Ex-Thai PM Thaksin Enters Japan Amid Controversy

[scorecard]

Consistently throwing around the moniker "convicted criminal" is rhetorical overkill when the original instigation and motivation to seal the conviction was political in nature. Even previously level-headed posters seem to have short memories.

Regardless of your opinion of Thaksin, don't be a short-sided sheep to follow the one-sided party line propaganda. It plays right into their hands to keep the nation divided. Recognize Thaksin's situation for what it is: the result of an illegal coup and the machinations of the resulting puppet government.

I'm happy to see some normalcy starting to return to the government and it's stand on the "convicted criminal" as well as other fiascoes like Khao Pra Vihan and the formerly damaged relationships with ASEAN and the U.N. For the first time since 2006, I see hope returning for Thailand's regional and international reputation and an easing of political rhetoric which tries to pass itself off as common knowledge.

Well your entitled to your opinion however I don't agree at all with what you say.

[crazykopite]

I don't like him, or the corruption that went on under his (and all Thai leaders') watches, but he was the legally elected Prime Minister of Thailand and illegally overthrown in a military coup, for which the conspirators, who would themselves be incarcerated or worse in other parts of the world for what they did, walk free, with self-granted amnesties in their back pockets.

Whether we farangs like him or loath him it was the Thai people who voted for him he was ousted by the military and they in turn put a puppet government in place it appears that the Thai people have now got the party of choice and I think that it is time we allow them to get the country back up and running. I have no doubt that in the not so distant future Mr T will be allowed back into Thailand having been pardoned for any crimes committed life will go on and no doubt farangs will continue to complain about this and that I could not give to hoots who runs the country as long as I can feel safe after all I am a guest with a retirement visa in this beautiful country and have no desires to go back to europe The world is full of corruption and Thailand is no worse than any western country that does shady deals day in and day out.

[jayboy]

I am not surprised t see the Foreign Correspondents Club of Japan giving Thaksin a platform. It will be safe to expect that the FCCT will do the same the minute Thaksin sets foot into Thailand again. These are by and large the same people who misled their readers and viewers in the West on the nature of the red shirts protests. Maybe they will also invite Khun Jatuporn as a supporting speaker.

Another example where ignorance misleads.The Foreign Correspondents Club in Japan is quite similar to the FCCT in Thailand, specifically in that its membership has only a minority actually involved in journalism.Most are simply locals and foreigners interested in current affairs.

As to the western coverage of the events in Bangkok last year most fair minded people agree that on the whole the foreign media, including CNN and the BBC, did quite well.Of course they tended to be broad brush, even simplistic at times, but their audience is a prime time Western one whose knowledge could not be assumed.Most of the local criticism of the coverage seemed to be more because foreigners were touching on subjects where the Thai media usually fears to tread.For me the most ludicrous example of Thai myopia was the widely circulated but confused, poorly argued and absurd letter from a young woman which got extraordinary focus in the social media, essentially attacking CNN and its excellent local correspondent at the time, Dan Rivers.

[KhunBJ]

Thai Military who were murdered by Thaksins paid stoogies who nobody seems to want to speak up for?

Can you prove this then take it to Court and let it decide ... if not well then just stick with facts.

[whybother]

Thai Military who were murdered by Thaksins paid stoogies who nobody seems to want to speak up for?

Can you prove this then take it to Court and let it decide ... if not well then just stick with facts.

Do you mean the facts that a number of red shirts have admitted to firing grenades?

[Moonrakers]

if you have the facts right, take him to Court and have him convicted and if not stick to the facts instead of rumors, assumptions and hearsay.

You seem to have missed rather a lot.

[sbk]

Posts deleted:

OTT hyperbole making wild accusations and libelous and defamatory accusations against various public personas and the courts

Response to those posts

Discussion of moderation.

Since I am feeling generous I am issuing a public warning. Do not repost this kind of thing again or I won't be so generous next time.

[tlansford]

I don't like him, or the corruption that went on under his (and all Thai leaders') watches, but he was the legally elected Prime Minister of Thailand and illegally overthrown in a military coup, for which the conspirators, who would themselves be incarcerated or worse in other parts of the world for what they did, walk free, with self-granted amnesties in their back pockets.

At the time of the coup, Thaksin was Not the legally elected prime-minister, his time had ran out and he had made himself caretaker prime minister.. that was part of the reason for the coup.. Get your facts right.. You cannot compare one mans corruption with anothers..

For anyone, What were the term limits under the 1997 constitution? I know that 2 terms is the limit now, but that was new in the latest constitution.

Thanks - Tom

[tlansford]

Consistently throwing around the moniker "convicted criminal" is rhetorical overkill when the original instigation and motivation to seal the conviction was political in nature. Even previously level-headed posters seem to have short memories.

Regardless of your opinion of Thaksin, don't be a short-sided sheep to follow the one-sided party line propaganda. It plays right into their hands to keep the nation divided. Recognize Thaksin's situation for what it is: the result of an illegal coup and the machinations of the resulting puppet government.

I'm happy to see some normalcy starting to return to the government and it's stand on the "convicted criminal" as well as other fiascoes like Khao Pra Vihan and the formerly damaged relationships with ASEAN and the U.N. For the first time since 2006, I see hope returning for Thailand's regional and international reputation and an easing of political rhetoric which tries to pass itself off as common knowledge.

Do you mean, he wasn't convicted and he didn't break the law?

missing the point on purpose are we ?

George Bush (II) made his fortune on a deal with the Texas Rangers and their new stadium, in a situation that easily could have been investigated for tax-evasion, and he went on to be appointed and later elected president of the United States...

He was never convicted, ... did he break the law??

And really, who cares ?

I agree with fookhaht's point, as this is the "Nation" after all, and they love to call him a fugitive, convicted criminal, ... recently I remember a statement saying he was wanted in Thailand for a terrorism charge, ...

This is another Nation piece presenting a couple of facts-of-the-day surrounded by opinion and emotional, rhetorical BS.

[ballpoint]

Consistently throwing around the moniker "convicted criminal" is rhetorical overkill when the original instigation and motivation to seal the conviction was political in nature. Even previously level-headed posters seem to have short memories.

Regardless of your opinion of Thaksin, don't be a short-sided sheep to follow the one-sided party line propaganda. It plays right into their hands to keep the nation divided. Recognize Thaksin's situation for what it is: the result of an illegal coup and the machinations of the resulting puppet government.

I'm happy to see some normalcy starting to return to the government and it's stand on the "convicted criminal" as well as other fiascoes like Khao Pra Vihan and the formerly damaged relationships with ASEAN and the U.N. For the first time since 2006, I see hope returning for Thailand's regional and international reputation and an easing of political rhetoric which tries to pass itself off as common knowledge.

Well your entitled to your opinion however I don't agree at all with what you say.

I'm still wondering what a short sided sheep looks like.

[rubl]

This is another Nation piece presenting a couple of facts-of-the-day surrounded by opinion and emotional, rhetorical BS.

Please stay cool, otherwise you might post emotional, rhetorical BS

[whybother]

I agree with fookhaht's point, as this is the "Nation" after all, and they love to call him a fugitive, convicted criminal, ... recently I remember a statement saying he was wanted in Thailand for a terrorism charge, ...

This is another Nation piece presenting a couple of facts-of-the-day surrounded by opinion and emotional, rhetorical BS.

The facts being that he is a convicted criminal and a fugitive.

[animatic]

Consistently throwing around the moniker "convicted criminal" is rhetorical overkill when the original instigation and motivation to seal the conviction was political in nature. Even previously level-headed posters seem to have short memories.

Regardless of your opinion of Thaksin, don't be a short-sided sheep to follow the one-sided party line propaganda. It plays right into their hands to keep the nation divided. Recognize Thaksin's situation for what it is: the result of an illegal coup and the machinations of the resulting puppet government.

I'm happy to see some normalcy starting to return to the government and it's stand on the "convicted criminal" as well as other fiascoes like Khao Pra Vihan and the formerly damaged relationships with ASEAN and the U.N. For the first time since 2006, I see hope returning for Thailand's regional and international reputation and an easing of political rhetoric which tries to pass itself off as common knowledge.

Do you mean, he wasn't convicted and he didn't break the law?

missing the point on purpose are we ?

George Bush (II) made his fortune on a deal with the Texas Rangers and their new stadium, in a situation that easily could have been investigated for tax-evasion, and he went on to be appointed and later elected president of the United States...

He was never convicted, ... did he break the law??

And really, who cares ?

I agree with fookhaht's point, as this is the "Nation" after all, and they love to call him a fugitive, convicted criminal, ... recently I remember a statement saying he was wanted in Thailand for a terrorism charge, ...

This is another Nation piece presenting a couple of facts-of-the-day surrounded by opinion and emotional, rhetorical BS.

I care, Bush should have been investigated for that and convicted if the evidence was there. It might well have save the world a lot of grief since then.

When the reasoning and evidence for convicting a political figure is laid out in open for all to see, it makes no difference if his political friends, political enemies, or the extraordinarily rare Apolitical player, is doing the prosecution.

If it is done in broad daylight for all to see, the politician IS CONVICTED. Calling it political doesn't change facts and reasoning in and on evidence. If there is a conviction on the books, then it is STILL a conviction, no matter the sour grapes of partisans.

Edited August 23, 2011 by animatic

[jitenshaman]

Consistently throwing around the moniker "convicted criminal" is rhetorical overkill when the original instigation and motivation to seal the conviction was political in nature. Even previously level-headed posters seem to have short memories.

Regardless of your opinion of Thaksin, don't be a short-sided sheep to follow the one-sided party line propaganda. It plays right into their hands to keep the nation divided. Recognize Thaksin's situation for what it is: the result of an illegal coup and the machinations of the resulting puppet government.

I'm happy to see some normalcy starting to return to the government and it's stand on the "convicted criminal" as well as other fiascoes like Khao Pra Vihan and the formerly damaged relationships with ASEAN and the U.N. For the first time since 2006, I see hope returning for Thailand's regional and international reputation and an easing of political rhetoric which tries to pass itself off as common knowledge.

It's a pity the only argument is always about the legality of his conviction by a bias and illegal government. Too bad it's not about the 2000 extrajudicial killings of "suspected" drug pushers or about the atrocities committed under Thaksin's orders at Tak Bai and elsewhere in the south, not to mention the media censorship and disappearances in various attempts to follow this up. Hopefully all the level and unlevel headed posters will remember these things, just one more reason why the man ought to be in front of the Hague and locked up somewhere.

[moe666]

Will old Tahkisin visit Mount Fuji while in Japan. I would love to be the fly on the wall in some of the meetings he has with Japanese business people, do not worry brother sister is in my hip pocket which puts Thailand in my hip pocket, you want a few thousnd rai of land to expand your factory no problem. I will have to call tomorrow since I only give advice every other day.

[moe666]

Consistently throwing around the moniker "convicted criminal" is rhetorical overkill when the original instigation and motivation to seal the conviction was political in nature. Even previously level-headed posters seem to have short memories.

Regardless of your opinion of Thaksin, don't be a short-sided sheep to follow the one-sided party line propaganda. It plays right into their hands to keep the nation divided. Recognize Thaksin's situation for what it is: the result of an illegal coup and the machinations of the resulting puppet government.

I'm happy to see some normalcy starting to return to the government and it's stand on the "convicted criminal" as well as other fiascoes like Khao Pra Vihan and the formerly damaged relationships with ASEAN and the U.N. For the first time since 2006, I see hope returning for Thailand's regional and international reputation and an easing of political rhetoric which tries to pass itself off as common knowledge.

Do you mean, he wasn't convicted and he didn't break the law?

missing the point on purpose are we ?

George Bush (II) made his fortune on a deal with the Texas Rangers and their new stadium, in a situation that easily could have been investigated for tax-evasion, and he went on to be appointed and later elected president of the United States...

He was never convicted, ... did he break the law??

And really, who cares ?

I agree with fookhaht's point, as this is the "Nation" after all, and they love to call him a fugitive, convicted criminal, ... recently I remember a statement saying he was wanted in Thailand for a terrorism charge, ...

This is another Nation piece presenting a couple of facts-of-the-day surrounded by opinion and emotional, rhetorical BS.

Your trying to compare Bush to Thaksin is a failure. Bush borrowed money to invest in the Texas Rangers and became a working partner, he travelled all across the state promoteing the team. When they sold years later his investment had increased. Are you saying he didn't pay taxes on the capital gains or what did he do illigally. What they did do that sucked was to have the city condemn private property for the stadium.

That is a bit different than approving the purchase of government land by your wife at a reduced price when you know there is a law against this and have been advised not to do it and you do it anyway.

By the way I didn't vote for either man.

Edited August 23, 2011 by moe666