Thaksin Set For 'Trade Ambassador' Role

[ianbaggie]

This is, like, sooo brilliant. I really didn't think this satire could get any more farcical, but the charade is far from over. Shakespeare himself couldn't have done a better job of inventing the absurd.

As long as we're all aware that the Yingluck Govt has a shelf life that expires shortly after Thaksin returns.

Yes it is brilliant. The former PM carries alot of clout in SE Asia, particularly in China. China has the ability to assist with multiple large scale development projects such as a modernization of the state railways and highways. China can also provide much needed foreign investment funds. He is also respected by some oil rich Gulf states, states that have the ability to ensure that Thailand has access to much needed oil and petro dollars for foreign investment. Once the Chinese are on board, the Koreans and Japanese will be falling over themselves while the USA wonders how it can best ingratiate itself with a strategic country. Not to forget that the Russians are arriving in droves. There's lots of oil wealth in Russia and it needs somewhere hospitable to go. The USA and EU are hardly the most stable economies are they?

The brilliant ones are those countries you mention, who will be sitting on the other side of the table, in the negotiation. The bargaining table is a great place, if both sides have something to contribute to the end result. Thaksin may be regarded as a entrepreneur by the Thai's, but I see no evidence of him ever getting one over on the counties you mention as potential business partners. I try to give credit where credit, in this case as successful as Thaksin was in raping the country (Thailand), how much did he or Thailand net from his forign agreements with non third world countries?

Exactly..............and therein lies the truth!!

[rubl]

Pray tell me, how many hours were there between these two newsflashes? Sounds like traditional politics. Keep searching and probing till something acceptable has been found.

"It is up to the [next] prime minister, and whether she is brave enough to appoint her brother to help with her government duties," Noppadon said, referring to Yingluck.

He added that a trade ambassador was not a political position and the officeholder would have no legal power.

"If he is appointed, I believe he will be happy. He can travel to different countries by using a passport issued [previously] by Montenegro," said Noppadon, who once served as foreign minister in a Thaksin-proxy government.

and

The rumour about ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra tipped for the position of Thailand trade enoy was groudless, legal adviser Noppadon Pattama said on Wednesday.

"Rumour mongers wanted to cause confustion and divisiveness," he said, insisting Pheu Thai Party had not planned for a Thaksin appointment.

[rubl]

This is like Dictatorship 101! with a minor in nepotism

What part of a majority election victory and the support of additional political parties do you not understand. The PTP has the mandate to act.

With a bought vote that only the North and Northeast subscribe to - based on lies and propaganda - we shouldnt confuse this with the landslide of democracy that Shinawatra has offered us to believe - by the way Hun Sen admitted in a Cambodian newspaper last week that the black shirts were "his team" try and see past the kindergarden politics Geriatric - youre a westerner after all - you should know better!!

Any (English language) pointer to the Hun Sen quote ?

[webfact]

Thailand's PM-to-be denies job for Thaksin

BANGKOK, July 6, 2011 (AFP) - Thailand's next leader Yingluck Shinawatra Wednesday dismissed mounting speculation that her brother Thaksin, who was ousted in a 2006 coup, will be given an official role under her tenure.

Yingluck, who fronted the opposition Puea Thai party's election campaign as the political stand-in for her fugitive sibling, stormed to victory in Sunday's polls and has assembled a five-party coalition.

But she dismissed media reports that said Thaksin, who lives in self-imposed exile in Dubai to avoid a jail term for corruption, was likely to become a government trade envoy promoting the kingdom's exports abroad.

"It's not true, there is no such position appointed," Yingluck told reporters as she arrived at her party's headquarters in Bangkok for a meeting with economic advisers.

"There is no role for Thaksin. He is only giving moral support and advice," she said. "He is fine overseas and he is not anticipating getting any political position. He merely wants to see national reconciliation."

The return of Thaksin, a deeply divisive figure in Thailand, would risk angering his foes in the Bangkok-based elites in the military, palace and bureaucracy and could spark further turmoil after years of violent protests.

After his sister's win, Thaksin said he had no plan to return to office himself and that setting foot back in Thailand was not a priority, but he has previously expressed hopes to be at his daughter's wedding in December.

Yingluck, who is yet to be officially appointed by a new parliament, has formed a five-party coalition that will control about three fifths of the lower house seats, but the new cabinet line-up is yet to be announced.

"No single cabinet post has been named. Today I want to focus firstly on policy, and how to implement our campaign platform," she said.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-07-06

[thaiedward]

Thanks to his good ties with leading business and political figures in many countries, plus his wide experience, Thaksin could prove helpful to a new government in promoting Thailand's interests in trade talks, the source said.

"In this position, he does not need to be directly involved with politics. He also will have the opportunity to travel freely to many countries," the source added.

Thai government may appoint foreign lobbyist who just happens to be a fugitive convict in his own Thailand. Must be a bit of a slap in the face for the Thai judiciary system if this happens. Leading business figures probably couldn't care less, foreign politicians may be a bit more careful to associate with k. Thaksin. Trade Ambassador Thaksin, fair and square, 'trust me'

No matter what, thanks for your kind and elucidating post.

[xminator]

Never let facts get in the way of a good rant. Over the years Thaivisa Forum have transformed into some geriatric Monty Python parody.

[animatic]

Now even Noppadom is saying this is just a rumor...

but then he's the font of accuracy...

[LevelHead]

Its so very simple to do propaganda.

if I ask someone "Could a man called Suthep one day murder someone" ?

And they say, "well, anything can happen, its impossible to say what someone will do tomorrow".

Then I run a headline "Source says Suthep could resort to murder".

Nothing is actually incorrect. Ethically it is very very wrong, it is pure propaganda manipulation, but factually it is correct and so legally no action can be taken.

This is what they are doing here. Asking one question, taking the response out of context and using it to perpetuate anti-Thaksin propaganda.

Expect this to happen a lot for ALL anti-Thaksin, anti-reconciliation news outlets.

Headline the newspapers with the story - then simply print the denial on the internet or a small mid page article.

Same again with the next lie.

Headline the news paper with it, front page. Put the denial on the internet only or in the middle pages next day.

This is what they did before against TRT and PPP.

Looks like the anti-reconciliation, love division news outlets are doing it again.

They are a disgrace.

Yep, that freedom of the press is a real bummer.

Freedom of the press is not a bummer.

Unethical behavior is. Particularly if its baseless propaganda.

I guess you support NewsCorp and their hacking of the dead girl in the UK's mobile phone voicemail. It is press freedom - but very unethical.

One can expect much more propaganda from the anti-Thaksin rabid groups.

Perhaps the newspapers should resort to claiming unidentified "sauces" as opposed to "sources".

[Crushdepth]

Now even Noppadom is saying this is just a rumor...

but then he's the font of accuracy...

He probably just got slapped for opening his mouth a bit too early.

[webfact]

Yingluck denies reports of Thaksin appointment as trade envoy

BANGKOK, July 6 - Thailand's prime minister-to-be Yingluck Shinawatra on Wednesday denied media reports that her brother, ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra, would be appointed as a trade envoy for her new Pheu Thai-led government, saying that no discussions have taken place regarding cabinet portfolios and no posts have been assigned at the moment.

Speaking to reporters before chairing a meeting of the Pheu Thai party economic policy team at party headquarters, Ms Yingluck said there has been no discussion regarding ministerial posts, despite reports in the media.

"I want to wait until the policy drafting is completed before the selection process starts to put the right man in the right job. The party will not oversee [all] 10 major ministries."

She said the assignment of cabinet portfolios could become clearer after the Election Commission (EC) officially certifies the elected MPs.

Ms Yingluck denied media reports that Mr Thaksin would be appointed as a trade envoy, saying that the party executive committee would consider who would be selected as minister and Mr Thaksin has no plan to take any post in the government.

She said that her brother is living in self-exile abroad and gave her only moral support. Any useful advise on particular issues could be made through the party's strategy panel.

"He would neither be involved with the party nor with the government," Ms Yingluck stated.

As for the defence minister post, Ms Yingluck said she had no one in mind but will seek a person that can work with all parties, while the posts of economic ministers would not only be selected from capable party members but are also open for non-partisan high-calibre experts.

Ms Yingluck later said her party will urgently address pressing issues as promised during the election campaign once her five-party coalition government delivers its policy statement to parliament. The key priorities are building national reconciliation, tackling rising costs of living, solving drugs problem and restoring relations with neighbouring countries. (MCOT online news)

-- TNA 2011-07-06

[Ricardo]

Never let facts get in the way of a good rant. Over the years Thaivisa Forum have transformed into some geriatric Monty Python parody.

Man in Red Shirt ... "This election-result is a complete and utter landslide"

Boring Sensible Middle-Class Farang ... 'But it's only a shift from 39.6% to 44% of the vote, subject to E.C. final figures being confirmed ?'

Red Shirt ... "See, an overwhelming majority, what did I just tell you, and all the international-media too"

Farang ... 'And 44% is the vast majority of the people, and only a few elites in Bangkok voted the other way ?'

Red Shirt Sympathiser, foaming at the mouth, "This is a Dead Issue. Can't you follow orders. We have Ways of Making you Fall-in-Line, you know, your web-site should be shut-down immediately, like that nice Mr Hilter from Nakon-Minehead-Buri says it should be"

Farang ... 'But 44% is less-than 50%, so how can you say it's a majority decision of the electorate ?'

Government Red-Shirt Spokesman ... "We're going to pass a new law, making 44% greater-than 50%, when used in a political-context"

Farang puts on a loud colourful T-shirt ... reaches for a Chang, and reminds himself that TiT, and it'll shortly all be eaten by a giant hedgehog called Dinsdale anyway.

Edited July 6, 2011 by Ricardo

[rubl]

Thanks to his good ties with leading business and political figures in many countries, plus his wide experience, Thaksin could prove helpful to a new government in promoting Thailand's interests in trade talks, the source said.

"In this position, he does not need to be directly involved with politics. He also will have the opportunity to travel freely to many countries," the source added.

Thai government may appoint foreign lobbyist who just happens to be a fugitive convict in his own Thailand. Must be a bit of a slap in the face for the Thai judiciary system if this happens. Leading business figures probably couldn't care less, foreign politicians may be a bit more careful to associate with k. Thaksin. Trade Ambassador Thaksin, fair and square, 'trust me'

He might turn out to be quite effective in this role / position.

So what's the problem ?

My dear phil, the problem is his status as 'fugitive convict'. While that is still hanging over him any official position granted by the new government would justly cause outcries of 'double standards' and 'lack of rule of law'.

By now it's more of an academic point it seems, so relax.

- Thaksin's legal adviser Noppadon Pattama says Thaksin may accept trade representative post to help Yingluck (/TAN_Network)

- Noppadon denies saying Thaksin will be assuming trade representative post (/TAN_Network)

[Babcock]

Is this before or after he does his 2 years in the nick?

Yawn. You should know this:

A property company went bust and their creditors wanted their money back.

Enter government agency like in UK the official receiver and an auction sale was carried out.

3 bidders. 2 large thai property companies like Land and House, I forget their names but checked them out on web.

No-one in this gov agency could bid. Note the agency only. To this day they have never said anything was wrong with the auction.

Thaksin's wife was not charged. An auction for christ sake.

Thaksin's wife's bid was highest. All 3 bids were very close. She did pay the market price in fact perhaps a little too much believe it or not.

She has since been forced to sell back the land to the government gaining 6% yearly interest.

I'd be interested to know who has got hold of that land.

As a woman she had to get her husband's signature on the deal. There is no official law in Thailand allowing women to own property but defacto

in the modern world women can.

her family are very wealthy. Thaksin married into wealth and they helped him.

The coup appointed the assets scrutiny committee to exclusively look into Thaksin's assets made up of Pad leaders etc.

After the sentence of 2 years he was not allowed any right of appeal. This forced Thaksin to leave the country.

This was the intention. Purely political.

They then seized his assets claiming a new retrospective law of Polity corruption. Namely in his case that since becoming Pm and when he sold his shares

in his telecoms company his shares had risen 117%. He had proffited from being PM. However the Set thai index had risen 133% in the same period.

His shares had underperformed the market.

As he stated at the time had he sold out on becoming Pm and invested in the banks he would have made considerably more.

So it's my guess it will soon be the case that this assets scrutiny committee will itself be investigated remembering the Pad linked chair, the auditor general

who was imposed over the elected candidate and who has not allowed any scrutiny or transparency covering her audits.

Such fun all the shananigans that have been going on since the coup.

Reform of the judiciary must follow.

[Ricardo]

the auditor general who was imposed over the elected candidate and who has not allowed any scrutiny or transparency covering her audits.

Are you sure that the position of Auditor-General is an elected one, I thought they were selected & proposed by the PM, and then confirmed by the revered Head-of-State, as described on the web-site of the Office of the Auditor General of Thailand ?

[rubl]

Ms Yingluck denied media reports that Mr Thaksin would be appointed as a trade envoy, saying that the party executive committee would consider who would be selected as minister and Mr Thaksin has no plan to take any post in the government.

She said that her brother is living in self-exile abroad and gave her only moral support. Any useful advise on particular issues could be made through the party's strategy panel.

"He would neither be involved with the party nor with the government," Ms Yingluck stated.

'K. Thaksin has no plan to take a post in government' and 'he would neither be involved with party nor government'.

Why do I still have this nagging feeling something is left unsaid here

Edited July 6, 2011 by rubl

[batanha]

This whole thing seems ridiculous to me. How can you have a person convicted of a crime in Thailand and sentenced to jail be allowed to openly interfere in political campaigns and now be nominated for a post? The proper procedure should be to first be cleared of all crimes and then see about the others, it doesn't matter if the conviction was falsely run through or not. The opposition will not sit idly by while all this goes on, not if Thai history has anything to say about it. smh

[CosmicSurfer]

Never let facts get in the way of a good rant. Over the years Thaivisa Forum have transformed into some geriatric Monty Python parody.

Man in Red Shirt ... "This election-result is a complete and utter landslide"

Boring Sensible Middle-Class Farang ... 'But it's only a shift from 39.6% to 44% of the vote, subject to E.C. final figures being confirmed ?'

Red Shirt ... "See, an overwhelming majority, what did I just tell you, and all the international-media too"

Farang ... 'And 44% is the vast majority of the people, and only a few elites in Bangkok voted the other way ?'

Red Shirt Sympathiser, foaming at the mouth, "This is a Dead Issue. Can't you follow orders. We have Ways of Making you Fall-in-Line, you know, your web-site should be shut-down immediately, like that nice Mr Hilter from Nakon-Minehead-Buri says it should be"

Farang ... 'But 44% is less-than 50%, so how can you say it's a majority decision of the electorate ?'

Government Red-Shirt Spokesman ... "We're going to pass a new law, making 44% greater-than 50%, when used in a political-context"

Farang puts on a loud colourful T-shirt ... reaches for a Chang, and reminds himself that TiT, and it'll shortly all be eaten by a giant hedgehog called Dinsdale anyway.

+++++++++++++ So it was Written... So it Was Done!

CS

[Soutpeel]

The proper procedure should be to first be cleared of all crimes and then see about the others, it doesn't matter if the conviction was falsely run through or not.

Of course...pretty sure he will be cleared of all wrong doing before he takes the position....

[BlackJack]

Absolutely Amazing Thailand

[TPI]

This is like Dictatorship 101! with a minor in nepotism

What part of a majority election victory and the support of additional political parties do you not understand. The PTP has the mandate to act.

While I'm sure that you believe in the goodness of man and woman with a whole heart I'm a little concerned for your ability to see beyond the voting numbers!

No arguement! PT won the election, that isn't carte blanche to loot the country like older brother did! You've been here long enough to have seen the double dealing and shenanigans of TRT and their belov'd leader...... no?

[lapoon]

Ahh Thai sauce, I like that

[slapout]

All the before and post election probing by various groups/individuals is just to check out how acceptable/believable any idea may be, no matter how fanciful it may seem. We know the history of all parties with the possible exception of a newcomer or two, and indications are they may be as credible as their cohorts, in plotting/statements.

It may be a very disappointing Christmas when the knock off/copy items received by the Thai people, are not near the quality of the originals which they thought forthcoming. On second thought, probably not, as the idea of deceit seems to be a way of life to many here in the 'land of smiles'.

[FOODLOVER]

Never let facts get in the way of a good rant. Over the years Thaivisa Forum have transformed into some geriatric Monty Python parody.

Man in Red Shirt ... "This election-result is a complete and utter landslide"

Boring Sensible Middle-Class Farang ... 'But it's only a shift from 39.6% to 44% of the vote, subject to E.C. final figures being confirmed ?'

Red Shirt ... "See, an overwhelming majority, what did I just tell you, and all the international-media too"

Farang ... 'And 44% is the vast majority of the people, and only a few elites in Bangkok voted the other way ?'

Red Shirt Sympathiser, foaming at the mouth, "This is a Dead Issue. Can't you follow orders. We have Ways of Making you Fall-in-Line, you know, your web-site should be shut-down immediately, like that nice Mr Hilter from Nakon-Minehead-Buri says it should be"

Farang ... 'But 44% is less-than 50%, so how can you say it's a majority decision of the electorate ?'

Government Red-Shirt Spokesman ... "We're going to pass a new law, making 44% greater-than 50%, when used in a political-context"

Farang puts on a loud colourful T-shirt ... reaches for a Chang, and reminds himself that TiT, and it'll shortly all be eaten by a giant hedgehog called Dinsdale anyway.

+++++++++++++ So it was Written... So it Was Done!

CS

“Always look on the bright side of life.”

[jimbeam1]

Thaksin's legal adviser Noppadon Pattama says Thaksin may accept trade representative post to help Yingluck /TAN_Network

Noppadon denies saying Thaksin will be assuming trade representative post /TAN_Network

Well my, what a supprise. That is so decent of him. He really does have the Interests of the Country at heart.

jb1

[Tanaka]

This is like Dictatorship 101! with a minor in nepotism

What part of a majority election victory and the support of additional political parties do you not understand. The PTP has the mandate to act.

Do you not understand anything of what is happening?

[badmedicine]

You couldn't write a book with a plot this farcical; no one would believe it.

[webfact]

Top Democrat Blasts Plan to Appoint Thaksin Trade Ambassador

An outgoing deputy prime minister says the Pheu Thai Party's possible plan to appoint convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as trade ambassador is inappropriate.

Outgoing Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban commented on press reports on the Pheu Thai Party's plan to appoint fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as international trade ambassador, saying that he was not aware that the Pheu Thai-led coalition government would really do so.

He was of the view that the appointment is improper because of Thaksin's conviction.

Suthep said he believed that once the new government is formed, relations between Thailand and Cambodia will improve as the Pheu Thai Party has been on intimate terms with Cambodia for a long time.

As for speculation that Pheu Thai MP-elect Chalerm Yoobamrung will be nominated justice minister and House Speaker, Suthep declined to comment, only saying that selecting the next House speaker would depend on majority support in the House.

The outgoing deputy prime minister insisted that from now on, the Democrat Party, as the main opposition party, will do its best to examine work of the new government in line with democratic rules.

As for the selection of the party' s new leader and secretary general, Suthep voiced support for Abhisit Vejjajiva to resume his post as party leader while affirming that he will not retake the secretary general post as he believed that the party has many members whose expertise fits the duty.

He denied a news report that Democrat Party's key members Korn Chatikavanij and Apirak Kosayothin are at loggerheads over the secretary general post.

He said it is impossible, adding the two should run for the helm of the party.

Suthep said he preferred to work as a party member and the party should adjust its strategy to draw more supporters, especially in the Northeast where the Pheu Thai Party won a majority of House seats.

-- Tan Network 2011-07-06

[rotary]

just remines me of this...

He

Is it just me or does all this talk of Taksin sound kinda of illegal????ha ha

[WinnieTheKhwai]

Never let facts get in the way of a good rant. Over the years Thaivisa Forum have transformed into some geriatric Monty Python parody.

Man in Red Shirt ... "This election-result is a complete and utter landslide"

Boring Sensible Middle-Class Farang ... 'But it's only a shift from 39.6% to 44% of the vote, subject to E.C. final figures being confirmed ?'

Red Shirt ... "See, an overwhelming majority, what did I just tell you, and all the international-media too"

Farang ... 'And 44% is the vast majority of the people, and only a few elites in Bangkok voted the other way ?'

Red Shirt Sympathiser, foaming at the mouth, "This is a Dead Issue. Can't you follow orders. We have Ways of Making you Fall-in-Line, you know, your web-site should be shut-down immediately, like that nice Mr Hilter from Nakon-Minehead-Buri says it should be"

Farang ... 'But 44% is less-than 50%, so how can you say it's a majority decision of the electorate ?'

Government Red-Shirt Spokesman ... "We're going to pass a new law, making 44% greater-than 50%, when used in a political-context"

Farang puts on a loud colourful T-shirt ... reaches for a Chang, and reminds himself that TiT, and it'll shortly all be eaten by a giant hedgehog called Dinsdale anyway.

I will admit that the above is actually funny. Nice one.

Edited July 6, 2011 by WinnieTheKhwai

[jdinasia]

Is this before or after he does his 2 years in the nick?

and the rest of the trials proceeding?