A Question Thaksin Will Not Answer

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A Question Thaksin Will Not Answer

It is no secret that Pheu Thai Party is led in policy and spirit by ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra. As the party's patriarch, Thaksin has made it so Pheu Thai has no choice but to win the coming election, so that as the government leader he will be able to absolve himself of the crimes he has been convicted and indicted in.

The first and foremost of those convictions was Thaksin's abnormal wealth, ruled by the Supreme Court to be the result of his abuse of administrative powers. The ruling resulted in the seizure of 46 billion baht of his gains.

His second conviction was for the crime of tax evasion in the sale of Shinawatra Computer and Communication Plc. shares. The ruling sentenced to jail his former wife, her personal secretary and his brother-in-law, while his own sentence is pending an appeal.

Conviction three was Thaksin's corrupt purchase of 33 Rai of land along Ratchadapisek Road. The Supreme Court committed the former prime minister to two years imprisonment on this case without any probation, meaning that if he were to return to Thailand without any leverage he would be immediately imprisoned.

The fourth conviction concerned discrepancies in the special 2 and 3 digit lottery scheme, a case that also found fault with the lottery office's own executive members, putting the office board chairman and director behind bars.

In a fifth case awaiting ruling, Thaksin was found once again suspect of corruption in the purchase of conveyor belts to be used with the CTX 9000 baggage claiming systems at Suvarnabhumi International Airport.

A sixth case, also pending conclusion was that of state bank Krung Thai authorizing a major loan for Krisada-Mahanakorn Group, a corporation known to be harboring non-performing loans that should have disqualified it from securing public funds.

The seventh case Thaksin was charged in, which is currently still being reviewed by the Office of the Attorney General, is his concealment of shareholding in SC Asset Corporation Plc.

The eighth case, now in the hands of the Supreme Court, involves Thailand's Export Import Bank providing a loan of 4 billion baht to Myanmar.

So amongst the many promises Pheu Thai and Thaksin are ready to make to win over votes and all the questions they are ever eager to answer to sway undecided voters, the question of how Thaksin will account for this laundry-list of offenses is one he will likely not give any clear answer to while Pheu Thai Party will never fully be able to promise that justice will be served under their watch.

Naew Na, May 25, 2011

Translated and Rewritten by Itiporn Lakarnchua

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 2011-05-26

[MILT]

Where there's smoke there is usually fire. People should do the math and realize that this election is so very important and that Thailand has a huge chance to change it's political story. I hope the Thai voters have matured during these past turbulent years and do the right thing for themselves. Thaskin is a brilliant person and it is just to bad he chose the darker side of life. He could have kept Thailand on the move forward, which sadly has to happen.

[jdinasia]

I think these are only cases he has been formally charged in ... that there are more cases waiting his first appearance in court to move forward with such as his charge for terrorism etc ... There were also some additional findings in the asset forfeiture case that can be charged.

[Pi Sek]

I'm all for bashing Thaksin, but has anyone actually put this question to him and followed up on his standard "politically motivated" answer? I think not.

This article detracts from the poor standard of Thai political interviewing - which may of course in turn be attributable to the politicians' unwillingness to offer any details to the media, a trait not confined to one side - more than Thaksin's unwillingness to answer the question.

To answer it fully, someone has to ask him; and I don't think anyone has done that past one-line questions to which "the charges were politically motivated" is the standard auto-response.

Saying all this, personally, I wouldn't want to answer them either if I were in Thaksin's shoes.

[TheWalkingMan]

First time I ever saw the list laid out.

TheWalkingMan

[MILT]

I'm all for bashing Thaksin, but has anyone actually put this question to him and followed up on his standard "politically motivated" answer? I think not.

This article detracts from the poor standard of Thai political interviewing - which may of course in turn be attributable to the politicians' unwillingness to offer any details to the media, a trait not confined to one side - more than Thaksin's unwillingness to answer the question.

To answer it fully, someone has to ask him; and I don't think anyone has done that past one-line questions to which "the charges were politically motivated" is the standard auto-response.

Saying all this, personally, I wouldn't want to answer them either if I were in Thaksin's shoes.

I am a huge fan of Bill Hicks Love his work

[themockrat]

What about the old German submarines purchased by the current government? No money laundering there, surely..

[Phuket Stan]

What about the old German submarines purchased by the current government? No money laundering there, surely..

That purchase was never authorised by the cabinet and I doubt it ever will...just a pipe dream or maybe wish list by the Navy

[ianbaggie]

What about the old German submarines purchased by the current government? No money laundering there, surely..

Can you explain further because I cant see the link. Whereas with Thaksin I can clearly see the theft, the muirder, the corruption, the lying andc the cheating

[473geo]

Looks to me like four convictions and pending cases concerning possible insider dealing..........is that a major crime in Thailand?

He did give back 46 billion.......was there some charge about a 4 billion loan to myanmar......

I guess it is lucky he did not have a TV cookery show....could have been in real trouble......

[rubl]

Looks to me like four convictions and pending cases concerning possible insider dealing..........is that a major crime in Thailand?

He did give back 46 billion.......was there some charge about a 4 billion loan to myanmar......

I guess it is lucky he did not have a TV cookery show....could have been in real trouble......

As Prime Minister k. Thaksin represented the country, should be set to a higher standard, be accountable. Those cases awaiting his return are part of the accountability.

[visions]

What about the old German submarines purchased by the current government? No money laundering there, surely..

Can you explain further because I cant see the link. Whereas with Thaksin I can clearly see the theft, the muirder, the corruption, the lying andc the cheating

Were you on the jury for Thakins trial? Or is that "hamg him on the rumor"

I still believe the surest way that the Dems can win the election, is by providing an amnesty/organising Thaksins sentence to a suspended sentence....and make him an "Advisor" to the newly elected Democrat Government. (basicly steal PTP prime trump card).

There is no disputing his business and organising expertise. He would be an asset to any Govt. but if he puts a foot wrong he is easliy grabbed and gets locked up again. An implanted electronic tag would .signal where he is at any point in time.

[473geo]

Looks to me like four convictions and pending cases concerning possible insider dealing..........is that a major crime in Thailand?

He did give back 46 billion.......was there some charge about a 4 billion loan to myanmar......

I guess it is lucky he did not have a TV cookery show....could have been in real trouble......

As Prime Minister k. Thaksin represented the country, should be set to a higher standard, be accountable. Those cases awaiting his return are part of the accountability.

Maybe I just don't understand Thailand, because it appears to me that the legal system is capable of allowing somebody to 'pay for their crime' in both meanings of the phrase.......so that is ok at some levels but not others?

[themockrat]

I still believe the surest way that the Dems can win the election, is by providing an amnesty/organising Thaksins sentence to a suspended sentence....and make him an "Advisor" to the newly elected Democrat Government. (basicly steal PTP prime trump card).

No need. A military coup will do just fine.

[rubl]

I still believe the surest way that the Dems can win the election, is by providing an amnesty/organising Thaksins sentence to a suspended sentence....and make him an "Advisor" to the newly elected Democrat Government. (basicly steal PTP prime trump card).

No need. A military coup will do just fine.

As some here can tell you coups are illegal. Don't go advocating one, that may even be against forum rules :-)

[rixalex]

There is no disputing his business and organising expertise.

Well yes, when it comes to running businesses that enjoy a complete monopoly in the market place. Would be interesting to see how successful he would be were he to head up a business that was open to competition on a level playing surface.

[473geo]

There is no disputing his business and organising expertise.

Well yes, when it comes to running businesses that enjoy a complete monopoly in the market place. Would be interesting to see how successful he would be were he to head up a business that was open to competition on a level playing surface.

I don't know of one business that will level a playing field to encourage the opposition....... ......in fact most would appear to strive to have continuous advantage over any competition

[rixalex]

I guess it is lucky he did not have a TV cookery show....could have been in real trouble......

Trouble with himself you mean? He was after all the one that prevented Samak from re-standing as PM.

[Buchholz]

He did give back 46 billion.......

He didn't give it back.

It was taken back. It was never his to begin with.

It was the money that belonged to the Thai people that he stole and was rightfully returned to its proper owners.

.

Edited May 26, 2011 by Buchholz

[jdinasia]

Looks to me like four convictions and pending cases concerning possible insider dealing..........is that a major crime in Thailand?

He did give back 46 billion.......was there some charge about a 4 billion loan to myanmar......

I guess it is lucky he did not have a TV cookery show....could have been in real trouble......

As Prime Minister k. Thaksin represented the country, should be set to a higher standard, be accountable. Those cases awaiting his return are part of the accountability.

He didn't "give back" anything --- it had to be taken. It could cost his proxy Yingluck bigtime too, in a political and criminal way ...

[473geo]

I guess it is lucky he did not have a TV cookery show....could have been in real trouble......

Trouble with himself you mean?

I don't know if he can rustle up a good meal or not......

[rixalex]

I don't know of one business that will level a playing field to encourage the opposition....... ......in fact most would appear to strive to have continuous advantage over any competition

Businesses don't determine the playing field. Wasn't suggesting they do. Was simply questioning how much we take from a businessman being successful when his business has no competition, as was the case with both of Thaksin's main money-making ventures.

[yoshiwara]

What about the old German submarines purchased by the current government? No money laundering there, surely..

Can you explain further because I cant see the link. Whereas with Thaksin I can clearly see the theft, the muirder, the corruption, the lying andc the cheating

Were you on the jury for Thakins trial? Or is that "hamg him on the rumor"

I still believe the surest way that the Dems can win the election, is by providing an amnesty/organising Thaksins sentence to a suspended sentence....and make him an "Advisor" to the newly elected Democrat Government. (basicly steal PTP prime trump card).

There is no disputing his business and organising expertise. He would be an asset to any Govt. but if he puts a foot wrong he is easliy grabbed and gets locked up again. An implanted electronic tag would .signal where he is at any point in time.

There is no disputing his business and organising expertise. He would be an asset to any Govt.

The man is a crook in the tradition of the Marcos family. No deal.

[473geo]

He did give back 46 billion.......

It was taken back.

Indeed it was

[Netfan]

What about the old German submarines purchased by the current government? No money laundering there, surely..

Can you explain further because I cant see the link. Whereas with Thaksin I can clearly see the theft, the muirder, the corruption, the lying andc the cheating

Were you on the jury for Thakins trial? Or is that "hamg him on the rumor"

I still believe the surest way that the Dems can win the election, is by providing an amnesty/organising Thaksins sentence to a suspended sentence....and make him an "Advisor" to the newly elected Democrat Government. (basicly steal PTP prime trump card).

There is no disputing his business and organising expertise. He would be an asset to any Govt. but if he puts a foot wrong he is easliy grabbed and gets locked up again. An implanted electronic tag would .signal where he is at any point in time.

Expertise? I guess you weren't here for the Elite Card. Do a search and see how that turned out

[rixalex]

I guess it is lucky he did not have a TV cookery show....could have been in real trouble......

Trouble with himself you mean?

I don't know if he can rustle up a good meal or not......

About as much chance as you rustling up a counter-argument to the point made, i would humbly suggest.

[Buchholz]

Looks to me like four convictions and pending cases concerning possible insider dealing..........is that a major crime in Thailand?

I guess it is lucky he did not have a TV cookery show....could have been in real trouble......

Even the ogre Samak didn't face this:

BANGKOK (AFP) -- A Thai court on Tuesday approved an arrest warrant for fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra on terrorism charges, which carry a maximum penalty of death, in connection with recent violent protests.

Thai Court Approves Arrest Warrant Against Thaksin On Terrorism Charge

You think he'd be going through all his efforts to avoid monetary corruption cases? For him, this is a fight to the death.

.

[gregb]

There is no disputing his business and organising expertise.

Well yes, when it comes to running businesses that enjoy a complete monopoly in the market place. Would be interesting to see how successful he would be were he to head up a business that was open to competition on a level playing surface.

I don't know of one business that will level a playing field to encourage the opposition....... ......in fact most would appear to strive to have continuous advantage over any competition

And in Thaksin's case, use extremely illegal means to do it. That's not business sense. That is called organized crime, and I suppose based on your logic you would support Al Capone's business tactics as well. What a great business man he was...clearly a good role model for our children.

[473geo]

Looks to me like four convictions and pending cases concerning possible insider dealing..........is that a major crime in Thailand?

He did give back 46 billion.......was there some charge about a 4 billion loan to myanmar......

I guess it is lucky he did not have a TV cookery show....could have been in real trouble......

As Prime Minister k. Thaksin represented the country, should be set to a higher standard, be accountable. Those cases awaiting his return are part of the accountability.

Yingluck bigtime

Agreed

[473geo]

Looks to me like four convictions and pending cases concerning possible insider dealing..........is that a major crime in Thailand?

I guess it is lucky he did not have a TV cookery show....could have been in real trouble......

Even the ogre Samak didn't face this:

BANGKOK (AFP) -- A Thai court on Tuesday approved an arrest warrant for fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra on terrorism charges, which carry a maximum penalty of death, in connection with recent violent protests.

Thai Court Approves Arrest Warrant Against Thaksin On Terrorism Charge

http://www.thaivisa....t+terrorism#top

You think he'd be going through all his efforts to avoid monetary corruption cases? For him, this is a fight to the death.

.

Well he did intimate he would be back in Thailand.........perhaps this will ensure his return.....

Meanwhile Yingluck can continue to gather her support for PT to form the next government.......

Edited May 26, 2011 by 473geo