Tony Blair and Kofi Annan unofficially accept invitation: Yingluck

[Thai at Heart]

Hopefully both gentlemen will insist on prior payment, and then express brutally honest views of the Thai version of democracy. Of course, they shouldn't do this by electronic means lest they fall foul of the Computer Crimes Act and spend the rest of their lives in jail.

Until someone with some stature points out how UNdemocratic having 25% of politicians never facing the judgement of an electorate is, how it allows rich people to buy a seat (including the PMship), and allows seats to be offered to criminals as a reward and an escape from prosecution, the masses of Thailand will never know. Perhaps if schools offered classes in ethics and politics (they would have to be separate) rather than chicken raising and pig butchering, we might see some change. But don't expect that from this government, they are enjoying the fruits of ignorance.

I am sure they would provide the world with a running commentary of army atrocities from their suites in the Oriental's top floor.

Curious what they have on Tony. Don't forget, his govt cancelled thaksins visa.

Edited August 9, 2013 by Thai at Heart

[jbrain]

Hopefully both gentlemen will insist on prior payment, and then express brutally honest views of the Thai version of democracy. Of course, they shouldn't do this by electronic means lest they fall foul of the Computer Crimes Act and spend the rest of their lives in jail.

Until someone with some stature points out how UNdemocratic having 25% of politicians never facing the judgement of an electorate is, how it allows rich people to buy a seat (including the PMship), and allows seats to be offered to criminals as a reward and an escape from prosecution, the masses of Thailand will never know. Perhaps if schools offered classes in ethics and politics (they would have to be separate) rather than chicken raising and pig butchering, we might see some change. But don't expect that from this government, they are enjoying the fruits of ignorance.

I am sure they would provide the world with a running commentary of army atrocities from their suites in the Oriental's top floor.

Curious what they have on Tony. Don't forget, his govt cancelled thaksins visa.

You mean he could go into the history books as Tony the balcony diver

[Thai at Heart]

Hopefully both gentlemen will insist on prior payment, and then express brutally honest views of the Thai version of democracy. Of course, they shouldn't do this by electronic means lest they fall foul of the Computer Crimes Act and spend the rest of their lives in jail.

Until someone with some stature points out how UNdemocratic having 25% of politicians never facing the judgement of an electorate is, how it allows rich people to buy a seat (including the PMship), and allows seats to be offered to criminals as a reward and an escape from prosecution, the masses of Thailand will never know. Perhaps if schools offered classes in ethics and politics (they would have to be separate) rather than chicken raising and pig butchering, we might see some change. But don't expect that from this government, they are enjoying the fruits of ignorance.

I am sure they would provide the world with a running commentary of army atrocities from their suites in the Oriental's top floor.

Curious what they have on Tony. Don't forget, his govt cancelled thaksins visa.

You mean he could go into the history books as Tony the balcony diver

Well they seriously sold Thaksin down the river to save Tesco Thailand.

[ratcatcher]

Hopefully both gentlemen will insist on prior payment, and then express brutally honest views of the Thai version of democracy. Of course, they shouldn't do this by electronic means lest they fall foul of the Computer Crimes Act and spend the rest of their lives in jail.

Until someone with some stature points out how UNdemocratic having 25% of politicians never facing the judgement of an electorate is, how it allows rich people to buy a seat (including the PMship), and allows seats to be offered to criminals as a reward and an escape from prosecution, the masses of Thailand will never know. Perhaps if schools offered classes in ethics and politics (they would have to be separate) rather than chicken raising and pig butchering, we might see some change. But don't expect that from this government, they are enjoying the fruits of ignorance.

I am sure they would provide the world with a running commentary of army atrocities from their suites in the Oriental's top floor.

Curious what they have on Tony. Don't forget, his govt cancelled thaksins visa.

"Don't forget, his govt cancelled Thaksins visa".

Nope, that would be Mr Gordon (give away the gold) Brown and the same Labour party..

Thaksin's visa was cancelled in late 2008, Tony had already moved on to greener pastures in 2007.

This old Utube clip of Bush & Condie has been around a long time, but could be just as funny if Yingluck was having Koffi for breakfast.

[poohy]

Hopefully both gentlemen will insist on prior payment, and then express brutally honest views of the Thai version of democracy. Of course, they shouldn't do this by electronic means lest they fall foul of the Computer Crimes Act and spend the rest of their lives in jail.

Until someone with some stature points out how UNdemocratic having 25% of politicians never facing the judgement of an electorate is, how it allows rich people to buy a seat (including the PMship), and allows seats to be offered to criminals as a reward and an escape from prosecution, the masses of Thailand will never know. Perhaps if schools offered classes in ethics and politics (they would have to be separate) rather than chicken raising and pig butchering, we might see some change. But don't expect that from this government, they are enjoying the fruits of ignorance.

I am sure they would provide the world with a running commentary of army atrocities from their suites in the Oriental's top floor.

Curious what they have on Tony. Don't forget, his govt cancelled thaksins visa.

You mean he could go into the history books as Tony the balcony diver

We can only wish and pray!!!

[LuckyLew]

"Yet, it doesn’t mean that we will apply the models with Thailand."

So they will share good models and stories but eff all will change ...

So what is the point?

Oh ya .. wasting more tax payer money and another photo op for YL

[Thai at Heart]

Hopefully both gentlemen will insist on prior payment, and then express brutally honest views of the Thai version of democracy. Of course, they shouldn't do this by electronic means lest they fall foul of the Computer Crimes Act and spend the rest of their lives in jail.

Until someone with some stature points out how UNdemocratic having 25% of politicians never facing the judgement of an electorate is, how it allows rich people to buy a seat (including the PMship), and allows seats to be offered to criminals as a reward and an escape from prosecution, the masses of Thailand will never know. Perhaps if schools offered classes in ethics and politics (they would have to be separate) rather than chicken raising and pig butchering, we might see some change. But don't expect that from this government, they are enjoying the fruits of ignorance.

I am sure they would provide the world with a running commentary of army atrocities from their suites in the Oriental's top floor.

Curious what they have on Tony. Don't forget, his govt cancelled thaksins visa.

"Don't forget, his govt cancelled Thaksins visa".

Nope, that would be Mr Gordon (give away the gold) Brown and the same Labour party..

Thaksin's visa was cancelled in late 2008, Tony had already moved on to greener pastures in 2007.

This old Utube clip of Bush & Condie has been around a long time, but could be just as funny if Yingluck was having Koffi for breakfast.

Oops. I stand corrected. The other milliband was foreign minister. Even he couldn't really explain why Thaksin was such a threat, whilst we have dozens of mad mullahs and Russian mafiosos sitting in London apparently beyond the law.

[annabel]

Berlus(t)coni would be the best speaker at this forum.

Naw. The Bongo Bongo stuff is more appropriate for the full moon madness debauchery.

Blair is a devout Roman Catholic now and leads a simple life so he would not be compatible with Berlusconi.

As for Koffi, maybe his son can tag along and offer advice on busting the arms embargo with Iran. Perhaps an an oil for rice deal.

The Thai government needs to supply / finance more Schools For the Blind... which of course cannot be done for lack of funds and fear of being exposed

[annabel]

Hopefully both gentlemen will insist on prior payment, and then express brutally honest views of the Thai version of democracy. Of course, they shouldn't do this by electronic means lest they fall foul of the Computer Crimes Act and spend the rest of their lives in jail.

Until someone with some stature points out how UNdemocratic having 25% of politicians never facing the judgement of an electorate is, how it allows rich people to buy a seat (including the PMship), and allows seats to be offered to criminals as a reward and an escape from prosecution, the masses of Thailand will never know. Perhaps if schools offered classes in ethics and politics (they would have to be separate) rather than chicken raising and pig butchering, we might see some change. But don't expect that from this government, they are enjoying the fruits of ignorance.

I am sure they would provide the world with a running commentary of army atrocities from their suites in the Oriental's top floor.

Curious what they have on Tony. Don't forget, his govt cancelled thaksins visa.

You mean he could go into the history books as Tony the balcony diver

We can only wish and pray!!!

PRAY... ?? To WHO???

[annabel]

"Yet, it doesn’t mean that we will apply the models with Thailand."

So they will share good models and stories but eff all will change ...

So what is the point?

Oh ya .. wasting more tax payer money and another photo op for YL

Just another holiday in Thailand for all

[daboyz1]

If it's unofficial, why is she even bringing it up?

[bigbamboo]

If it's unofficial, why is she even bringing it up?

Maybe by 'unofficially accepting the invitation' they meant, " I'll come but don't tell the wife."

[kimamey]

Tony Blair a pillar of high morals, etc. Wasn't he friends with Gaddafi?

I don't know how friendly he was with Gaddafl but I suspect that any apparent friendship was just for political reasons as a reward for Gaddafi's change of stance at the time. Unfortunately in politics as in many other things sometimes you have to deal with people you don't like.

[Bodrules]

Knowing Blair, money was at the bottom of it somewhere.

[webfact]

POLITICAL REFORM
Blair, Annan to contribute to reform effort
The Nation


Annan

Yingluck says former UK and UN leaders agree to take part in forum next month

BANGKOK: -- Former British prime minister Tony Blair and ex-United Nations secretary general Kofi Annan have agreed to contribute to Thailand's political-reform effort, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said yesterday.

She said both Blair and Annan had unofficially accepted the government's invitation to take part in a panel discussion to be hosted by the Foreign Ministry.

The ministry, assigned by the government, is approaching foreign leaders, particularly those with experience in dealing with conflicts between compatriots, to help contribute to Thailand's efforts towards national reconciliation, the PM said.

"The government wants to embrace international viewpoints and measures that have been successfully implemented in foreign countries. We want these to benefit Thailand, too. Foreign leaders are invited to speak to Thai people," she added.

The ministry has approached more than 10 foreign leaders and former leaders, said PM's secretary-general Suranand Vejjajiva.

The foreign leaders will take part in a panel discussion titled "Uniting for the Future: Learning from Each Other's Experiences", to be held by the Foreign Ministry on September 2, said Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul.

In addition to Blair and Annan, Finland's former president Martti Ahtisaari has been invited to join the discussion and share his international-reconciliation experience, Surapong said.

Blair, 60, served as UK prime minister from 1997 to 2007, while Ghanaian Annan, 75, served as the seventh UN secretary-general from 1997 to 2006. Ahtisaari, 76, was in office from 1994 to 2000.

Both Annan and Ahtisaari are Nobel Peace Prize laureates.

In an interview with the Thai media last year, Annan was asked to comment on the role of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in reconciliation. He said it was up to the country's political leaders to find a way to bridge gaps.

"They have to put the country first. The country is bigger than they are," he added.

Thaksin's legal adviser Noppadon Pattama said yesterday that it depended on the government whether to invite Thaksin to join the proposed political reform forum.

He said that regardless of whether Thaksin was invited, there were already people with the same views as his in the forum.

Priscilla Hayner, an expert on truth commissions and transitional justice who has focused her work on official truth-seeking measures in political transitions around the world, has also been invited to join the discussion, said Deputy Prime Minister Phongthep Thepkanjana.

He said the political reform forum, proposed recently by the prime minister, could begin next week with about 100 participants.

"The number of participants should be more than 50, but not over 100. Too few people, and the viewpoints gathered would lack diversity. Too many people, and you don't have [enough time for] everyone speaking," he said.

Phongthep said he understood that some of the senior figures invited might, however, be unable to join the forum, because of their current status.

In a related development, former Democrat Party leader Bhichai Rattakul yesterday accepted a government invitation for him to join the political reform forum. Phongthep had called on Bhichai at his house to extend the invitation.

Bhichai said the reform effort should not be aimed at benefiting anyone or any political party in particular, nor should anyone set conditions for joining the forum.

The opposition Bhum Jai Thai Party also agreed to take part yesterday. Party leader Anutin Charnweerakul, who was approached by Phongthep and PM's Office Minister Varathep Ratanakorn, said he had accepted the invitation in principle.

"Bhum Jai Thai would be delighted to see peace in the country. Personally, I will do anything to help with the reconciliation efforts," he said.


-- The Nation 2013-08-10

[NongKhaiKid]

If Tony Blair takes part in something you just know it's a crock of s..t.

How fitting that a corrupt, lying ex-politician is invited to Thailand, welcome home.

[howzat]

How can she announce that they have unofficially accepted. Very unprofessional high voltage rhetoric making announcements before confirmation. Talk the talk but never walk the walk

[Patje]

How can she announce that they have unofficially accepted. Very unprofessional high voltage rhetoric making announcements before confirmation. Talk the talk but never walk the walk

And if they not show up....... Loose face ........

[jcb2001]

Tony Blair a pillar of high morals, etc. Wasn't he friends with Gaddafi?

Even worse, he is friends with Bush.

And worse than that, he is friends with Obama.

[Robbie Dye]

Angela Merkel would sort them all out

[MobileContent]

Blair, Mr. Rubbish in person.

When I read the headline I thought oh no, do they want to hire him for the Deep South.

Edited August 10, 2013 by MobileContent

[CIHUAHUA]

Tony Blair a pillar of high morals, etc. Wasn't he friends with Gaddafi?

Even worse, he is friends with Bush.

I noticed they did not invite Bush. Im an American and didn't think bush had a friend.

[billd766]

Tony Blair a pillar of high morals, etc. Wasn't he friends with Gaddafi?

Even worse, he is friends with Bush.

I noticed they did not invite Bush. Im an American and didn't think bush had a friend.

I am sure that his Mum and Dad loved him when he was a little boy.

[robertson468]

Why are they having this "public" forum now when they are already ramming the amnesty bill through? Just more smoke & mirrors.

The Bill is by no means through and has many hurdles to get over, if indeed it does get over them. It is not so much a rather impotent challenge by the opposition, but what the Courts make of it that will count.

[Suffinator]

Blair would be the perfect candidate for advising the Thai Government; after all he's managed to avoid a public trial over the murder of hundreds of thousands of innocent Iraqi people with his illegal war.

Illegal Iraqi War and the Terror Within

[Time Traveller]

^{Mr. Annan I hold with some sort of respect}

^{However , Mr. B liar is virtually a war criminal although now a private citizen earning millions on the lecture circuit whilst still trying to defend the mess and lies he told re Iraq ,so it sounds like he will be in good company with this mob}

Just curious, but can you name one thing that the UN ever did to help the world since they stood around and watched the Rwanda massace?

No respectable leader comes to Thailand. And the ones that ain't respectable will only come when there's lots of financial incentive.

[Chrisswe]

Yes this is a good step in right direction !

[khunken]

The idea is not a bad one. However asking Blair is a stupid idea as he is responsible for creating problems, not solving them. As for Thaksin's man mentioning his inclusion - farcial.

George Mitchell would be a far better choice IMO.

[johnklinrak]

Tony Blair is "Peace envoy to the Middle East" he is doing a great job...last time I looked it was on fire.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/9806139/Tony-Blairs-record-in-the-Middle-East-is-a-sorry-one-its-time-he-quit.html

[laislica]

These two are just political whores who will say whatever is asked of them for a price. Same as all the US ex-presidents. Honorarium = payback.

You do a disservice to the venerable profession of Whore. The oldest profession in the world.

Did you mean Judas?