Fugitive Thaksin To Increase Activities Ahead Of Thai Polls

[george]

Thaksin to increase activities ahead of Thai polls: party

by Thanaporn Promyamyai

BANGKOK, October 14, 2010 (AFP) - Thailand's fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is preparing to step up his political activities from exile ahead of elections next year, the opposition said Thursday.

In a video link to a meeting of the Puea Thai Party on Wednesday, the former billionaire telecoms tycoon offered his assistance in the poll battle, said spokesman Prompong Nopparit.

"He said he is ready to give advice about economic problems, advice to candidates during campaigns and advice about party policies," Prompong said.

By law Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva must hold an election by the end of 2011.

Thaksin, who lives abroad to avoid a jail term for corruption, drew wide support from Thailand's rural poor during office but was deposed by a military coup in 2006 and faces allegations of corruption and abuse of power.

The 61-year-old lives in self-imposed exile but he still has many supporters, particularly within the "Red Shirt" opposition movement, which was behind mass street protests in Bangkok in April and May.

Thai courts have issued a series of arrest warrants for Thaksin on charges including terrorism -- an accusation linked to the violent street rallies. The authorities have accused him of bankrolling the protests and inciting unrest.

Thaksin, a former owner of English football club Manchester City, has said the terrorism charges against him are "politically motivated".

Experts say the tycoon-turned-premier, who was a flamboyant but divisive leader, has not given up his political ambitions and continues to play an important role within the opposition behind the scenes.

"I'm not surprised that Thaksin would like to remain very active in politics," said Pavin Chachavalpongpun, a Thailand expert at the Institute of South East Asia Studies in Singapore.

He said the Red Shirts' hero was fading from public view because of the terrorist allegations and violence blamed by the authorities on radical Red Shirts.

"He'll try to come back (on the political scene) to play a legitimate role and I think the elite should be open enough to let him do that. Reconciliation will not be successful without Thaksin," Pavin said.

But Thaksin is unlikely to return to Thailand even if the opposition wins the next election, he said.

"He has so many enemies. It would take time to wait until the hatred subsides and the people who hate him have money and weapons," said Pavin.

In his push for a return to Thailand, Thaksin has used video messages to encourage supporters but his broadcasts diminished during the April-May protests, which left 91 people dead in clashes between troops and demonstrators.

But he has not stopped his lobbying efforts and launched a public relations offensive in the wake of a deadly crackdown on the Red Shirt rallies, notably hiring Canadian lawyer and publicist Robert Amsterdam.

Prompong said he expected Thaksin to address the opposition "only at appropriate times" in future.

"He hasn't spoken much recently because he wants reconciliation. He does not want this government to be suspicious about him," the spokesman said.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2010-10-14

Related topic:

Thaksin To Return To Thailand If Pheu Thai Wins

[Pi Sek]

"He hasn't spoken much recently because he wants reconciliation. He does not want this government to be suspicious about him," the spokesman said.[/i]

[Insight]

Just like clockwork. With Phua Thai and the UDD under attack from several angles owing to alleged underhand tactics, there's suddenly contact from the emperor and his clothes.

Yet we'll still be expected to believe not long from now that the whole movement has supposedly moved on from him. Yet again.

[mausplan]

I wash my hands of politics , I just want to live in peace, etc etc , recent quotes from Takkie the reformed angel

Thaksin said his terrorism charges were politically motivated. He is right ,he tried to overthrow the elected Government by force with a rent a mob. That was political and a deliberate act of terrorism.

Now he is going to carry out political activities in Denmark, lets see what happens with that Government when Thaksin starts calling for an uprising using their soil. The Germans have already stopped him doing this so you have to think they all will.

He could come back and face the courts, nothing is stopping him apart from his pride.

He once claimed he was persecuted like Mandela. You think he would have jumped for joy when given the prison sentence as he could have been the poor little downtrodden serf just like Nelson. Mandela thought got 20 years solitary . Takkie only had 2 to server so the time would have been a snip and you could guarantee he would have had colour TV in his cell and slept on his own.

[slapout]

Assistance or advice, he offers both but which of the two, or both, will he contribute. His advice seems to have lost its luster recently and the assistance is denied by him and his henchman. He is fast becoming a candidate for castration, just to ensure his genetic line hits a dead end.

[hammered]

I wash my hands of politics , I just want to live in peace, etc etc , recent quotes from Takkie the reformed angel

Thaksin said his terrorism charges were politically motivated. He is right ,he tried to overthrow the elected Government by force with a rent a mob. That was political and a deliberate act of terrorism.

Now he is going to carry out political activities in Denmark, lets see what happens with that Government when Thaksin starts calling for an uprising using their soil. The Germans have already stopped him doing this so you have to think they all will.

He could come back and face the courts, nothing is stopping him apart from his pride.

He once claimed he was persecuted like Mandela. You think he would have jumped for joy when given the prison sentence as he could have been the poor little downtrodden serf just like Nelson. Mandela thought got 20 years solitary . Takkie only had 2 to server so the time would have been a snip and you could guarantee he would have had colour TV in his cell and slept on his own.

Mandela didnt oversee the biggest human rights abuse in the recent history of his country while PM so it looks like they are a tad different

[dru2]

Well, let's see: Thaksin sees himself as Mandela or Aung San Suu Kyi. Jatuporn likes to wear Gandhi teeshirts. Arisman sees himself as "a very parfait gentle knight". Meanwhile the Reds equate Abhisit with Hitler.

[monkfish]

2 years for Conflict Of Interest and not Corruption.

What did Suthep get?? for the same?

[givenall]

"He hasn't spoken much recently because he wants reconciliation. He does not want this government to be suspicious about him," the spokesman said.[/i]

isn't there a law against a ex-con getting involved in politics. If not then it should be

[kuffki]

Just the other day saw a car with a huge sign across the back screen which said

"Reds fight for the super-rich" "now how stupid is that?

First it did not hit me, but few seconds later, it does make very good sense, but i doubt people even grasp that.

The rural are fighting for Mr T, who is not just rich but super-rich and it does not even cross their mind how he got so super rich and why he wants to come back.

But glad to see we are back for another round(round 10? or i lost the count already)

[timekeeper]

come home Thaksin

lets see you campaign on the streets of Bangkok

then be thrown in jail where you belong...........

[ianbaggie]

and theyre both as corrupt as the day is long!!

Well, let's see: Thaksin sees himself as Mandela or Aung San Suu Kyi. Jatuporn likes to wear Gandhi teeshirts. Arisman sees himself as "a very parfait gentle knight". Meanwhile the Reds equate Abhisit with Hitler.

Edited October 14, 2010 by ianbaggie

[ianbaggie]

As far as I know Suthep isnt convicted of anything. therefore not guilty - perhaps you could provide a link if you believe this is not the case. Thasksin however is guilty of embezzling billions of baht into his parent company of Tax payers money - i pay money into the Thai tax system - i would hate that goes to Khun Shinawatra!!

2 years for Conflict Of Interest and not Corruption.

What did Suthep get?? for the same?

[ChiangMaiFun]

come home Thaksin

lets see you campaign on the streets of Bangkok

then be thrown in jail where you belong...........

Maybe in Bangkok but not up here (CNX) they still love him

[dumpling]

We might just see the greatest come back since Lazarus!!

[dru2]

come home Thaksin

lets see you campaign on the streets of Bangkok

then be thrown in jail where you belong...........

Maybe in Bangkok but not up here (CNX) they still love him

Not everyone. My water delivery man took a look at the Redshirts on my TV and said unequivocally "ka man mot" - kill 'em all. I've lived here 20 years, speak good Thai and some Kham Meuang. My village is split about 50-50 among those who care - and many do not. It's a myth that rural Chiang Mai is wholly redshirt territory, so please stop perpetuating it.

[ianbaggie]

"comeback" insinuates he went away - you only have to look at central world and see the clips of his billeous diatribe on youtube to know that he didnt - he only hid himself like a coward

We might just see the greatest come back since Lazarus!!

[ianbaggie]

thats good news maybe i can visit Chiang Mai again now

come home Thaksin

lets see you campaign on the streets of Bangkok

then be thrown in jail where you belong...........

Maybe in Bangkok but not up here (CNX) they still love him

Not everyone. My water delivery man took a look at the Redshirts on my TV and said unequivocally "ka man mot" - kill 'em all. I've lived here 20 years, speak good Thai and some Kham Meuang. My village is split about 50-50 among those who care - and many do not. It's a myth that rural Chiang Mai is wholly redshirt territory, so please stop perpetuating it.

[slapout]

Some do some don't. Love may be a little strong for the public feeling for him. But whatever is felt, the support he once had seems to have dwindled somewhat over the past couple of years.

[ChiangMaiFun]

come home Thaksin

lets see you campaign on the streets of Bangkok

then be thrown in jail where you belong...........

Maybe in Bangkok but not up here (CNX) they still love him

Not everyone. My water delivery man took a look at the Redshirts on my TV and said unequivocally "ka man mot" - kill 'em all. I've lived here 20 years, speak good Thai and some Kham Meuang. My village is split about 50-50 among those who care - and many do not. It's a myth that rural Chiang Mai is wholly redshirt territory, so please stop perpetuating it.

oh so your water delivery man is now the litmus test is he? and who said 'rural"? I didn't - I have found the feeling of the people I know grow stronger - not weaker. I am not saying that it would be good I am just balancing the 'BKK would kill him' pronouncements.

[ianbaggie]

Shame youve found evidence of this for all of us. Except the ones happy with his bribes.

come home Thaksin

lets see you campaign on the streets of Bangkok

then be thrown in jail where you belong...........

Maybe in Bangkok but not up here (CNX) they still love him

Not everyone. My water delivery man took a look at the Redshirts on my TV and said unequivocally "ka man mot" - kill 'em all. I've lived here 20 years, speak good Thai and some Kham Meuang. My village is split about 50-50 among those who care - and many do not. It's a myth that rural Chiang Mai is wholly redshirt territory, so please stop perpetuating it.

oh so your water delivery man is now the litmus test is he? and who said 'rural"? I didn't - I have found the feeling of the people I know grow stronger - not weaker. I am not saying that it would be good I am just balancing the 'BKK would kill him' pronouncements.

[neverdie]

Thaksin has said the terrorism charges are "politically motivated".

More of the same rubbish

[dru2]

As a northern Thai, Mr. Super-Duper, he's probably a much better litmus test than you are. But, as you will see if you read my post, I was talking about my village in general.

Edited October 14, 2010 by dru2

[ChiangMaiFun]

As a northern Thai, Mr. Super-Duper, he's probably a much better litmus test than you are. But, as you will see if you read my post, I was talking about my village in general.

now now khun 63 posts! I was simply balancing the 'Thailand hates Thaksin' rubbish - if this is true hold elections and find out!

[rubl]

2 years for Conflict Of Interest and not Corruption.

What did Suthep get?? for the same?

Either a rhetorical question or you really like to know the difference. Let us know when you figured things out, please.

[ianbaggie]

exactly

2 years for Conflict Of Interest and not Corruption.

What did Suthep get?? for the same?

Either a rhetorical question or you really like to know the difference. Let us know when you figured things out, please.

[SergeiY]

thats good news maybe i can visit Chiang Mai again now

Not everyone. My water delivery man took a look at the Redshirts on my TV and said unequivocally "ka man mot" - kill 'em all. I've lived here 20 years, speak good Thai and some Kham Meuang. My village is split about 50-50 among those who care - and many do not. It's a myth that rural Chiang Mai is wholly redshirt territory, so please stop perpetuating it.

Do you think they will make a special show out of it - the " "ka man mot" - kill 'em all." - 'together we can' party? Maybe in a special public holiday week just for that event? promoted by TIT & TAT?

Red shirt or not, if there is just a report on them on TV and someone comments - 'kill them all' well that is actually something equally to worry about and not a solution.

[MAJIC]

Bring on the Red Apologists,they havent posted for a long while.

[Buchholz]

The same as during May Mayhem 2010, when they were held up and used as human shields, the Reds continue to abuse children in this accompanying photo and depiction that accompanies the OP:

A young boy holds a sign reading: 'dam_n the decree' in reference to the state of emergency currently in place across Bangkok. Thailand's fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is preparing to step up his political activities from exile ahead of elections next year, the opposition has said.

AFP

[nong38]

^oHas he sold his story to HELLO magazine yet? They are always on the look out for failures who ant one last pay day before saling off into oblivion. Surely he must realize if he every comes back someone if going to knock him off. You have had your go, failed now on your bike, let someone else have ago.