Thaksin Back On Radio As Crisis Drags On

[george]

Thaksin back on radio as crisis drags on

BANGKOK: -- Embattled Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra returned to the airwaves on Saturday after a four-month pause, using a radio address to vaunt his populist agenda.

Thaksin, whose party risks dissolution as a long political crisis drags on, spent much of the broadcast reviewing progress in efforts to help the rural poor and fight illegal narcotics.

He had to suspend his weekly radio address in February after calling an April 2 general election in hopes of stifling a street campaign against him. The courts later declared the vote invalid.

Thaksin said drug problems had recurred in some towns and border provinces after he stepped aside amid big street protests following the April poll. His absence lasted almost two months.

"During the political uncertainty, drugs problems returned to some areas. But since my return, we have seen relatively good results from our renewed campaign to track down dealers. The problems have now eased substantially," he said.

Thaksin's popularity peaked at 77.5 percent after his Thai Rak Thai (Thais Love Thais) party won 377 of the 500 lower house seats in 2005, and fell to 34.5 percent in February ahead of the snap election, according to an Assumption poll.

Assumption has carried out no new nationwide poll since then, but its latest survey of bangkok respondents released on Thursday showed only 41 percent wanted Thaksin as the next prime minister.

The invalidation of the April election, boycotted by main opposition parties which accused Thaksin of seizing control of supposedly independent public institutions, left Thailand with a caretaker government unable to make major policy decisions.

As he did in most of his previous radio talks, Thaksin also touched on populist programmes that won his party huge support in the countryside, including decentralising management of community development funds and giving the poor easier access to loans from state-run banks.

"Under a capitalist system, access to capital and knowledge is essential for people to build up wealth. Without this, it would be difficult. Turning non-bankable assets into capital is a chance for the poor to gain access to capital," he said, referring to a policy allowing the poor to apply for loans from state-run banks with minimal collateral.

Opposition parties denounced the prime minister's use of the public airwaves as giving the government an unfair advantage ahead of an election re-run tentatively set for October 15. The poll is still far from certain to take place given no early signs of an end to the current stalemate.

"The radio talk is a show of abused power, a breach of political etiquette in using state-owned media for his and his party's gains without giving the opposition similar access," said Democrat Party spokesman Ong-Ard Klampaiboon.

Thaksin said political problems had hurt the Thai economy, which would still face challenges in the second half of 2006, including costly energy and rising inflation and interest rates.

But his government would do its best to offset declining private investment this year with more government spending despite a delay in preparing the 2006/07 budget due to the absence of an elected parliament.

Analysts said that with the prolonged political uncertainty, the economy would probably grow around 4 percent this year, down from about 5 percent projected six months ago and against 4.5 percent in 2005.

--Reuters 2007-07-01

[george]

Thai premier boasts of international coffee diplomacy success

BANGKOK: -- Thailand's caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Saturday used his morning radio show to boast of his warm reception by the leaders of China, France, Japan, Russia and the UK during his 'coffee' diplomacy tour last April and May.

Thaksin, a caretaker premier since February when he dissolved parliament, used his re-instated radio show to brag how the likes of Britain's Tony Blair, France's Jacques Chirac, China's Wen Jiabao, Russia's Vladamir Putin and Japan's Junichiro Koizumi had given their precious time to have coffee with him when he popped by to say hello two months ago on his unofficial visit of world leaders.

'Jacques Chirac was sweet. I asked for 15 minutes to have a coffee and he gave me an hour,' Thaksin told his Thai listeners.

Blair also gave the premier an hour, Koizumi gave him 50 minutes and the leaders of Russia and China insisted on hosting a dinner for him, bragged Thaksin.

He said he used the time to assure the leaders about political developments in Thailand. The country's three leading opposition parties boycotted the April 2 polls amid calls for political reforms to put in place new constitutional checks on Thaksin, accused by his critics of hijacking Thailand's democratic system with his vast wealth and self-centred style of leadership.

Thaksin, a former billionaire telecommunications entrepreneur who has dominated Thai politics for the past five-and-half-years, was criticized at home for insisting on visiting world leaders during his 'break' from politics on the grounds that the unofficial tour was a breach of international diplomacy and amounted to a publicity stunt aimed at Thai voters.

Thaksin announced on April 4 that he would not seek a third premiership, after an audience with Thailand's revered King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

But, after Thailand's Constitutional Court decision in May to annul the outcome of the April 2 polls, Thaksin is now back on the campaign trail, apparently using his alleged close personal relations with world leaders to bolster his flagging popularity at home.

'I tell you this to let you understand that nowadays, every country in the world places a lot of importance in Thailand,' Thaksin told his radio listeners.

Opposition parties in Thailand have blasted Thaksin for reintroducing his Saturday morning radio shows, accusing him of using state media to unfairly campaign for the upcoming election, now scheduled for October 15.

--DPA 2007-07-01

[hammered]

It is quite scary reading those.

Since he has returned drug problems have eased as have other problems. The country cannot run without me! Many Western leaders not only gave their time for him, but come across as grovelloing. It sounds like the words of an insecure meglomaniac.

[stumonster]

I thought he told us last time that he met george dubya ? bit strange he did not mention it this time ?

[penzman]

His omnipresence and interventions makes one wonder if he has become some sort of a god.

[ando]

Whats so bad about the PM having a weekly slot on radio? Sure its likely to be politically slanted to his own way of thinking. But cant see anything sinister about it. Theres nothing to stop the Democrats doing the same. Maybe via a different station. But is is certainly quite feasible if the Democrats have a will to do it.

Claims of media censorship seem to be blown out of proportion when one looks at the outright flaming of Thaksin by The Nation. Perhaps the Democrats simply cant be bothered to woo the voters up country who are too poor to own a TV and can only get political comment via radio?

[John K]

I know how to keep him off but I can't say here .

[Pink Mist]

Whats so bad about the PM having a weekly slot on radio? Sure its likely to be politically slanted to his own way of thinking. But cant see anything sinister about it. Theres nothing to stop the Democrats doing the same. Maybe via a different station. But is is certainly quite feasible if the Democrats have a will to do it.

Claims of media censorship seem to be blown out of proportion when one looks at the outright flaming of Thaksin by The Nation. Perhaps the Democrats simply cant be bothered to woo the voters up country who are too poor to own a TV and can only get political comment via radio?

be good if he was the PM

[Netfan]

Most of the people listening to him will believe every word. They are the under-educated, poor northeasterners who are not able to see through the bs. He is very aware of that. And how do you challenge statements like this? Call up Pres. Chirac or Tony Blair and ask them? Embassies here in BKK aren't going to get involved and start making statements which might effect Thai politics. Very shrewd on Dr. T's part.

As far as the Dems setting up their own radio program, didnt the government crack down on community radio stations which dared to question his policies earlier?

[teletiger]

His omnipresence and interventions makes one wonder if he has become some sort of a god.

It seems to work backwards.

regards

[Plus]

There's no way Democrats will be allowed to preach on the national radio, Ando.

The only station they had access to, a little local radio broadcasting in Silom area, is constantly harassed by authorities and perhaps is not broadcasting anymore.

I'm surprised you don't know this as it has been extensivel covered in the news about a year ago.

[John K]

There's no way Democrats will be allowed to preach on the national radio, Ando.

The only station they had access to, a little local radio broadcasting in Silom area, is constantly harassed by authorities and perhaps is not broadcasting anymore.

I'm surprised you don't know this as it has been extensivel covered in the news about a year ago.

I think they are allowed to broadcast as long as the broadcast range does not leave the studio.

[penzman]

The fact that his radio broadcast avoided mentioning the charges pending against his party says a lot. He's like one of those crazy drivers you see in car chases on tv, they can go full throttle for a while but always end up crashing badly, his engine's overheating, the law on his tail and the PAD, media and opposition are watching his every move from above.

Edited July 1, 2006 by penzman

[cclub75]

'I tell you this to let you understand that nowadays, every country in the world places a lot of importance in Thailand,' Thaksin told his radio listeners.

As they quoted once Louis XIV, king of France : "L'Etat c'est moi". "I'm the State".

But it was a few hundred years ago...

So we know now for sure that Thaksin is completly megalomaniac.

And he burned some fuses.

[Plus]

His Saturday morning talk is an invitation to Sondhi to re-start his Thailand weekly talkshow, not the PAD rallies, just the news updates. If enough people turn up it might be even mentioned in broadcast media.

The only reason Sondhi's ASTV survived is because it's Chinese and is broadcast from Hong Kong. And Internet broadcast isn't illegal yet.

[tettyan]

I thought he told us last time that he met george dubya ? bit strange he did not mention it this time ?

Because he didn't meet the president. I know this for a fact. He requested, but was not granted a meeting with any senior sitting US officials. The only person he met was Bush's father, as they are old buddies from the Carlyle Group.

Interesting also that all the leaders he met happen to be from countries that display strong interest in bidding on the mega-projects. Also a nice coincidence that US companies never were really involved with the mega-projects to begin with.

Edited July 1, 2006 by tettyan

[hammered]

Whats so bad about the PM having a weekly slot on radio? Sure its likely to be politically slanted to his own way of thinking. But cant see anything sinister about it. Theres nothing to stop the Democrats doing the same. Maybe via a different station. But is is certainly quite feasible if the Democrats have a will to do it.

Claims of media censorship seem to be blown out of proportion when one looks at the outright flaming of Thaksin by The Nation. Perhaps the Democrats simply cant be bothered to woo the voters up country who are too poor to own a TV and can only get political comment via radio?

Now Mr. Thaksin is the caretaker primiminister. Hence his status is changed. It is as we are seeing questionable whether a caretaker PM should do these addresses as there is an impending election. Technically he can get round it at the moment because an election has not been called. When it has been called I believe he must stop. As we have constantly seen in his career mr. Thaksin is always one to push, bend, ignore or change a rule.

If you really think the Democrats or any other party for that matter will be allowed national radio airtime, you probably need to thin again. While the newspapers have been fairly independent the radio stations are another matter. The Democrats have no chance of getting on anything other than a temporarily unbanned community radio station whose power will no doubt fail during the broadcast. This is the way of the propoganda war. The radio station broadcasts are aimed at northern and north eastern farmers, and if you listen to them what Mr. Thaksin says on them is totally different from what he says elesewhere. There is no way he is going to give access to this propaganda tool to anyone else. The last thing he wants is the inforamtion that circulates in towns getting into rural areas. Information is powerful and that is how Mr. Thaksin controls his up country base, or to put it as one TRT operative put it to me: it is all about marketing.

[chownah]

I thought he told us last time that he met george dubya ? bit strange he did not mention it this time ?

Because he didn't meet the president. I know this for a fact. He requested, but was not granted a meeting with any senior sitting US officials. The only person he met was Bush's father, as they are old buddies from the Carlyle Group.

Interesting also that all the leaders he met happen to be from countries that display strong interest in bidding on the mega-projects. Also a nice coincidence that US companies never were really involved with the mega-projects to begin with.

If Toxin met with Bush senior then this might explain why he said he met with the president. In the US the ex-presidents are still addressed using the title "President". For instance, Clinton might be called "President Clinton" if introduced formally or if mentioned in an article......isn't that right?

[penzman]

Yes, that's right but always thought it was wrong.

[Jai Dee]

The Democrat Party criticizes PM Thaksin's return to host his weekly radio talk

The Democrat Party criticizes Thaksin Shinawatra’s resumption of his weekly radio talk as inappropriate because parliament has already been dissolved and he is now just caretaker prime minister.

Pol. Lt. Col. Thaksin ended his “Prime Minister Talks to the People” held every Saturday on Radio Thailand after parliament was dissolved and the snap election was called. The programme was resumed on July 1.

Democrat deputy spokesman Sathit Pitutecha (สาธิต ปิตุเตชะ) said Pol. Lt. Col. Thaksin was trying to regain his popularity by using state media. The party also did not believe that the Election Commission (EC) would investigate this matter since its own impartiality and credibility was in doubt, Mr. Sathit said.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 03 July 2006

[Jai Dee]

PM’s talk show fails to inspire: poll

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s radio talk show is failing to win the hearts and minds of the man in the street, according to the latest ABAC Poll.

Of the 1,231 people living in and around Bangkok who took part in the poll conducted last Friday and Saturday, nearly half thought the program was a waste of time – despite the controversy that has been sparked by the Prime Minister’s claim that a “charismatic” person was trying to topple the government.

Of those who responded, 81 percent said they were closely following the political controversy, while 59 percent said they had listened to Thaksin’s radio show in the last six months.

Of those who had listened to Thaksin’s radio show, which returned to the airwaves on Saturday after a four-month break, 45 percent did not welcome the show’s comeback, which they said was an attempt by the Prime Minister to rebuild his bruised image.

However, 44 percent welcomed the return of the show, which they said helped them to understand the workings of the government.

However, 67 percent said Thaksin should come clean about allegations of official corruption.

A total of 61 percent suggested that Thaksin should discuss on the program ways to resolve the political crisis.

Another 60 percent wanted the premier to further explain what are the goals of his administration.

On the subject of the Prime Minister’s claims that a certain charismatic figure was attempting to topple his administration, 48 percent of respondents thought Thaksin’s remarks did more harm than good and had further polarized society.

A further 31 percent thought the PM’s comments were an honest reflection of what he felt, while 20 percent thought his comments acceptable.

On the subject of who the charismatic figure might be, 58 percent thought Thaksin was referring to highly respected elder statesman and Privy Council President Gen Prem Tinsulanonda.

A further 31 percent thought Thaksin was referring to media firebrand Sondhi Limthongkul, while 18 percent thought he was referring to former Palang Dharma party leader Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang.

ABAC Poll Director Noppadon Kannika said yesterday that Thaksin should apologize for his remarks as it was widely believed he was referring to Gen Prem.

Source: ThaiDay - 3 July 2006

[jdinasia]

Pretty easy to see the agendas on the part of Pol Lt Col Thaksin these days ... no one is really buying into it

[chownah]

However, 44 percent welcomed the return of the show, which they said helped them to understand the workings of the government.

[jdinasia]

Of those who responded, 81 percent said they were closely following the political controversy, while 59 percent said they had listened to Thaksin’s radio show in the last six months.

hardly representative of the populace at large huh?

[Martin]

'Netfan' said, in post 9:

"Most of the people listening to him will believe every word. They are the under-educated, poor northeasterners who are not able to see through the bs. "

But that won't last for ever, and may be an over-simplification already.

I note that Khon Kaen University has 3,000 Faculty, 30,000 Undergraduates, and 3,000 Post graduate Students.

And it is not the only University in Khon Kaen.

Bangkok and the Eastern Seaboard can't produce enough jobs to attract away all the NorthEast's 'brightest and best' any longer.

A lot will be staying in their home provinces.

Canvassing electors around here could become quite a different matter from the old folding of banknotes with candidates' pamphlets.

[chownah]

1,231 people living in and around Bangkok who took part in the poll conducted last Friday and Saturday

hardly representative of the populace at large huh?

[chownah]

I note that Khon Kaen University has 3,000 Faculty, 30,000 Undergraduates, and 3,000 Post graduate Students.

And it is not the only University in Khon Kaen.

Bangkok and the Eastern Seaboard can't produce enough jobs to attract away all the NorthEast's 'brightest and best' any longer.

A lot will be staying in their home provinces.

Canvassing electors around here could become quite a different matter from the old folding of banknotes with candidates' pamphlets.

I hope you are right. What do you think the graduates will be doing in the Northeast? I know quite a few college educated Isaan and Northern people who would prefer to stay near home and work but who end up in Bangkok anyway because there are no jobs locally.