TRT Targeted For Dissolution

[marshbags]

Breaking news from the Nation

Wed, April 4, 2007 : Last updated 18:01 pm (Thai local time)

Thaksin's lawyer's accusation dismissed

The Council for National Security (CNS) spokesman, Colonel Sensern Kaewkamnerd Tuesday dismissed as "groundless" an accusation from a lawyer to deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra that a wife of the CNS chief took "kickbacks" from Channel 5's programming.

He said that Channel 5 has a committee to decide on the station's programming and that the board also looks at the programme overview of the station every month.

"It is impossible, because the wife of CNS chief Sonthi Boonyaratglin, is neither involved with the Channel nor has any position there."

He said that Noppadon was just trying to divert public attention from the corruption allegations against Thaksin.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont on Tuesday expressed confidence that the government can "pin down" Thaksin as investigators are wrapping up the graft probe against him by the end of the month.

"Noppadon has been inventing new allegations which are personal matter to move public attention from his boss. If he had evidence, he would have had to reveal the matter in public. He could have just gone ahead and lodged a complaint,'' Sensern said.

However, Noppadon dismissed Surayud's statement, and said Thaksin still has to go to court if he is charged.

"The court has not ruled so Thaksin is still innocent,'' he said.

The Nation

"The court has not ruled so Thaksin is still innocent,'' he said.

He will be and has been shown to be implicated in a multitude of things even before the courts give their verdicts.

He cannot pay the officials off this time, Noppadon

marshbags

Edited April 4, 2007 by marshbags

[hammered]

Breaking news from the Nation

Wed, April 4, 2007 : Last updated 18:01 pm (Thai local time)

Thaksin's lawyer's accusation dismissed

The Council for National Security (CNS) spokesman, Colonel Sensern Kaewkamnerd Tuesday dismissed as "groundless" an accusation from a lawyer to deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra that a wife of the CNS chief took "kickbacks" from Channel 5's programming.

He said that Channel 5 has a committee to decide on the station's programming and that the board also looks at the programme overview of the station every month.

"It is impossible, because the wife of CNS chief Sonthi Boonyaratglin, is neither involved with the Channel nor has any position there."

He said that Noppadon was just trying to divert public attention from the corruption allegations against Thaksin.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont on Tuesday expressed confidence that the government can "pin down" Thaksin as investigators are wrapping up the graft probe against him by the end of the month.

"Noppadon has been inventing new allegations which are personal matter to move public attention from his boss. If he had evidence, he would have had to reveal the matter in public. He could have just gone ahead and lodged a complaint,'' Sensern said.

However, Noppadon dismissed Surayud's statement, and said Thaksin still has to go to court if he is charged.

"The court has not ruled so Thaksin is still innocent,'' he said.

The Nation

"The court has not ruled so Thaksin is still innocent,'' he said.

He will be and has been shown to be implicated in a multitude of things even before the courts give their verdicts.

He cannot pay the officials off this time, Noppadon

marshbags

Throwing spurious and unsubstantiated allegations around seems to be the TRT ploy right now. Obviously they hope some will stick. I wonder if the government will employ the classic TRT counter to this - the one billion baht defamation case! I also wonder how much the Thaksin lawyer is getting to "defend" his boss and whether that indemnity would spread to cover a one billion baht defamation case. Then again most normal people dont run straight to the court demanding money when people talk bad about them, so I guess as long as Mr bad suit does not make mild allegation against one of the "we above the law" TRT minions or leaders he is probably safe against being sued.

[blaze]

Breaking news from the Nation

Wed, April 4, 2007 : Last updated 18:01 pm (Thai local time)

Thaksin's lawyer's accusation dismissed

The Council for National Security (CNS) spokesman, Colonel Sensern Kaewkamnerd Tuesday dismissed as "groundless" an accusation from a lawyer to deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra that a wife of the CNS chief took "kickbacks" from Channel 5's programming.

He said that Channel 5 has a committee to decide on the station's programming and that the board also looks at the programme overview of the station every month.

"It is impossible, because the wife of CNS chief Sonthi Boonyaratglin, is neither involved with the Channel nor has any position there."

He said that Noppadon was just trying to divert public attention from the corruption allegations against Thaksin.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont on Tuesday expressed confidence that the government can "pin down" Thaksin as investigators are wrapping up the graft probe against him by the end of the month.

"Noppadon has been inventing new allegations which are personal matter to move public attention from his boss. If he had evidence, he would have had to reveal the matter in public. He could have just gone ahead and lodged a complaint,'' Sensern said.

However, Noppadon dismissed Surayud's statement, and said Thaksin still has to go to court if he is charged.

"The court has not ruled so Thaksin is still innocent,'' he said.

The Nation

"The court has not ruled so Thaksin is still innocent,'' he said.

He will be and has been shown to be implicated in a multitude of things even before the courts give their verdicts.

He cannot pay the officials off this time, Noppadon

marshbags

Throwing spurious and unsubstantiated allegations around seems to be the TRT ploy right now. Obviously they hope some will stick. I wonder if the government will employ the classic TRT counter to this - the one billion baht defamation case! I also wonder how much the Thaksin lawyer is getting to "defend" his boss and whether that indemnity would spread to cover a one billion baht defamation case. Then again most normal people dont run straight to the court demanding money when people talk bad about them, so I guess as long as Mr bad suit does not make mild allegation against one of the "we above the law" TRT minions or leaders he is probably safe against being sued.

Either Thaksin has hired the stupidest legal council on the planet- or there's something fishy going on. Surely Noppy understands enough about the law to know that slinging these kind of accusations is asking to be sued. And to show up in court with no evidence to support his claims would permanantly ruin him- and certainly cast his boss in an even worse light.

It's almost like he's challenging someone to dare him to prove his allegation.

And stranger yet- nobody is taking up that challenge.

[hammered]

Breaking news from the Nation

Wed, April 4, 2007 : Last updated 18:01 pm (Thai local time)

Thaksin's lawyer's accusation dismissed

The Council for National Security (CNS) spokesman, Colonel Sensern Kaewkamnerd Tuesday dismissed as "groundless" an accusation from a lawyer to deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra that a wife of the CNS chief took "kickbacks" from Channel 5's programming.

He said that Channel 5 has a committee to decide on the station's programming and that the board also looks at the programme overview of the station every month.

"It is impossible, because the wife of CNS chief Sonthi Boonyaratglin, is neither involved with the Channel nor has any position there."

He said that Noppadon was just trying to divert public attention from the corruption allegations against Thaksin.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont on Tuesday expressed confidence that the government can "pin down" Thaksin as investigators are wrapping up the graft probe against him by the end of the month.

"Noppadon has been inventing new allegations which are personal matter to move public attention from his boss. If he had evidence, he would have had to reveal the matter in public. He could have just gone ahead and lodged a complaint,'' Sensern said.

However, Noppadon dismissed Surayud's statement, and said Thaksin still has to go to court if he is charged.

"The court has not ruled so Thaksin is still innocent,'' he said.

The Nation

"The court has not ruled so Thaksin is still innocent,'' he said.

He will be and has been shown to be implicated in a multitude of things even before the courts give their verdicts.

He cannot pay the officials off this time, Noppadon

marshbags

Throwing spurious and unsubstantiated allegations around seems to be the TRT ploy right now. Obviously they hope some will stick. I wonder if the government will employ the classic TRT counter to this - the one billion baht defamation case! I also wonder how much the Thaksin lawyer is getting to "defend" his boss and whether that indemnity would spread to cover a one billion baht defamation case. Then again most normal people dont run straight to the court demanding money when people talk bad about them, so I guess as long as Mr bad suit does not make mild allegation against one of the "we above the law" TRT minions or leaders he is probably safe against being sued.

Either Thaksin has hired the stupidest legal council on the planet- or there's something fishy going on. Surely Noppy understands enough about the law to know that slinging these kind of accusations is asking to be sued. And to show up in court with no evidence to support his claims would permanantly ruin him- and certainly cast his boss in an even worse light.

It's almost like he's challenging someone to dare him to prove his allegation.

And stranger yet- nobody is taking up that challenge.

More likely it is just a Rovian style ploy attempting to steal the front pages when bad news is ongoing or impending. If he had evidence we would have seen it by now. Right now TRT/PTV are taking a beating all over the media with the PMs comments on Thaksin yesterday, the attempt to extricate from the Gen. Prem allegations, another sympathetic policeman being tossed etc. TRT need their Karl Rove right now. Sadly for them I dont think Mr. bad suit is the one. However, people will choose to believe what they want.

We should also remember that TRT know the Junta guys dont run around suing as that so often convinces people that there may be something behind a rumor after all. It is usually btter poplicy to ignore and let things die. or if you must sue sue for one baht and apologies. I think the Junta spokesperson has more or less challenged Mr. bad suit to produce his evidence too with his comment that if Nop had any evidence he wouldnt be running around making allegations but would be using it. As I said people will believe what they want. This is politics. There is rarely evidence for or against anything, and yet many peole still believe things are true or false. Personally I expect more weird allegations from the rump TRT the more things go against them.

[blaze]

Breaking news from the Nation

Wed, April 4, 2007 : Last updated 18:01 pm (Thai local time)

Thaksin's lawyer's accusation dismissed

The Council for National Security (CNS) spokesman, Colonel Sensern Kaewkamnerd Tuesday dismissed as "groundless" an accusation from a lawyer to deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra that a wife of the CNS chief took "kickbacks" from Channel 5's programming.

He said that Channel 5 has a committee to decide on the station's programming and that the board also looks at the programme overview of the station every month.

"It is impossible, because the wife of CNS chief Sonthi Boonyaratglin, is neither involved with the Channel nor has any position there."

He said that Noppadon was just trying to divert public attention from the corruption allegations against Thaksin.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont on Tuesday expressed confidence that the government can "pin down" Thaksin as investigators are wrapping up the graft probe against him by the end of the month.

"Noppadon has been inventing new allegations which are personal matter to move public attention from his boss. If he had evidence, he would have had to reveal the matter in public. He could have just gone ahead and lodged a complaint,'' Sensern said.

However, Noppadon dismissed Surayud's statement, and said Thaksin still has to go to court if he is charged.

"The court has not ruled so Thaksin is still innocent,'' he said.

The Nation

"The court has not ruled so Thaksin is still innocent,'' he said.

He will be and has been shown to be implicated in a multitude of things even before the courts give their verdicts.

He cannot pay the officials off this time, Noppadon

marshbags

Throwing spurious and unsubstantiated allegations around seems to be the TRT ploy right now. Obviously they hope some will stick. I wonder if the government will employ the classic TRT counter to this - the one billion baht defamation case! I also wonder how much the Thaksin lawyer is getting to "defend" his boss and whether that indemnity would spread to cover a one billion baht defamation case. Then again most normal people dont run straight to the court demanding money when people talk bad about them, so I guess as long as Mr bad suit does not make mild allegation against one of the "we above the law" TRT minions or leaders he is probably safe against being sued.

Either Thaksin has hired the stupidest legal council on the planet- or there's something fishy going on. Surely Noppy understands enough about the law to know that slinging these kind of accusations is asking to be sued. And to show up in court with no evidence to support his claims would permanantly ruin him- and certainly cast his boss in an even worse light.

It's almost like he's challenging someone to dare him to prove his allegation.

And stranger yet- nobody is taking up that challenge.

More likely it is just a Rovian style ploy attempting to steal the front pages when bad news is ongoing or impending. If he had evidence we would have seen it by now. Right now TRT/PTV are taking a beating all over the media with the PMs comments on Thaksin yesterday, the attempt to extricate from the Gen. Prem allegations, another sympathetic policeman being tossed etc. TRT need their Karl Rove right now. Sadly for them I dont think Mr. bad suit is the one. However, people will choose to believe what they want.

We should also remember that TRT know the Junta guys dont run around suing as that so often convinces people that there may be something behind a rumor after all. It is usually btter poplicy to ignore and let things die. or if you must sue sue for one baht and apologies. I think the Junta spokesperson has more or less challenged Mr. bad suit to produce his evidence too with his comment that if Nop had any evidence he wouldnt be running around making allegations but would be using it. As I said people will believe what they want. This is politics. There is rarely evidence for or against anything, and yet many peole still believe things are true or false. Personally I expect more weird allegations from the rump TRT the more things go against them.

Karl Rove is as intelligent as he is devious and contemptible. He would NEVER be stupid enough to make an allegation like that made by Noppy- unless he had unassailable evidence. This is not a statement that lends itself to interpretation- it is either true or not true. Period.

Here the junta has an opportunity to expose Noppy- and by extension, Thaksin and the entire TRT/PTV apparatus as liars. All they have to do is say: "prove it." Instead they've said 'forget it".

If nothing else, the media pro or anti (is there any?) coup should be all over this like cold on snow. Unless of course...

Not all of us believe what we want to believe- some of us are swayed (albeit reluctantly) by evidence. That's why we have courts and not popularity polls.

Edited April 4, 2007 by blaze

[Siripon]

Breaking news from the Nation

Wed, April 4, 2007 : Last updated 18:01 pm (Thai local time)

Thaksin's lawyer's accusation dismissed

The Council for National Security (CNS) spokesman, Colonel Sensern Kaewkamnerd Tuesday dismissed as "groundless" an accusation from a lawyer to deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra that a wife of the CNS chief took "kickbacks" from Channel 5's programming.

He said that Channel 5 has a committee to decide on the station's programming and that the board also looks at the programme overview of the station every month.

"It is impossible, because the wife of CNS chief Sonthi Boonyaratglin, is neither involved with the Channel nor has any position there."

He said that Noppadon was just trying to divert public attention from the corruption allegations against Thaksin.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont on Tuesday expressed confidence that the government can "pin down" Thaksin as investigators are wrapping up the graft probe against him by the end of the month.

"Noppadon has been inventing new allegations which are personal matter to move public attention from his boss. If he had evidence, he would have had to reveal the matter in public. He could have just gone ahead and lodged a complaint,'' Sensern said.

However, Noppadon dismissed Surayud's statement, and said Thaksin still has to go to court if he is charged.

"The court has not ruled so Thaksin is still innocent,'' he said.

The Nation

"The court has not ruled so Thaksin is still innocent,'' he said.

He will be and has been shown to be implicated in a multitude of things even before the courts give their verdicts.

He cannot pay the officials off this time, Noppadon

marshbags

Throwing spurious and unsubstantiated allegations around seems to be the TRT ploy right now. Obviously they hope some will stick. I wonder if the government will employ the classic TRT counter to this - the one billion baht defamation case! I also wonder how much the Thaksin lawyer is getting to "defend" his boss and whether that indemnity would spread to cover a one billion baht defamation case. Then again most normal people dont run straight to the court demanding money when people talk bad about them, so I guess as long as Mr bad suit does not make mild allegation against one of the "we above the law" TRT minions or leaders he is probably safe against being sued.

Either Thaksin has hired the stupidest legal council on the planet- or there's something fishy going on. Surely Noppy understands enough about the law to know that slinging these kind of accusations is asking to be sued. And to show up in court with no evidence to support his claims would permanantly ruin him- and certainly cast his boss in an even worse light.

It's almost like he's challenging someone to dare him to prove his allegation.

And stranger yet- nobody is taking up that challenge.

More likely it is just a Rovian style ploy attempting to steal the front pages when bad news is ongoing or impending. If he had evidence we would have seen it by now. Right now TRT/PTV are taking a beating all over the media with the PMs comments on Thaksin yesterday, the attempt to extricate from the Gen. Prem allegations, another sympathetic policeman being tossed etc. TRT need their Karl Rove right now. Sadly for them I dont think Mr. bad suit is the one. However, people will choose to believe what they want.

We should also remember that TRT know the Junta guys dont run around suing as that so often convinces people that there may be something behind a rumor after all. It is usually btter poplicy to ignore and let things die. or if you must sue sue for one baht and apologies. I think the Junta spokesperson has more or less challenged Mr. bad suit to produce his evidence too with his comment that if Nop had any evidence he wouldnt be running around making allegations but would be using it. As I said people will believe what they want. This is politics. There is rarely evidence for or against anything, and yet many peole still believe things are true or false. Personally I expect more weird allegations from the rump TRT the more things go against them.

Karl Rove is as intelligent as he is devious and contemptible. He would NEVER be stupid enough to make an allegation like that made by Noppy- unless he had unassailable evidence. This is not a statement that lends itself to interpretation- it is either true or not true. Period.

Here the junta has an opportunity to expose Noppy- and by extension, Thaksin and the entire TRT/PTV apparatus as liars. All they have to do is say: "prove it." Instead they've said 'forget it".

If nothing else, the media pro or anti (is there any?) coup should be all over this like cold on snow. Unless of course...

Not all of us believe what we want to believe- some of us are swayed (albeit reluctantly) by evidence. That's why we have courts and not popularity polls.

blaze, you're not looking at it from the Thai pespective. For a long time now Thaksin's words have had no credibility,' a honest mistake' 'I know nothing( about the Temasek deal), ask my children', 'I will never dissolve Parliament' 'Any sign of corruption, no need for a receipt ,I will dismiss him or her.'

His credibility is zero with the middle class.

One of Thaksin's techniques when in trouble is to employ what I believe you call 'spin'.

Hence the 'I'm buying Liverpool football team story', divert the masses from the issue under scrutiny.

I don't know about your dear Karl but I can assure you Thaksin's lawyer is not going to worry about whether an allegation is true or false, he has nothing to lose, at the worst he could be sued and in another 10 years forced to apologise and pay some compensation. I'm sure his master will pay up.

Thaksin's minions so far have managed to accuse Surayud of trespassing on reserved land, Sonthi having 2 wives, and now one wife is accused of minor kickbacks. It's nothing compared to the accusations against TRT.

[blaze]

Breaking news from the Nation

Wed, April 4, 2007 : Last updated 18:01 pm (Thai local time)

Thaksin's lawyer's accusation dismissed

The Council for National Security (CNS) spokesman, Colonel Sensern Kaewkamnerd Tuesday dismissed as "groundless" an accusation from a lawyer to deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra that a wife of the CNS chief took "kickbacks" from Channel 5's programming.

He said that Channel 5 has a committee to decide on the station's programming and that the board also looks at the programme overview of the station every month.

"It is impossible, because the wife of CNS chief Sonthi Boonyaratglin, is neither involved with the Channel nor has any position there."

He said that Noppadon was just trying to divert public attention from the corruption allegations against Thaksin.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont on Tuesday expressed confidence that the government can "pin down" Thaksin as investigators are wrapping up the graft probe against him by the end of the month.

"Noppadon has been inventing new allegations which are personal matter to move public attention from his boss. If he had evidence, he would have had to reveal the matter in public. He could have just gone ahead and lodged a complaint,'' Sensern said.

However, Noppadon dismissed Surayud's statement, and said Thaksin still has to go to court if he is charged.

"The court has not ruled so Thaksin is still innocent,'' he said.

The Nation

"The court has not ruled so Thaksin is still innocent,'' he said.

He will be and has been shown to be implicated in a multitude of things even before the courts give their verdicts.

He cannot pay the officials off this time, Noppadon

marshbags

Throwing spurious and unsubstantiated allegations around seems to be the TRT ploy right now. Obviously they hope some will stick. I wonder if the government will employ the classic TRT counter to this - the one billion baht defamation case! I also wonder how much the Thaksin lawyer is getting to "defend" his boss and whether that indemnity would spread to cover a one billion baht defamation case. Then again most normal people dont run straight to the court demanding money when people talk bad about them, so I guess as long as Mr bad suit does not make mild allegation against one of the "we above the law" TRT minions or leaders he is probably safe against being sued.

Either Thaksin has hired the stupidest legal council on the planet- or there's something fishy going on. Surely Noppy understands enough about the law to know that slinging these kind of accusations is asking to be sued. And to show up in court with no evidence to support his claims would permanantly ruin him- and certainly cast his boss in an even worse light.

It's almost like he's challenging someone to dare him to prove his allegation.

And stranger yet- nobody is taking up that challenge.

More likely it is just a Rovian style ploy attempting to steal the front pages when bad news is ongoing or impending. If he had evidence we would have seen it by now. Right now TRT/PTV are taking a beating all over the media with the PMs comments on Thaksin yesterday, the attempt to extricate from the Gen. Prem allegations, another sympathetic policeman being tossed etc. TRT need their Karl Rove right now. Sadly for them I dont think Mr. bad suit is the one. However, people will choose to believe what they want.

We should also remember that TRT know the Junta guys dont run around suing as that so often convinces people that there may be something behind a rumor after all. It is usually btter poplicy to ignore and let things die. or if you must sue sue for one baht and apologies. I think the Junta spokesperson has more or less challenged Mr. bad suit to produce his evidence too with his comment that if Nop had any evidence he wouldnt be running around making allegations but would be using it. As I said people will believe what they want. This is politics. There is rarely evidence for or against anything, and yet many peole still believe things are true or false. Personally I expect more weird allegations from the rump TRT the more things go against them.

Karl Rove is as intelligent as he is devious and contemptible. He would NEVER be stupid enough to make an allegation like that made by Noppy- unless he had unassailable evidence. This is not a statement that lends itself to interpretation- it is either true or not true. Period.

Here the junta has an opportunity to expose Noppy- and by extension, Thaksin and the entire TRT/PTV apparatus as liars. All they have to do is say: "prove it." Instead they've said 'forget it".

If nothing else, the media pro or anti (is there any?) coup should be all over this like cold on snow. Unless of course...

Not all of us believe what we want to believe- some of us are swayed (albeit reluctantly) by evidence. That's why we have courts and not popularity polls.

blaze, you're not looking at it from the Thai pespective. For a long time now Thaksin's words have had no credibility,' a honest mistake' 'I know nothing( about the Temasek deal), ask my children', 'I will never dissolve Parliament' 'Any sign of corruption, no need for a receipt ,I will dismiss him or her.'

His credibility is zero with the middle class.

One of Thaksin's techniques when in trouble is to employ what I believe you call 'spin'.

Hence the 'I'm buying Liverpool football team story', divert the masses from the issue under scrutiny.

I don't know about your dear Karl but I can assure you Thaksin's lawyer is not going to worry about whether an allegation is true or false, he has nothing to lose, at the worst he could be sued and in another 10 years forced to apologise and pay some compensation. I'm sure his master will pay up.

Thaksin's minions so far have managed to accuse Surayud of trespassing on reserved land, Sonthi having 2 wives, and now one wife is accused of minor kickbacks. It's nothing compared to the accusations against TRT.

I think this particular accusation is very serious. If it's true, it will have undermined the whole notion that the General is ushering a new era in Thai politics. If it's not true, it will serve to show him as clean. I don't see how trying to brush this off is in his best interests.

This can not be compared to the accusation that he has two wives- the coup was not waged to end polygamy. It was waged to end the very kind of corruption that Sonthi's wife is now accused of.

And as far as Sarayuth's land deal- he did challenge his accusers- saying that if proof could be found, he'd step down.

Would you not enjoy watching Noppy show up in court to answer charges and be forced to publicly admit that he had no evidence? Why the coyness? Interesting you say, 'minor kickbacks'- usually when protesting the innocence of a friend, we ###### the accuser by exaggerating the accusation- not minimizing it. It's almost as if there is an acceptance that yeah, she might have skimmed a few bucks but so what... it was nothing compared to what Thaksin did.

[Plus]

That's true, but on the other hand Sonthi has better things to do. Noppadon can come up with ten lies a day and Sonthi will have to move his office to the court to answer all his allegations.

[blaze]

That's true, but on the other hand Sonthi has better things to do. Noppadon can come up with ten lies a day and Sonthi will have to move his office to the court to answer all his allegations.

Hate to sound rednecky but if I'd just taken over a country to rid it of corruption and some yahoo called my wife a crook- i'd make time. It's a question of... honor!

[hammered]

Breaking news from the Nation

Wed, April 4, 2007 : Last updated 18:01 pm (Thai local time)

Thaksin's lawyer's accusation dismissed

The Council for National Security (CNS) spokesman, Colonel Sensern Kaewkamnerd Tuesday dismissed as "groundless" an accusation from a lawyer to deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra that a wife of the CNS chief took "kickbacks" from Channel 5's programming.

He said that Channel 5 has a committee to decide on the station's programming and that the board also looks at the programme overview of the station every month.

"It is impossible, because the wife of CNS chief Sonthi Boonyaratglin, is neither involved with the Channel nor has any position there."

He said that Noppadon was just trying to divert public attention from the corruption allegations against Thaksin.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont on Tuesday expressed confidence that the government can "pin down" Thaksin as investigators are wrapping up the graft probe against him by the end of the month.

"Noppadon has been inventing new allegations which are personal matter to move public attention from his boss. If he had evidence, he would have had to reveal the matter in public. He could have just gone ahead and lodged a complaint,'' Sensern said.

However, Noppadon dismissed Surayud's statement, and said Thaksin still has to go to court if he is charged.

"The court has not ruled so Thaksin is still innocent,'' he said.

The Nation

"The court has not ruled so Thaksin is still innocent,'' he said.

He will be and has been shown to be implicated in a multitude of things even before the courts give their verdicts.

He cannot pay the officials off this time, Noppadon

marshbags

Throwing spurious and unsubstantiated allegations around seems to be the TRT ploy right now. Obviously they hope some will stick. I wonder if the government will employ the classic TRT counter to this - the one billion baht defamation case! I also wonder how much the Thaksin lawyer is getting to "defend" his boss and whether that indemnity would spread to cover a one billion baht defamation case. Then again most normal people dont run straight to the court demanding money when people talk bad about them, so I guess as long as Mr bad suit does not make mild allegation against one of the "we above the law" TRT minions or leaders he is probably safe against being sued.

Either Thaksin has hired the stupidest legal council on the planet- or there's something fishy going on. Surely Noppy understands enough about the law to know that slinging these kind of accusations is asking to be sued. And to show up in court with no evidence to support his claims would permanantly ruin him- and certainly cast his boss in an even worse light.

It's almost like he's challenging someone to dare him to prove his allegation.

And stranger yet- nobody is taking up that challenge.

More likely it is just a Rovian style ploy attempting to steal the front pages when bad news is ongoing or impending. If he had evidence we would have seen it by now. Right now TRT/PTV are taking a beating all over the media with the PMs comments on Thaksin yesterday, the attempt to extricate from the Gen. Prem allegations, another sympathetic policeman being tossed etc. TRT need their Karl Rove right now. Sadly for them I dont think Mr. bad suit is the one. However, people will choose to believe what they want.

We should also remember that TRT know the Junta guys dont run around suing as that so often convinces people that there may be something behind a rumor after all. It is usually btter poplicy to ignore and let things die. or if you must sue sue for one baht and apologies. I think the Junta spokesperson has more or less challenged Mr. bad suit to produce his evidence too with his comment that if Nop had any evidence he wouldnt be running around making allegations but would be using it. As I said people will believe what they want. This is politics. There is rarely evidence for or against anything, and yet many peole still believe things are true or false. Personally I expect more weird allegations from the rump TRT the more things go against them.

Karl Rove is as intelligent as he is devious and contemptible. He would NEVER be stupid enough to make an allegation like that made by Noppy- unless he had unassailable evidence. This is not a statement that lends itself to interpretation- it is either true or not true. Period.

Here the junta has an opportunity to expose Noppy- and by extension, Thaksin and the entire TRT/PTV apparatus as liars. All they have to do is say: "prove it." Instead they've said 'forget it".

If nothing else, the media pro or anti (is there any?) coup should be all over this like cold on snow. Unless of course...

Not all of us believe what we want to believe- some of us are swayed (albeit reluctantly) by evidence. That's why we have courts and not popularity polls.

blaze, you're not looking at it from the Thai pespective. For a long time now Thaksin's words have had no credibility,' a honest mistake' 'I know nothing( about the Temasek deal), ask my children', 'I will never dissolve Parliament' 'Any sign of corruption, no need for a receipt ,I will dismiss him or her.'

His credibility is zero with the middle class.

One of Thaksin's techniques when in trouble is to employ what I believe you call 'spin'.

Hence the 'I'm buying Liverpool football team story', divert the masses from the issue under scrutiny.

I don't know about your dear Karl but I can assure you Thaksin's lawyer is not going to worry about whether an allegation is true or false, he has nothing to lose, at the worst he could be sued and in another 10 years forced to apologise and pay some compensation. I'm sure his master will pay up.

Thaksin's minions so far have managed to accuse Surayud of trespassing on reserved land, Sonthi having 2 wives, and now one wife is accused of minor kickbacks. It's nothing compared to the accusations against TRT.

I think this particular accusation is very serious. If it's true, it will have undermined the whole notion that the General is ushering a new era in Thai politics. If it's not true, it will serve to show him as clean. I don't see how trying to brush this off is in his best interests.

This can not be compared to the accusation that he has two wives- the coup was not waged to end polygamy. It was waged to end the very kind of corruption that Sonthi's wife is now accused of.

And as far as Sarayuth's land deal- he did challenge his accusers- saying that if proof could be found, he'd step down.

Would you not enjoy watching Noppy show up in court to answer charges and be forced to publicly admit that he had no evidence? Why the coyness? Interesting you say, 'minor kickbacks'- usually when protesting the innocence of a friend, we ###### the accuser by exaggerating the accusation- not minimizing it. It's almost as if there is an acceptance that yeah, she might have skimmed a few bucks but so what... it was nothing compared to what Thaksin did.

Lets see. Looks like old Takky will get his day in court as will at least several of his henchmen. If Noppy has some evidence lets see if he wanders into the repective body to make a complaint. If he doesnt we can clearly put it down to political posturing. The courts do not need lunatic egotistical policians wasting their time on defamation cases. Lets hope the Junta continue their policy of not using this route unlike the sue happy TRT. Maybe Mr. overpaid bad suit should look at his own words about innocent until proven guilty or something. The hypocisy in his unsubstantiated rumour while making acomment like that almost gives the game away itself. We should also bear in mind that it is a sign of confidence to say I am not bothered by what you say. Mr. Ts sue happy period of administration backfired badly on him making him appear like he couldnt take criticism, which in itself led to comments from all kinds of directions. Looks like others (not TRT) have learned this.

Thanks to Siriporn for giving the Thai perspective too. I had too thoguht that few Thai people really beleived anything that came out of Mr. Ts mouth or the mouths of his acoloytes anymore but being non-Thai felt it too much to assume I could be sure on this. I wonder what spin we will see next in the form of allegations straight from the TRT spin machine designed to at least get a peep in on the front page as the former dear leader, first lady and the PTV boys find things getting even worse for them. Lets hope the spin machine doesnt whirl out of control completely.

[hammered]

That's true, but on the other hand Sonthi has better things to do. Noppadon can come up with ten lies a day and Sonthi will have to move his office to the court to answer all his allegations.

Exactly. Far better just ignored. We have grown too used to oversensitive politicos charging into court all upset when soembody says something they dont like and doing the old billion baht defamation suit. World wide public figures use high value defamation cases to scare accusers into settling out of court as all know the vagaries of the courts are risky at the best of times and justice often favors the rich especially in adversarial sytems. Has been done for aeons by insecure wealthy people. Now if a case just asked for a full public apology and damages of only one baht it would look more reasonable.

[ColPyat]

Exactly. Far better just ignored. We have grown too used to oversensitive politicos charging into court all upset when soembody says something they dont like and doing the old billion baht defamation suit.

And right now we have an over sensitive junta who attempts to stop a campaign for a petition against Prem, trying to link it to the forbidden subject matter even though Prem himself has stepped out of the position above politics he should have supposedly been, with his now infamous speech, and that way has initiated and given reason to the present accusations, which have also been discussed widely on an academic level even before the coup (McCargo, etc).

Just the same way our over sensitive junta has stopped public debate and criticism on the present national economic policy, by linking it to the dangerous subject.

Isn't this somewhat the same - scare tactics against political dissent?

[hammered]

There is some truth in what you say. However, if the Junta wanted to play as TRT do they could destroy TRT and everyone in it overnight by just making a statement linking opposition groups to what happened on Sunday at the same time but on a media far away from the tiny rally. It seems the TRT/PTV axis are fully aware of this and concerned by it too. At the first rally the PTV boyos had no problem criticising Gen. Prem. While the second rally was going on it was widely reported that the arrogant Jatuporn had signed the petition. After the rally it is claimed his signature was expunged pretty pronto. After the second rally TRT and PTV did everything they could to firstly deny they had anything to do with a the signature campaign and then threatened to sue anyone saying they did. They then tried at every opportunity to fill the news with anything else they could. Wonder what made the PTVand TRT boys suddenly so worried about being even connected to accusations of possible criticism of royalty via the criticism of Gen. Prem which even one week before didnt bother them?

Luckily to date the Junta have shown they wont dip to the depths of TRT by making extreme links even if it would solve all their headaches overnight. It really would serve the country well if the level of mud slinging were reduced, but when once powerful influential figures and politicians feel their personal interests are threatened little consideration is given for anything else.

Mods delete if I have reffered to a media event I should not have.

The problem with the Prem issue though is not just with PTV or the other pro Thaksin groups. Also the equally anti Thaksin/anti Junta '19th Sept. Network' (remember - there was an issue that loosely allied pro Thaksin groups have had an issue with one of their statements criticising Thaksin) has been constantly criticizing Prem, culminating so far in laying down a wrath near Prem's home during a march about three weeks ago. And supported is the view of Prem being a highly powerful behind the scenes wheeler and dealer by several academic works.

I doubt that it is so easy to simply dissolve TRT, even though hardliners like Saprang would do so in a minute if given the power. TRT still has considerable support under the population, and a dissolution without proper trial and conviction would be very risky, not to speak of the difficult international position, where this could very easily be seen as arbitrary and dictatorial. It could open maybe even a much worse headache for the junta.

But linking those issues to the forbidden subject is maybe the most intimidating tactics short of threatening murder here in Thailand, and definitely far more potentially damaging then a court case.

The whole tit for tat is a very nasty power game.

I dont disagree with any of that, but I was additionally referring to a media event on Sunday on a popular worldwide and now banned website, which the government could easily use politicaly by linking it to "opposition groups". This, not the attacks on Gen. Prem, would have the potential to bring down TRT instantly countrywide if used politcally. I would further surmise that TRT and PTV are well aware of this and want to distance themselves well away from any criticism in this direction right now, and the Junta do deserve praise for not highlighting something which could cause a big reaction against anyone accused, and would be a return to the 70's.

Let's hope the accusations stop right now although I doubt they will.

[John K]

Breaking news from the Nation

Wed, April 4, 2007 : Last updated 18:01 pm (Thai local time)

Thaksin's lawyer's accusation dismissed

The Council for National Security (CNS) spokesman, Colonel Sensern Kaewkamnerd Tuesday dismissed as "groundless" an accusation from a lawyer to deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra that a wife of the CNS chief took "kickbacks" from Channel 5's programming.

He said that Channel 5 has a committee to decide on the station's programming and that the board also looks at the programme overview of the station every month.

"It is impossible, because the wife of CNS chief Sonthi Boonyaratglin, is neither involved with the Channel nor has any position there."

He said that Noppadon was just trying to divert public attention from the corruption allegations against Thaksin.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont on Tuesday expressed confidence that the government can "pin down" Thaksin as investigators are wrapping up the graft probe against him by the end of the month.

"Noppadon has been inventing new allegations which are personal matter to move public attention from his boss. If he had evidence, he would have had to reveal the matter in public. He could have just gone ahead and lodged a complaint,'' Sensern said.

However, Noppadon dismissed Surayud's statement, and said Thaksin still has to go to court if he is charged.

"The court has not ruled so Thaksin is still innocent,'' he said.

The Nation

"The court has not ruled so Thaksin is still innocent,'' he said.

He will be and has been shown to be implicated in a multitude of things even before the courts give their verdicts.

He cannot pay the officials off this time, Noppadon

marshbags

This is actually getting very humorous. One by one all the Thaksin’s tactics are becoming impotent. This post covers several threads but stalling seems to be going away, unless I missed it the need to appear is the game and delay requests are being shot down. Thaksin’s lawyer has been seen to be crying ‘wolf’. It smells of desperation.

[blaze]

Critisign Prem is one thing, asking the King to remove a person you don't like is another.

Alright then, what about the PAD petition asking to remove Thaksin as PM invocing Article 7? Isn't That exactly the same thing?

I think the issue here is people seen to be doing good things for the country as a whole, and people seen to be doing self serving things and raping the country. Remove that and yes they would be the same. Letter and spirit of the law apply more or less.

So asking for higher intervention is appropiate when it suits your particular biases but not when it offends your particular biases. No matter how wide or narrowly spread those biases are. Is there no place for principle in this?

If you are trying to make the arguement that the two appeals are incomparable, that is one thing. If you are saying however that the spirit of the law intends that it be applied only when it meets the needs of a particular group (the one you happen to support) then why have laws at all? If people are seen to be doing good things for the country (seen , by who by the way?) then are they deemed above the law - in spirit or in the letter?

That kind of arbitrary application of law is the sort of thing associated with Thaksin isn't it? Some in this thread have said what's good for the goose is good for the gander. But it sounds like you're saying, what's good for the goose is good and **** the gander.

[John K]

Blaze, Actually I am trying to look at it objectively as a judge would, so the goose gander statement is correct. However with the spirit of the law and not the letter there is flexibility as the spirit wants to do what is best for Thailand. I am not taking sides here but trying to see at least in my mind how all this may fly in court. There are very few laws if any that are an exact match to any given situation. For example to insult HRH is largely up to how a person interprets the alleged offence. Spay paining pictures of the King is much more clear cut than attacking Prem. So you can see what I mean about the spirit of the law. How that is portrayed in court falls entirely on the shoulders of the lawyers.

[Plus]

Critisign Prem is one thing, asking the King to remove a person you don't like is another.

Alright then, what about the PAD petition asking to remove Thaksin as PM invocing Article 7? Isn't That exactly the same thing?

No, it isn't. Thaksin was elected first, then the choice of PM was presented to the King. People elected him, people asked the King to endorse their choice, people can ask the King to reconsider their selection, or so they thought.

When PAD and Democrats were told that invoking Article 7 wouldn't work they duly dropped the subject.

What is Saturday Voice excuse to follow the same path again?

Prem was appointed by the King himself without any public input, neither PTV no Saturday Voice have no business whatsoever in this process.

[thedude]

Critisign Prem is one thing, asking the King to remove a person you don't like is another.

Alright then, what about the PAD petition asking to remove Thaksin as PM invocing Article 7? Isn't That exactly the same thing?

No, it isn't. Thaksin was elected first, then the choice of PM was presented to the King. People elected him, people asked the King to endorse their choice, people can ask the King to reconsider their selection, or so they thought.

When PAD and Democrats were told that invoking Article 7 wouldn't work they duly dropped the subject.

What is Saturday Voice excuse to follow the same path again?

Prem was appointed by the King himself without any public input, neither PTV no Saturday Voice have no business whatsoever in this process.

surely the people are allowed to appeal to HM if they have any concerns right? clearly, the hiring and firing of prem can only be done by HM, and if people think that he is bad, they can only ask HM to consider, which is what they are doing. unless your argument is that anyone hired by the HM is untouchable?

on the other hand, the hiring and firing of the PM should rightfully belong to the people, and they get to choose at every elections. what kind of country is it when the people do not adhere to their own democractic rules? this is the basic reason why the Article 7 appeal did not work, and instead parliament was dissolved and fresh elections called....until the army stepped in.

[hammered]

Critisign Prem is one thing, asking the King to remove a person you don't like is another.

Alright then, what about the PAD petition asking to remove Thaksin as PM invocing Article 7? Isn't That exactly the same thing?

No, it isn't. Thaksin was elected first, then the choice of PM was presented to the King. People elected him, people asked the King to endorse their choice, people can ask the King to reconsider their selection, or so they thought.

When PAD and Democrats were told that invoking Article 7 wouldn't work they duly dropped the subject.

What is Saturday Voice excuse to follow the same path again?

Prem was appointed by the King himself without any public input, neither PTV no Saturday Voice have no business whatsoever in this process.

surely the people are allowed to appeal to HM if they have any concerns right? clearly, the hiring and firing of prem can only be done by HM, and if people think that he is bad, they can only ask HM to consider, which is what they are doing. unless your argument is that anyone hired by the HM is untouchable?

on the other hand, the hiring and firing of the PM should rightfully belong to the people, and they get to choose at every elections. what kind of country is it when the people do not adhere to their own democractic rules? this is the basic reason why the Article 7 appeal did not work, and instead parliament was dissolved and fresh elections called....until the army stepped in.

You left a few bits covered by only .....

They were: These elections were uncontested by any major party bar one. These elections were deemed unconstitutional and annulled by the courts. The election commission were removed after being convicted by the courts as criminals. The caretaker government overran the constitutionally set period for it to hold elections and therefore exist as a caretaker government. The courts had before them a myriad of cases against the "caretaker government" and the former lawmakers of both the opposition and government parties. This could have led to dissolution of the two main parties. Not an ideal situation in th erun up to a proposed election that nobody constitutionally had a right to set to set or oversee! We could go on but basically the country had reached a point where there was actually no constitutionally prescribed way out of the crisis. Maybe a coup was not the right answer. Maybe it was. Maybe there was a better way out, but there certainly was not one prescribed by the constitution, which is something many miss.

[blaze]

Critisign Prem is one thing, asking the King to remove a person you don't like is another.

Alright then, what about the PAD petition asking to remove Thaksin as PM invocing Article 7? Isn't That exactly the same thing?

No, it isn't. Thaksin was elected first, then the choice of PM was presented to the King. People elected him, people asked the King to endorse their choice, people can ask the King to reconsider their selection, or so they thought.

When PAD and Democrats were told that invoking Article 7 wouldn't work they duly dropped the subject.

What is Saturday Voice excuse to follow the same path again?

Prem was appointed by the King himself without any public input, neither PTV no Saturday Voice have no business whatsoever in this process.

surely the people are allowed to appeal to HM if they have any concerns right? clearly, the hiring and firing of prem can only be done by HM, and if people think that he is bad, they can only ask HM to consider, which is what they are doing. unless your argument is that anyone hired by the HM is untouchable?

on the other hand, the hiring and firing of the PM should rightfully belong to the people, and they get to choose at every elections. what kind of country is it when the people do not adhere to their own democractic rules? this is the basic reason why the Article 7 appeal did not work, and instead parliament was dissolved and fresh elections called....until the army stepped in.

Maybe there was a better way out, but there certainly was not one prescribed by the constitution, which is something many miss.

What was wrong with simply going ahead with the November election as planned? Every country has these kind of dilemmas pop up now and again. But they don't call in -or welcome in - the army to sove their problems for them.

Just in dollars and cents- many more rescues like this by the army and there won't be much of a country left to rescue. (see this editorial in todays Nation)

:http://nationmultimedia.com/2007/04/05/politics/politics_30031147.php

Okay- a bit of an exageration but amazing how little focus there is on what's happening now compared with 'what Thaksin did!'. With everybody out chasing the fox- who's guarding the chickens?

[marshbags]

Breaking news B.Post 16:41

Quote:-

Sonthi dares Noppadon to name names

(BangkokPost.com) - Council for National Security chairman Sonthi Boonyaratkalin on Thursday called on lawyer of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to state clearly who he thinks were the "influential figures" demanding kickback money from TV channel 5 station.

Gen Sonthi said he believed the lawyer Noppadon Pattama raised the issue in an attempt to cover up heated political tension in the country, like alleged corruption charges against Mr Thaksin.

He called Mr Noppadon's action politically motivated.

Unquote.

Please go to the url for the complete news brief.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=117894

What,s the betting rent a mouth stays hush on this one and is economical with the relevant information

He,s ....... for convenience sake.

marshbags

Edited April 5, 2007 by marshbags

[blaze]

Breaking news B.Post 16:41

Quote:-

Sonthi dares Noppadon to name names

(BangkokPost.com) - Council for National Security chairman Sonthi Boonyaratkalin on Thursday called on lawyer of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to state clearly who he thinks were the "influential figures" demanding kickback money from TV channel 5 station.

Gen Sonthi said he believed the lawyer Noppadon Pattama raised the issue in an attempt to cover up heated political tension in the country, like alleged corruption charges against Mr Thaksin.

He called Mr Noppadon's action politically motivated.

Unquote.

Please go to the url for the complete news brief.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=117894

What,s the betting rent a mouth stays hush on this one and is economical with the relevant information

He,s ....... for convenience sake.

marshbags

What the hel_l is Sonthi talking about? Doesn't he read the Nation? In yesterdays report in the Nation, Noppy named the alleged culprit- Hey General- he already named the culprit: it's yer wife fer chrissake. How many wives do you have? Oh. wait- yeah- I see the problem.

Seriously though, we gotta wonder about the caliber of reporting that goes on. It's just possible that Noppy did NOT, as Sonthi seems to think, name anybody- that the Nation decided to fill in the blanks for us.

[marshbags]

Breaking news B.Post 16:41

Quote:-

Sonthi dares Noppadon to name names

(BangkokPost.com) - Council for National Security chairman Sonthi Boonyaratkalin on Thursday called on lawyer of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to state clearly who he thinks were the "influential figures" demanding kickback money from TV channel 5 station.

Gen Sonthi said he believed the lawyer Noppadon Pattama raised the issue in an attempt to cover up heated political tension in the country, like alleged corruption charges against Mr Thaksin.

He called Mr Noppadon's action politically motivated.

Unquote.

Please go to the url for the complete news brief.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=117894

What,s the betting rent a mouth stays hush on this one and is economical with the relevant information

He,s ....... for convenience sake.

marshbags

What the hel_l is Sonthi talking about? Doesn't he read the Nation? In yesterdays report in the Nation, Noppy named the alleged culprit- Hey General- he already named the culprit: it's yer wife fer chrissake. How many wives do you have? Oh. wait- yeah- I see the problem.

Seriously though, we gotta wonder about the caliber of reporting that goes on. It's just possible that Noppy did NOT, as Sonthi seems to think, name anybody- that the Nation decided to fill in the blanks for us.

According to this report he asked him to " name names " as in plural

Nothing personal of course Blaze, just an observation, which in turn could be a mischief making comment on Sonti,s part

[blaze]

Breaking news B.Post 16:41

Quote:-

Sonthi dares Noppadon to name names

(BangkokPost.com) - Council for National Security chairman Sonthi Boonyaratkalin on Thursday called on lawyer of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to state clearly who he thinks were the "influential figures" demanding kickback money from TV channel 5 station.

Gen Sonthi said he believed the lawyer Noppadon Pattama raised the issue in an attempt to cover up heated political tension in the country, like alleged corruption charges against Mr Thaksin.

He called Mr Noppadon's action politically motivated.

Unquote.

Please go to the url for the complete news brief.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=117894

What,s the betting rent a mouth stays hush on this one and is economical with the relevant information

He,s ....... for convenience sake.

marshbags

What the hel_l is Sonthi talking about? Doesn't he read the Nation? In yesterdays report in the Nation, Noppy named the alleged culprit- Hey General- he already named the culprit: it's yer wife fer chrissake. How many wives do you have? Oh. wait- yeah- I see the problem.

Seriously though, we gotta wonder about the caliber of reporting that goes on. It's just possible that Noppy did NOT, as Sonthi seems to think, name anybody- that the Nation decided to fill in the blanks for us.

According to this report he asked him to " name names " as in plural

Nothing personal of course Blaze, just an observation, which in turn could be a mischief making comment on Sonti,s part

Well, in this somewhat peculiar case Marshbags- plural might apply. If ya catch my drift.

Edited April 5, 2007 by blaze

[Siripon]

Breaking news B.Post 16:41

Quote:-

Sonthi dares Noppadon to name names

(BangkokPost.com) - Council for National Security chairman Sonthi Boonyaratkalin on Thursday called on lawyer of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to state clearly who he thinks were the "influential figures" demanding kickback money from TV channel 5 station.

Gen Sonthi said he believed the lawyer Noppadon Pattama raised the issue in an attempt to cover up heated political tension in the country, like alleged corruption charges against Mr Thaksin.

He called Mr Noppadon's action politically motivated.

Unquote.

Please go to the url for the complete news brief.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=117894

What,s the betting rent a mouth stays hush on this one and is economical with the relevant information

He,s ....... for convenience sake.

marshbags

What the hel_l is Sonthi talking about? Doesn't he read the Nation? In yesterdays report in the Nation, Noppy named the alleged culprit- Hey General- he already named the culprit: it's yer wife fer chrissake. How many wives do you have? Oh. wait- yeah- I see the problem.

Seriously though, we gotta wonder about the caliber of reporting that goes on. It's just possible that Noppy did NOT, as Sonthi seems to think, name anybody- that the Nation decided to fill in the blanks for us.

Oh dear, blaze, you are really showing your limitations- 'doesn't he read the Nation?!' Do you really think the government sits down in the morning and earnestly pores through 'The Nation'? LOL.

Journalists asked Noppadon yesterday, and please stop calling him Noppy, it sounds like you're being awfully condescending, perhaps we should refer to Bushy boy and his side-kick Karly roving-eye; to cite his sources and witnesses regarding his accusations against one of Sonthi's wives of demanding kickbacks from Channel 5. The lawyer-turned- public promoter of Thaksin then refused to divulge his sources.

[blaze]

Breaking news B.Post 16:41

Quote:-

Sonthi dares Noppadon to name names

(BangkokPost.com) - Council for National Security chairman Sonthi Boonyaratkalin on Thursday called on lawyer of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to state clearly who he thinks were the "influential figures" demanding kickback money from TV channel 5 station.

Gen Sonthi said he believed the lawyer Noppadon Pattama raised the issue in an attempt to cover up heated political tension in the country, like alleged corruption charges against Mr Thaksin.

He called Mr Noppadon's action politically motivated.

Unquote.

Please go to the url for the complete news brief.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=117894

What,s the betting rent a mouth stays hush on this one and is economical with the relevant information

He,s ....... for convenience sake.

marshbags

What the hel_l is Sonthi talking about? Doesn't he read the Nation? In yesterdays report in the Nation, Noppy named the alleged culprit- Hey General- he already named the culprit: it's yer wife fer chrissake. How many wives do you have? Oh. wait- yeah- I see the problem.

Seriously though, we gotta wonder about the caliber of reporting that goes on. It's just possible that Noppy did NOT, as Sonthi seems to think, name anybody- that the Nation decided to fill in the blanks for us.

Oh dear, blaze, you are really showing your limitations- 'doesn't he read the Nation?!' Do you really think the government sits down in the morning and earnestly pores through 'The Nation'? LOL.

Journalists asked Noppadon yesterday, and please stop calling him Noppy, it sounds like you're being awfully condescending, perhaps we should refer to Bushy boy and his side-kick Karly roving-eye; to cite his sources and witnesses regarding his accusations against one of Sonthi's wives of demanding kickbacks from Channel 5. The lawyer-turned- public promoter of Thaksin then refused to divulge his sources.

Of course I realize he doesn't read the Nation- I was facetiously attempting to show that the Nation appears to have jumped the gun on this.

but the link above says: Sonthi Boonyaratkalin on Thursday called on lawyer of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to state clearly who he thinks were the "influential figures" demanding kickback money from TV Channel 5"

Yet in yesterday's Nation we read:

Colonel Sensern Kaewkamnerd Tuesday dismissed as "groundless" an accusation from a lawyer to deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra that a wife of the CNS chief took "kickbacks" from Channel 5's programming.

It didn't say 'a' CNS chief- it said 'the' CNS chief. There's only one chief.

Edited April 5, 2007 by blaze

[John K]

Nopadon has taken on the roll of the mosquito in all of this. Prior to the coup at least he had some credibility in my mind as a lawyer. More accurately plaintiff lawyer who I am sure had his own private window at the court clerks office to sue people for Thaksin. Now his roll has clearly shifted to the defendant side and if he is found to be giving deliberately false and misleading politically motivated statements, I know in some countries that may get his disbarred as he is an officer of the court. If I was to say that if and when Thaksin is found guilty and many of the government officials predict, Nopadon will be hard pressed to find clients.

Another dance with the devil in progress?

[sriracha john]

Thaksin's Friends Defy Junta, Hold Rallies

BANGKOK, (IPS) - Thailand's military-installed government and supporters of deposed leader, Thaksin Shinawatra, are engaged in games of political chess centred on freedom of speech and political gatherings ahead of elections planned in December.

A series of rallies called by the banned, satellite-based People's Television (PTV) are beginning to draw small crowds. PTV is backed by former senior members of Thaksin's Thai Rak Thai (Thai Love Thai) Party. Speakers at one of the rallies last week railed against the junta, the Council for National Security (CNS), led by Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratglin.

Lashing out against the media in the late afternoon heat of a Thai summer day was ‘Anna' -- "a Catholic name," she says in a matter of fact manner. "You know the radio, the television, the newspaper, make a mistake, make wrong, never right. They write the wrong, they make a mistake to the people," said Anna, 60, in broken English, giving no second name.

Several of the corruption cases the junta alleges Thaksin was involved in are now being brought before the courts. "I hear something bad, they complain, and condemn Thaksin. But PTV broadcasting is good. They want to show (what is) right," Anna said.

In March prosecutors framed charges of tax evasion against Thaksin's wife and moved to implicate his children. Thaksin's family, in January 2006, benefited by selling 49 percent stake in the telecom firm Shin Corp for 1.9 billion US dollars to Singapore's Temasek Holdings, but steered around paying taxes on the deal.

Like many others, at the rallies, Anna has great faith in the former leader and is spurred by hopes of a return of Thaksin's populist economic policies that boosted incomes for the urban and rural poor. But they have largely been curtailed under the new government with the result that the Thai economy is seeing a slowing down.

"Prime Minister Thaksin was ‘dee maak', -- very good. People, the ordinary people were very happy, we had work. Thaksin was the very best. The ordinary people loved Thaksin a lot. (Now) everything fails a lot. The people are poor and there is a lot of drugs around," she says.

"You know we are sad right now, we're unhappy. People so sad, jobless ... finances, everything. I'm so sad. We need our prime minister Thaksin come back. And we don't know how long (before he returns), but we hope, our people hope," she said. Thaksin, who was ousted while out of the country, is yet to return home.

Other anti-government groups attended and prominent among them was the ‘Saturday Voice Against Dictators'. Spokesman for the group Suchart Nak Bang Sai said the rally's main purpose was to raise awareness among the general public.

"We're trying to educate the Thai people and give them the news. The other side of the side -- the correct side as we see it -- because there have been blackouts since the (coup on) Sep.19 last year. There's been a news blackout throughout the country," Suchart said.

"The majority of the Thai people don't know what's true and what's not. They only get to hear what the government wants them to hear. So we're trying to educate them and give them the news," he told IPS.

But the group is also drawing public attention through a campaign to submit a petition to Thailand's revered monarch King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The group wants Prem Tinsulanonda, a senior member of the king's privy council, to step down. They allege that the former prime minister and retired general was the mastermind behind the September coup and accuse him of ‘'taking advantage of his position".

The attacks on Prem first occurred at a rally in late March. This led to interim prime minister Surayud Chulanont --a former member of the privy council himself -- and Gen. Sonthi both denying that Prem had any role in the coup. "I know full well that when I was privy councillor (Prem) was not involved and didn't know what was to happen," Surayud told ‘The Nation' newspaper.

PTV organisers have distanced themselves from the signature campaign, but groups such as Saturday Voice Against Dictators hope to attract 100,000 signatures before submitting them to the King.

Late last month, the firebrand media mogul Sondhi Limthongkul was handed a two-year prison term for criminal defamation charges brought against him by former minister Phumtham Wechayachai.

Sondhi's talk shows were hugely popular in the run-up to the military coup and he faces a string of defamation suits filed against him by Thaksin and his political associates. But it was the ruling military junta that finally took his talk show off the air, after he criticised its financial and economic policies on it, last month.

CNS spokesman Col. Sansern Kaewkamnerd was reported by the ‘Bangkok Post' as saying the signature campaign against Prem was "inappropriate". Sansern accused the "old power clique" -- meaning supporters of Thaksin -- of being behind the campaign.

- Inter Press Service

[John K]

TRT urges corruption probe in 3 ministries

The Thai Rak Thai Party yesterday called on the government to investigate projects in three ministries for alleged corruption.

Suthin Klangsaeng, deputy spokesman for the former ruling party, said a Thai Rak Thai panel monitoring the administration had received many complaints from people asking it to investigate alleged corruption under the current government.

"The panel is collecting the complaints, after which we will forward them to the National Counter Corruption Commission and the Assets Examination Committee," he said.

Suthin said at least three ministries were accused of corruption.

First, there were complaints about the Agriculture Ministry's compensation of Bt220 million to farmers who were affected by flash floods last year.

"The ministry did not pay cash but gave out seeds instead, which is an old method of corruption," Suthin said.

Other allegedly corrupt schemes were under the Transport and Interior ministries, the spokesman said.

He said the party had received information that supported claims by lawyer Noppadon Pattama, ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra's legal adviser, that a wife of junta chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin took "kickbacks" from Channel 5's programming.

The party expects to expose the Channel 5 case to the public next week, he said.

"The junta spokesmen and the government should pay attention to these complaints rather than try to defend them because the people hope that the junta will help them," he said.

Source: The Nation

This is getting a bit childish. It amounts to either saying:

Look, we are not the only ones doing bad things...uhh that did not sound right.

Or

If they can do it so can we.

They need to working on cleaning their own house and not worry about others. Either way it comes across as an admission of guilt.

Edited April 5, 2007 by John K

[hammered]

TRT urges corruption probe in 3 ministries

The Thai Rak Thai Party yesterday called on the government to investigate projects in three ministries for alleged corruption.

Suthin Klangsaeng, deputy spokesman for the former ruling party, said a Thai Rak Thai panel monitoring the administration had received many complaints from people asking it to investigate alleged corruption under the current government.

"The panel is collecting the complaints, after which we will forward them to the National Counter Corruption Commission and the Assets Examination Committee," he said.

Suthin said at least three ministries were accused of corruption.

First, there were complaints about the Agriculture Ministry's compensation of Bt220 million to farmers who were affected by flash floods last year.

"The ministry did not pay cash but gave out seeds instead, which is an old method of corruption," Suthin said.

Other allegedly corrupt schemes were under the Transport and Interior ministries, the spokesman said.

He said the party had received information that supported claims by lawyer Noppadon Pattama, ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra's legal adviser, that a wife of junta chief General Sonthi Boonyaratglin took "kickbacks" from Channel 5's programming.

The party expects to expose the Channel 5 case to the public next week, he said.

"The junta spokesmen and the government should pay attention to these complaints rather than try to defend them because the people hope that the junta will help them," he said.

Source: The Nation

This is getting a bit childish. It amounts to either saying:

Look, we are not the only ones doing bad things...uhh that did not sound right.

Or

If they can do it so can we.

They need to working on cleaning their own house and not worry about others. Either way it comes across as an admission of guilt.

Context is all important. Cases aagainst TRT heavyweights are coming closer to conclusion. The minions of TRT are going to use eevry tactic to try and derail these.

Now that is not to say that any corruption in the curent governemtn should not be investigated if there is corruption. However, this should in no way be connected to ongoing court cases over what seems fairly large scale organised family based corruption, which enough evidence has been found on to at least reach court. Any investigation into current corruption should involve holding the same legal standards.

At the moment it sounds more like a commonly used political announcement of corruptuption with evidence to be produced in X more days than anything real, but we will see. I always wonder why politicians dont produce evidence now. I am usually disappointed when in X days they produce a bunch of hearsay. Of course the other context is that anything that comes out of the mouth of a Thaksin linked spokeperson is generally regarded by the Thai middle classes as lies now that he himself is so discredited through his myriad of diversionary political comments. We will see.