EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

New Pheu Thai chief says he'll work to bring Thaksin home

Satien Viriyapanpongsa,

Somroutai Sapsomboon,

Kornchanok Raksaseri

The Nation

Wants to see ex-PM back before govt's term ends; calls case 'political'

BANGKOK: -- Bringing fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra back to the country within this government's term is one of Charupong Ruangsuwan's missions as Pheu Thai leader, the newly elected party chief conceded to The Nation during an exclusive interview yesterday.

"My [main] focus is not to get Thaksin home, but to help farmers, the grass roots," he said. "I want all the people who were treated unfairly to receive fairness. I don't want any double standards."

Initially, Charupong did not answer directly when asked if it was necessary to bring Thaksin back home before the end of this government's term. He said, however, that he believed Thaksin's case was political. Thaksin had become the target of a military coup because he had brought changes to the country and helped grass-roots people.

He went on to say that he would he do what he could to help, and hoped Thaksin could return, while declining to comment on whether he thought the former prime minister would have to face legal proceedings.

Charupong said he hoped Thaksin would be able to return within this government's term. However, he realised there was resistance, adding that Thaksin himself had said that if he thought he was really the cause of the conflicts in the country, he would not come back.

Thaksin left Thailand in 2008 before the Criminal Court sentenced him to two years in prison for his role in the Ratchadaphisek land scandal.

Charupong, a prominent member of the red-shirt movement, said he was not worried by the dissatisfaction expressed by Thida Thawornseth, chairwoman of United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), over red-shirt leader Jatuporn Promphan's failure to win a ministerial post in the latest Cabinet reshuffle.

Thida likened the Pheu Thai Party to a boat, and the UDD to water that could either support or sink it.

Charupong said: "The party can be the government. The party's supporters are not confined to the UDD. They come from many groups. Those whose ideology matches the party's are party members. Those who have views that are similar but not 100 per cent alike are allies. Therefore, the UDD comprises both our members and allies. There are many organisations that have agreed to promote democracy in the country.

"I'm not afraid that the UDD will topple the party; we will stay together," he said.

-- The Nation 2012-11-01

He went on to say that he would he do what he could to help, and hoped Thaksin could return, while declining to comment on whether he thought the former prime minister would have to face legal proceedings

Obviously 'ducked' the relevant question!

Thaksin had become the target of a military coup because he had brought changes to the country and helped grass-roots people.

Maybe but ..............

Thaksin left Thailand in 2008 before the Criminal Court sentenced him to two years in prison for his role in the Ratchadaphisek land scandal.

All as bad as each other, none of this Gov. would know the truth if it bit them in the ass!

Surely his great concern, with the affairs of just one family, is also 'political' ?

But at least he displays his loyalties !

"Thida likened the Pheu Thai Party to a boat, and the UDD to water that could either support or sink it."

That would be a "ship of fools" then. Or perhaps a garbage scow, or a 19th century prison hulk, rotten to the core and going nowhere.

And I think I know which BKK klong she was thinking of - toxic, full of rubbish, and with a thick layer of scum and excrement.

The only changes Thaksin brought to the country were the Shinawatra clan bank balance, at the expense of the Thai people.

Quote:

"My [main] focus is not to get Thaksin home, but to help farmers, the grass roots," he said. "I want all the people who were treated unfairly to receive fairness. I don't want any double standards."

I thought that was what the rice pledging scam was all about, all the double standards & unfairness resides within the party, as we can clearly see the so called poor farmers were the last at the trough after all there so called leaders had fed, as always just scraps from the table to appease the grass root lemmings.

As for Thaksin becoming the target of a military coup because he had brought changes to the country and helped grass-roots people is complete and utter rubbish !

Being the hero that he is he will never set foot back in Thailand until his freedom is guaranteed & an amnesty is made possible before his return.

All he can achieve at the moment is manipulate his pawns to help the dynasty reign a bit longer & stave off the opposition while the pillaging continues.

He has two outcomes in mind, build up the war chest for his home coming, or build up the bank balance should they get evicted.

Great, bring him home and toss him in Jail

Convicted of crimes ... pulled a runner

If it's all just 'political' then surely there is no evidence of wrongdoing, or evidence was fabricated. I would have fought over the last few years this would have come to light and cases reopened. Why not? Even with his family in power he can still not return....why not?

"Thaksin himself had said that if he thought he was really the cause of the conflicts in the country, he would not come back."

....about as much truth to that, as his "I'm through with politics" statement (repeated often) of years ago.

"......... Thaksin had become the target of a military coup because he had brought changes to the country and helped grass-roots people."

Another one who has no hesitation to make statements which are far from the truth.

There is nothing more dangerous than a man who believes his own bullshit.

I wonder if he does, it's so hard to tell.

Surely his great concern, with the affairs of just one family, is also 'political' ?

But at least he displays his loyalties !

All PTP are as loyal as a dog following the person with a bone. Loyalty only lies with the person with the biggest bone. Once it's gone, the dogs are gone.

How long is this government going to say they want to help the grass roots at the same time as they feed the corruption beast with schemes such as rice pledging which benefits the politicians and middle men more than the grass roots, the party priorities are 1, get money 2, look after the boss 3, get more money 4, look after the boss 5, get more money 6, look after the boss 7, get more money, oh yeah and make a show of looking after the grass roots by feeding them fertiliser while stuffing thier own pockets, and looking after the boss.

Sent from my GT-I9003

He said, however, that he believed Thaksin's case was political.

Exactly what convicted Berlusconi said last week.

Charupong said: "Those whose ideology matches the party's are party members".

PTP has not an ounce of ideology. It is fueled by particular interests.

"......... Thaksin had become the target of a military coup because he had brought changes to the country and helped grass-roots people."

Another one who has no hesitation to make statements which are far from the truth.

It's completely illogical to consider that anyone would overthrow a government that benefited grass roots people. Noone, not even the so-called elite.

"I want all the people who were treated unfairly to receive fairness. I don't want any double standards."

Does this apply to the victims of the Taksin's era extra judicial killings and the Muslims let to die locked in a packed container?

He went on to say that he would he do what he could to help, and hoped Thaksin could return, while declining to comment on whether he thought the former prime minister would have to face legal proceedings.

Well, there's the crux of it. He can help by buying Thaksin a plane ticket to BKK. Thaksin, at any time, is free to return - he just can't return free. There's that little issue of the 2-year jail sentence, then jumping bail, and a raft of other charges yet to be read to him (in person, before the court, in accordance with Thai law).

He said, however, that he believed Thaksin's case was political.

Exactly what convicted Berlusconi said last week.

Funny isn't it. Whenever a politician is found guilty they call it "political". But when do you ever hear them calling it political when they are found innocent? Don't ever recall Thaksin moaning about his assets concealment trial being "political". How strange...

Really, there is no point Thaksin ever being tried. He'll only accept outcomes that please him. Waste of everyone's time and money him going to court... that is until the day the courts actually start forcing people like him to abide by their rulings.

A post containing a deliberate misspelling of the former PM's name into a derogatory meaning has been removed. Spell people's names correctly or your post(s) will be removed.

"My [main] focus is not to get Thaksin home, but to help farmers, the grass roots," he said. "I want all the people who were treated unfairly to receive fairness. I don't want any double standards."

K. Thaksin is like a farmer? That would explain the by now seemingly yearly THB 400 billion in 'make the farmers rich' scheme

Yes we need someone who is strong willed and a bit forward thinking and will drag Thailand into the 21^st centaury. So come on get our great leader home, Thailand needs you Thaksin.

"I want all the people who were treated unfairly to receive fairness. I don't want any double standards."

Does this apply to the victims of the Taksin's era extra judicial killings and the Muslims let to die locked in a packed container?

Thaksin apologists are incapable of acknowledging these events. Re. the latter, Thaksin himself stated at the time (during a televised doorstop interview in English) that they died because their bodies were weak from fasting.

I wonder, will he do anything for the many non-farmers in Thailand, or is he working only for Thaksin and the farmers?

Of course his job is help facilitate Thaksin's return.

Why else do you think he was chosen?

I wonder, will he do anything for the many non-farmers in Thailand, or is he working only for Thaksin and the farmers?

The answer is found when noting that the

new Pheu Thai Party Leader Charupong Ruangsuwan

does things for

fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra

as a

prominent member of the red-shirt movement

Thaksin = PTP = Red Shirts

still

.

Once again this Government shows that they are not working for the whole Country but for one person.

This Government is not for the people of Thailand.

"Wants to see ex-PM back before govt's term ends; calls case 'political'"

Also called "justice" - or has one of us got something wrong?

If the chief insist on bringing Mr T home I will donate his private vehicle for the cause

PTP really has no interest in grass roots, it only exists for one reason, and that's as a vehicle for Thaksin and his clan to get their noses in the trough and avoid any legal issues. Despicable family, despicable party.