Thaksin Kicks Off U.S. Trip With Cheers And Jeers

[waza]

Geriatrickid

Boy you are on a roll tonight, you sound like you want Thaksin's babies. Has Chalerm given you the recipe for his ear medicine?

Tomorrow you will be reading that it isn't about Thaksin.

While Thaksin is in New York maybe someone should ask Thaksin about his ant-gay diatribes and how this chimes with his professed support for democratic principles.

Dr. Thaksin may have an unsupportive view of some gay activities and political advisers,, but he has not advocated the denial of civil rights for homosexuals. It may come as a shock, but a large segment of the population has similar views. Dr. Thaksin's views are not any more extreme than those of the Dalai Lama, nor Nelson Mandela. His policies were certainly more accomodating than the offical government policies of some western countries and Thailand's neighbours in SE Asia. Are you aware that funding for "gay" related social service organizations was higher during the Thaksin era than it was in the following administrations? The funding cuts were initiated after the military junta took power and were not reversed during the Abhisit administration. On the other hand, military spending was increased under the junta and Abhisit administrations. Dr. Thaksin's strongest views are in respect to the sex trade and I can understand why some foreigners would dislike him for that.

You keep forgetting there were 2 Thaksin puppet governments after the coup and before the Dem administration who all share the same failures mentioned by GK. Furthermore, it seems the Yingluck government is in no hurry to re-instate that funding.

[rubl]

So Mr. Thaksin is on record for same sex marriage equality in Thailand?

For allowing transgenders to change the sex on their ID cards?

Did Mr. Thaksin condemn the militantly anti-gay Chiang Mai 51 Redshirts?

News to me! (Impossible to believe.)

If you aren't for furthering civil rights, you ARE against denying them.

Please do not try to paint Mr. Thaksin as a gay civil rights advocate. That is totally false.

Not saying any other major Thai politician is either, but don't appreciate the distortion.

JT, probably you meant

"If you aren't for furthering civil rights, you ARE against denying them."

or maybe even

"If you aren't for furthering civil rights, you ARE against denying them."

[yoshiwara]

Geriatrickid

Boy you are on a roll tonight, you sound like you want Thaksin's babies. Has Chalerm given you the recipe for his ear medicine?

Tomorrow you will be reading that it isn't about Thaksin.

While Thaksin is in New York maybe someone should ask Thaksin about his ant-gay diatribes and how this chimes with his professed support for democratic principles.

Dr. Thaksin may have an unsupportive view of some gay activities and political advisers,, but he has not advocated the denial of civil rights for homosexuals. It may come as a shock, but a large segment of the population has similar views. Dr. Thaksin's views are not any more extreme than those of the Dalai Lama, nor Nelson Mandela. His policies were certainly more accomodating than the offical government policies of some western countries and Thailand's neighbours in SE Asia. Are you aware that funding for "gay" related social service organizations was higher during the Thaksin era than it was in the following administrations? The funding cuts were initiated after the military junta took power and were not reversed during the Abhisit administration. On the other hand, military spending was increased under the junta and Abhisit administrations. Dr. Thaksin's strongest views are in respect to the sex trade and I can understand why some foreigners would dislike him for that.

When it came to dog-whistle politics for the reds Thaksin played the anti-gay card hard and loud. As for the so-called anti-sex trade, nothing will come of it (has it ever) since the police (Thaksin's allies) have a nice finger in that pie. The finest effort from Purachai (Thaksin's interior minister) was mounting a campaign against spaghetti straps. Maybe Thaksin will say something about his reactionary social policies to the US press but we are not buying it. The image he wants to sell in the US is a progressive one, but the reality is an out and out corrupt, reactionary baron. Al Capone is his style. Capo. And some forum apologists are openly virtually kissing his ring. Are there no 'Its not about Thaksin' red cheerleaders going to step forward?

[Scott]

Again, this thread is about Thaksin's visit to the US. Please stay on-topic.

[Buchholz]

a review of his travels to New York, Las Vegas, L.A.

[Buchholz]

Scenes of protesters at the swanky posh Thailand Plaza restaurant (Thai Cuisine On Second Floor ) for Thaksin's appearance there yesterday.

Khaosod

http://www.khaosod.co.th/view_newsonline.php?newsid=TVRNME5EZ3pORFl3T1E9PQ==&sectionid=

[hellodolly]

Scenes of protesters at the swanky posh Thailand Plaza restaurant (Thai Cuisine On Second Floor ) for Thaksin's appearance there yesterday.

Khaosod

http://www.khaosod.c...PQ==&sectionid=

Doubt if those pictures will be in the news paper here. One can hope.

Suspect they are not the only city where he met honest Thai's.

Well he did in other cities but these are educated ones who know that 2+2 is not 3.

[Nickymaster]

Scenes of protesters at the swanky posh Thailand Plaza restaurant (Thai Cuisine On Second Floor ) for Thaksin's appearance there yesterday.

Khaosod

http://www.khaosod.c...PQ==&sectionid=

Thanks for the nice images Bucholz. Keep them coming. Let's hope this anti Thaksin movement by Thais (and foreigners) abroad will take off from here. It always amazes me how little respect TS has for others. Just keeps hiding behind democracy and a bad constitution in order to whitewash his crimes and rob this country empty.

Just can't image the US being happy with this divisive criminal spreading propaganda in their country. Probably they didn't have much of a choice this time but if one day they have…

[Nickymaster]

This US tour is very important for Thaksin. He was supposed to show the US and the world that he is a free man and that all charges are politically motivated. I have to say that the planning is a bit poor (but doesn’t surprise me if you see how they run Thailand). It's clear that he is not very welcome and that the hatred against this man is building up around the world. The power of free access to information.

[animatic]

To be fair, Doc Shinawatra does have some experience in doctoring. He doctored the books.

That would be more of a chef de cuisine than Samak.

He cooked the books much bigger!

[animatic]

This US tour is very important for Thaksin. He was supposed to show the US and the world that he is a free man and that all charges are politically motivated. I have to say that the planning is a bit poor (but doesn’t surprise me if you see how they run Thailand). It's clear that he is not very welcome and that the hatred against this man is building up around the world. The power of free access to information.

All it shows is that he has taken control of the

Cabinet, Foriegn Ministry and Attyorny General offices

and they presently are ignoring his charges and convictions...

so yes it is political. His defacto, but unofficial, pardon is politically made by his party.

But that doesn't mean the courts conviction doesn't stand,

it is simply quashed for international purposes by his puppets.

The State Dept is pragmatically ignoring him so business can go on with the current power block.

But notice; he did NOT step on USA soil till he had firm control of Thailands 'prosecutions abroad' mechanisms.

[Skywalker69]

Scenes of protesters at the swanky posh Thailand Plaza restaurant (Thai Cuisine On Second Floor ) for Thaksin's appearance there yesterday.

Khaosod

http://www.khaosod.c...PQ==&sectionid=

Thanks for the nice images Bucholz. Keep them coming. Let's hope this anti Thaksin movement by Thais (and foreigners) abroad will take off from here. It always amazes me how little respect TS has for others. Just keeps hiding behind democracy and a bad constitution in order to whitewash his crimes and rob this country empty.

Just can't image the US being happy with this divisive criminal spreading propaganda in their country. Probably they didn't have much of a choice this time but if one day they have…

+1

[h90]

To be fair, Doc Shinawatra does have some experience in doctoring. He doctored the books.

He made his Doc in criminal something, if I remember right. And I guess he was good at school.

[Buchholz]

Scenes of protesters at the swanky posh Thailand Plaza restaurant (Thai Cuisine On Second Floor ) for Thaksin's appearance there yesterday.

Khaosod

http://www.khaosod.c...PQ==&sectionid=

Doubt if those pictures will be in the news paper here. One can hope.

Suspect they are not the only city where he met honest Thai's.

Well he did in other cities but these are educated ones who know that 2+2 is not 3.

Your hope is answered. The pictures above are from a newspaper here. A lot of people here will see them.

Khaosod (English: 'fresh news' or current news) is a Thai daily newspaper with national circulation. Founded on April 9th 1991, Khaosod is the youngest newsprint of Matichon Publishing Group which also operates two other daily news publications: Matichon and Prachachat.

Khaosod has seen substantial success over recent years, with 300,0000 copies sold in 2011

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khao_Sod

Perhaps we'll even begin to see a trend here that the Thais in the USA have started when they coined a new name for him in another protester photo from Khaosod.

.

[Roadman]

Scenes of protesters at the swanky posh Thailand Plaza restaurant (Thai Cuisine On Second Floor ) for Thaksin's appearance there yesterday.

Khaosod

http://www.khaosod.c...PQ==&sectionid=

Thanks for the nice images Bucholz. Keep them coming. Let's hope this anti Thaksin movement by Thais (and foreigners) abroad will take off from here. It always amazes me how little respect TS has for others. Just keeps hiding behind democracy and a bad constitution in order to whitewash his crimes and rob this country empty.

Just can't image the US being happy with this divisive criminal spreading propaganda in their country. Probably they didn't have much of a choice this time but if one day they have…

+1

+2. It's excellent to see that thai's all around the world are calling the convicted fugitive criminal for the scum he is. Loving the attention like this that he is getting on the world stage.

[yoshiwara]

What the US and other countries can nod to is the idea of forgiveness for overt political offences. ie challenges to the State. Accommodations are made over periods of time with political opponents who come in out of the cold in order to achieve, pause for hilarity here, reconciliation between parties. The problem for Thaksin is that his convictions are essentially those of a common criminal however much he tries to dress them up as constitutional issues. Actually every attempt to change the constitution without the bad smell of a get out of jail card being openly flouted has so far ended in failure. So what does our friend Mr Thaksin tell his US hosts? That the offences are minor? Oh really? You wouldn't think so the amount of effort he and his apologists have put into lifting/eradicating the convictions. The US will have a good idea as to the extent of his money laundering activities. Still worth touching him with nothing less than a 10-foot pole.

[Buchholz]

This US tour is very important for Thaksin. He was supposed to show the US and the world that he is a free man and that all charges are politically motivated. I have to say that the planning is a bit poor (but doesn’t surprise me if you see how they run Thailand). It's clear that he is not very welcome and that the hatred against this man is building up around the world. The power of free access to information.

The information is free enough that the truly divisive nature of this fugitive and the conflict that he exudes wherever he goes is revealed. All sides are represented here and there.

Along with the anti-Thaksins at the third-rate eating establishment are the pro-Thaksins at the same venue.

Rows of Yellow Shirts on one road and rows of Red Shirts along adjoining roads.

In L.A.....

Welcome to America.

.

The closer to the main entrance, the beefier security became.

Red USA News

http://thaienews.blo.../red-usala.html

.

[waza]

This US tour is very important for Thaksin. He was supposed to show the US and the world that he is a free man and that all charges are politically motivated. I have to say that the planning is a bit poor (but doesn’t surprise me if you see how they run Thailand). It's clear that he is not very welcome and that the hatred against this man is building up around the world. The power of free access to information.

The information is free enough that the truly divisive nature of this fugitive and the conflict that he exudes wherever he goes is revealed. All sides are represented here and there.

Along with the anti-Thaksins at the third-rate eating establishment are the pro-Thaksins at the same venue.

One row of Yellow Shirts on one road and one row of Red Shirts along an adjoining road.

In L.A.....

Welcome to America.

.

The closer to the main entrance, the beefier security became.

Red USA News

http://thaienews.blo.../red-usala.html

.

Given that they are cheap resturaunts Thaksin must be picking up the bill.

[Buchholz]

The infamously famous Hollywood Boulevard... August 12, 2012

Siam Town USA News

[Buchholz]

In a city with the largest population of Thais in the world outside Thailand.... and in a metropolitan area numbering 13 million,

Thaksin packs them in at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Thailand Plaza restaurant (Thai Cuisine On Second Floor)...

Siam Town USA News

http://www.siamtownu...08000080-1.aspx

[Buchholz]

An expanded shot taken later, after a huge crowd had moved in to hear his speech

Siam USA News

http://www.siamtownus.com/New-1208000082-1.aspx

[phiphidon]

An expanded shot taken later, after a huge crowd had moved in to hear his speech

Siam USA News

http://www.siamtownu...08000082-1.aspx

Still not been arrested then? Oh Well.

[soundman]

Not sure I am reading this correctly, however, the Pantomit (Yellow supporters) have apparently blocked his entry apparently forcing a phone in.

Story. (Sorry - in Thai language)

[Jingthing]

Not sure I am reading this correctly, however, the Pantomit (Yellow supporters) have apparently blocked his entry apparently forcing a phone in.

Story. (Sorry - in Thai language)

If true, that's classic!

[animatic]

In a city with the largest population of Thais in the world outside Thailand.... and in a metropolitan area numbering 13 million,

Thaksin packs them in at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Thailand Plaza restaurant (Thai Cuisine On Second Floor)...

Siam Town USA News

http://www.siamtownu...08000080-1.aspx

In a word:

555555555555555555555555555555555

Epic fail, I wonder how badly his ego was peeling it's cheap gold leaf,

after this less than rousing show of support in the most Thai populated of US cities?

[Buchholz]

After his aborted appearance in Los Angeles, the Daily News has him flying back cross-country to Washington, DC... allegedly to meet American politicians.

Daily News

http://www.dailynews.co.th/politics/149233

.

[GentlemanJim]

I think its more propaganda to throw at Thailand. I cannot believe that US law enforcement agencies would allow any protestors to block anyone entrance anywhere. Seems Thaksin heard there was a huge crowd of 20-40 and was too embarrassed to pitch up at any more garbage speaking appointments. So get the crowd back home to blame his dismal failure on the yellows. Nice move!

[Seeker1953]

I am ashamed of my country today. Issuing a visa to a convicted man fleeing justice is reprehensible and there is no justification. Shame on the USA for this.

Seeker (U.S. citizen)

[metisdead]

Posts that were personal attacks in nature and replies have been removed.

[animatic]

I think its more propaganda to throw at Thailand. I cannot believe that US law enforcement agencies would allow any protestors to block anyone entrance anywhere. Seems Thaksin heard there was a huge crowd of 20-40 and was too embarrassed to pitch up at any more garbage speaking appointments. So get the crowd back home to blame his dismal failure on the yellows. Nice move!

I'm sure there is an element of that. Face Save 101.

But also, many more traveled Thais tend to see through Thaksin a lot more clearly or quickly.

So this may be an true indication of his powers to draw; both the likes and hates of himself,

in the 'most Thai populated city in USA'.

The likes are either too small to count, and certainly don't feed his ego a jot,

and some may have been too chicken to pass the picket lines of anti-Thaksin shouters. Possibly knowing they will still live in the city with all of them and that might narrow their personal business interests significantly. The pictures show the crowd. Not exactly a serious threat.

The 'Huge Crowd of Yellows killing the rally' sounds of the

freshest bovine feces spun into Emperors New Silk Clothes imaginable.

Yet the simple children can see the truth, if not the sycophants.