Thailand must overcome its obsession with Thaksin Shinawatra

[webfact]

Thailand must overcome its obsession with Thaksin Shinawatra
A political circus
By William Pesek

Bloomberg

NEW YORK: -- “Welcome to the Republic of Thaksin.” You won’t see these words displayed in the customs hall when arriving in Thailand, but the Land of Smiles has indeed morphed into the land of Thaksin Shinawatra.

That should be giving Southeast Asia’s second-biggest economy plenty to frown about. Seven years after the former prime minister was ousted in a coup, Thaksin’s long shadow continues to dominate Thai politics. Since then, the country has seen six prime ministers, the most recent one being Thaksin’s baby sister, Yingluck Shinawatra.

Like many loving siblings, Yingluck looks out for her kin. Recently she tried to ram a get-out-of-jail-free card for Thaksin and other politicians through the parliament - as big a political blunder as Asia has seen in years. Markets plunged and more than 32,000 people joined demonstrations in the capital and 17 other provinces. This week, Yingluck backed down and agreed to scrap the bill for now.

But anyone who thinks that’s the end of Thailand’s Thaksin nightmare is wrong. The proud and acerbic billionaire, Asia’s answer to Italy’s Silvio Berlusconi, isn’t about to shelve his obsession with returning home, reclaiming the portion of his telecommunications fortune frozen by the state and succeeding his sister. Many fear Yingluck is little more than a placeholder for big bro.

With his ambitions thwarted for now, the focus has turned to how much money this setback will cost Thaksin. Thais should be worrying instead about how much this political circus is hurting their $366 billion economy. Every day that politicians and policymakers in Bangkok spend obsessing over Thaksin’s return is one that’s not being used to modernise the economy, increase competiveness and avoid the “middle-income trap” that befalls many developing nations and may soon ensnare Thailand.

The politics of personality aren’t confined to Thailand. Asia is awash with larger-than-life populists bigger on charisma and spin than concrete reforms: leaders like Shinzo Abe in Japan, Xi Jinping in China and, in some ways, Benigno Aquino in the Philippines. The same problem afflicts several figures who have yet take the helm, including India’s Rahul Gandhi. All have neglected tough policy work in hopes that a strong personality will be enough to carry them through and bolster their approval ratings.

Full story: http://gulfnews.com/opinions/columnists/thailand-must-overcome-its-obsession-with-thaksin-shinawatra-1.1253587

-- gulfnews 2013-11-11

[sms747]

Something a few postes on here could do with overcoming too!

[WAERTH]

How about Thaksin should overcome his obsession with wanting to rule and rob blind Thailand?

[Patje]

I agree , Thaksin who ???

[soi41]

The OP is right. Lets forget this guy!

And concentrate on the beauty of Thailand!!

[noitom]

Thaksin is like Thai corruption, Thailand's sex trade, and its counterfeit property and money laundering - Pervasive obsessions.

[jdinasia]

Did any of you actually read the article ? It was actually published a few days ago.

[NongKhaiKid]

Did any of you actually read the article ? It was actually published a few days ago.

The other newspaper carried a very similar op ed yesterday. Don't know which author got in first.

[EvilDrSomkid]

Thaksin is Thailand's Silvio? You mean he is a philanderer, too? Nope.

And Shinzo Abe is actually succeeding to some degree. A populist Abe is not.

The article forgot about Hun Sen.

[Thaddeus]

Did any of you actually read the article ? It was actually published a few days ago.

I did what I normally do JD, read the first few lines, scroll down to check the knee jerk reactions, then I usually go back and read the rest of it, but in this instance, cleavage won.

[Thait Spot]

This is a Bloomberg article

[boomerangutang]

The article says the same things many of us on T.Visa have been saying for years. The difference is; because the article is published by Gulf News and datelined New York, it may be noticed by someone in the PT party, if they're not too busy playing golf or servicing their mia noi via the back door.

[Thaddeus]

Finished reading the whole thing now......... did Bloomberg pay money for that?

[geovalin]

"Thailand must overcome its obsession with Thaksin Shinawatra"

and some farangs too.

[coma]

How does a nation with so many people living below the poverty line overcome it's obsession with somebody so rich ?

[noitom]

The article says the same things many of us on T.Visa have been saying for years. The difference is; because the article is published by Gulf News and datelined New York, it may be noticed by someone in the PT party, if they're not too busy playing golf or servicing their mia noi via the back door.

And we certainly don't read any news of rich Thais jumping out to help their Philippine brothers in time of tragedy from typhoon Haiyan. No giving, no aid, no troops, no nothing from Thailand. Thai leadership cares more about Mr. Thaksin.

[Artisi]

The article says the same things many of us on T.Visa have been saying for years. The difference is; because the article is published by Gulf News and datelined New York, it may be noticed by someone in the PT party, if they're not too busy playing golf or servicing their mia noi via the back door.

And we certainly don't read any news of rich Thais jumping out to help their Philippine brothers in time of tragedy from typhoon Haiyan. No giving, no aid, no troops, no nothing from Thailand. Thai leadership cares more about Mr. Thaksin.

Well lets be honest now, if you were a Thai PTP politician or a wealthy supporter there-of, where would the most personal benefit come from, helping the Philippines or brown-nosing the Dubai caddy which requires a 24/7 commitment.

[sms747]

How about Thaksin should overcome his obsession with wanting to rule and rob blind Thailand?

How does it affect you who is running the country or who has their fingers in till?

[Local Drunk]

"Thailand must overcome its obsession with Thaksin Shinawatra"

Oh, where are Oprah and Dr. Phil when you need them the most?

[Spare]

It could just be a paid advertisement article.

[h90]

Thaksin is Thailand's Silvio? You mean he is a philanderer, too? Nope.

And Shinzo Abe is actually succeeding to some degree. A populist Abe is not.

The article forgot about Hun Sen.

No that is unfair to Silvio.

Silvio might be corrupt, but while Silvio made harmless sex parties, Thaksin killed thousands of people (war against drugs, tak pai) and restricted the freedom with his internet control, state gateway, censor software.

While Silvio was happy being an authoritarian premier, Thaksin wants 100 % of the power and destroys the separation of power, he want to directly control police, courts, army.

While Silvio wants the power for himself, Thaksin plans long term, he wants his dynasty rules for generations.

Silvio is annoying, but the problem will be solved by mother nature at some time.

[h90]

The article says the same things many of us on T.Visa have been saying for years. The difference is; because the article is published by Gulf News and datelined New York, it may be noticed by someone in the PT party, if they're not too busy playing golf or servicing their mia noi via the back door.

And we certainly don't read any news of rich Thais jumping out to help their Philippine brothers in time of tragedy from typhoon Haiyan. No giving, no aid, no troops, no nothing from Thailand. Thai leadership cares more about Mr. Thaksin.

yes that is a shame. No word about helping the dying people there. Just focus on pocket some more money.

[brewsterbudgen]

Thaksin is Thailand's Silvio? You mean he is a philanderer, too? Nope.

And Shinzo Abe is actually succeeding to some degree. A populist Abe is not.

The article forgot about Hun Sen.

No that is unfair to Silvio.

Silvio might be corrupt, but while Silvio made harmless sex parties, Thaksin killed thousands of people (war against drugs, tak pai) and restricted the freedom with his internet control, state gateway, censor software.

While Silvio was happy being an authoritarian premier, Thaksin wants 100 % of the power and destroys the separation of power, he want to directly control police, courts, army.

While Silvio wants the power for himself, Thaksin plans long term, he wants his dynasty rules for generations.

Silvio is annoying, but the problem will be solved by mother nature at some time.

Perhaps you should heed the advice in the OP.

[Lupatria]

Instead of tapping the LINE accounts of ordinary citizen, they should consider to cut off phone ins used to make this a remote controlled country.

[ridkun]

Red shirts has overcome Thaksin already for too long, the same way Yingluck overcome Hillary to Thailand. The rest of Thai people should overcome him too.

[Local Drunk]

Instead of tapping the LINE accounts of ordinary citizen, they should consider to cut off phone ins used to make this a remote controlled country.

It is already controlled remotely: from Dubai.

[worgeordie]

The big problem is this megalomaniac with a ego the size of Thailand

will never let anyone forget, until hes is back in power ,and the people

of Thailand at his feet.

regards Worgeordie

[Baerboxer]

How about Thaksin should overcome his obsession with wanting to rule and rob blind Thailand?

How does it affect you who is running the country or who has their fingers in till?

Is that a serious question ? If so, then you need to seek some advice.

Or do you think its o.k for someone to try to set themselves up as a dictator, steal the people's wealth for their own family and place themselves above any laws, morals or ethics.

Do you and your family live in Thailand ? If so, think of the consequences on your family's future that this criminal will happily disregard for his selfish own interest.

This article sums up the Shins well. Hopefully their attempt at pushing a whitewash for their criminal leader through will attract more foreign media scrutiny and comment - something they can't control as easily as they can in Thailand.

Wonder if the PM/DM will continue spouting off about democracy, justice and her anti-corruption campaigns on her next overseas jaunts ?

[newermonkey]

How about Thaksin should overcome his obsession with wanting to rule and rob blind Thailand?

You are right, and I for one will be throwing a party when he either drops down dead or gets thrown into a Thai jail so we can all move on.

[jdinasia]

Still obviously people that did not read the article that are responding .... kind of sad if you think about it!