Taksin "threats A Trade War"

[Spellbound]

THAKSIN'S MESSAGE: 'Unite and eat chicken'

Published on Feb 8, 2004

PM says bird flu is now a sovereignty issue, threatens trade retaliation

Thailand reported three more suspected cases of bird flu yesterday as Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra threatened to retaliate against trade partners who impose "unfair trade barriers" against Thai chicken.

At the government's chicken-eating fair in Sanam Luang, Thaksin told a huge crowd that he does not care if foreign countries refuse to buy Thai poultry as long as they do not spread distorted information or impose unfair trade barriers against the country's exports.

"If they do I will retaliate," he said. "This government is not afraid of anything," he told the crowd.

Facing intense criticism both at home and abroad over the government's handling of the epidemic, Thaksin said that it had now become an issue of "sovereignty".

He also said that the epidemic, which he has been accused of attempting to cover up, was now under control. He urged the public not to pay attention to "distorted information" about the epidemic, which has so far claimed the lives of five Thais and 13 others across Asia.

He called on Thais to "unite and eat chicken" in order to prevent the crisis from worsening.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Health identified the three new cases as a 13-year-old boy from the province of Chaiyaphum, a 12-year-old boy from Bangkok, and a 55-year-old man from Uttaradit.

The director-general of the disease control department, Charal Trinvuthipong, also said that two deaths suspected of being the result of bird flu have been cleared of H5N1, the virus that causes the disease.

Thaksin, in his weekly radio address yesterday morning, insisted that the epidemic had been contained in all areas except Bangkok's Lat Krabang district, the last designated "red zone" in the country.

"Some people" might seek to benefit politically from the bird-flu crisis, Thaksin said but maintained that he would not dissolve Parliament before his four-year term ended.

Thaksin said that if he was not certain it was safe to eat chicken he would have not have offered Bt3 million in compensation to anyone who fell victim.

Several thousand people attended yesterday's fair. They, as well as the scores of celebrities hired to perform at a concert afterwards, were treated to free chicken meals. Thaksin also showed off his cooking skills during the live television broadcast.

His administration has come under intense criticism for its handling of the epidemic, including widespread allegations that it had tried to cover up the outbreak to protect the country's chicken exports.

The H5N1 virus was confirmed in Thailand on January 23 and since then it has spread to poultry in 40 of the Kingdom's 76 provinces.

Japan and the European Union, the two main importers of Thai chicken, immediately banned imports of Thai chicken

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[Spellbound]

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Public Health identified the three new cases as a 13-year-old boy from the province of Chaiyaphum, a 12-year-old boy from Bangkok, and a 55-year-old man from Uttaradit.

Threatens a TRADE WAR, with 3 new cases announced today.

Sorry Taskin I really think you have lost the plot, how can the rest of the world buy your chickens when you cant control yoourself, let along the bird flu.

Can you please inform the world , why are there hundreds of chickens still running around moo-barns in the country, and why do we still have chickens wakeing me up in the morning "cock a doodle doo" and my appartment is in HUAY KWANG (BKK)

Maybe it would be better if you blocked yourself from the press until your term is up.

[ovenman]

It appears that a comment I made in the "Eat Our Chicken or Else..." thread is now in need of a downward revision. Please feel free to subtract a year or two off the age in my earlier ...demonstrating the maturity level of a six-year old. remark.

[frodo]

Facing intense criticism both at home and abroad over the government's handling of the epidemic, Thaksin said that it had now become an issue of "sovereignty".

He also said that the epidemic, which he has been accused of attempting to cover up, was now under control. He urged the public not to pay attention to "distorted information" about the epidemic, which has so far claimed the lives of five Thais and 13 others across Asia.

He called on Thais to "unite and eat chicken" in order to prevent the crisis from worsening.

If this wasn't true, I would would swear this to be a script from a comedy. Sittywatera really likes to use the word "sovereignty" in hopes he can rouse the masses. As a the two-faced person he is, he forgets much more prominent and true experts are here testing Thai chickens since Thailand could not (too many errors and great distrust). Soverign to a degree perhaps, but when the "real" issues and problems happen, there is none. Are they incapable or just don't have the resources?

Related to the above, I get the feeling he is somehow going to place blame on foreign press and media. "Don't believe what you read or hear." "Other forces are working against us." As is typical with this insane fool, he is continuing to project his own lack of knowledge onto others. I'm just waiting for the day when foreign websites will be banned and controlled here to keep the good people here totally misinformed. Is "ignoratized" a word? If not, this is his hope...make everyone ignorant, submissive, subservient, and unchallenging, and his concept of "sovereignty" will flourish.

What has been refreshing is that I know that many Thai's (Bangkokians at least) do not trust him. Most will not say this outwordly out of fear and the concept of "loosing face," but it's there. Over the weekend, I've spoken with many taxi drivers about eating chicken at the PM's all you can eat BBQ. Everyone of those people told me, no. The reasons were many. The truth boiled down to total distrust of what the fool is saying to them. I've talked with my students in a joking way earlier this week (1,300 of them)...not a one would go. A few privates today were very critical and outspoken against "that idiot." The words in quotations are their words, not mine. Sure, the media reported about 2,000 people people showed up. Seems like a lot. But break it down, it's very minimal. At least 10 million in Bangkok, and 2,000 show up. The PM likes the solid truth, the evidence, the bottom line, that number and percentage...here it is...0.001% Unity at it's best. I hope that number remains for the next election. Keep it up Bangkok...don't let the "idiot" fool you.

[meadish_sweetball]

I too find it a tad difficult to make sense of Dr. Shinawatras assurances, in the light of the fact that the hens and three fighting cocks across the street from my house seem sound as ever and that some of their eggs just hatched.

Also, how is it possible to declare the country free of the disease when there is NO WAY IN SHELL they could manage to cull all the migratory and other wild birds?

No no, don't listen to them, the foreigners are evil, they want to hurt Thailand by not eating chicken and unlike our media, theirs is wickedly manipulated by devious spin doctors. So, dear citizens, never forget - Thai rak Thai but most importantly - Thai rak Gai! And because I am your Prime Minister, you should rak MOI and my chickens mak tee sut.

That'll be 5 baht, please.