BURNING ISSUE

Is this a case of 'wolf, wolf' again?

Avudh Panananda

The Nation

Photo : Panthongtae's FB

BANGKOK: -- Defence Minister Sukampol Suwannathat seemed to hit the nail on the head when he said that Thaksin Shinawatra would know better than anybody else if he was going to be assassinated.

There have been several theories going around about the existence of this assassination plot, yet the lack of leads is fast turning it into a cold case. Also, a new cascade of events is making it even more difficult to prove these assassination allegations.

On Tuesday, the Office of the Narcotics Control Board kicked off a six-day meeting in Chiang Rai, immediately across the border from the Myanmar town of Tachilek.

Pores along the borders in the North have been identified as major drug-trafficking routes, and since early this year, Thai police and the ONCB have mounted several successful raids, crippling drug gangs run by Myanmar's Shan minority.

In order to ensure safety at the meeting, both Myanmar and Thai authorities organised coordinated security sweeps along the borders. On November 2, Myanmar security forces seized a cache of weapons in Tachilek that allegedly belong to a gang of Shan drug mules. Subsequently, a Shan drug suspect allegedly confessed that these weapons were going to be used to assassinate Thaksin.

However, when questioned further about this alleged plot, the suspect recanted and appeared to be at a loss on two key details - the mastermind who had ordered this killing and how the killing was going to take place. The Myanmar authorities forwarded details of the suspect's confession and subsequent retraction to the Provincial Police Region 5.

Two days later, Thaksin's son Panthongtae started posting messages on his Facebook wall about somebody plotting to kill his father. Citing a "confidential" report given to him by a high-ranking official, Panthongtae voiced suspicion that the plot was part of an attempt to overthrow the government led by his aunt, Yingluck Shinawatra. He also cited the official as saying that the attack was planned to take place on the day Thaksin was scheduled to visit a pagoda in Tachilek.

On Monday, Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung stepped forward to confirm Panthongtae's story, though he specified that information about this so-called assassination plot came from just one suspect who later denied his own remarks.

To this day, it remains a mystery as to why suddenly this pagoda visit came up because, as of last week, Thaksin had still not finalised his itinerary in Tachilek.

Plus, some events seem to have compounded the confusion.

First, Thaksin does not comment on this alleged plot, which is very unusual because he is always quick to issue statements. Then his legal adviser Noppadon Pattama says the Tachilek trip is cancelled out of concern for the safety of the reds.

Second, for the past 10 days or so, various red-shirt factions have been flocking to Chiang Rai and Tachilek to make advance preparations for a meet-and-greet session with Thaksin.

However, unlike a similar meet-and-greet session held in Siem Reap in April, there seems to be absolutely no coordination among the various factions. For instance, red-shirt supporters from the Northeast rushed to make arrangements without consulting their Chiang Rai counterparts, who wanted to play host after missing out on the Siem Reap event.

Third, Myanmar officials in Tachilek started voicing displeasure over red shirts invading the area and disturbing the general peace.

Fourth, this plot seems to coincide with the upcoming censure debate. Panthongtae and the ruling-Pheu Thai Party have been working really hard to connect the dots to back their theory of the opposition conspiring to seize power.

However, they seem to be at a complete loss after their opponents issued a rebuttal, saying the so-called assassination plot had been fabricated to pull public attention away from the government's shortcomings.

-- The Nation 2012-11-09

Interesting piece, coincided with what many of us are thinking.

It's "cry wolf" tho, isn't it? lol

From the photo, it appears the kid was genuinely frightened.

From the photo, it appears the kid was genuinely frightened.

A 33 year old kid? Oh, I see what you mean.

A chip of the old block.

I have no doubt that there are assassination teams still waiting for their chance. I missed my prediction that Thaksin would be assassinated within a year of his leaving Thailand. His security precautions were/are much better than I expected. He has powerful enemies.

A chip of the old block.

The two asses in "assassination plot".

Little Oak was trying to leave puberty behind but... failed. Thai Politics is for (crooked) men, not boys that live on daddy’s stolen money..

Edited November 9, 201213 yr by Nickymaster

From the photo, it appears the kid was genuinely frightened.

...or, he's sponsored by an Hair Gel company?

I have no doubt that there are assassination teams still waiting for their chance. I missed my prediction that Thaksin would be assassinated within a year of his leaving Thailand. His security precautions were/are much better than I expected. He has powerful enemies.

And yet, not one serious attempt reported, with big bangs and bits of metal flying around, persons actually injured or killed, not even his cat dropping dead from poisoned milk. Perhaps the standby pay for the assassination squads is too good for them to give up.

Thai Rath newspaper claimed that a US intelligence document said that the Burmese govt refused to allow Thaksin to hold a rally in Thakilek - looks like he may have started making plans without consulting the govt of the host country - typical Thaksin arrogance. Of course, this wouldn't be acceptable - nobody tells Thaksin what to do - why, he'd lose face!! So this whole bloody murder plot nonsense comes up.

The only reason to meet the red shirts in the first place is to calm them down after that foolish blowhard Jatuporn got knocked back for a cabinet position - doubtless something Thaksin would consider a nuisance - now he is off the hook... except everyone knows the whole thing is full of s**t. Sometimes his camp really does push the boat of lies out a bit too far.

Thai Rath newspaper claimed that a US intelligence document said that the Burmese govt refused to allow Thaksin to hold a rally in Thakilek - looks like he may have started making plans without consulting the govt of the host country - typical Thaksin arrogance. Of course, this wouldn't be acceptable - nobody tells Thaksin what to do - why, he'd lose face!! So this whole bloody murder plot nonsense comes up.

The only reason to meet the red shirts in the first place is to calm them down after that foolish blowhard Jatuporn got knocked back for a cabinet position - doubtless something Thaksin would consider a nuisance - now he is off the hook... except everyone knows the whole thing is full of s**t. Sometimes his camp really does push the boat of lies out a bit too far.

"Thai Rath newspaper claimed that a US intelligence document said that the Burmese govt refused to allow Thaksin to hold a rally in Thakilek"

Of course. That's why his mouthpiece Noppadon made a statement last night that Thein Sein wants to meet Thaksin again. All to fool the poor reds into believing that their lying leader Mr. Thaksin is welcome in Burma. Hence, there must have been an assassination attempt....

Don't be surprised that event though the Burmese authorities have already stated that the man they caught was not going after Thaksin, the reds will still believe Thaksin’s and Oak's lie.

Edited November 9, 201213 yr by Nickymaster

Oak lists 5 assassination plots against his father, none of which has the slightest credibility, although I have no doubt all the taxi drivers believe him.

That doesn't mean there haven't been and aren't any assassination plots - just that the plotters haven't posted their plans on Oak's facebook page.

Edited November 9, 201213 yr by Arkady

Thai Rath newspaper claimed that a US intelligence document said that the Burmese govt refused to allow Thaksin to hold a rally in Thakilek - looks like he may have started making plans without consulting the govt of the host country - typical Thaksin arrogance. Of course, this wouldn't be acceptable - nobody tells Thaksin what to do - why, he'd lose face!! So this whole bloody murder plot nonsense comes up.

The only reason to meet the red shirts in the first place is to calm them down after that foolish blowhard Jatuporn got knocked back for a cabinet position - doubtless something Thaksin would consider a nuisance - now he is off the hook... except everyone knows the whole thing is full of s**t. Sometimes his camp really does push the boat of lies out a bit too far.

"Thai Rath newspaper claimed that a US intelligence document said that the Burmese govt refused to allow Thaksin to hold a rally in Thakilek"

Of course. That's why his mouthpiece Noppadon made a statement last night that Thein Sein wants to meet Thaksin again. All to fool the poor reds into believing that their lying leader Mr. Thaksin is welcome in Burma. Hence, there must have been an assassination attempt....

Don't be surprised that event though the Burmese authorities have already stated that the man they caught was not going after Thaksin, the reds will still believe Thaksin’s and Oak's lie.

Perhaps he'd have received more support from the Burmese if he'd brought another cheap bank loan with him?

Thai Rath newspaper claimed that a US intelligence document said that the Burmese govt refused to allow Thaksin to hold a rally in Thakilek - looks like he may have started making plans without consulting the govt of the host country - typical Thaksin arrogance. Of course, this wouldn't be acceptable - nobody tells Thaksin what to do - why, he'd lose face!! So this whole bloody murder plot nonsense comes up.

The only reason to meet the red shirts in the first place is to calm them down after that foolish blowhard Jatuporn got knocked back for a cabinet position - doubtless something Thaksin would consider a nuisance - now he is off the hook... except everyone knows the whole thing is full of s**t. Sometimes his camp really does push the boat of lies out a bit too far.

"Thai Rath newspaper claimed that a US intelligence document said that the Burmese govt refused to allow Thaksin to hold a rally in Thakilek"

Of course. That's why his mouthpiece Noppadon made a statement last night that Thein Sein wants to meet Thaksin again. All to fool the poor reds into believing that their lying leader Mr. Thaksin is welcome in Burma. Hence, there must have been an assassination attempt....

Don't be surprised that event though the Burmese authorities have already stated that the man they caught was not going after Thaksin, the reds will still believe Thaksin’s and Oak's lie.

Perhaps he'd have received more support from the Burmese if he'd brought another cheap bank loan with him?

For sure a cookie box won't work with Thein Sein. I think the guy can take care of himself.. Have to respect Thin Sein for not becoming Thaskin's pawn.

As they say in show business "Any Publicity is good Publicity"

And you know when your finished,you don't get any Publicity.

Interesting piece, coincided with what many of us are thinking.

It's "cry wolf" tho, isn't it? lol

And I wonder where the Nation Journo's get their ideas from for an English Newspaper??

There are plenty of copycat types in the world, this and previous charades, may eventually lead to the real thing.

this picture tells a lot.

this picture tells a lot.

Such as? Are you going to share your insight with us?

TS knows he's at high risk of taking a bullet to the head, in my opinion that's the primary reason why he's not back in Thailand now.

A man of his wealth and stature could throw dust in the eyes of the legal system for years and never see the inside of a jail. Gawd knows that type of comment is made virtually daily on TV where the rich are concerned.

He's scared to come to Thailand, it's as simple as that.

Anything that will keep the fugitive criminal coward in the news.