Thailand - The Plot Thickens

[webfact]

STOPPAGE TIME

The plot thickens

Tulsathit Taptim

BANGKOK: -- With the reconciliation juggernaut approaching full tilt, it's probably time to stock up on instant noodles and map out contingency traffic plans to avoid places that protesters love.

Everything we've heard over the past few weeks - peace, justice, let bygones be bygones, etc - is nothing but a signal that the very opposite may be around the corner.

Chavalit Yongchaiyudh has re-emerged with a surprisingly coherent open letter on how to get Thai politics back to normal. Parliament is hell-bent on drafting an amnesty blueprint, although the Constitution is yet to be amended. Former coup leader Sonthi Boonyaratglin and retiring political big-wig Sanan Kachornprasart are exchanging encrypted public messages on a daily basis.

If you're wondering what's going on, keep in mind that when a movie heads to its climax, the main characters have to act weirder and weirder. The following summation of key players' roles is not meant to shed light on the murkiness of the present situation; it's just a wrap-up so you're updated with the plot and thus able to fully enjoy the upcoming episode.

Sonthi Boonyaratglin: He's that modern-age character you see a lot in today's mini-series. You know, one-minute-the-hero, one-minute-the-villain. The former general who toppled Thaksin Shinawatra in a 2006 coup now chairs an ad hoc House committee poised to report to Parliament on why the military takeover was totally wrong.

Why is Sonthi doing this? If you believe a Thai Post headline, he seems to have struck some sort of deal with Thaksin. If you aren't that cynical, Sonthi simply regrets what he did in 2006 and now wants to help pluck the country out of the abyss he believes he helped put it in.

The third theory is that Sonthi is not actually remorseful but is smart enough to know how the political winds blow. His current action, therefore, is more for himself than anybody else.

The fourth theory is a bit of everything. He somewhat regrets the coup and wants to make amends, partly to protect himself as the Thaksin camp's "quest for justice" could land him in legal trouble. His change of heart suits his former enemies and both sides agreed to work on accelerating a reconciliation plan that includes absolution for the man he took out of power.

You may argue that he has said something that may not fit any of the theories: "If I could go back in time, I would still do it (stage the coup) again," he told Kom Chad Luek TV programme. What he left unsaid probably was: "And I would advocate total amnesty for Thaksin again."

Sanan Kachornprasart: He has unequivocally announced he will quit politics when the current House of Representatives ends. But virtually in the same breath, he challenged General Sonthi to confirm whether the coup had a mysterious mastermind. What is Sanan's motive in stirring up a hornet's nest? Is someone behind him, just as he believes that there was someone behind Sonthi regarding the coup?

According to the first theory, Sanan is just jealous. If you remember the billboards he put up last year, he has always aspired to be the peacemaker (not "a" peacemaker, but "the" peacemaker). Sonthi is the last person on earth Sanan wants to steal that title from him.

The second theory is the opposite of the first. Sanan doesn't want to discredit Sonthi. In fact, Sanan's "challenge" helps rekindle the coup myth. As long as there are doubts that somebody else was behind the coup, Sonthi benefits. This theory goes well with Sonthi's suggestion that if there were really coup secrets, they would die with him.

Chavalit Yongchaiyudh: At first glance, his open letter backing amnesty and virtually slamming the coup looks like a last-minute attempt to jump on the bring-Thaksin-back bandwagon. Knowing him, that would be too simple, wouldn't it? Quite a few people believe that Chavalit is central in the amnesty push, a behind-the-scenes figure working under an old reputation of being among the architects of the 66/23 programme that rehabilitated communist insurgents in the 80s.

Chavalit has never been publicly asked if he favours absolution for Thaksin. He may confuse you with his answer, but there are those who believe he has gone far beyond favouring the idea now and is a main man in trying to make it come true.

Chalerm Yoobamrung: At least we have one straightforward character in this deputy prime minister. He doesn't accept that his motive is only to help his boss Thaksin, but that would be a confession nobody needed. Chalerm repeatedly claims he has finished drafting a "reconciliation" bill that will be good for everyone. To distace the government and Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra from the bill, he says it will be sponsored by MPs who supposedly have no incentives in helping Thaksin.

Will Chalerm's bill ever make it to the House floor? If it does, we may see another defining moment in Thai politics. Depending on where you come from, the bill will be either the (Star Wars) rebels' last shot at the Death Star, or the Death Star itself. Either way, all hell could break loose because of it.

Abhisit Vejjajiva: He is Chalerm's opposite number, an uncomplicated fighter with a clear-cut mission to torpedo any amnesty plan that could benefit Thaksin. Outnumbered in Parliament, Abhisit's party is resorting to the only viable strategy - boycott the "one-sided" reconciliation process and hope the move chips away at its legitimacy.

Nitirat academics: Their campaign to undo the legal consequences of the coup could have lent better weight to the amnesty idea. To expand that campaign to cover the issues of the monarchy may be idealistic, but it's definitely unwise.

King Prajadhipok Institute researchers: They always utter the script line, "I don't know what to believe anymore". One important fact that may influence their future course, though, is a close connection between one of their leaders and Chavalit Yongchaiyudh.

Thirayuth Boonmee: He's probably too old to be compared to Katniss Everdeen. (If you're a fan of the "Hunger Games" trilogy, you'll know what I'm talking about.) But the former freedom fighter looks truly a man in an ideological dilemma, the way Katniss regarded dictatorship, democracy and rebellion and how the three could get totally messed up.

-- The Nation 2012-03-28

[siampolee]

The whole situation is indeed extremely fishy,

I fear we are teetering on the edge of an abyss. if we fall into it there will be dreadful results. The common people are but bit players, mere cannon fodder as has been shown in the not too distant past. in this power struggle between meglomaniacal politicians and power hungry despots,

Edited March 28, 2012 by Rimmer
Giant unnessesarry picture removed

[sparebox2]

I believe someone more powerful than Sonthi force him to lead the 2006 coup.

He had no choice. maybe his family was in dander, just maybe.

But now when everything is over, maybe his family is safe now, maybe.

It is time to correct the wrong he did (high treson is punish by death).

Time to disclose all.

Time to tell the world who is the real evil, that order the 2006 coup.

Most people think that Thaksin is most unlike to order a coup against himself.

This is where he out witts us all.

It could be part of his plot, to fake a coup on himself, to get pity votes.

So he can return as a saint; quite a bit like Jeuse (possibly fake own death, and reappears after 3 days).

Edited March 28, 2012 by sparebox2

[GentlemanJim]

I believe someone more powerful than Sonthi force him to lead the 2006 coup.

He had no choice. maybe his family was in dander, just maybe.

But now when everything is over, maybe his family is safe now, maybe.

It is time to correct the wrong he did (high treson is punish by death).

Time to disclose all.

Time to tell the world who is the real evil, that order the 2006 coup.

Most people think that Thaksin is most unlike to order a coup against himself.

This is where he out witts us all.

It could be part of his plot, to fake a coup on himself, to get pity votes.

So he can return as a saint; quite a bit like Jeuse (possibly fake own death, and reappears after 3 days).

I really don't think you are thinking straight. Line number 1 is correct. I doubt line number 2, Line number 4 is not correct. Line number 6 is way off the mark.The coup was absolutely the correct thing...for this country. Thaksin was playing games with Parliament, the Government and the People and was becoming a malignant growth. He was way over stepping the mark and his constitutional powers. Apart from give everyone a break from all of these self serving greedy politicians, what damage to the country and the people did the coup do? In all honesty we need another one right now in order to protect the Country and the Monarchy from what Thaksin and his cronies have planned.Thaksin has played a great game of chess, but he is no Kasparov and their are many holes in his plan and many ways it can be stopped. The plot is indeed thickening but really it is also obvious. It does not take a brain the size of a rocket scientist to work out the origins of the move in 2006, neither do you have to ponder too long to see what Thaksins ultimate goal is. The losers will be the country and the people, whilst there will be those in power who will rob and clean up, no doubt moving onwards and upwards to a nice house in the west, whilst the poor remain poor and Thailand is weighed down by a vast amount of unkept promises by the most insidious of characters.

[CalgaryII]

"The former general who toppled Thaksin Shinawatra in a 2006 coup...................."

Isn't that the issue Sanan was querying? The Red Shirts often wear a T-shirt with nothing, other than a large eyeball. How does that song go again, "I can see clearly now the rain is gone. I can see all obstacles in my way" There, may it stick in your mind for the rest of the day

Edited March 28, 2012 by CalgaryII

[mobiryder]

I believe someone more powerful than Sonthi force him to lead the 2006 coup.

He had no choice. maybe his family was in dander, just maybe.

But now when everything is over, maybe his family is safe now, maybe.

It is time to correct the wrong he did (high treson is punish by death).

Time to disclose all.

Time to tell the world who is the real evil, that order the 2006 coup.

Most people think that Thaksin is most unlike to order a coup against himself.

This is where he out witts us all.

It could be part of his plot, to fake a coup on himself, to get pity votes.

So he can return as a saint; quite a bit like Jeuse (possibly fake own death, and reappears after 3 days).

i dont even know what to say to this.. you're not even close on any of the points... absurd actually

[CHANGOVER]

"The former general who toppled Thaksin Shinawatra in a 2006 coup...................."

Isn't that the issue Sanan was querying? The Red Shirts often wear a T-shirt with nothing, other than a large eyeball. How does that song go again, "I can see clearly now the rain is gone. I can see all obstacles in my way" There, may it stick in your mind for the rest of the day

Close but surely the words are,

"I can see Deidre now Lorraine has gone."

[firestar]

I believe someone more powerful than Sonthi force him to lead the 2006 coup.

He had no choice. maybe his family was in dander, just maybe.

But now when everything is over, maybe his family is safe now, maybe.

It is time to correct the wrong he did (high treson is punish by death).

Time to disclose all.

Time to tell the world who is the real evil, that order the 2006 coup.

Most people think that Thaksin is most unlike to order a coup against himself.

This is where he out witts us all.

It could be part of his plot, to fake a coup on himself, to get pity votes.

So he can return as a saint; quite a bit like Jeuse (possibly fake own death, and reappears after 3 days).

There isn't much TV faithfuls don't manage to pin on Thaksin. Now one member has managed to go the final step and pin the coup against Thaksin on....Thaksin!

[bigbamboo]

I believe someone more powerful than Sonthi force him to lead the 2006 coup.

He had no choice. maybe his family was in dander, just maybe.

But now when everything is over, maybe his family is safe now, maybe.

It is time to correct the wrong he did (high treson is punish by death).

Time to disclose all.

Time to tell the world who is the real evil, that order the 2006 coup.

Most people think that Thaksin is most unlike to order a coup against himself.

This is where he out witts us all.

It could be part of his plot, to fake a coup on himself, to get pity votes.

So he can return as a saint; quite a bit like Jeuse (possibly fake own death, and reappears after 3 days).

i dont even know what to say to this.. you're not even close on any of the points... absurd actually

Didn't Thaksin have a 'Premonition' about a planned coup?

[metisdead]

No matter how veiled the specualtions are, do not go there:

2) Not to express disrespect of the King of Thailand or anyone else in the Thai royal family, whether living or deceased, nor to criticize the monarchy as an institution. Speculation, comments and discussion of either a political or personal nature are not allowed when discussing HM The King or the Royal family. Discussion of the lese majeste law or lese majeste cases is permitted on the forum, providing no comment or speculation is made referencing the royal family. To breach this rule will result in immediate ban.

From this point on, anymore veiled insinuations/speculations, suspensions will be issued.

[CHANGOVER]

I believe someone more powerful than Sonthi force him to lead the 2006 coup.

He had no choice. maybe his family was in dander, just maybe.

But now when everything is over, maybe his family is safe now, maybe.

It is time to correct the wrong he did (high treson is punish by death).

Time to disclose all.

Time to tell the world who is the real evil, that order the 2006 coup.

Most people think that Thaksin is most unlike to order a coup against himself.

This is where he out witts us all.

It could be part of his plot, to fake a coup on himself, to get pity votes.

So he can return as a saint; quite a bit like Jeuse (possibly fake own death, and reappears after 3 days).

There isn't much TV faithfuls don't manage to pin on Thaksin. Now one member has managed to go the final step and pin the coup against Thaksin on....Thaksin!

He is 'sparebox2' presumably as the working tools are in another box.

[Arkady]

I believe someone more powerful than Sonthi force him to lead the 2006 coup.

He had no choice. maybe his family was in dander, just maybe.

But now when everything is over, maybe his family is safe now, maybe.

It is time to correct the wrong he did (high treson is punish by death).

Time to disclose all.

Time to tell the world who is the real evil, that order the 2006 coup.

Most people think that Thaksin is most unlike to order a coup against himself.

This is where he out witts us all.

It could be part of his plot, to fake a coup on himself, to get pity votes.

So he can return as a saint; quite a bit like Jeuse (possibly fake own death, and reappears after 3 days).

I don't think Sonthi was forced by anyone to stage the coup. Although he may have been encouraged by powerful figures, he was army CiC and the decision to press the button was his own. He naively thought that he and his backers would be able to install a government of competent technocrats that would be popularly acclaimed like the two Anand governments that were installed by military juntas in the early 90s and embarked on a series of long overdue economic and legal reforms. Unforfunately they installed spineless retired bureaucrats in government who were only interested in lining their own pockets and were terrified of doing anything that would make them targets, if Thaksin came back. Their main achievements were causing a record stock market collapse by imposing capital controls and an attempt to discourage foreign direct investment by making the Foreign Business Act even more draconian. The latter failed because many military installed legislators thought it was not draconian enough and failed to show up for the vote!

Not only was Sonthi, like many other soldiers before him, utterly incompetent in the field of civilian administration, he was also guilty as a military commander of woefully underestimating the forces arrayed against him. He justifies his new position to himself by blaming his backers and their allies for not doing better with the opportunity he provided them with the coup. So now it is time to waive the white flag and surrender according to terms already negotiated some time ago with the man across the water. Better to get a few more million dollars in a foreign bank account than spend several years as the defendant in a showy military court marshal for treason with the death penalty hanging over him and then spend the rest of his life in the stockade. Which you choose?

Edited March 28, 2012 by Arkady

[peecee]

I believe someone more powerful than Sonthi force him to lead the 2006 coup.

He had no choice. maybe his family was in dander, just maybe.

But now when everything is over, maybe his family is safe now, maybe.

It is time to correct the wrong he did (high treson is punish by death).

Time to disclose all.

Time to tell the world who is the real evil, that order the 2006 coup.

Most people think that Thaksin is most unlike to order a coup against himself.

This is where he out witts us all.

It could be part of his plot, to fake a coup on himself, to get pity votes.

So he can return as a saint; quite a bit like Jeuse (possibly fake own death, and reappears after 3 days).

I really don't think you are thinking straight. Line number 1 is correct. I doubt line number 2, Line number 4 is not correct. Line number 6 is way off the mark.The coup was absolutely the correct thing...for this country. Thaksin was playing games with Parliament, the Government and the People and was becoming a malignant growth. He was way over stepping the mark and his constitutional powers. Apart from give everyone a break from all of these self serving greedy politicians, what damage to the country and the people did the coup do? In all honesty we need another one right now in order to protect the Country and the Monarchy from what Thaksin and his cronies have planned.Thaksin has played a great game of chess, but he is no Kasparov and their are many holes in his plan and many ways it can be stopped. The plot is indeed thickening but really it is also obvious. It does not take a brain the size of a rocket scientist to work out the origins of the move in 2006, neither do you have to ponder too long to see what Thaksins ultimate goal is. The losers will be the country and the people, whilst there will be those in power who will rob and clean up, no doubt moving onwards and upwards to a nice house in the west, whilst the poor remain poor and Thailand is weighed down by a vast amount of unkept promises by the most insidious of characters.

Coupes are needed like a hole it the head (762,9mm etc), so get real.

[metisdead]

A post designed to drag the topic off topic has been removed.

[geriatrickid]

I believe someone more powerful than Sonthi force him to lead the 2006 coup.

He had no choice. maybe his family was in dander, just maybe.

But now when everything is over, maybe his family is safe now, maybe.

It is time to correct the wrong he did (high treson is punish by death).

Time to disclose all.

Time to tell the world who is the real evil, that order the 2006 coup.

Most people think that Thaksin is most unlike to order a coup against himself.

This is where he out witts us all.

It could be part of his plot, to fake a coup on himself, to get pity votes.

So he can return as a saint; quite a bit like Jeuse (possibly fake own death, and reappears after 3 days).

I don't think Sonthi was forced by anyone to stage the coup. Although he may have been encouraged by powerful figures, he was army CiC and the decision to press the button was his own. He naively thought that he and his backers would be able to install a government of competent technocrats that would be popularly acclaimed like the two Anand governments that were installed by military juntas in the early 90s and embarked on a series of long overdue economic and legal reforms. Unforfunately they installed spineless retired bureaucrats in government who were only interested in lining their own pockets and were terrified of doing anything that would make them targets, if Thaksin came back. Their main achievements were causing a record stock market collapse by imposing capital controls and an attempt to discourage foreign direct investment by making the Foreign Business Act even more draconian. The latter failed because many military installed legislators thought it was not draconian enough and failed to show up for the vote!

Not only was Sonthi, like many other soldiers before him, utterly incompetent in the field of civilian administration, he was also guilty as a military commander of woefully underestimating the forces arrayed against him. He justifies his new position to himself by blaming his backers and their allies for not doing better with the opportunity he provided them with the coup. So now it is time to waive the white flag and surrender according to terms already negotiated some time ago with the man across the water. Better to get a few more million dollars in a foreign bank account than spend several years as the defendant in a showy military court marshal for treason with the death penalty hanging over him and then spend the rest of his life in the stockade. Which you choose?

How do you know he was bribed? where is your evidence?

I don't dispute some of your points, but you are delusional if you think he could have done it alone. The key units were various Royal Guard units and they had different Generals in charge. As well, the financial community, particularly the oligarchy that holds most of the nation's wealth had to give its tacit support.

Has it occurred to you that perhaps the man has had time to reflect and seen the damage he caused and has some remorse? Perhaps he is genuinely trying to make a positive difference? This doesn't mean he has rolled over and become Thaksin's lapdog. I think that with time, he might also bite the PTP.

[janetrizzo]

Civil war is eminent, so be it.

Foreigners have no say or influence in Thai affairs, cannot own land, cannot vote. Drink your Leo or cha and enjoy the privilege

of not being in your own country. Truly, enjoy yourselves and let the Thais tend their own issues.

[SouthernMan3]

The plot thickens

Um, understatement (forget not where thou livest......)

[peecee]

I believe someone more powerful than Sonthi force him to lead the 2006 coup.

He had no choice. maybe his family was in dander, just maybe.

But now when everything is over, maybe his family is safe now, maybe.

It is time to correct the wrong he did (high treson is punish by death).

Time to disclose all.

Time to tell the world who is the real evil, that order the 2006 coup.

Most people think that Thaksin is most unlike to order a coup against himself.

This is where he out witts us all.

It could be part of his plot, to fake a coup on himself, to get pity votes.

So he can return as a saint; quite a bit like Jeuse (possibly fake own death, and reappears after 3 days).

I really don't think you are thinking straight. Line number 1 is correct. I doubt line number 2, Line number 4 is not correct. Line number 6 is way off the mark.The coup was absolutely the correct thing...for this country. Thaksin was playing games with Parliament, the Government and the People and was becoming a malignant growth. He was way over stepping the mark and his constitutional powers. Apart from give everyone a break from all of these self serving greedy politicians, what damage to the country and the people did the coup do? In all honesty we need another one right now in order to protect the Country and the Monarchy from what Thaksin and his cronies have planned.Thaksin has played a great game of chess, but he is no Kasparov and their are many holes in his plan and many ways it can be stopped. The plot is indeed thickening but really it is also obvious. It does not take a brain the size of a rocket scientist to work out the origins of the move in 2006, neither do you have to ponder too long to see what Thaksins ultimate goal is. The losers will be the country and the people, whilst there will be those in power who will rob and clean up, no doubt moving onwards and upwards to a nice house in the west, whilst the poor remain poor and Thailand is weighed down by a vast amount of unkept promises by the most insidious of characters.

Coup's are needed like a hole it the head (762,9mm etc), so get real.

All we are saying is "Give democracy a chance!"

[peecee]

Civil war is eminent, so be it.

Foreigners have no say or influence in Thai affairs, cannot own land, cannot vote. Drink your Leo or cha and enjoy the privilege

of not being in your own country. Truly, enjoy yourselves and let the Thais tend their own issues.

Imminent coup?

[yellow1red1]

Civil war is eminent, so be it.

Foreigners have no say or influence in Thai affairs, cannot own land, cannot vote. Drink your Leo or cha and enjoy the privilege

of not being in your own country. Truly, enjoy yourselves and let the Thais tend their own issues.

it's such a MYTH there is no foreign influence. just search CIA involvement in 1932 Coup. * An Italian shipwrecked with some Thais ended up running Old Siam. * all of the Laws were penned by a Dutch, * look up the Bowring treaty, * Britain and France, altered Boundaries and whole territories, is Maylasia, * letters have surfaced that show that Anna Leowens really did all of that high level negotiatting she is accused of making up. hmmm,,, cultlery,,, chairs,,, suits and ties... Plaek mandated Western style dress. The music national Anthem is melody of the German countryside. there's MORE Edit,, and the direct and dominated influences of China AND Japan throughout Siam History HUGE Edited March 28, 2012 by yellow1red1

[KeyserSoze01]

it's such a MYTH there is no foreign influence. just search CIA involvement in 1932 Coup. * An Italian shipwrecked with some Thais ended up running Old Siam. * all of the Laws were penned by a Dutch, * look up the Bowring treaty, * Britain and France, altered Boundaries and whole territories, is Maylasia, * letters have surfaced that show that Anna Leowens really did all of that high level negotiatting she is accused of making up. hmmm,,, cultlery,,, chairs,,, suits and ties... Plaek mandated Western style dress. The music national Anthem is melody of the German countryside. there's MORE Edit,, and the direct and dominated influences of China AND Japan throughout Siam History HUGE

I searched on the term "CIA involvement in 1932 Coup" and guess what, zero references to Thailand. You know why? The CIA was not founded until 1947, so you assertion that they were involved in the 1932 Thai coup is, well, nonsense.

As far as foreign culture influence, Thailand is not the only country to adopt the ways of other cultures. Perhaps you should get out more and stop looking for the boogeyman.

[waza]

Time will tell

[Boo]

one post removed questioning the moderation on this thread. the rules are there when you sign up so please follow them. If you have a que6tion regarding moderation on the thread either pm the mod or contact support (at) thaivisa dot com for further clarification.

[MaiChai]

I am just amazed a country can be manipulated so badly by one man who has more money than anyone else. The whole system has been manipulated to the point that laws are twisted, ethics and morals have gone out of the window and people in government can say the most absurd things and get away with it. So whats next? Surly not another coup? Those don't seem to work re getting the country back on track?

[janetrizzo]

Civil war is eminent, so be it.

Foreigners have no say or influence in Thai affairs, cannot own land, cannot vote. Drink your Leo or cha and enjoy the privilege

of not being in your own country. Truly, enjoy yourselves and let the Thais tend their own issues.

it's such a MYTH there is no foreign influence. just search CIA involvement in 1932 Coup. * An Italian shipwrecked with some Thais ended up running Old Siam. * all of the Laws were penned by a Dutch, * look up the Bowring treaty, * Britain and France, altered Boundaries and whole territories, is Maylasia, * letters have surfaced that show that Anna Leowens really did all of that high level negotiatting she is accused of making up. hmmm,,, cultlery,,, chairs,,, suits and ties... Plaek mandated Western style dress. The music national Anthem is melody of the German countryside. there's MORE Edit,, and the direct and dominated influences of China AND Japan throughout Siam History HUGE

Thanks for bringing the issue to light. I presumed the conversation was pertaining us regular foreigners who are not engaged in covert or overt operations, mandates or significant cultural revolutions.

My comment was regarding how do foreigners influence or alter the current issue with Thaksin and reconciliation? They don't.

Perhaps some foreigners who have a lot of money who illegally engage in bribery, extortion, etc can influence this issue. However, my comment does not include those scenarios.

[hyperdimension]

it's such a MYTH there is no foreign influence. just search CIA involvement in 1932 Coup. * An Italian shipwrecked with some Thais ended up running Old Siam. * all of the Laws were penned by a Dutch, * look up the Bowring treaty, * Britain and France, altered Boundaries and whole territories, is Maylasia, * letters have surfaced that show that Anna Leowens really did all of that high level negotiatting she is accused of making up. hmmm,,, cultlery,,, chairs,,, suits and ties... Plaek mandated Western style dress. The music national Anthem is melody of the German countryside. there's MORE Edit,, and the direct and dominated influences of China AND Japan throughout Siam History HUGE

Foreigners were also involved with the creation of Thailand's central bank, The Bank of Thailand. I think it was the Rothschilds (who set up central banking in Europe), or the Rockefellers (who are the agents of the Rothschilds). Here are some excerpts from the thread Who Owns The Bank Of Thailand:

The Bank of Thailand's own official history states that foreigners attempted to set up a central bank in Thailand, but the Thais suspected that the foreigners were doing it in their own interests, and so the first attempt failed. I'm thinking that the foreigners later succeeded in pushing for a central bank, possibly after sweetening the deal in whatever ways they could for various parties and individuals. This part of the Bank of Thailand's History of the Bank of Thailand page clearly shows that foreigners were involved in the creation of the central bank of Thailand:

On 16 December 1938, Lieutenant-General Luang Pibulsonggram was appointed Prime Minister, who in turn appointed Pridi Banomyong as Minister of Finance. Once he assumed this role, Pridi Banomyong revived again the idea to establish a central bank. He made Prince Vivat, the Director-General of the Customs Department, Adviser to the Ministry of Finance, a position hitherto held by foreigners. It was during that time when Pridi Banomyong tried to explain to these foreign advisers of the need and intentions of the government. Ultimately, these advisers cooperated well in assisting the drafting the central banking act, which could be considered the first step towards central banking in the country.

Some question then would be: Who were those "foreign advisers"? and "In what ways do they gain from and control the central bank of Thailand"?

The Rockefellers have operated in Thailand since at least the 1960s and 1970s, and their connection with the Bank of Thailand was via Puey Ungpakorn, the director of the Bank of Thailand from 1959 until 1971:

During the late 1960s, the Rockefeller Foundation stepped in to shore up liberal economic thought at Thammasat by sponsoring US economists there and by transforming the curriculum, a project which was pushed by the then Dean of the Faculty of Economics, Dr Puey Ungphakorn. Such US intervention in economics departments was not limited to Thammasat but extended throughout the leading Thai universities. One dean of an economics department responded to an interviewer's question regarding how the curriculum at the school was developed, saying, 'we simply look at the U.S. catalogs and make a shopping list' (Bell 1991: 102–4).

The effects of such training in neoclassical and Keynesian economics have not been—and were not intended to be—merely academic. Dr Puey himself was the director of the Bank of Thailand from 1959 until 1971, and many of the Rockefeller-sponsored Thai students who came to the United States during the 1970s returned to Thailand to play leading roles as technocrats and teachers (Bell 1991: 104). Their influence today is felt in everything from interpretations of economic crisis popular in the mainstream media to the actual economic policies of leading state institutions.4 In this sense, then, those social scientists and state officials who are the product of the internationalized social factory have played a crucial role in reproducing capitalist social relations in Thailand.

Source: Thailand at the Margins: Internationalization of the State and the Transformation of Labour by Jim Glassman, page 77.

Edited March 29, 2012 by hyperdimension

[hyperdimension]

My comment was regarding how do foreigners influence or alter the current issue with Thaksin and reconciliation? They don't.

Then why did Thaksin hire Robert Amsterdam, a Canadian "lawyer" / lobbyist, to create and spread propaganda? Edited March 29, 2012 by hyperdimension

[Thai at Heart]

I believe someone more powerful than Sonthi force him to lead the 2006 coup.

He had no choice. maybe his family was in dander, just maybe.

But now when everything is over, maybe his family is safe now, maybe.

It is time to correct the wrong he did (high treson is punish by death).

Time to disclose all.

Time to tell the world who is the real evil, that order the 2006 coup.

Most people think that Thaksin is most unlike to order a coup against himself.

This is where he out witts us all.

It could be part of his plot, to fake a coup on himself, to get pity votes.

So he can return as a saint; quite a bit like Jeuse (possibly fake own death, and reappears after 3 days).

I don't think Sonthi was forced by anyone to stage the coup. Although he may have been encouraged by powerful figures, he was army CiC and the decision to press the button was his own. He naively thought that he and his backers would be able to install a government of competent technocrats that would be popularly acclaimed like the two Anand governments that were installed by military juntas in the early 90s and embarked on a series of long overdue economic and legal reforms. Unforfunately they installed spineless retired bureaucrats in government who were only interested in lining their own pockets and were terrified of doing anything that would make them targets, if Thaksin came back. Their main achievements were causing a record stock market collapse by imposing capital controls and an attempt to discourage foreign direct investment by making the Foreign Business Act even more draconian. The latter failed because many military installed legislators thought it was not draconian enough and failed to show up for the vote!

Not only was Sonthi, like many other soldiers before him, utterly incompetent in the field of civilian administration, he was also guilty as a military commander of woefully underestimating the forces arrayed against him. He justifies his new position to himself by blaming his backers and their allies for not doing better with the opportunity he provided them with the coup. So now it is time to waive the white flag and surrender according to terms already negotiated some time ago with the man across the water. Better to get a few more million dollars in a foreign bank account than spend several years as the defendant in a showy military court marshal for treason with the death penalty hanging over him and then spend the rest of his life in the stockade. Which you choose?

Someone gave him the nod, no way otherwise.

[Thai at Heart]

My comment was regarding how do foreigners influence or alter the current issue with Thaksin and reconciliation? They don't.

Then why did Thaksin hire Robert Amsterdam, a Canadian "lawyer" / lobbyist, to create and spread propaganda?

Because he is quite good at it, and despite his lack of traction in Thailand, Amsterdam courts quite a few bigwigs in the west perhaps?

[hyperdimension]

My comment was regarding how do foreigners influence or alter the current issue with Thaksin and reconciliation? They don't.

Then why did Thaksin hire Robert Amsterdam, a Canadian "lawyer" / lobbyist, to create and spread propaganda?

Because he is quite good at it, and despite his lack of traction in Thailand, Amsterdam courts quite a few bigwigs in the west perhaps?

I'd agree (though despise it), so janetrizzo's statement that foreigners do not influence or alter the current issue with Thaksin and reconciliation does not hold.