Thaksin Keeps Low Profile In Thai Flood Crisis

[webfact]

Thaksin keeps low profile in Thai flood crisis

by Michelle Fitzpatrick

BANGKOK, November 10, 2011 (AFP) - With a flood crisis rocking his sister's government, fugitive ex-Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra is lying low as prospects of a triumphant homecoming look ever more distant, observers say.

The usually outspoken Thaksin, who lives abroad to avoid a jail term for corruption, has mostly shied away from publicly commenting on a disaster that has killed more than 500 people and threatens the heart of Bangkok.

The former tycoon, 62, has posted several messages on Twitter and Facebook offering sympathy to the victims.

Some relief supplies reportedly also had "with love and great concern from Thaksin Shinawatra" written on them -- without his knowledge, his aides say.

But the one-time policeman has largely remained silent during the disaster and has done little to rally support for his under-pressure sibling, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

"Thaksin has generally remained more silent than expected," said Paul Chambers, director of research at the Southeast Asian Institute of Global Studies at Payap University in Chiang Mai.

Thaksin -- who was ousted in a 2006 coup -- might already be distancing himself from Yingluck who could be at risk of losing her job, he said, as she struggles to get a grip on the country's worst floods in half a century.

"Better for Thaksin and other Puea Thai politicians to let Yingluck ride out the storm and take any unpopularity relating to her handling of this crisis with her," said Chambers.

The 44-year-old former businesswoman, whose Puea Thai party won a resounding victory in a July election, has been accused by her critics of acting too slowly and lacking leadership in her management of the crisis.

Her administration has also come under fire for giving contradictory statements about the threat from the rising waters, further rattling nerves in the kingdom.

Thaksin's overthrow heralded five years of political unrest, culminating in street protests by his "Red Shirt" supporters last year, in which more than 90 people died in clashes with the army.

He is despised by the Bangkok-based elite but remains a much-loved figure among many poor Thais.

Other observers said Thaksin -- who once described his sister as his "clone" -- was taking a back seat to give Yingluck a chance to step out of his shadow.

"It's good for him to allow Yingluck to deal with it herself, even though she is failing," said Pavin Chachavalpongpun, a Thailand expert at the Institute for Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore.

He said that any meddling by Thaksin would only "further complicate" the situation, and "open the door for the opposition to attack the government".

Besides, he said, Yingluck's big brother may not be in any position to help. "Thaksin doesn't have a PhD in water management," he quipped.

Yingluck has pleaded for the public's understanding, saying Thailand's dams were already full when she took office in early August, since when the country has been battered by a series of storms.

Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political scientist at Bangkok's Chulalongkorn University, said he suspected the siblings were "communicating very closely" but there was only so much Dubai-based Thaksin could do from exile.

"The nature of this crisis precludes a more active role -- it's an hour-by-hour crisis," he added.

Yingluck stormed to power on the back of the vast popularity of her brother among poor Thais, particularly in rural areas, many of which have been hit hard by the floods.

In the early days of her premiership, Thaksin appeared keen to boost his profile with controversial trips to Japan and Cambodia, which raised questions about his influence over the government.

He has also made no secret of the fact that he hopes to attend his daughter's wedding in Thailand in December.

But Yingluck has yet to take any legal action clearing the path for his return, such as an amnesty, and according to commentators it is unlikely she will do anything so controversial while the kingdom is mired in crisis.

"Yingluck has been overwhelmed by the floods," said Pavin. "Should Thaksin put another burden on her... I'm not sure she would survive as prime minister. It would be political suicide for both Yingluck and Thaksin."

He said there was "almost zero chance" Thaksin would be back by December, when the country would still be dealing with the aftermath of the floods.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2011-11-10

[hammered]

Thaksin is doing the right thing in staying quiet through this apart from expressing sympathies. Needless distractions are not needed now and everyone should be working together to get the country back up and running ASAP and putting aside political differences however difficult that is. Unfortunately this isnt happening on other fronts but I doubt even the most ardent Thaksin hater would criticize him for this quiet approach

[Moruya]

I think the term is "he's hung her out to dry". Sacrificed his own sister.

He hand-picked the people she is surrounded with who have failed her miserably and she herself looks out of her depth.

When all this water is gone people will be asking for compensation (THB5,000 is miserly), asking for the 300B per day minimum wage, asking for their B15,000 per month graduates wage, asking for their children's tablet PC etc. etc. There may be anything between 200,000 and 500,000 unemployed, factories out of business, foreign interests needing to rebuild may relocate somewhere labour is cheaper and not a risk of flooding, food prices will be through the roof with the higher wages to pay, damage to land and agricultural machinery to repair as well as the new price of rice.

The next wave of protests will be very very different to the yellow and red waves.

[steveromagnino]

He's silent because his first attempt to get PR backfired (suggestion to spend money to solve crisis) and being completely lacking in knowledge regarding boats and water (his personal attempt to purchase a super yacht floundered because insiders say he kept changing specifications and what he wanted to purchase so many times, that the boat was never completed) he has no advice to offer; if he had any reasonable or sensible advice, he would have suggested it by now, and come in as the shining white knight that saved Thailand from the floods.

Actually, if rumours are believed, a large part of the cause of the flooding (holding water back to allow farmers to have more crops, avoiding flooding areas where farmers had planted rice) can be planted at the strategy of PT to try to ensure maximum water supply available and minimum flood impact in Aug/Sept to make this the largest biggest windfall crop of rice. With the crop pledging scheme in full effect, PT would ensure that Thai tax payers subsidise the farmers, by forcing them to pay 50%+ over market prices for rice, making farmers eternally grateful for PT....no need to guess where such a strategy of blatant legal vote buying had come from; same place as first time cars, first time houses, 300b per day worker pay - all legal but popularist attempts to get an immediate boost in popularity.

So...he takes the normal approach, same as when the storming of APEC backfired in Pattaya, when the red shirts torching Bangkok backfired, when Da Torpedo's speech backfired, when Jakapop Penkair's presentation backfired, when the sticking his name on stuff that he had nothing to do with backfired....of hiding in the wings...letting Voice TV and the various other channels make everyone forget...only to eventually reemerge with more words of perceived (to himself) wisdom.

Probably will be right around Dec 5 at a guess. He may repeat already offered wisdom, but let's face it, the guy hasn't had a new idea in a decade of any worth....he just recycles other people's plans with some slick marketing.

[erobando]

I don't see it as sacrificing his sister at all.

A vocal Thaksin would be seen as undermining PM Yingluck's authority.

He might have placed her there but he doesn't want her to appear powerless or as a puppet.

[Sydebolle]

<br />I think the term is "he's hung her out to dry". Sacrificed his own sister.<br /><br /><br />He hand-picked the people she is surrounded with who have failed her miserably and she herself looks out of her depth.<br /><br /><br /><br />When all this water is gone people will be asking for compensation (THB5,000 is miserly), asking for the 300B per day minimum wage, asking for their B15,000 per month graduates wage, asking for their children's tablet PC etc. etc. There may be anything between 200,000 and 500,000 unemployed, factories out of business, foreign interests needing to rebuild may relocate somewhere labour is cheaper and not a risk of flooding, food prices will be through the roof with the higher wages to pay, damage to land and agricultural machinery to repair as well as the new price of rice.<br /><br />The next wave of protests will be very very different to the yellow and red waves.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

Well, I hate to admit it but it seems to me that you are absolutely, regretfully, right. Get ready for civil war; those who can, may be advised to consider moving while the moving is good!

[MilesCh]

In my humble opinion Thaksin must be quiet, else people might start asking why he didn't do something about it during his tenure.

[whybother]

Thaksin is doing the right thing in staying quiet through this apart from expressing sympathies. Needless distractions are not needed now and everyone should be working together to get the country back up and running ASAP and putting aside political differences however difficult that is. Unfortunately this isnt happening on other fronts but I doubt even the most ardent Thaksin hater would criticize him for this quiet approach

"Unfortunately this isnt happening on other fronts"

Agree with that. With PT MPs trying to lay the blame of the flooding on the Democrats and particularly Sukhumband.

[looping]

He can sail very close to a coup but as long as it doesn't happen, he'll remain in power and eventually turn a profit from his investment. After all, he's a corporate business man, not a humanitarian. All head, no heart. I'm sure he'll find a way to profit directly from the floods, if he's not already.

[SICHONSTEVE]

Thaksin is doing the right thing in staying quiet through this apart from expressing sympathies. Needless distractions are not needed now and everyone should be working together to get the country back up and running ASAP and putting aside political differences however difficult that is. Unfortunately this isnt happening on other fronts but I doubt even the most ardent Thaksin hater would criticize him for this quiet approach

I really don't understand your fervent support of this tyrant!!!. He has been nothing short of a DISASTER for Thailand (since birth probably) and ONLY does things to benefit himself.

Stop kidding yourself and see things "as they really are". Do you think he is being kind by keeping a low profile??? If he could keep a low profile at all other times - beyond this flood disaster, then Thailand would be a better place for everybody (including those poor Thais who put his sister into government to oversee this catastrophe with such calamitous consequences)!!

Rid this family of any Shinawatra influence and THAT will get Thailand back on its feet again to its rightful position in South-East Asia and not perceived as being a third world country.

I see that Thaksin's clone has gone (finally) and Italy should reap the rewards despite the mess it has been left in - now kindly leave Thailand alone K. Thaksin so that normallity can return, pleeeease!!!:jap:.

[Thaddeus]

He's having a Canute moment, or a Toffee Crisp ...... haven't decided yet.

[DocN]

He's silent because his first attempt to get PR backfired (suggestion to spend money to solve crisis) and being completely lacking in knowledge regarding boats and water (his personal attempt to purchase a super yacht floundered because insiders say he kept changing specifications and what he wanted to purchase so many times, that the boat was never completed) he has no advice to offer; if he had any reasonable or sensible advice, he would have suggested it by now, and come in as the shining white knight that saved Thailand from the floods.

Actually, if rumours are believed, a large part of the cause of the flooding (holding water back to allow farmers to have more crops, avoiding flooding areas where farmers had planted rice) can be planted at the strategy of PT to try to ensure maximum water supply available and minimum flood impact in Aug/Sept to make this the largest biggest windfall crop of rice. With the crop pledging scheme in full effect, PT would ensure that Thai tax payers subsidise the farmers, by forcing them to pay 50%+ over market prices for rice, making farmers eternally grateful for PT....no need to guess where such a strategy of blatant legal vote buying had come from; same place as first time cars, first time houses, 300b per day worker pay - all legal but popularist attempts to get an immediate boost in popularity.

So...he takes the normal approach, same as when the storming of APEC backfired in Pattaya, when the red shirts torching Bangkok backfired, when Da Torpedo's speech backfired, when Jakapop Penkair's presentation backfired, when the sticking his name on stuff that he had nothing to do with backfired....of hiding in the wings...letting Voice TV and the various other channels make everyone forget...only to eventually reemerge with more words of perceived (to himself) wisdom.

Probably will be right around Dec 5 at a guess. He may repeat already offered wisdom, but let's face it, the guy hasn't had a new idea in a decade of any worth....he just recycles other people's plans with some slick marketing.

Agreed!

[renaissanc]

I think the term is "he's hung her out to dry". Sacrificed his own sister.

He hand-picked the people she is surrounded with who have failed her miserably and she herself looks out of her depth.

When all this water is gone people will be asking for compensation (THB5,000 is miserly), asking for the 300B per day minimum wage, asking for their B15,000 per month graduates wage, asking for their children's tablet PC etc. etc. There may be anything between 200,000 and 500,000 unemployed, factories out of business, foreign interests needing to rebuild may relocate somewhere labour is cheaper and not a risk of flooding, food prices will be through the roof with the higher wages to pay, damage to land and agricultural machinery to repair as well as the new price of rice.

The next wave of protests will be very very different to the yellow and red waves.

I agree. But Thaksin will throw everyone a bone to keep them happy and try to survive that way. Unfortunately, he will probably succeed as he knows what bone to throw each group in society. He is an excellent manipulator of people.

[rubl]

Besides, Pavin Chachavalpongpun said, Yingluck's big brother may not be in any position to help. "Thaksin doesn't have a PhD in water management," he quipped.

Looking at all those people involved in the flooding crisis and/or just voicing opinions publicly I wasn't aware having a PhD in Water Management was a requirement. Somehow it seemed more like a liability to know about the subject

[Buchholz]

Some relief supplies reportedly also had "with love and great concern from Thaksin Shinawatra" written on them -- without his knowledge, his aides say.

That's why weeks ago he made his very public rebuttal of the practice and his rapid and vocal admonishment of those responsible to cease and desist the deceptive practice immediately.

Oh wait, that never happened.

.

[Buchholz]

Thaksin -- who was ousted in a 2006 coup -- might already be distancing himself from Yingluck who could be at risk of losing her job

Wouldn't be the first person he threw under the bus to divert blame away from himself.

.

[SICHONSTEVE]

Thaksin -- who was ousted in a 2006 coup -- might already be distancing himself from Yingluck who could be at risk of losing her job

Wouldn't be the first person he threw under the bus to divert blame away from himself.

.

Or, the last?????.

[eastlight]

I think the term is "he's hung her out to dry". Sacrificed his own sister.

He hand-picked the people she is surrounded with who have failed her miserably and she herself looks out of her depth.

When all this water is gone people will be asking for compensation (THB5,000 is miserly), asking for the 300B per day minimum wage, asking for their B15,000 per month graduates wage, asking for their children's tablet PC etc. etc. There may be anything between 200,000 and 500,000 unemployed, factories out of business, foreign interests needing to rebuild may relocate somewhere labour is cheaper and not a risk of flooding, food prices will be through the roof with the higher wages to pay, damage to land and agricultural machinery to repair as well as the new price of rice.

The next wave of protests will be very very different to the yellow and red waves.

Good posting.

[Buchholz]

Thaksin is doing the right thing in staying quiet through this apart from expressing sympathies.

And his personal flood aversion plan priced at 400 Billion Baht.... of which he wouldn't reveal the details of unless he was back in the country.

.

[Buchholz]

Besides, Pavin Chachavalpongpun said, Yingluck's big brother may not be in any position to help. "Thaksin doesn't have a PhD in water management," he quipped.

Looking at all those people involved in the flooding crisis and/or just voicing opinions publicly I wasn't aware having a PhD in Water Management was a requirement. Somehow it seemed more like a liability to know about the subject

Not having a PhD in education didn't stop him from taking the Education Minister portfolio while PM.

Not having a PhD in public health didn't stop him from taking control and mismanaging the bird flu crisis.

etc. etc.

It seems that his PhD in criminal justice did, however, assist him in his criminal activities.

.

[hellodolly]

Thaksin is doing the right thing in staying quiet through this apart from expressing sympathies. Needless distractions are not needed now and everyone should be working together to get the country back up and running ASAP and putting aside political differences however difficult that is. Unfortunately this isnt happening on other fronts but I doubt even the most ardent Thaksin hater would criticize him for this quiet approach

Indeed he is doing the right thing. No need for him to do any thing his for hire red shirt peace lovers are putting his name on supplies from every one but him and shipping them out to supposedly the needy but there ha been reports that if you wear a red shirt you can get preferential treatment.

Just a rumor but fits in with their style of doing things.

[ParadiseLost]

I don't see it as sacrificing his sister at all.

A vocal Thaksin would be seen as undermining PM Yingluck's authority.

He might have placed her there but he doesn't want her to appear powerless or as a puppet.

The day he linked-up to address the Thai parliament is the day he showed the world that she is a puppet. He manipulated the choosing of MPs and directed policy - how much more can he undermine her authority?

The only reason he is silent is because he cannot change what is happening to suit his means, he can't boost his own ego and hoodwink supporters so he just keeps quiet, like a snake in the grass. He shows no support for his sister at all.

If one good thing comes from this disaster, it will be that the Thai people recognise this egomaniac for what he is, perhaps this can unite people and red/yellow shirts will be a thing of the past. Unfortunately this unification will most likely come in the shape of civil protests and perhaps even riots - but that is better than his direction which is likely to end in civil war.

This country - similar to Italy - has almost been destroyed by a self-serving, greedy mobster. It will take time but his cronies will inevitably be ousted.

I find it hard to believe there is anyone left who would defend this sociopath (see: www.mcafee.cc/Bin/sb.html).

[hellodolly]

He's silent because his first attempt to get PR backfired (suggestion to spend money to solve crisis) and being completely lacking in knowledge regarding boats and water (his personal attempt to purchase a super yacht floundered because insiders say he kept changing specifications and what he wanted to purchase so many times, that the boat was never completed) he has no advice to offer; if he had any reasonable or sensible advice, he would have suggested it by now, and come in as the shining white knight that saved Thailand from the floods.

Actually, if rumours are believed, a large part of the cause of the flooding (holding water back to allow farmers to have more crops, avoiding flooding areas where farmers had planted rice) can be planted at the strategy of PT to try to ensure maximum water supply available and minimum flood impact in Aug/Sept to make this the largest biggest windfall crop of rice. With the crop pledging scheme in full effect, PT would ensure that Thai tax payers subsidise the farmers, by forcing them to pay 50%+ over market prices for rice, making farmers eternally grateful for PT....no need to guess where such a strategy of blatant legal vote buying had come from; same place as first time cars, first time houses, 300b per day worker pay - all legal but popularist attempts to get an immediate boost in popularity.

So...he takes the normal approach, same as when the storming of APEC backfired in Pattaya, when the red shirts torching Bangkok backfired, when Da Torpedo's speech backfired, when Jakapop Penkair's presentation backfired, when the sticking his name on stuff that he had nothing to do with backfired....of hiding in the wings...letting Voice TV and the various other channels make everyone forget...only to eventually reemerge with more words of perceived (to himself) wisdom.

Probably will be right around Dec 5 at a guess. He may repeat already offered wisdom, but let's face it, the guy hasn't had a new idea in a decade of any worth....he just recycles other people's plans with some slick marketing.

Not by any stretch of the imagination a fan of Thaksin but in all fairness when he was PM he did look into alternative ways of managing water.Only to be scrapped by later governments.

[scorecard]

Thaksin is doing the right thing in staying quiet through this apart from expressing sympathies. Needless distractions are not needed now and everyone should be working together to get the country back up and running ASAP and putting aside political differences however difficult that is. Unfortunately this isnt happening on other fronts but I doubt even the most ardent Thaksin hater would criticize him for this quiet approach

"Unfortunately this isnt happening on other fronts"

Agree with that. With PT MPs trying to lay the blame of the flooding on the Democrats and particularly Sukhumband.

There's another way that some will see it.

He's very deliberately portrayed (marketed) himself as the savior, the man who is more clever than anybody, the man who will make everybody rich in six months, etc.

Now when a real crisis comes he's silent.

Where's our savior? Why hasn't he magically fixed everything? Why didn't he come up with a plan to ensure that most of Thailand was impervious to the floods, a plan that nobody else even dreamed of? Why didn't he walk on water?

And on top of that very large numbers of his followers (the people he has quite successfully manipulated) are those who have suffered most, many have zero resources to fall back on, and now they are offered 5,000Baht with strings attached.

[SICHONSTEVE]

Thaksin is doing the right thing in staying quiet through this apart from expressing sympathies. Needless distractions are not needed now and everyone should be working together to get the country back up and running ASAP and putting aside political differences however difficult that is. Unfortunately this isnt happening on other fronts but I doubt even the most ardent Thaksin hater would criticize him for this quiet approach

"Unfortunately this isnt happening on other fronts"

Agree with that. With PT MPs trying to lay the blame of the flooding on the Democrats and particularly Sukhumband.

There's another way that some will see it.

He's very deliberately portrayed (marketed) himself as the savior, the man who is more clever than anybody, the man who will make everybody rich in six months, etc.

Now when a real crisis comes he's silent.

Where's our savior? Why hasn't he magically fixed everything? Why didn't he come up with a plan to ensure that most of Thailand was impervious to the floods, a plan that nobody else even dreamed of? Why didn't he walk on water?

And on top of that very large numbers of his followers (the people he has quite successfully manipulated) are those who have suffered most, many have zero resources to fall back on, and now they are offered 5,000Baht with strings attached.

So you seem to be implying that he has let a few people down, in his "own unique and abhorrent way" then!!!!!

It is rather clever how he takes as much as he can get from his subjects and they "love him to death for it"!!!!. Not only that, but they want him to return "so much" to take what little they have left!!!!! Unbelievable, but highly irrational and intriguing behaviour all the same, that will remain a complete mystery to me for eternity !!!!.

[PETDCAT]

Thaksin thinks..............Thailand sinks

[Jingthing]

Thaksin thinks..............Thailand sinks

Excellent!

Right up there with my own creation.

Evacuate to Pattaya, Bangkok by the sea, not Bangkok IN the sea

[Skywalker69]

Besides, Pavin Chachavalpongpun said, Yingluck's big brother may not be in any position to help. "Thaksin doesn't have a PhD in water management," he quipped.

Looking at all those people involved in the flooding crisis and/or just voicing opinions publicly I wasn't aware having a PhD in Water Management was a requirement. Somehow it seemed more like a liability to know about the subject

Good one, thank you for a good laugh. Well needed those days!

[Artisi]

Why has the fugitive clown kept quiet, besides being incapable of any original thinking, there is no money for him to manipulate into his own purse.

[wxyz]

the floods silver lining