Opposition Cries Foul Over Former Prime Minister Thaksin On State Television: Thailand

[webfact]

Opposition cries foul over ex-PM on state TV

The Nation

Group to seek probe by Ombudsman, anti-graft agency of 'legal breach'

BANGKOK: -- The opposition Democrat Party and Green Politics Group threatened yesterday to file a lawsuit against the government for allowing former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to appear on Channel 11 of the national broadcasting service.

The anti-Thaksin camp cried foul yesterday after learning the fugitive ex-premier appeared on state-controlled media when he presided over the opening of a Thai boxing programme televised live from Macau on Sunday night.

The Democrat's deputy spokesperson Mallika Boonmeetrakool said her party would lodge a petition with the Ombudsman to investigate whether any responsible person in the government and the Public Relations Department (PRD), which oversees the station, needed to take responsibility for allowing a convicted fugitive to go on air.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra had to show leadership to punish all concerned officials, and the Minister attached to Prime Minister's Office, Sansanee Nakpong, who oversees the PRD, also had to take responsibility for the [broadcasting breach], she said.

Thaksin took the opportunity as he delivered opening remarks at the 'Muay Thai Warriors' show on Sunday to send best wishes to His Majesty the King on the occasion of the Royal Birthday. He also dismissed an allegation of lese majeste made by the Pitak Siam group recently.

PM's Minister Sansanee said she did not know in advance that Thaksin would appear on state-run TV during the boxing programme. The proposal from the organiser did not offer any details about the ex-PM appearing, she said.

"I didn't know what to do as it had already happened. The public will judge whether it's right or wrong," she said.

Green Politics leader Suriyasai Katasila said Theerapong Sodasri, chief of the PRD, must step down to take responsibility for the mistake. His group would file a lawsuit against him and Sansanee in accordance with Article 157 of the Penal Code for misconduct and abuse of power for allowing the fugitive to appear on the screen, he said.

"There was no accident as the programme was well prepared and Thaksin himself had prepared a written speech to read out," he said.

The group would also ask the anti-graft body to investigate the case and all people responsible.

Former army chief Chaiyasit Shinawatra, the chairperson of the boxing event, said he invited Thaksin to deliver opening remarks for the show.

He said there was nothing wrong in the former premier expressing his best wishes to His Majesty the King on the occasion of the royal birthday.

Thaksin's legal adviser Noppadon Pattama said Thaksin, like many other Thais, simply took the chance to express loyalty to His Majesty the King. The boxing show was organised to celebrate this occasion, he said.

"Please do not politicise this matter. The opposition Democrats should know well that former premier Thaksin was convicted by an unjust court after a military coup," Noppadon said. "Democracy lovers like the Democrats should not admit the rule of the coup."

-- The Nation 2012-12-11

[chainarong]

Little by little, inch by inch, this little worm will come home again, then what Yingluck???

[waza]

What a hypocrite

[jcw]

Little by little, inch by inch, this little worm will come home again, then what Yingluck???

The the big street battle I would imagine. It seems it is the way these days.

Edited December 11, 2012 by jcw

[MikeOboe57]

I wonder whether Thaksin can still find some time to sit down as more and more people openly start brownnosing in anticipation of his return.

edit: typo

Edited December 11, 2012 by MikeOboe57

[fareastguy]

I think if Thaksin ever achieves amnesty or sets foot back in the country for any reason 2010 would resemble a squabble in a kindergarten playground.

It would definitely open the divide further & bring it onto the streets for an all out war !

That would be the time to leave the "land of smiles" far behind & seek a better country to reside.

[dave1212]

"I didn't know what to do as it had already happened. The public will judge whether it's right or wrong," she said.

The Public......yep much better than relying on those pesky "Laws".

[ramrod711]

The only time this guy should be on television is in an episode of "I almost got away with it"

[Skywalker69]

Little by little, inch by inch, this little worm will come home again, then what Yingluck???

allowing former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to appear on Channel 11 of the national broadcasting service. Edited December 11, 2012 by metisdead
: Bold font removed.

[OzMick]

Ignorance is bliss. I guess that's why she smiles so much.

How surprising that another relative organised it, and sees nothing wrong.

[nurofiend]

I think if Thaksin ever achieves amnesty or sets foot back in the country for any reason 2010 would resemble a squabble in a kindergarten playground.

It would definitely open the divide further & bring it onto the streets for an all out war !

That would be the time to leave the "land of smiles" far behind & seek a better country to reside.

whether he comes or stays away, the divide is here to stay for a long time.

some people are naive enough to think that his demise would somehow be a cure for the underlying problems.

life isn't so simple.

[waza]

I think if Thaksin ever achieves amnesty or sets foot back in the country for any reason 2010 would resemble a squabble in a kindergarten playground.

It would definitely open the divide further & bring it onto the streets for an all out war !

That would be the time to leave the "land of smiles" far behind & seek a better country to reside.

whether he comes or stays away, the divide is here to stay for a long time.

some people are naive enough to think that his demise would somehow be a cure for the underlying problems.

life isn't so simple.

No, but one nepotistic corrupt family will fade away along with their sycophant supporters leaving a vacume that might create an opening for a true socialist movement to grow organically. At the moment nothing will grow under the scorched earth shadow of the Thaksin cult as there is no room for dissidents against the Rule Of Thaksin.

[nurofiend]

I think if Thaksin ever achieves amnesty or sets foot back in the country for any reason 2010 would resemble a squabble in a kindergarten playground.

It would definitely open the divide further & bring it onto the streets for an all out war !

That would be the time to leave the "land of smiles" far behind & seek a better country to reside.

whether he comes or stays away, the divide is here to stay for a long time.

some people are naive enough to think that his demise would somehow be a cure for the underlying problems.

life isn't so simple.

No, but one nepotistic corrupt family will fade away along with their sycophant supporters leaving a vacume that might create an opening for a true socialist movement to grow organically. At the moment nothing will grow under the scorched earth shadow of the Thaksin cult as there is no room for dissidents against the Rule Of Thaksin.

indeed, as the hellfire rains down on us all...

Edited December 11, 2012 by nurofiend

[waza]

I think if Thaksin ever achieves amnesty or sets foot back in the country for any reason 2010 would resemble a squabble in a kindergarten playground.

It would definitely open the divide further & bring it onto the streets for an all out war !

That would be the time to leave the "land of smiles" far behind & seek a better country to reside.

whether he comes or stays away, the divide is here to stay for a long time.

some people are naive enough to think that his demise would somehow be a cure for the underlying problems.

life isn't so simple.

No, but one nepotistic corrupt family will fade away along with their sycophant supporters leaving a vacume that might create an opening for a true socialist movement to grow organically. At the moment nothing will grow under the scorched earth shadow of the Thaksin cult as there is no room for dissidents against the Rule Of Thaksin.

indeed, as the hellfire rains down on us all...

Not all of us just any Thai who opposes the Rule Of Thaksin..........

Edited December 11, 2012 by waza

[FarangTalk]

I think if Thaksin ever achieves amnesty or sets foot back in the country for any reason 2010 would resemble a squabble in a kindergarten playground.

It would definitely open the divide further & bring it onto the streets for an all out war !

That would be the time to leave the "land of smiles" far behind & seek a better country to reside.

Wishful thinking?

[ridkun]

It's great to know that they use my tax to promote a fugitive who should have been jailed now if not escaped shamelessly, and the girl who's paid, with my tax again, to be responsible for airing this just doesn't know what to respond and have no her own ability to judge that it's right or wrong. Just great.

[Skywalker69]

I think if Thaksin ever achieves amnesty or sets foot back in the country for any reason 2010 would resemble a squabble in a kindergarten playground.

It would definitely open the divide further & bring it onto the streets for an all out war !

That would be the time to leave the "land of smiles" far behind & seek a better country to reside.

whether he comes or stays away, the divide is here to stay for a long time.

some people are naive enough to think that his demise would somehow be a cure for the underlying problems.

life isn't so simple.

But the healing of the Country can´t start until Thaksin is out of the picture.

[nurofiend]

I think if Thaksin ever achieves amnesty or sets foot back in the country for any reason 2010 would resemble a squabble in a kindergarten playground.

It would definitely open the divide further & bring it onto the streets for an all out war !

That would be the time to leave the "land of smiles" far behind & seek a better country to reside.

whether he comes or stays away, the divide is here to stay for a long time.

some people are naive enough to think that his demise would somehow be a cure for the underlying problems.

life isn't so simple.

But the healing of the Country can´t start until Thaksin is out of the picture.

so elaborate on what that healing will be without the one man thaksin, preferably in a non fantasy world version.

[FarangTalk]

Thaksin isn't the problem.

There's one person keeping everything together at the moment. And he isn't going to be around forever.

[Gonzo the Face]

This entire thing is just beyond belief. Mr. Thaksin, like it or not, is a bail jumper, and convicted felon. That is , to state it correctly, in the country of Thailand.

The brazen-ness and the way things are getting to and beyond the sensible, what and how long will it take before there is approved a country name change to Shinland. It may seem that if it becomes a new country, there would no longer be a need for any amnesty. It would also stand to reason that there would no longer be any Thais, which will be replaced by Shins.

Life would be hard , but we could probably live through that ...... maybe......

But the most important thing...... would our beloved forum have to be renamed ..... "Shin Visa" ????

[Pimay1]

Thaksin isn't the problem.

There's one person keeping everything together at the moment. And he isn't going to be around forever.

If as you say thaksin isn't the problem then please tell us who or what is the problem.

[FarangTalk]

Thaksin isn't the problem.

There's one person keeping everything together at the moment. And he isn't going to be around forever.

If as you say thaksin isn't the problem then please tell us who or what is the problem.

I've just told you what the problem is, and why we are at the impasse we are currently at.

Further in-depth discussion of the topic is probably not allowed due to forum rules.

[geriatrickid]

"I didn't know what to do as it had already happened. The public will judge whether it's right or wrong," she said.

The Public......yep much better than relying on those pesky "Laws".

Would you please be so kind as to specify which laws should have been applied to preclude the beloved former PM from appearing.

Although the channel may be state sponsored, I take solace in knowing that the government did not engage in censorship.

Aren't you in favour of the government not meddling in programming decisions?

[Nickymaster]

"I didn't know what to do as it had already happened. The public will judge whether it's right or wrong," she said.

The Public......yep much better than relying on those pesky "Laws".

Would you please be so kind as to specify which laws should have been applied to preclude the beloved former PM from appearing.

Although the channel may be state sponsored, I take solace in knowing that the government did not engage in censorship.

Aren't you in favour of the government not meddling in programming decisions?

You really don't know what is right and what is wrong. Or you don't want to know. I hope (for you) the last.

[philw]

Love the way the PM is dragged into everything.

In how many countries does the PM have personal fore knowledge of every nights television schedules ??

And, as pointed out by GK, would you want the evening TV censored by the PM's office ??

[Pimay1]

Love the way the PM is dragged into everything.

In how many countries does the PM have personal fore knowledge of every nights television schedules ??

And, as pointed out by GK, would you want the evening TV censored by the PM's office ??

Can you please come up with a response that is at least half way credible?

[waza]

Love the way the PM is dragged into everything.

In how many countries does the PM have personal fore knowledge of every nights television schedules ??

And, as pointed out by GK, would you want the evening TV censored by the PM's office ??

How many PMs are on the payroll and under the control of their convicted criminal relatives?

[Pimay1]

Love the way the PM is dragged into everything.

In how many countries does the PM have personal fore knowledge of every nights television schedules ??

And, as pointed out by GK, would you want the evening TV censored by the PM's office ??

How many PMs are on the payroll and under the control of their convicted criminal relatives?

Good question. Let's see now. There is Yingluck under control of her convicted criminal brother thaksin and then there is........uh.....there is ........uh. Shucks someone help me out here.

[Artisi]

Love the way the PM is dragged into everything.

In how many countries does the PM have personal fore knowledge of every nights television schedules ??

And, as pointed out by GK, would you want the evening TV censored by the PM's office ??

It might be a good idea to censor all the mindless crappy soap opera's, quiz shows, and comedy acts (it's a comedy in its own right even referring to them as comedy).

[Artisi]

"I didn't know what to do as it had already happened. The public will judge whether it's right or wrong," she said.

The Public......yep much better than relying on those pesky "Laws".

"I didn't know what to do __________" well done PM. Maybe you could start with an investigation as to why it happened and who was responsible for allowing a convicted and fugitive criminal to be allowed to broadcast his views on national TV. Guess it's a school playground type excuse " my brother made me do it".