Thailand’s Deposed Prime Minister Relaxes And Waits

[housepainter]

You can pore over the minutiae of the Thaksin years till you're blue in the face, but all that is history and it's much more cogent to focus on the here and now.

The facts are that now three years on Thaksin isn't coming home any time soon. When he does he'll be peeing in a pot in the corner and taking showers once a week. And of those 94 wrist watches none will be able to measure the amount of time he'll find on his bored. cell dwelling hands.

That's with all the influnece he has, which right now amounts to very little at all. Even less when the cell door shuts.

The establishment is no longer his nor is he a part of it. The Army call the shots on Thaksin and they have, do and will oppose him. His wealth has been massively dented. He is seen where ever he goes as vulnerable because he has to pay extortionate amounts to visit , stay and not be arrested and deported in every part of the world he visits. And despite the nonsensical rumours that he was ever in Norway, if he flies over EU air space, that's around 30 countries now, he can be arrested. Same for America after Victor Bout was traded in exchange for an I.O.U Thaksin.

His world is shrinking. Moreover, it is becoming a tad more unpleasant. Arabia is not 'countries' but Emirates. A bunch of cronies running patches of desert storm all willing to trade Thaksin when the price is right. the Saudis have a price in mind.

That leaves glorius Africa the place we flipped a coin over whether we'd go there or come here. Glorius medieval, plague infected, desease riddled, war torn, terrorist housing, lawless, genocidal, dangerous Africa. Nice choice then.

For all those who assist him by way access to their countries and receive a small fortune in recompense, there are those seeking to sell him out to the Thai Government or any government who'll trade him on.

Precedent shows that when in the air all measures are taken to have the plane he's on re-directed into 'unfriendly' air space, where an assurance is made that he will be arrested.

The Suadi gems farce that keeps being traded back and forth is all about Thaksin. The Saudis will trade him when they get their gems back. The previous request to the Saudis not to provide him shelter were dismissed. At the same time diplomatic relations were resumed because, quite rightly the Saudis want justice for the murdered Saudi Nationals connected to the gems theft.

It begs the question then just why Thailand has not organised his capture. There are some problems best not dealt with. One is having Thaksin serve his time. For at two yeras he'd be out after 3 months, tagged and bailed however they do it here, but essentially free. No one here in power wants to see Thaksin back on the soap box.

Free and returned to the public arena to wreak havoc on a steadily stabilising society. Therefore, keep him in exile and should he turn up lock him up. That is until you decide what to do with a live and kicking Thaksin.

The other quite clear threat to Thaksin is his life. Should he return then he'd almost certainly be assassinated because realistically it is the perfect solution to a probelm that won't go away. Maybe Thaksin does know that as he has abandoned any attempts to return any time soon. If ever.

For those doubters coinsider this: without Thaksin's presence, leadership, sway, the country descended towards civil war and anarchy. It stands polarised today albeit the reds are very much a neutered force. That is the reality. The reds have peaked and waned, the protests are gone, the army deals effectively with small scale protest never allowing it to escalate. The Abhissit government that wouldn't last a week, a month, a minute is solidly still in place. At the same time any opposition is rudderless, unknown, without ideology or sound bite. Clearly, in disarray. Is there in fact an oppsition?

The position of the Bangkok elite, the government, the army is to remain laid back and relaxed. Thai democracy was never a well oiled time piece but it is ticking away nicely with no alarms going off. Even when bells do start ringing it's a simple press of the military button at the government's request, to restore calm.

For an insight to personality re-read Sven Goran Ericson's account of Thaksin; unable to handle losing, he would mope silently for days ignoring those closest to him who were working to improve things. He would swing Jekyl and hide like as his mood swings took him. How rational does that sound. Running Man City the way he ran Thailand? Toys out of pram time.

To the neutral this is poor behaviour. It reveals a rather childish, immature response to disappointment. It does not show a decisive mind. Then there is the implied vanity over 'knowing nothing' about football yet advising Ericson. It did remind me of Hitler with his General's and it cost them the war.

What it shows is the 'thainess' of Thaksin. As long as he was surrounded by psychophants he was fine. But stripped of that and seen for what he is, the man is left floundering. And that is how he finds himself now. Even unable to construct a single force of opposition inside or outside of government other than a violent mob armed with sticks, guns and home made bombs. Thyey themselves make it easy to unite the country in opposing such needless, senseless violence.

It is either a reflection on Thaksin or Thais in general.

But whatever way you call it, as ex-pats we know that to get anything done it's best to return home and sort it out yourself. Others won't and can't do it for you.

Meanwhile Thaksin is growing old. There will come a time when he is seen as past it. That society has changed and he has become just another Thai political dinosaur like Chavalit. Of course, the vanity will kick in and he'll never see it. But the great hope for Thailand is that this change we now see where democracy is being nurtured and the gangster politicians, the powerful families, the figures of influence, the corrupt are being sidelined, actually sticks. As within such a democracy there is no room for Thaksin or his ilk.

It is happening.

Democracy. It's something that is alien to Thaksin. For it is the way of the civilised world. The first world and Abhisit is dragging Thailand towards the light.

The dark days have gone. And so too have the dinosaurs.

[whybother]

For those doubters coinsider this: without Thaksin's presence, leadership, sway, the country descended towards civil war and anarchy.

Actually, I think it was BECAUSE of his sway that the country descended towards civil war and anarchy.

[kropotkin]

The dark times have gone, and so have the dinosaurs.

I wish that was true.

Mr T has gone yes. Good.

But there is stil the Prem - Chitchob - Suthep government.

What has changed?

[slapout]

You can almost set your calender for the periodic BS that will be on someones front page in regard to this "Pillar of the Poor". Are the proponents/writers of this gabarge paid by the letter, word, page, or roll of paper to be used as is deemed appropriate.?

[Buchholz]

but you might want to read the OP again.

It's about how the former prime minister is relaxing and waiting for his opportunity to return...

I showed another aspect of how he is spending his time looking for good prices on widgets at a third world street market...

but I could have shown him at a book sale where the billionaire, alongside three other individual billionaires, launched his insightful memoirs on the subject of poverty

[hardy1943]

You can pore over the minutiae of the Thaksin years till you're blue in the face, but all that is history and it's much more cogent to focus on the here and now.

The facts are that now three years on Thaksin isn't coming home any time soon. When he does he'll be peeing in a pot in the corner and taking showers once a week. And of those 94 wrist watches none will be able to measure the amount of time he'll find on his bored. cell dwelling hands.

That's with all the influnece he has, which right now amounts to very little at all. Even less when the cell door shuts.

The establishment is no longer his nor is he a part of it. The Army call the shots on Thaksin and they have, do and will oppose him. His wealth has been massively dented. He is seen where ever he goes as vulnerable because he has to pay extortionate amounts to visit , stay and not be arrested and deported in every part of the world he visits. And despite the nonsensical rumours that he was ever in Norway, if he flies over EU air space, that's around 30 countries now, he can be arrested. Same for America after Victor Bout was traded in exchange for an I.O.U Thaksin.

His world is shrinking. Moreover, it is becoming a tad more unpleasant. Arabia is not 'countries' but Emirates. A bunch of cronies running patches of desert storm all willing to trade Thaksin when the price is right. the Saudis have a price in mind.

That leaves glorius Africa the place we flipped a coin over whether we'd go there or come here. Glorius medieval, plague infected, desease riddled, war torn, terrorist housing, lawless, genocidal, dangerous Africa. Nice choice then.

For all those who assist him by way access to their countries and receive a small fortune in recompense, there are those seeking to sell him out to the Thai Government or any government who'll trade him on.

Precedent shows that when in the air all measures are taken to have the plane he's on re-directed into 'unfriendly' air space, where an assurance is made that he will be arrested.

The Suadi gems farce that keeps being traded back and forth is all about Thaksin. The Saudis will trade him when they get their gems back. The previous request to the Saudis not to provide him shelter were dismissed. At the same time diplomatic relations were resumed because, quite rightly the Saudis want justice for the murdered Saudi Nationals connected to the gems theft.

It begs the question then just why Thailand has not organised his capture. There are some problems best not dealt with. One is having Thaksin serve his time. For at two yeras he'd be out after 3 months, tagged and bailed however they do it here, but essentially free. No one here in power wants to see Thaksin back on the soap box.

Free and returned to the public arena to wreak havoc on a steadily stabilising society. Therefore, keep him in exile and should he turn up lock him up. That is until you decide what to do with a live and kicking Thaksin.

The other quite clear threat to Thaksin is his life. Should he return then he'd almost certainly be assassinated because realistically it is the perfect solution to a probelm that won't go away. Maybe Thaksin does know that as he has abandoned any attempts to return any time soon. If ever.

For those doubters coinsider this: without Thaksin's presence, leadership, sway, the country descended towards civil war and anarchy. It stands polarised today albeit the reds are very much a neutered force. That is the reality. The reds have peaked and waned, the protests are gone, the army deals effectively with small scale protest never allowing it to escalate. The Abhissit government that wouldn't last a week, a month, a minute is solidly still in place. At the same time any opposition is rudderless, unknown, without ideology or sound bite. Clearly, in disarray. Is there in fact an oppsition?

The position of the Bangkok elite, the government, the army is to remain laid back and relaxed. Thai democracy was never a well oiled time piece but it is ticking away nicely with no alarms going off. Even when bells do start ringing it's a simple press of the military button at the government's request, to restore calm.

For an insight to personality re-read Sven Goran Ericson's account of Thaksin; unable to handle losing, he would mope silently for days ignoring those closest to him who were working to improve things. He would swing Jekyl and hide like as his mood swings took him. How rational does that sound. Running Man City the way he ran Thailand? Toys out of pram time.

To the neutral this is poor behaviour. It reveals a rather childish, immature response to disappointment. It does not show a decisive mind. Then there is the implied vanity over 'knowing nothing' about football yet advising Ericson. It did remind me of Hitler with his General's and it cost them the war.

What it shows is the 'thainess' of Thaksin. As long as he was surrounded by psychophants he was fine. But stripped of that and seen for what he is, the man is left floundering. And that is how he finds himself now. Even unable to construct a single force of opposition inside or outside of government other than a violent mob armed with sticks, guns and home made bombs. Thyey themselves make it easy to unite the country in opposing such needless, senseless violence.

It is either a reflection on Thaksin or Thais in general.

But whatever way you call it, as ex-pats we know that to get anything done it's best to return home and sort it out yourself. Others won't and can't do it for you.

Meanwhile Thaksin is growing old. There will come a time when he is seen as past it. That society has changed and he has become just another Thai political dinosaur like Chavalit. Of course, the vanity will kick in and he'll never see it. But the great hope for Thailand is that this change we now see where democracy is being nurtured and the gangster politicians, the powerful families, the figures of influence, the corrupt are being sidelined, actually sticks. As within such a democracy there is no room for Thaksin or his ilk.

It is happening.

Democracy. It's something that is alien to Thaksin. For it is the way of the civilised world. The first world and Abhisit is dragging Thailand towards the light.

The dark days have gone. And so too have the dinosaurs.

Keep on dreaming about Democracy for Thailand. It will never happen here in our life time. Besides that none of us can vote but it get everyone worked up beating on the dead horse named Thaksin, What a none advent.

[jayjay0]

The 61-year-old former leader has kept a low profile since being ousted in a military coup Sept. 19, 2006, but spoke to the Toronto Star in an exclusive interview from his Mideast exile.

A little research and they would not have printed that article.

Not familiar with Toronto. Is the Star like the National over here? That article would indicate it.

I was thinking of keeping a low profile and make long distant calls to thousands of people gathered with the express purpose to here me.

[lungmi]

Thaksin is not one of the old guard of wealthy Bangkok families who have ruled Thailand since the country became a democracy in 1932. He was born in rural Thailand near Chiang Mai of Chinese descent. His father was a politician and later a businessman and the family was one of the richest and most influential in Chiang Mai. Thaksin was a member of the 10th class of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School and was then admitted to the Thai Police Cadet Academy. Upon graduation in 1973, he joined the Royal Thai Police Department. He received a master's degree in Criminal Justice from Eastern Kentucky University in the United States in 1975, and three years later was awarded a doctorate in Criminal Justice at Sam Houston State University in Texas.

He resigned from the police department in 1987 after several failed business attempts while he was still in the service and began to build his business empire at first by leasing computers to the government then later gaining a license to establish a mobile phone network (AIS) which grew rapidly to list on the Thai stock exchange and which eventually became the largest mobile phone operator in Thailand.

He moved into politics in 1994 and was appointed foreign minister in the same year. After serving as a minister in several governments he founded the Thai Rak Thai party in 1998 and when the prime minister dissolved parliament in 2000 Thaksin was elected as Prime Minister. At the time some academics called it the most open and corruption free election in Thai history.

He began to bring in policies that would for the first time give real benefits to Thailand's rural poor. He started a scheme where farmers could borrow modest sums of money at low interest to use to expand their businesses; he provided the first universal health care, where for 30 baht anyone could attend a public hospital and receive treatment from a doctor. At this time, Thailand was in the grip of a meth amphetamine epidemic which was creating social havoc. Thousands of people were taking the cheap pills manufactured and smuggled into Thailand daily from Burma, (some say by senior military figures). Old and young alike were taking the drug to help them work longer hours and earn more money, not realising the dangers of addiction and psychosis that the drug produced.

Thaksin acted quickly and firmly to rid Thailand of the scourge that was sweeping through the country. He gave orders that every citizen must attend a meeting held at their local village and give the names of anyone they knew who was taking or selling the drug. He also gave the police unprecedented powers to arrest and charge anyone who they considered to be involved with Methamphetamine. It is widely reported that the police gave two warnings to suspects and the third time they were simply disposed of by hit squads operating under the guidance and protection of the police. This however had a dramatic effect on the problem and within six months the drug had all but disappeared from the streets. It is estimated that around 2500 people disappeared or died during this time. The majority of Thai people however supported this strong action and it won him new supporters. Thaksin began to move to cement his position at the top of the political system. He promoted many of his former colleagues and friends over better-qualified and more senior officers. Thaksin often interfered in the annual promotions of the military, which the corps saw as its purview.

Under the slogans "Four Years of Repair – Four years of Reconstruction" and "Building Opportunities", Thaksin and the TRT won landslide victories in the February 2005 elections, sweeping 374 out of 500 seats in Parliament. The election had the highest voter turnout in Thai history. But his second term was soon beset by protests, with claims that he presided over a "parliamentary dictatorship."

He also used his position to create huge wealth for himself and his family by expanding his satellite communication and media businesses which also fed the Thai hunger for salacious gossip about celebrities and politicians. This made him some powerful enemies in political and elite social circles. He also used his media machine to associate himself with the monarch, sometimes pictures of the king with himself superimposed next to him were posted onto huge billboards along the freeways. He also placed pressure on the government's public servants to be more service oriented, to do their jobs and not demand extra payments, to work a full day and to respond to the public's demands for value for money. This once again made him unpopular with those who had been getting an easy ride with the former governments' laissez faire attitude towards the poor.

It is clear that in his quest to remain at the top, he went too far and upset the Bangkok elite. Whether it was jealousy or fear by the powerful establishment it will never be known, however when he refused to pay income tax on the sale of his media empire to a Singapore company, it was reason enough to commence a series of events which would eventually lead to his downfall.

What a crock of sh1t, and a terribly uninformed article from a crappy Toronto-based tabloid. Hope it gets hit by a libel case.

The "crappy" I can agree to, but where exactly is the libel that you discern?

Having re-read it, I can see that, despite printing Thaksin's blatant lies, there's not sooo much that's factually incorrect on the part of the tabloid. Other than...

- The 61-year-old former leader has kept a low profile since being ousted in a military coup Sept. 19, 2006 (This one really got my goat and, because it was in the first paragraph, probably influenced my opinion of the rest of the article.)

- But his popularity remains high in the countryside because of policies that included micro-lending programs, erasing farmers' debts and a form of universal health care. (Erasing farmers' debts? What???)

- Thaksin, who won two elections (Did he really?)

The universities you quote don't appear on the top 200 ranking of US universities. US Universities at low ranking give diploma to everyone with some money. Oxford not.

[lungmi]

Sam Houston State University in Texas.

I understand, this gave him the PhD for extrejudicinall killing.

80% of the death penalty in Texas (who was governor?) did'nt be conform to US law (University of Columbia).

Sorry, I cannot quote correctly, But in the forum you have experts to check it out.

[lungmi]

In my area I have many expats from Germany. Most of them don't understand what is going on in Thailand. The Thaksin supporters (brain washed by their uninstruced wifes) fight for Thaksin. They are the same who say Hitler was good for Germany, and this after ............ years ago..

I suggest: Let Thaksin go in the garbarge of history, no discussion, no argumentions. Stay quiet. Buddha says: No contact with bad hearted peoples.\

Not easy. But I go sleep now.

[pmgthailand]

At least he didn't violently suppress the opposing parties democratic rights with soldiers.

It always comes down to selective memory with Thaksin. It remains he is a convicted criminal on the run so relax, and then when you do if ever, come back, you will then face the other charges against you as well as serve out the sentences and penalties you already had imposed.

[lannarebirth]

At least he didn't violently suppress the opposing parties democratic rights with soldiers.

It always comes down to selective memory with Thaksin. It remains he is a convicted criminal on the run so relax, and then when you do if ever, come back, you will then face the other charges against you as well as serve out the sentences and penalties you already had imposed.

Except for in the muslim provinces of course.

[oldsailor35]

Thaksin is not one of the old guard of wealthy Bangkok families who have ruled Thailand since the country became a democracy in 1932. He was born in rural Thailand near Chiang Mai of Chinese descent. His father was a politician and later a businessman and the family was one of the richest and most influential in Chiang Mai. Thaksin was a member of the 10th class of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School and was then admitted to the Thai Police Cadet Academy. Upon graduation in 1973, he joined the Royal Thai Police Department. He received a master's degree in Criminal Justice from Eastern Kentucky University in the United States in 1975, and three years later was awarded a doctorate in Criminal Justice at Sam Houston State University in Texas.

He resigned from the police department in 1987 after several failed business attempts while he was still in the service and began to build his business empire at first by leasing computers to the government then later gaining a license to establish a mobile phone network (AIS) which grew rapidly to list on the Thai stock exchange and which eventually became the largest mobile phone operator in Thailand.

He moved into politics in 1994 and was appointed foreign minister in the same year. After serving as a minister in several governments he founded the Thai Rak Thai party in 1998 and when the prime minister dissolved parliament in 2000 Thaksin was elected as Prime Minister. At the time some academics called it the most open and corruption free election in Thai history.

He began to bring in policies that would for the first time give real benefits to Thailand's rural poor. He started a scheme where farmers could borrow modest sums of money at low interest to use to expand their businesses; he provided the first universal health care, where for 30 baht anyone could attend a public hospital and receive treatment from a doctor. At this time, Thailand was in the grip of a meth amphetamine epidemic which was creating social havoc. Thousands of people were taking the cheap pills manufactured and smuggled into Thailand daily from Burma, (some say by senior military figures). Old and young alike were taking the drug to help them work longer hours and earn more money, not realising the dangers of addiction and psychosis that the drug produced.

Thaksin acted quickly and firmly to rid Thailand of the scourge that was sweeping through the country. He gave orders that every citizen must attend a meeting held at their local village and give the names of anyone they knew who was taking or selling the drug. He also gave the police unprecedented powers to arrest and charge anyone who they considered to be involved with Methamphetamine. It is widely reported that the police gave two warnings to suspects and the third time they were simply disposed of by hit squads operating under the guidance and protection of the police. This however had a dramatic effect on the problem and within six months the drug had all but disappeared from the streets. It is estimated that around 2500 people disappeared or died during this time. The majority of Thai people however supported this strong action and it won him new supporters. Thaksin began to move to cement his position at the top of the political system. He promoted many of his former colleagues and friends over better-qualified and more senior officers. Thaksin often interfered in the annual promotions of the military, which the corps saw as its purview.

Under the slogans "Four Years of Repair – Four years of Reconstruction" and "Building Opportunities", Thaksin and the TRT won landslide victories in the February 2005 elections, sweeping 374 out of 500 seats in Parliament. The election had the highest voter turnout in Thai history. But his second term was soon beset by protests, with claims that he presided over a "parliamentary dictatorship."

He also used his position to create huge wealth for himself and his family by expanding his satellite communication and media businesses which also fed the Thai hunger for salacious gossip about celebrities and politicians. This made him some powerful enemies in political and elite social circles. He also used his media machine to associate himself with the monarch, sometimes pictures of the king with himself superimposed next to him were posted onto huge billboards along the freeways. He also placed pressure on the government's public servants to be more service oriented, to do their jobs and not demand extra payments, to work a full day and to respond to the public's demands for value for money. This once again made him unpopular with those who had been getting an easy ride with the former governments' laissez faire attitude towards the poor.

It is clear that in his quest to remain at the top, he went too far and upset the Bangkok elite. Whether it was jealousy or fear by the powerful establishment it will never be known, however when he refused to pay income tax on the sale of his media empire to a Singapore company, it was reason enough to commence a series of events which would eventually lead to his downfall.

What a crock of sh1t, and a terribly uninformed article from a crappy Toronto-based tabloid. Hope it gets hit by a libel case.

The "crappy" I can agree to, but where exactly is the libel that you discern?

Having re-read it, I can see that, despite printing Thaksin's blatant lies, there's not sooo much that's factually incorrect on the part of the tabloid. Other than...

- The 61-year-old former leader has kept a low profile since being ousted in a military coup Sept. 19, 2006 (This one really got my goat and, because it was in the first paragraph, probably influenced my opinion of the rest of the article.)

- But his popularity remains high in the countryside because of policies that included micro-lending programs, erasing farmers' debts and a form of universal health care. (Erasing farmers' debts? What???)

- Thaksin, who won two elections (Did he really?)

Congratulations Bobmac, this is a far cry from the uninformative crap i have been reading from the YS supporters. It appears that Thaksin is not the monster that they will have us believe. I just guess that they are really afraid of him and his popularity.

[oldsailor35]

Meanwhile... in other reports today, it would appear he wasn't always a "relaxing" and "waiting" sort of guy...

Sven-Goran Eriksson admits Shinawatra strain at Man City

The former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson has told BBC Radio Manchester of his problems he had with former City chairman Thaksin Shinawatra. The 62-year-old, now in charge at Leicester City, lasted only one year at Eastlands after joining in July 2007.

He said: "His biggest problem was that he didn't understand football at all and he didn't realise that.

"He thought football was easy just tell the players to be aggressive and we will resolve all the problems."

"I think we did well in the whole league more or less until Thaksin decided I had to go at the end of the season," he added.

"Every time we lost he never spoke to me for a week after but when we won it was dinner and very nice hugs and things, so it's difficult to work with people like that."

-- BBC 2011-01-06

Yes well.............SGE would say anything to make himself look good , would'nt he !

[lannarebirth]

Thaksin is not one of the old guard of wealthy Bangkok families who have ruled Thailand since the country became a democracy in 1932. He was born in rural Thailand near Chiang Mai of Chinese descent. His father was a politician and later a businessman and the family was one of the richest and most influential in Chiang Mai. Thaksin was a member of the 10th class of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School and was then admitted to the Thai Police Cadet Academy. Upon graduation in 1973, he joined the Royal Thai Police Department. He received a master's degree in Criminal Justice from Eastern Kentucky University in the United States in 1975, and three years later was awarded a doctorate in Criminal Justice at Sam Houston State University in Texas.

He resigned from the police department in 1987 after several failed business attempts while he was still in the service and began to build his business empire at first by leasing computers to the government then later gaining a license to establish a mobile phone network (AIS) which grew rapidly to list on the Thai stock exchange and which eventually became the largest mobile phone operator in Thailand.

He moved into politics in 1994 and was appointed foreign minister in the same year. After serving as a minister in several governments he founded the Thai Rak Thai party in 1998 and when the prime minister dissolved parliament in 2000 Thaksin was elected as Prime Minister. At the time some academics called it the most open and corruption free election in Thai history.

He began to bring in policies that would for the first time give real benefits to Thailand's rural poor. He started a scheme where farmers could borrow modest sums of money at low interest to use to expand their businesses; he provided the first universal health care, where for 30 baht anyone could attend a public hospital and receive treatment from a doctor. At this time, Thailand was in the grip of a meth amphetamine epidemic which was creating social havoc. Thousands of people were taking the cheap pills manufactured and smuggled into Thailand daily from Burma, (some say by senior military figures). Old and young alike were taking the drug to help them work longer hours and earn more money, not realising the dangers of addiction and psychosis that the drug produced.

Thaksin acted quickly and firmly to rid Thailand of the scourge that was sweeping through the country. He gave orders that every citizen must attend a meeting held at their local village and give the names of anyone they knew who was taking or selling the drug. He also gave the police unprecedented powers to arrest and charge anyone who they considered to be involved with Methamphetamine. It is widely reported that the police gave two warnings to suspects and the third time they were simply disposed of by hit squads operating under the guidance and protection of the police. This however had a dramatic effect on the problem and within six months the drug had all but disappeared from the streets. It is estimated that around 2500 people disappeared or died during this time. The majority of Thai people however supported this strong action and it won him new supporters. Thaksin began to move to cement his position at the top of the political system. He promoted many of his former colleagues and friends over better-qualified and more senior officers. Thaksin often interfered in the annual promotions of the military, which the corps saw as its purview.

Under the slogans "Four Years of Repair – Four years of Reconstruction" and "Building Opportunities", Thaksin and the TRT won landslide victories in the February 2005 elections, sweeping 374 out of 500 seats in Parliament. The election had the highest voter turnout in Thai history. But his second term was soon beset by protests, with claims that he presided over a "parliamentary dictatorship."

He also used his position to create huge wealth for himself and his family by expanding his satellite communication and media businesses which also fed the Thai hunger for salacious gossip about celebrities and politicians. This made him some powerful enemies in political and elite social circles. He also used his media machine to associate himself with the monarch, sometimes pictures of the king with himself superimposed next to him were posted onto huge billboards along the freeways. He also placed pressure on the government's public servants to be more service oriented, to do their jobs and not demand extra payments, to work a full day and to respond to the public's demands for value for money. This once again made him unpopular with those who had been getting an easy ride with the former governments' laissez faire attitude towards the poor.

It is clear that in his quest to remain at the top, he went too far and upset the Bangkok elite. Whether it was jealousy or fear by the powerful establishment it will never be known, however when he refused to pay income tax on the sale of his media empire to a Singapore company, it was reason enough to commence a series of events which would eventually lead to his downfall.

[

The "crappy" I can agree to, but where exactly is the libel that you discern?

Having re-read it, I can see that, despite printing Thaksin's blatant lies, there's not sooo much that's factually incorrect on the part of the tabloid. Other than...

- The 61-year-old former leader has kept a low profile since being ousted in a military coup Sept. 19, 2006 (This one really got my goat and, because it was in the first paragraph, probably influenced my opinion of the rest of the article.)

- But his popularity remains high in the countryside because of policies that included micro-lending programs, erasing farmers' debts and a form of universal health care. (Erasing farmers' debts? What???)

- Thaksin, who won two elections (Did he really?)

Congratulations Bobmac, this is a far cry from the uninformative crap i have been reading from the YS supporters. It appears that Thaksin is not the monster that they will have us believe. I just guess that they are really afraid of him and his popularity.

Sorry oldsailor, but you don't recognize a Wikipedia article when you see one? Let me ask you something. If you were a despicable despot worth Billions ($USD) with at least 3 public relations firms in your employ; wouldn't you get at least one of them working on your wikipedia article? Just askin' from one semi old sailor to another.

[hearditallbefore]

Outstanding.

Thaksin is not one of the old guard of wealthy Bangkok families who have ruled Thailand since the country became a democracy in 1932. He was born in rural Thailand near Chiang Mai of Chinese descent. His father was a politician and later a businessman and the family was one of the richest and most influential in Chiang Mai. Thaksin was a member of the 10th class of the Armed Forces Academies Preparatory School and was then admitted to the Thai Police Cadet Academy. Upon graduation in 1973, he joined the Royal Thai Police Department. He received a master's degree in Criminal Justice from Eastern Kentucky University in the United States in 1975, and three years later was awarded a doctorate in Criminal Justice at Sam Houston State University in Texas.

He resigned from the police department in 1987 after several failed business attempts while he was still in the service and began to build his business empire at first by leasing computers to the government then later gaining a license to establish a mobile phone network (AIS) which grew rapidly to list on the Thai stock exchange and which eventually became the largest mobile phone operator in Thailand.

He moved into politics in 1994 and was appointed foreign minister in the same year. After serving as a minister in several governments he founded the Thai Rak Thai party in 1998 and when the prime minister dissolved parliament in 2000 Thaksin was elected as Prime Minister. At the time some academics called it the most open and corruption free election in Thai history.

He began to bring in policies that would for the first time give real benefits to Thailand's rural poor. He started a scheme where farmers could borrow modest sums of money at low interest to use to expand their businesses; he provided the first universal health care, where for 30 baht anyone could attend a public hospital and receive treatment from a doctor. At this time, Thailand was in the grip of a meth amphetamine epidemic which was creating social havoc. Thousands of people were taking the cheap pills manufactured and smuggled into Thailand daily from Burma, (some say by senior military figures). Old and young alike were taking the drug to help them work longer hours and earn more money, not realising the dangers of addiction and psychosis that the drug produced.

Thaksin acted quickly and firmly to rid Thailand of the scourge that was sweeping through the country. He gave orders that every citizen must attend a meeting held at their local village and give the names of anyone they knew who was taking or selling the drug. He also gave the police unprecedented powers to arrest and charge anyone who they considered to be involved with Methamphetamine. It is widely reported that the police gave two warnings to suspects and the third time they were simply disposed of by hit squads operating under the guidance and protection of the police. This however had a dramatic effect on the problem and within six months the drug had all but disappeared from the streets. It is estimated that around 2500 people disappeared or died during this time. The majority of Thai people however supported this strong action and it won him new supporters. Thaksin began to move to cement his position at the top of the political system. He promoted many of his former colleagues and friends over better-qualified and more senior officers. Thaksin often interfered in the annual promotions of the military, which the corps saw as its purview.

Under the slogans "Four Years of Repair – Four years of Reconstruction" and "Building Opportunities", Thaksin and the TRT won landslide victories in the February 2005 elections, sweeping 374 out of 500 seats in Parliament. The election had the highest voter turnout in Thai history. But his second term was soon beset by protests, with claims that he presided over a "parliamentary dictatorship."

He also used his position to create huge wealth for himself and his family by expanding his satellite communication and media businesses which also fed the Thai hunger for salacious gossip about celebrities and politicians. This made him some powerful enemies in political and elite social circles. He also used his media machine to associate himself with the monarch, sometimes pictures of the king with himself superimposed next to him were posted onto huge billboards along the freeways. He also placed pressure on the government's public servants to be more service oriented, to do their jobs and not demand extra payments, to work a full day and to respond to the public's demands for value for money. This once again made him unpopular with those who had been getting an easy ride with the former governments' laissez faire attitude towards the poor.

It is clear that in his quest to remain at the top, he went too far and upset the Bangkok elite. Whether it was jealousy or fear by the powerful establishment it will never be known, however when he refused to pay income tax on the sale of his media empire to a Singapore company, it was reason enough to commence a series of events which would eventually lead to his downfall.

What a crock of sh1t, and a terribly uninformed article from a crappy Toronto-based tabloid. Hope it gets hit by a libel case.

The "crappy" I can agree to, but where exactly is the libel that you discern?

Having re-read it, I can see that, despite printing Thaksin's blatant lies, there's not sooo much that's factually incorrect on the part of the tabloid. Other than...

- The 61-year-old former leader has kept a low profile since being ousted in a military coup Sept. 19, 2006 (This one really got my goat and, because it was in the first paragraph, probably influenced my opinion of the rest of the article.)

- But his popularity remains high in the countryside because of policies that included micro-lending programs, erasing farmers' debts and a form of universal health care. (Erasing farmers' debts? What???)

- Thaksin, who won two elections (Did he really?)

[lannarebirth]

hearditallbefore but learned so little.

[oldsailor35]

In my area I have many expats from Germany. Most of them don't understand what is going on in Thailand. The Thaksin supporters (brain washed by their uninstruced wifes) fight for Thaksin. They are the same who say Hitler was good for Germany, and this after ............ years ago..

I suggest: Let Thaksin go in the garbarge of history, no discussion, no argumentions. Stay quiet. Buddha says: No contact with bad hearted peoples.\

Not easy. But I go sleep now.

I suppose because you think differently to these nasty German "nazi types" that you are right and they just have to be wrong !

[mca]

Stay quiet. Not easy. But I go sleep now.

Are you Yoda?

[kimamey]

Will this aggressive polarisation of opinions ever cease?

It will die out when Thaksin dies out.

then expect 9 more years of it (on average)

The 61-year-old former leader

Male Life Expectancy (by country)

Thailand - 70.77

.

But he's not been in Thailand for some time has he?

[whybother]

At least he didn't violently suppress the opposing parties democratic rights with soldiers

I didn't realise it was a democratic right to throw grenades and burn down buildings.

[bubba]

At least he didn't violently suppress the opposing parties democratic rights with soldiers

I didn't realise it was a democratic right to throw grenades and burn down buildings.

Or, prior to that, for a mob elected and funded by an oligarch to bring anarchy and a complete paralysis to a country to expedite their own interests, rather than waiting for a general election?

By the way, remember back in May when Abhisit offered a general election in November 2010 as a compromise settlement? A democratic solution was offered, but the UDD leaders turned it down flatly because they wanted Suthep to turn himself in to their choice of police in order to set a bail precedent so that they wouldn't be doing any time. Are these people really leading some sort of selfless, grass roots movement? I feel so sorry for the disenfranchised poor and working class who were duped into believing that these "leaders" represented some sort of democracy from which they would benefit.

The revolution will not be televised.

The revolution will not be brought to you by Xerox

In 4 parts without commercial interruptions.

[livingthedream]

TV team, is it possible to include quotation marks when displaying news banner headlines/sub headlines so that we are aware before clicking on them that they are quoted from an 'outside source' rather than an editorial comment as is implied?

[yoshiwara]

Thaksin is the Freddy Krueger of Thai politics. It is a regular theme from a succession of individuals that Thaksin is also but a dead parrot and marginal to current and future trends. There is an old saying 'Follow the money', and whatever the relative state of his finances he was and is the paymaster of the red movement. Without Thaksin the reds are nothing. They know that, even if the coy cheerleaders pretend it isn't so. He represents a split in the ruling class and is the classic overreacher. Those 'liberationists' looking for social transformation should look elsewhere other than Thaksin and his crew but since they are intellectually lazy don't hold your breath.

[rubl]

Anyhow it is a non-story. The better story would be about how much of the online content one reads is generated by publicists who solicit "journalistic" websites just dieing for free content to fill their pages. I'm guessing the publicist wrote the whole article and just forwarded it to the website.

Agreed.

It's much more desirable than depicting him as shuffling around dirty street stalls at a market in Kampala, Uganda...

Personally I don't see what is dirty about those street stalls, similar to some in Bangkok I'd say, but he was probably looking for this stall,

Where's that nice photo with k. Thaksin dotingly shopping with his daughters in Paris while the red-shirts were protesting and fighting for their his cause ?

[rubl]

The dark times have gone, and so have the dinosaurs.

I wish that was true.

Mr T has gone yes. Good.

But there is stil the Prem - Chitchob - Suthep government.

What has changed?

There are also those other dinosaurs, like k. Banharn, Gen. Sanan, Gen. Chavalit. Only k. Sanoh seems to have retired

[hanuman1]

Thaksin is the Freddy Krueger of Thai politics. It is a regular theme from a succession of individuals that Thaksin is also but a dead parrot and marginal to current and future trends. There is an old saying 'Follow the money', and whatever the relative state of his finances he was and is the paymaster of the red movement. Without Thaksin the reds are nothing. They know that, even if the coy cheerleaders pretend it isn't so. He represents a split in the ruling class and is the classic overreacher. Those 'liberationists' looking for social transformation should look elsewhere other than Thaksin and his crew but since they are intellectually lazy don't hold your breath.

I wouldn't argue with you too much if you cast aspersions over the PTP's chances of remaining a political force without Thaksin, but to say the red movement can't survive without him shows your ignorance of what the red shirt movement is. Do you think Thaksin routimely does the rounds of Thida's mainstream, Red Siam, Chiang Mai 51, Sombat's group, Kattiya's group and several other widely differing factions and hands out money to all of them to follow him?

You're just like the others who who display the same bigotry that gives rise to racism and several other 'isms' - can't be bothered to look at the actual detail because it's so easy to chastise the entire collection. After all, none of the factions you collectively despise are anything like you, are they?

Edited January 7, 2011 by hanuman1

[rubl]

At least he didn't violently suppress the opposing parties democratic rights with soldiers.

It always comes down to selective memory with Thaksin. It remains he is a convicted criminal on the run so relax, and then when you do if ever, come back, you will then face the other charges against you as well as serve out the sentences and penalties you already had imposed.

Correct, k. Thaksin never had to deal with and suppress the democratic rights of protesters who'd like to 'lob grenades on opponents', 'shoot police/army', 'threaten and actually burn buildings', 'storm the venue of an ASIAN meeting', and a few other 'minor' issues.

Of course I do not want to suggest that the UDD / militant faction of the red-shirts has anything to do with k. Thaksin. Probably the other way round, he phoned them wasn't it?

[bubba]

Anyhow it is a non-story. The better story would be about how much of the online content one reads is generated by publicists who solicit "journalistic" websites just dieing for free content to fill their pages. I'm guessing the publicist wrote the whole article and just forwarded it to the website.

Agreed.

It's much more desirable than depicting him as shuffling around dirty street stalls at a market in Kampala, Uganda...

Personally I don't see what is dirty about those street stalls, similar to some in Bangkok I'd say, but he was probably looking for this stall,

Where's that nice photo with k. Thaksin dotingly shopping with his daughters in Paris while the red-shirts were protesting and fighting for their his cause ?

Thaksin, opponent of the wealthy elite and defender of the oppressed workers, shopping at Marie Claire in Paris on 15 May 2010 as Bangkok burned.

[rubl]

Personally I don't see what is dirty about those street stalls, similar to some in Bangkok I'd say, but he was probably looking for this stall,

Where's that nice photo with k. Thaksin dotingly shopping with his daughters in Paris while the red-shirts were protesting and fighting for their his cause ?

Thaksin, opponent of the wealthy elite and defender of the oppressed workers, shopping at Marie Claire in Paris on 15 May 2010 as Bangkok burned.

Minor correction, parts of Bangkok started to burn on the 19th of May, not before