Thaksin The Opportunist

[webfact]

Thaksin the Opportunist

Almost immediately after Aung San Suu Kyi, a Burmese pro-democratic activist, was released by the Burmese junta after 20 years of house arrest, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra issued a statement to the Thai government, demanding the release of the those jailed for inciting the violent political unrest earlier this year. Thaksin claims that this would be the first step leading to the national reconciliation.

For a while now, the controversial ex-premier has been claiming that he is too, a pro-democratic fighter just like Aung San Suu Kyi despite many vast differences between the two.

First of all, Aung San Suu Kyi is a firm believer in democratic principles and she has been selflessly fighting for the common interests of the Burmese people. She has put her ideology to test by sacrificing her freedom by having been detained under a house arrest for 20 years. Unsurprisingly, she has been praised by the pro-democratic movements around the world and has been named as a Nobel Peace laureate. On the other hand, Thaksin is a fugitive, who has refused to even accept the Supreme Court's 2 year prison sentence.

It should come to no surprise that the notorious former Thai prime minister could only travel to just a few countries. Also recently, he was listed in the Washington Post as one of the five most notorious world leaders.

Secondly, Aung San Suu Kyi has always been fighting for democracy in a peaceful way. Now look at Thaksin, who is wanted by the Thai authorities for masterminding red-shirt protesters who were responsible for the violent unrest, aimed to topple the ruling Thai government. As seen from the past, the former Thai premier would only preach about democracy while willing to do anything in opposite for his own self-interests.

Thirdly, Aung San Suu Kyi has never been found to be involved in any corruption or conflict of interest scandal. In a sharp contrast to Thaksin, who have committed various types of corruption, both domesticity and internationally, including the authorization of 4 billion baht low interest loan to the Burmese junta for the procurement of the telecommunication equipments from his family-owned company.

From the examples mentioned above, there are certainly many differences between Thaksin and Aung San Suu Kyi. This has also demonstrated that Thaskin is nothing more than a shameless opportunist, who is willing to lie just to achieve his objective. The demand for the release of the jailed red shirt terrorists is a direct challenge to the rule of law and an attempt to create an unacceptable social standard.

Taken from Editorial Section, Naewna Newspaper, Page 3, November 16, 2010

Translated and Rewritten by Kongkrai Maksrivorawan

Please note that the views expressed in our "Analysis" segment are translated from local newspaper articles and do not reflect the views of the Thai-ASEAN News Network.

-- Tan Network 2010-11-17

[givenall]

Too bad Thai people are so naïve about what is going on around them. I would have thought no one will even remember Thaksin names by now

[hanuman1]

Taksin is never going to go away if people keep writing and obsessing about him.

We are perpetuating our own annoyance and turning the guy into a boogeyman.

[Insight]

Taksin is never going to go away if people keep writing and obsessing about him.

We are perpetuating our own annoyance and turning the guy into a boogeyman.

I am under impression Thaksin spends large chunks of cash to ensure people keep writing about him, otherwise known as PR.

In reality ignoring him is not really an option.

[animatic]

Taksin is never going to go away if people keep writing and obsessing about him.

We are perpetuating our own annoyance and turning the guy into a boogeyman.

He essentially IS a boogeyman.

[Thailand]

He is one of the world's best at self pr.

And yes,if its not the Nation or the govt bringing up his name at every opportunity he will find ways to do it himself,directly or indirectly.

Whatever you may think about him he is a very astute man.

[Siripon]

Taksin is never going to go away if people keep writing and obsessing about him.

We are perpetuating our own annoyance and turning the guy into a boogeyman.

Unfortunately Chalerm has proposed to make Thaksin and his return the focal and rallying point for Pheua Thai's next election campaign so the government are beholden to the Thai people to expose this charlatan for what he is.

[hanuman1]

Taksin is never going to go away if people keep writing and obsessing about him.

We are perpetuating our own annoyance and turning the guy into a boogeyman.

Unfortunately Chalerm has proposed to make Thaksin and his return the focal and rallying point for Pheua Thai's next election campaign so the government are beholden to the Thai people to expose this charlatan for what he is.

The government may see themselves as beholden to the Thai people to expose this charlatan for what he is - that would generally be in line with the behaviour of rival political parties (with a small 'p' (sic)).

However, it is as much the media who seem to be exposing the charlatan for what he is every bit as much as the government, and that no doubt fuels the claims of the media being politically biased.

Anyway, I'm trying to picture the time when this constant coverage of the man will die down. If the role of this constant exposure is to keep him on the back foot, then presumably there will have to come a time when he is not presumed to be a sufficient 'threat' - if that's the right word - before the constant furore dies down. So my question is, what would the circumstances have to be for this to happen?

Or are we condemned to read about his skullduggery on a daily basis for the next number of months and years (ugh)?

[hammered]

Taksin is never going to go away if people keep writing and obsessing about him.

We are perpetuating our own annoyance and turning the guy into a boogeyman.

Unfortunately Chalerm has proposed to make Thaksin and his return the focal and rallying point for Pheua Thai's next election campaign so the government are beholden to the Thai people to expose this charlatan for what he is.

The government may see themselves as beholden to the Thai people to expose this charlatan for what he is - that would generally be in line with the behaviour of rival political parties (with a small 'p' (sic)).

However, it is as much the media who seem to be exposing the charlatan for what he is every bit as much as the government, and that no doubt fuels the claims of the media being politically biased.

Anyway, I'm trying to picture the time when this constant coverage of the man will die down. If the role of this constant exposure is to keep him on the back foot, then presumably there will have to come a time when he is not presumed to be a sufficient 'threat' - if that's the right word - before the constant furore dies down. So my question is, what would the circumstances have to be for this to happen?

Or are we condemned to read about his skullduggery on a daily basis for the next number of months and years (ugh)?

I wouldnt put any money on him going away soon either through his choice or the actions of others

[whybother]

Taksin is never going to go away if people keep writing and obsessing about him.

We are perpetuating our own annoyance and turning the guy into a boogeyman.

Unfortunately Chalerm has proposed to make Thaksin and his return the focal and rallying point for Pheua Thai's next election campaign so the government are beholden to the Thai people to expose this charlatan for what he is.

The government may see themselves as beholden to the Thai people to expose this charlatan for what he is - that would generally be in line with the behaviour of rival political parties (with a small 'p' (sic)).

However, it is as much the media who seem to be exposing the charlatan for what he is every bit as much as the government, and that no doubt fuels the claims of the media being politically biased.

Anyway, I'm trying to picture the time when this constant coverage of the man will die down. If the role of this constant exposure is to keep him on the back foot, then presumably there will have to come a time when he is not presumed to be a sufficient 'threat' - if that's the right word - before the constant furore dies down. So my question is, what would the circumstances have to be for this to happen?

Or are we condemned to read about his skullduggery on a daily basis for the next number of months and years (ugh)?

As Siripon says, given that the PTP have made bringing back Thaksin and whitewashing his crimes as their main (only?) election promise, Thaksin will be in the news regularly for the next year at least.

[Insight]

Taksin is never going to go away if people keep writing and obsessing about him.

We are perpetuating our own annoyance and turning the guy into a boogeyman.

Unfortunately Chalerm has proposed to make Thaksin and his return the focal and rallying point for Pheua Thai's next election campaign so the government are beholden to the Thai people to expose this charlatan for what he is.

The government may see themselves as beholden to the Thai people to expose this charlatan for what he is - that would generally be in line with the behaviour of rival political parties (with a small 'p' (sic)).

However, it is as much the media who seem to be exposing the charlatan for what he is every bit as much as the government, and that no doubt fuels the claims of the media being politically biased.

Anyway, I'm trying to picture the time when this constant coverage of the man will die down. If the role of this constant exposure is to keep him on the back foot, then presumably there will have to come a time when he is not presumed to be a sufficient 'threat' - if that's the right word - before the constant furore dies down. So my question is, what would the circumstances have to be for this to happen?

Or are we condemned to read about his skullduggery on a daily basis for the next number of months and years (ugh)?

Would the artice of appeared if Thaksin never sent his (massively hypocritical IMO) Twitter message? Obviously not, as there'd be no context.

There's simply no chicken/egg debate here.

[timekeeper]

He is one of the world's best at self pr.

And yes,if its not the Nation or the govt bringing up his name at every opportunity he will find ways to do it himself,directly or indirectly.

Whatever you may think about him he is a very astute man.

he is so astute that he left billions of baht behind to be seized by the government went he ran away from his conviction.

very astute indeed...........

[asiawatcher]

He is one of the world's best at self pr.

And yes,if its not the Nation or the govt bringing up his name at every opportunity he will find ways to do it himself,directly or indirectly.

Whatever you may think about him he is a very astute man.

... Eer heelllloooo!!! The man is delusional.

[animatic]

He is one of the world's best at self pr.

And yes,if its not the Nation or the govt bringing up his name at every opportunity he will find ways to do it himself,directly or indirectly.

Whatever you may think about him he is a very astute man.

... Eer heelllloooo!!! The man is delusional.

Delusional, and utterly obsessed with regaining his lost face and power.

[Insight]

He is one of the world's best at self pr.

And yes,if its not the Nation or the govt bringing up his name at every opportunity he will find ways to do it himself,directly or indirectly.

Whatever you may think about him he is a very astute man.

... Eer heelllloooo!!! The man is delusional.

Delusional, and utterly obsessed with regaining his lost face and power.

Given what we've seen over the past 12 months I think it's very fair to speculate there's more than one person pulling the strings of this "movement" - a strategic "think tank" of sorts.

Thaksin could well be a member, but he's also a product being pushed.

[Thailand]

He is one of the world's best at self pr.

And yes,if its not the Nation or the govt bringing up his name at every opportunity he will find ways to do it himself,directly or indirectly.

Whatever you may think about him he is a very astute man.

he is so astute that he left billions of baht behind to be seized by the government went he ran away from his conviction.

very astute indeed...........

Didn't get any money out then?

Well maybe just enough to buy a gold mine or two and the odd football club and a few $'s left over to

fund the reds for quite a while!

[whybother]

He is one of the world's best at self pr.

And yes,if its not the Nation or the govt bringing up his name at every opportunity he will find ways to do it himself,directly or indirectly.

Whatever you may think about him he is a very astute man.

he is so astute that he left billions of baht behind to be seized by the government went he ran away from his conviction.

very astute indeed...........

Didn't get any money out then?

Well maybe just enough to buy a gold mine or two and the odd football club and a few s left over to

fund the reds for quite a while!

He already had a lot out, but he left billions behind.

[Thailand]

He is one of the world's best at self pr.

And yes,if its not the Nation or the govt bringing up his name at every opportunity he will find ways to do it himself,directly or indirectly.

Whatever you may think about him he is a very astute man.

he is so astute that he left billions of baht behind to be seized by the government went he ran away from his conviction.

very astute indeed...........

Didn't get any money out then?

Well maybe just enough to buy a gold mine or two and the odd football club and a few s left over to

fund the reds for quite a while!

He already had a lot out, but he left billions behind.

Perhaps he left enough behind to ensure the monies he got out would not be pursued too vigorously - now that would be astute.

[ChiangMaiFun]

I must agree - not a jot of common ground between that great lady and Khun.T

[jdinasia]

he is so astute that he left billions of baht behind to be seized by the government went he ran away from his conviction.

very astute indeed...........

Didn't get any money out then?

Well maybe just enough to buy a gold mine or two and the odd football club and a few s left over to

fund the reds for quite a while!

He already had a lot out, but he left billions behind.

Perhaps he left enough behind to ensure the monies he got out would not be pursued too vigorously - now that would be astute.

Or he simply was counting on a similar verdict to the 2001 assets concealment case, where he had hidden cash in the past. That would be far from 'astute'

[scorecard]

Taksin is never going to go away if people keep writing and obsessing about him.

We are perpetuating our own annoyance and turning the guy into a boogeyman.

Unfortunately Chalerm has proposed to make Thaksin and his return the focal and rallying point for Pheua Thai's next election campaign so the government are beholden to the Thai people to expose this charlatan for what he is.

The government may see themselves as beholden to the Thai people to expose this charlatan for what he is - that would generally be in line with the behaviour of rival political parties (with a small 'p' (sic)).

However, it is as much the media who seem to be exposing the charlatan for what he is every bit as much as the government, and that no doubt fuels the claims of the media being politically biased.

Anyway, I'm trying to picture the time when this constant coverage of the man will die down. If the role of this constant exposure is to keep him on the back foot, then presumably there will have to come a time when he is not presumed to be a sufficient 'threat' - if that's the right word - before the constant furore dies down. So my question is, what would the circumstances have to be for this to happen?

Or are we condemned to read about his skullduggery on a daily basis for the next number of months and years (ugh)?

I wouldnt put any money on him going away soon either through his choice or the actions of others

Very interesting thread, I suggest that thaksin would quickly become irrelevant if the democarats would pick up some speed and build their popularity thru policies and tangible actions which build better and tangible opportunities for all Thais. In other words really build their credibility. Then thaskin would be irrelevant.

The current government is in fact looking at / changing many items but the average Joe doesn't see it. PM Abhisit needs to get better at helping people to understand what he and his sidekick Khun Korn are really doing and why they are doing it.

Also relevant is that PM Abhisit has no choice but to work with incapable and insincere clowns within the coalition and even from his own party.

This is certainly not helping to build the 'highly credible', 'really improving the situation for all Thais' challenge.

[Thailand]

Or he simply was counting on a similar verdict to the 2001 assets concealment case, where he had hidden cash in the past. That would be far from 'astute'

Or perhaps he was astute enough to anticipate a different verdict from the 2001 assets concealment case and left sufficient funds here to mollify the potential pursuers of the billions he had already siphoned out.

Not sure if I am astute enough to continue this discourse any longer.

[ratcatcher]

He is one of the world's best at self pr.

And yes,if its not the Nation or the govt bringing up his name at every opportunity he will find ways to do it himself,directly or indirectly.

Whatever you may think about him he is a very astute man.

he is so astute that he left billions of baht behind to be seized by the government went he ran away from his conviction.

very astute indeed...........

Didn't get any money out then?

Well maybe just enough to buy a gold mine or two and the odd football club and a few s left over to

fund the reds for quite a while!

He already had a lot out, but he left billions behind.

Which leaves one pondering just how much he really managed to plunder from the good people of the Kingdom.

[Buchholz]

he is so astute that he left billions of baht behind to be seized by the government went he ran away from his conviction.

very astute indeed...........

Didn't get any money out then?

Well maybe just enough to buy a gold mine or two and the odd football club and a few s left over to

fund the reds for quite a while!

He already had a lot out, but he left billions behind.

Which leaves one pondering just how much he really managed to plunder from the good people of the Kingdom.

read below signature

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[Trickcyclist]

neck like a jockey's whatsits!

[timekeeper]

He is one of the world's best at self pr.

And yes,if its not the Nation or the govt bringing up his name at every opportunity he will find ways to do it himself,directly or indirectly.

Whatever you may think about him he is a very astute man.

he is so astute that he left billions of baht behind to be seized by the government went he ran away from his conviction.

very astute indeed...........

Didn't get any money out then?

Well maybe just enough to buy a gold mine or two and the odd football club and a few s left over to

fund the reds for quite a while!

any convicted criminal who leaves behind 76 billion baht to be seized by the same people that convicted him, is a moron

considering the source was money he stole from the people of Thailand, he should not have left 1 satang behind

he has since spent billions of baht on lawyers trying to defend his error and to financing a red revolution to get it back

very astute indeed...........

[Siam Simon]

He is one of the world's best at self pr.

And yes,if its not the Nation or the govt bringing up his name at every opportunity he will find ways to do it himself,directly or indirectly.

Whatever you may think about him he is a very astute man.

he is so astute that he left billions of baht behind to be seized by the government went he ran away from his conviction.

very astute indeed...........

Didn't get any money out then?

Well maybe just enough to buy a gold mine or two and the odd football club and a few s left over to

fund the reds for quite a while!

any convicted criminal who leaves behind 76 billion baht to be seized by the same people that convicted him, is a moron

considering the source was money he stole from the people of Thailand, he should not have left 1 satang behind

he has since spent billions of baht on lawyers trying to defend his error and to financing a red revolution to get it back

very astute indeed...........

His management of Manchester City Football Club was very true to form: He borrowed the money to pay the club wage bill from a fellow director three times in the space of twelve months.

[waza]

Thaksin is the opportunist, he encourages and finances the rural masses to figt and die for democracy and a more even distribution of wealth, while he schemes to sell their rice paddies to arabs.

”Vast areas of farmland in the western and northeastern provinces have fallen into the hands of Taiwanese businessmen, while investors from the United States have also bought a number of plots in the fruit-growing province of Phetchabun,” The plan is reportedly the brainchild of deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who took a group of Saudi businessmen on a tour of a rice production centre.

He is also so astute that when a senator of doubtful sanity claimed to have found an incredible hoard of gold and U.S. bonds left behind by the retreating Japanese army at the end of World War Two, stashed inside a train carriage surrounded by the skeletons of Imperial Army soldiers who had committed hara-kiri and hidden deep in a cave near Kanchanaburi. Thaksin was so excited he rushed to the cave in a helicopter and later announced he would make use of a friend’s satellite to pinpoint the location of the treasure.

[Samuian]

Taksin is never going to go away if people keep writing and obsessing about him.

We are perpetuating our own annoyance and turning the guy into a boogeyman.

I am under impression Thaksin spends large chunks of cash to ensure people keep writing about him, otherwise known as PR.

In reality ignoring him is not really an option.

Well it is exactly THIS way he ensures that he is NOT forgotten!

And yes, any opportunity to apppear in the mainstream media, to be 'tal ofthetown" his PR team will take advantge of.

It's what PR is all about... he is out for revenge - simply a bad loser!

[JRCIII]

but he wins elections at the ballot box rather than the end of a rifle