STOPPAGE TIME
When Thaksin should say nothing at all
Tulsathit Taptim

BANGKOK: -- Thaksin Shinawatra is an emotional man, and emotional men will usually regret what they say, sooner or later. It's unfair, therefore, if we conclude that his latest exclusive interview with Thai Rath is that of a frustrated "champion of democracy" sending his own peace initiative down the drain. His political reform overtures didn't stand much chance to begin with, so a man whose mouth often gets the better of him deserves all the benefit of the doubt he can get.

Still, Thailand's impasse can do without the sort of remarks he made during the interview. Granted, Thaksin is human, and his patience has its limits, but interviews like that can never find their way to the hearts of his enemies. Thaksin failed to turn the other cheek, to put it mildly, and in the process contributed to the mockery towards his "olive branch".

It was quite a lengthy interview that addressed several hot topics, so this article will deal with some specifics only. This autopsy is meant to let Thaksin know what should and should not be expressed if one really wants to reach out to all foes. Here are the glaring points of the interview:

He remains absolutely bitter. So, the question is, can bitter men advocate peace? Thaksin told Thai Rath he had done everything he could to get people join his "reform" forum except sending "flowers, candles and incense sticks" to his enemies when they were invited. No, Thaksin, you have not done "everything". You have not even tried to be a gracious host.

Worse still, he provokes. There are parts in the interview that must have made his rivals clench their fists rather than think about sitting at a negotiating table. "Why are they so afraid of me?" Thaksin asked at one point. "Have you ever read Ramakien (the Thai version of the Ramayana)?" he boasted at another. "They couldn’t kill Tosakan because he removed his own heart and kept it elsewhere. I'm invincible [as long as I'm] overseas. Let me go home then."

And it went on and on. The rubber planters' protest involved intoxicated teenagers and was politically motivated. Top state officials visited him before "transfer windows" because "I'm well-connected". The claim that the Thai crisis will end if he stops are nonsense. The crisis will end only when "people really start to have a dialogue with me and stop trying to beat me".

There were glimpses of a sensible Thaksin. He said, quite rightly, that the Thai crisis was very much a result of fears that "the winner will take all", whereas in democratic politics it should be "the winner takes the responsibility". The flashes of rationality, however, were often followed swiftly by remarks like, "If I stop, will you stop being bad boys, too?" or "I know everything, including a plan to take this government out before October 8."

Admirers cheered and opponents' jaws dropped over one particular statement. Trying to explain why he was advocating political reform, Thaksin said, "We can't leave our children in this complex political situation." If that is a spot-on comment, his "I only pity my sister for being in a politics where no rules are ever respected" will not help our children that much.

Interestingly, he admitted that the Bt2 trillion borrowing plan could have been split into annual bits and carried out through normal budgetary channels. But Thaksin repeated claims that enacting a law to empower the Finance Ministry go to borrow massively in one would make crucial infrastructure development "more consistent".

Thaksin's interview lacks the very thing needed to support the peace, reform or reconciliation process. Whatever he called it, Thaksin did not back it up with the most important element. From what Thai Rath published, he did not show the slightest remorse, and that's why many people who opted to shun the conspicuous forum will not regret their decision. The other side takes all the blame, just as it holds him responsible for the crisis. The interview doesn't change anything; all it has done is reinforce the deadlock.

If this reform exercise is a time-buying tactic, then the interview may have served some purposes. But if Thaksin is serious about creating a new Thailand for the next generation, what was published will need a lot of editing if it is to be highlighted in the history book as a catalyst for change.

True reconciliation is about saying the hardest word. And the one who wants it most will have to say it first. Without "I'm sorry. I was wrong on many things", calls for peace don't matter much. If the whole "reconciliation" talk is just a game, Thaksin's interview has confirmed it as such. If it is not, well, the only advice for him is that if he can't say those key words, perhaps he shouldn't say anything at all.

-- The Nation 2013-09-25

He needs a good woman like Eva Braun to help him see reality and eat the medicine,

He doesn't deserve the benefit of any doubt because there is none, his ideas and goals are clear and all self-centred with a little something in it for the family and maybe some selected cronies.

It's not in the Thai nature to reconcile. They are just too immature generally.

It's the same old song.

Thaksin's philosophy in a nut shell. Thanks Thai Rath for exposing this man for who he really is.

Even a hundred more years in the wilderness and he still won't have learned anything

It's all about "him" and as he probably only speaks to his supporters, he's only seeing one side of himself

Remorse is the key thing Thaksin

This guy is making up a hypothetical interview with a removed elected Thai head of state by military coup and aggrandizing him by even doing this. What preposterous journalism.

Thait Spot said exactly what I was thinking: The big T thinks it's all about HIM. He really believes that only HE can lead the Thai sheeple to out of morass. Maybe it's a form of dislexia, because the opposite it true, as is the case whenever Thaksin makes a statement. Perhaps we should pity the man as suffering from dementia, because he actually believes in his lies. Unfortunately, it's not as simple as patting him on the head and giving him medication, because nothing short of putting him back in the top power seat will appease him, and even then he will continue to complain, blame and lie.

"I'm invincible [as long as I'm] overseas. Let me go home then.""

Nobody is preventing you from coming home.

There's a reason for it being called, 'self imposed exile!'.

How can he be a champion of democracy if he has stated that democracy is not his goal?

His statement "I only pity my sister for being in a politics where no rules are ever respected" is laughable.

Who put her there in the first place?

"...the whole "reconciliation" talk is just a game." All politics are just a game.

And please, no more riots, coups, or other general unrest. I beg you. The SMEs have it tough already.

We are still trying to recover from the red shirts, flooding and what not. Please stop.

Thait Spot said exactly what I was thinking: The big T thinks it's all about HIM. He really believes that only HE can lead the Thai sheeple to out of morass. Maybe it's a form of dislexia, because the opposite it true, as is the case whenever Thaksin makes a statement. Perhaps we should pity the man as suffering from dementia, because he actually believes in his lies. Unfortunately, it's not as simple as patting him on the head and giving him medication, because nothing short of putting him back in the top power seat will appease him, and even then he will continue to complain, blame and lie.

The word you are looking for is: Megalomania.

It's a terrible disease.

It's not in the Thai nature to reconcile. They are just too immature generally.

Thais don't generally express remorse about anything or ever say "I am sorry." Or even more rare, "I made a mistake."

Now I'm left with this song in my head for the rest of the day!

Give him the bucket test. Big T stick your hand in a bucket of water and make a fist pull it out as fast as possible if it leaves a hole you are a saint and can come home no strings attached.

This guy is making up a hypothetical interview with a removed elected Thai head of state by military coup and aggrandizing him by even doing this. What preposterous journalism.

At the time of the "coup" Thaksin was NOT an elected head of state, get your facts right... He was a caretaker prime-minister put there by himself and his cronies.. And he certainly was no Robin Hood.. This was an interview with a criminal on the run from justice..!

"The crisis will end only when "people really start to have a dialogue with me and stop trying to beat me".

me me me me me!

Sweet jesus. Why does it not occur to you, stupid man, that no one wants to have dialogue with you because 1. you are a convicted criminal on the run, 2. your credibility is dead, 3. you do NOT actually have any thing to offer, and 4. you cannot bully and cow everyone. You do not have a legitimate grievance.

This guy is making up a hypothetical interview with a removed elected Thai head of state by military coup and aggrandizing him by even doing this. What preposterous journalism.

Thaksin has never been the Head of State. A much greater man occupies that position.

He was no longer the elected PM when he had to be forcibly removed from illegally holding on to power following his dissolving of parliament.

What were you saying about preposterous journalism?

It's not in the Thai nature to reconcile. They are just too immature generally.

Thais don't generally express remorse about anything or ever say "I am sorry." Or even more rare, "I made a mistake."

Admitting to a mistake = loss of face = no mistake made

Hasn't it been said that the "reform forum" was Yingluck's own idea?

Ok, all politicians worldwide take liberties, are economical with the truth, use weasely words, make promises and don't deliver etc etc. But, here, there seems less attempt, if any at all, to pretend. Simply say anything that seems appropriate at the time. The sheeple won't challenge it or remember.

.........sick and scary......

He needs a good woman like Eva Braun to help him see reality and eat the medicine,

I though Eva Baraun used to sell her body for money? Or was I mistaken?

A HOLE in my wall has just appeared

BANGKOK: -- Thaksin Shinawatra is an emotional man, and emotional men will usually regret what they say, sooner or later.

Sure hope it's sooner rather than later

"Why are they so afraid of me?" Thaksin

Maybe because you have left a trail of widows, grieving mothers, fathers and children of the people who died under your watch, from your policies or for your gandios dreams. Thaksin is a sociopath, he considers no one but himself, acts for no ones interest except his and has no compassion or remorse.

It's not in the Thai nature to reconcile. They are just too immature generally.

Thais don't generally express remorse about anything or ever say "I am sorry." Or even more rare, "I made a mistake."

Admitting to a mistake = loss of face = no mistake made

The so called loss of face in Thai society is a lie and excuse used by Thai's to deny any responsibility for doing something wrong !!!!! Spineless

"Why Thaksin should say nothing at all."

Because he's a wanted fugitive from justice, and the usual thing that criminals do when they are in hiding, is to keep quiet. The exception to this rule is criminals who are completely delusional and insane and think they can just carry on as normal even though theres a jail cell with their name on it.

Yawn - same sh!t different day

This, btw, was an interview for the dumb masses, in the dumb masses newspaper. Thaksin speaks to the dumb masses because they have the power at the ballot, he's clever. He's also in total denial that he did anything wrong because in his world, the leader that Thaksin was, was perfectly acceptable for democracy and the dumb masses gave that the overwhelming thumbs up. Thaksin believes his own hype, he believes his own story that all the troubles of this country emanate from a coup conducted by a few jealous old amart. He's wrong of course, which is why this whole thing will drag on indefinitum. He rightly remains bitter but that's because he cannot be trusted, his ethics fail, no one wants to do a deal with him, so he remains in exile even though he's the most powerful of the players. He's turned it into a 'me versus the country' conflict. All the love in the world from the reds won't fix his problem if it comes down to individual versus nation.

He needs a good woman like Eva Braun to help him see reality and eat the medicine,

Most would say that Eva Braun failed miserably. Maybe Thaksin needs a few new 'nieces'? Throw in a couple of ladyboys too, this is after all, Thailand.

When should Thaksin say nothing? All the time - and permanently.