.

I well remember his proud boast about Bangkok's traffic, Thaksin resigned after around 6 months as I recall, having by then eaten his way like a maggot into the political system and polished up his corruption skills to the highest possible level.

I am surprised that Thaksin has not copyrighted lying as his own personal property

Edited August 3, 2010 by siampolee

[rubl]

As has been said by ballpoint.

ballpoint, on 2010-08-03 11:32, said:

Thaksin lied when he promised to solve Bangkok's traffic problems or resign.

Thaksin lied when he campaigned under the promise that since he was already wealthy he didn't need to be corrupt.

Thaksin lied when he declared his assets after buying the 2001 election.

Thaksin lied when he "resigned" following the 2006 election, in which he cheated and lost his mandate to rule.

Thaksin lied when he said "I'm through with politics" following the 2006 coup.

Thaksin lied when he appeared on international television in 2009, giving nonsensical claims of government violence towards his red thugs.

Thaksin is lying now. It always has been and always will be about him getting his money and power back. His supporters can be divided into those out for a quick gain (the vote sellers, the paid protestors, the hired posters), those out for a long term position at the trough (the high level financiars of the terridist organisation, looking to make a profit on their investment), and those who feel that their lives were better during his reign, and to hel_l with the corruption, intimidation and murder of the many whose lives definitely weren't. Those latter are just as much to blame for the continuation of the rich/poor gap as the "elites" they profess to rail against.

I well remember his proud boast about Bangkok's traffic, Thaksin resigned after around 6 months as I recall, having by then eaten his way like a maggot into the political system and polished up his corruption skills to the highest possible level.

I am surprised that Thaksin has not copyrighted lying as his own personal property

If I remember correctly in 1997 while an interior minister under PM Chavalit K. Thaksin said to solve BKK traffic problem in six months time and resigned after three. With the Thai baht devaluation a month later and various suspicious money transfers it makes you wonder. This has never been really cleared or explained, too many involved I think. Only the then governor of the Bank-of-Thailand still has to repay a few hundred billion Baht for mis-management.

PS: had Thaksin stayed, his promise would have been fulfilled. The economical crisis took care of that

Edited August 3, 2010 by rubl