TNT Bomb Discovered Near Thaksin's Residence

[jdinasia]

I have asked a few Thais here in Bangkok what they think of this and not a single one so far believes the bomb was real. They all think it was a set up by Thaksin.

I was wondering if anyone from the provinces could tell us what the reaction is there. I'm guessing it's the complete opposite.

At least here in Surat Thani, most people don't believe the bomb was real either. But then, he is widely reviled in the South.

Ditto for the many, many people in the East.

To remove this tyrant from office, it would go a long if these three areas worked cohesively to form a cornerstone of opposition for the entire Nation. Together with the disenfranchised peoples of other areas, it can be done.

Get this SOB out of Government House.

Don't forget the South!

[sriracha john]

Yeah I havn't been back to the islands since this news broke but I get the feeling that most people there will be thinking that way. I expect many down south probobally wish it was real, went off, and did what Thaksin claims it was supposed to do.

Honestly though, when you look at all the facts as they have been reported by the police themselves, anyone who thinks for themselves can really only draw the conclusion that it was a set up.

Watching Thai TV, most are reportint the government line, although the bangkok post news on channel 11 is extremely funny. Two of the presenters seem to be scared to talk about anything political, but the guy who does the business section certainly doesn't hold back with his views.

Who is he???

M.L. Nattakorn Devakula

Nickname: Pluem

Alma Mater: University of Wisconsin at Madison (USA)

Athletic Team Name: Badgers

Year Graduated: Fall 1997

Major: Political Science

Father: Pridiyathorn Devakula

Father's Position: Governor of the Bank of Thailand

Connections don't come much higher than that...

Edited August 27, 2006 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

I have asked a few Thais here in Bangkok what they think of this and not a single one so far believes the bomb was real. They all think it was a set up by Thaksin.

I was wondering if anyone from the provinces could tell us what the reaction is there. I'm guessing it's the complete opposite.

At least here in Surat Thani, most people don't believe the bomb was real either. But then, he is widely reviled in the South.

Ditto for the many, many people in the East.

To remove this tyrant from office, it would go a long if these three areas worked cohesively to form a cornerstone of opposition for the entire Nation. Together with the disenfranchised peoples of other areas, it can be done.

Get this SOB out of Government House.

Don't forget the South!

oh... I haven't, jd... I haven't....

[jdinasia]

I was thinking that if this happened in the USA the nextT-shirt would be "I survived the 2006 Thaksin Bomb" with a pic of Dr. Pol Lt Col Thaksin and a firecracker!

[sriracha john]

Probably time to close this (yes it is very fast) and move on over to the new thread ... since they arerelated!

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=80623

hang on, jd... I just got back... don't close this yet.

what's the new thread?..... errrr, hang on, let me check it out.

[Tony Clifton]

Yeah I havn't been back to the islands since this news broke but I get the feeling that most people there will be thinking that way. I expect many down south probobally wish it was real, went off, and did what Thaksin claims it was supposed to do.

Honestly though, when you look at all the facts as they have been reported by the police themselves, anyone who thinks for themselves can really only draw the conclusion that it was a set up.

Watching Thai TV, most are reportint the government line, although the bangkok post news on channel 11 is extremely funny. Two of the presenters seem to be scared to talk about anything political, but the guy who does the business section certainly doesn't hold back with his views.

Who is he???

M.L. Nattakorn Devakula

Nickname: Pluem

Alma Mater: University of Wisconsin at Madison (USA)

Athletic Team Name: Badgers

Year Graduated: Fall 1997

Major: Political Science

Father: Pridiyathorn Devakula

Father's Position: Governor of the Bank of Thailand

Connections don't come much higher than that...

Less of a coward than Sorayuth who claims to be a man of the people for the people exposing their sad stories to the public while he rakes in his millions. He'll be the first to profit from Thaksin's removal on his tv show.

[John K]

Well perhaps we should seek an outside non political opinion on Thaksin to set things straight.

Does anyone have a dog that likes to pee on peoples legs?

[sriracha john]

ahhh ok... got it... the "ban democracy" news from BP this morning has its own thread now. Good.

[OlRedEyes]

This is getting a little crazy...

The whole thing is crazy. The 'attempt', the 'diffusion', the 'experts', the newspaper reports.

Problem is, what happens next. Does Thailand descend into an abyss with crazy people going wild....

Comes a point when the daily laugh could turn into a nightmare. May be good to remember that situation cans explode very quickly in unstable environments. Add to that a total absence of logic or reason, it may be time to take a vacation somewhere, for a while at least.... (?)

Then again, dying is not one of my concerns, just suffering

[george]

Update:

Half of Bangkok doesn't believe it

Fact or fiction, 'bomb plot' worsens the split

BANGKOK: -- Half the people in Bangkok do not believe the alleged bomb plot against Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was genuine, according to an opinion poll. The finding came as academics predicted a more confrontational society, regardless of the election outcome.

A Bangkok University poll found 49.8% of people surveyed in the capital and the surrounding areas believed the alleged plot on Mr Thaksin's life was a hoax.

And 60.6% of them were convinced the government itself orchestrated the incident, while 20% believed anti-government elements more...

[sriracha john]

PM ASSASSINATION PLOT

Inquiry is moving at a 'snail's pace'

Suspect is a 'Thaksin admirer'; possession of explosives the only charge against him

Police can only charge Lieutenant Thawat-chai Klinchana with unlawful possession of explosive devices at this point, while his elder brother yesterday said Thawatchai was an admirer of the prime minister and had always spoken out against the anti-Thaksin movement.

Police spokesman Lt-General Ajiravid Subarnbhesaj said Thawat-chai would be facing just one charge of unlawful possession of explosives for the time being.

I believe from seeing the news footage of the incident, that they could slap the very serious charge of illegally parked on him, as well.

"By law, preparing to do something is not yet an offence," he said. However, he said the investigation was ongoing and, if progress was made, further details would be made public.

However if there is NO progress made, then details of that would be withheld from the public?

The suspect's elder brother, Staff Sergeant Ittipon Klin-chana, said Thawatchai used to like the premier a lot and was always against the anti-Thaksin movement.

"He disagrees with people who are against Thaksin. How can he ever try to assassinate the premier then?" Ittipon said, after he was allowed to meet his brother for five minutes.

Four days after Thawatchai was arrested in a Daewoo car loaded with explosive devices not far from the prime minister's residence, an investigation into the alleged assassination plot was still crawling at a snail's pace. His arrest has heightened political tension in the country. Thawatchai has maintained his innocence while various sources gave differing accounts of what exactly happened on Thursday.

Police yesterday said they did not plan to issue summonses for any more suspects at this point, even though security sources disclosed that there were at least four senior military officers involved in the foiled plot to assassinate Thaksin.

So then, they are free to roam about unabated so as to not hinder their ability to launch more murderous attacks against the PM? ..... who, btw, went golfing today in Chonburi with his buddies ... good to see he's so worked up about this that he won't make any further public appearances, speak to the media, or venture outside without the tightest security possible.

During their brief meeting yesterday, Ittipon said Thawatchai told him that a friend asked him to fetch a Daewoo car and he was arrested even before he had turned on the car engine. Thawatchai reiterated that he was unaware the vehicle contained a large amount of explosives.

"I believe this is 90 per cent of the truth," Ittipon said. He complained that the meeting was so short that Thawatchai was unable to tell him all the details.

Since his arrest on Thursday, Thawatchai has been detained at the Crime Suppression Division.

In his detention cell, there were two police commando officers. In front, three other commando officers stayed on guard. Thawatchai was not allowed any food other than what was prepared by the police.

At around 3pm, Thawatchai was taken out of the detention cell to be questioned by police investigators. The session lasted more than two hours.

When he was taken back to his cell, his wife and relatives brought a lawyer to meet him.

The lawyer, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Thawatchai had already signed documents appointing a team of three lawyers to represent him.

"From now on, we will be present when police question him," the lawyer said.

Shame he didn't have a lawyer present for the first FOUR days of his arrest and interogation.

He said a bail request for Thawatchai's temporary release would be filed with the military court and assets worth more than Bt1 million would be submitted as a bond.

Police allowed Thawatchai to meet his wife and lawyer for less than 10 minutes.

"He has the constitutional right to get bail. Also, he needs regular treatment for his hyperthyroid," the lawyer added. Thawatchai's wife declined to give any interviews.

Investigators yesterday summoned Thaksin's security people, bomb-disposal officials and officers from the Crime Scientific Detection Division involved in the case to testify and submit fingerprints.

A police source disclosed that the investigators planned to match their fingerprints on objects seized from the scene so as to identify fingerprints not belonging to the officials. "The remaining fingerprints will point to persons who are involved in the plot," the source said.

Investigators had also closely examined video clips featuring what happened on Thursday, which had been filmed by Thaksin's security people.

"The clips featured crowds of people around the scene too. It is possible that some other suspects were among those captured in these clips," the source said.

The source also disclosed that the Daewoo vehicle, which was seized from the scene, was bought on a hire-purchase contract and its owner had defaulted and absconded.

"Investigators are going after the owner," the source said.

Another police source said the investigators were keeping a close watch on two military sergeants who were close to Thawatchai and had extensive knowledge about bomb-making.

Meanwhile, Thaksin yesterday left his residence with stepped-up security measures. His destination was kept a secret.

***psssst... shhhh.... he went golfing in Chonburi with his buddies, but "mums the word, eh?" ***

However, it was later found that Thaksin visited a member-only golf course to play with Suriya Jungrungreangkit and Pongsak Ruktapongpisal. While the premier was there, all vehicles going in and out of the golf course were checked.

ohhh... you found out... good ... sounds like security was extra tight.... they "checked vehicles" entering an exclusive country club, which is something they do 24/7 anyway.

- The Nation

Edited August 27, 2006 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

Detain alleged bomb plotters or pipe down

If caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is so confident that up to four military officers were involved in last week's alleged assassination plot, he should order their arrest, Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said yesterday.

Meanwhile, Thai Rak Thai Party executive member Pairot Suwan-chawee yesterday accused the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) of trying to force Thaksin out of politics permanently by either harming him or even killing him.

Ahhh ok, PAD are the responsible parties for trying to kill the PM.

Abhisit's call came amid growing public suspicion that last Thursday's arrest of an Army officer driving a carload of explosive materials was a politically motivated set-up to gain sympathy for the embattled caretaker PM.

Police and the ruling Thai Rak Thai Party have dismissed such suspicions and insisted the alleged assassination plot was real.

Thaksin said on Friday he had been informed that four retired and active military officers were behind the alleged bomb plot targeting him. However, he rejected speculation that his mentor-turned-critic, Maj-General Chamlong Srimuang, was involved.

Abhisit yesterday called for urgent action against the alleged masterminds.

"The prime minister said with confidence that four military officers were behind a plot to assassinate him. If he knows who they are, the government must arrest them straight away or the attempted assassination will remain a controversial issue with the public," Abhisit said at the Democrat Party headquarters.

He urged the government to be more cautious in its remarks and avoid exaggerating an issue that could affect the country's image.

Abhisit said Thai society had already been divided and the matter should not be played up for political gain.

He urged the relevant authorities to uncover the facts of the matter and not jump to the conclusion that last week's incident was an attempt on Thaksin's life.

Abhisit noted that when Thaksin first came to power in 2001, he had made a similar claim [about a plot to kill him] after a plane he was due to board mysteriously burst into flames on the tarmac at Don Muang Airport. An official investigation later found the explosion was an accident.

Democrat spokesman Ong-art Klampaiboon yesterday said police were too quick to conclude the discovery of the carload of explosives was an attempt to kill Thaksin. He said questions had been raised in many quarters that the incident was pre-organised and this suspicion was fuelled by the lack of public trust in Thaksin and his administration.

The spokesman said if this were true, it did not bode well for the country's international image or the domestic political situation.

He criticised Thaksin for cancelling his election campaign trips to the provinces in the wake of last Thursday's event.

"A person of the PM's stature has to show that Thailand is safe and peaceful. His decision to cancel his trips is harmful to the image of security in the country," Ong-art said.

The spokesman said key Democrats viewed the matter as a power struggle between opposing groups, with the police and military being used as pawns.

Mahachon Party leader Sanan Kachornprasart has also criticised the police for jumping to the conclusion that it was an assassination plot, even though their investigation has not been completed.

Pairot said it was obvious that those who wanted to oust Thaksin were responsible for the alleged assassination plot against the PM.

"The methods the PAD and their allies use is to make Thaksin take a political break for good and take his life by using a massive amount of explosives,'' [/color]

Pairot is that a typo for "Parrot" said.

He claimed the PAD and Squadron Leader Prasong Soonsiri were part of a group that may have been involved in the alleged plot because they had rushed to discredit Thaksin's comments soon after the event.

"Why did Prasong jump to a conclusion [that it was a set-up]? Does he know something about this bomb?'' Pairot said.

He said the PAD accused the government of setting up the assassination plan as a stunt because it feared Thaksin would win public sympathy from the incident.

PM's Office minister Newin Chidchob will this week file a libel suit against leading government critic Sondhi Limthongkul for accusing him of helping to fake the assassination attempt on the caretaker prime minister, TRT deputy spokesman Chatuporn Prompan said yesterday.

During his "Muang Thai Rai Sapda" programme at Lumpini Park on Friday, Sondhi accused Newin of being behind the incident, saying the minister was "the worst director of this bomb hoax".

Chatuporn said that Newin was gathering evidence and had ordered the party's legal team to file the libel suit against Sondhi.

Meanwhile, Thai Rak Thai spokesman Sita Divari said police had found additional evidence at the house of bomb suspect Lieutenant Thawatchai Klinchana, which could help link him to other suspects involved in the alleged assassination plot.

Chatuporn accused Prasong of trying to distort the issue and denied the bomb plot was a government set-up to divert public attention from the widening chasm between government opponents and supporters.

He also denied his party was behind the gathering of Thaksin supporters outside the residence of Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda. The group called on Prem to help protect Thaksin's life.

- The Nation

[Ricardo]

I have asked a few Thais here in Bangkok what they think of this and not a single one so far believes the bomb was real. They all think it was a set up by Thaksin.

I was wondering if anyone from the provinces could tell us what the reaction is there. I'm guessing it's the complete opposite.

At least here in Surat Thani, most people don't believe the bomb was real either. But then, he is widely reviled in the South.

Ditto for the many, many people in the East.

To remove this tyrant from office, it would go a long if these three areas worked cohesively to form a cornerstone of opposition for the entire Nation. Together with the disenfranchised peoples of other areas, it can be done.

Get this SOB out of Government House.

Don't forget the South!

oh... I haven't, jd... I haven't....

Ditto for many people in the North-West.

Even in his home town of Chiang Mai, there are many people, no doubt educated & therefore 'stupid' according to the acting caretaker PM, who see the threat he poses to Thailand & to democracy and do not support him.

Hence the embarassing protest at the airport, when he arrived here 10 days ago, on a pre-election-campaign election-tour, handing out 'goodies' and trying to look like a friend of the people. See Chiang-Mai Sub-Forum for thread, if interested.

And yes, this protest was 'moved-on' by the police, who left a much larger pro-Thaksin group to greet their hero & pose for the TV & print-media. A foretaste of things to follow down in Bangkok.

But at least his supporters haven't yet resorted, as they did up here last winter, to bomb-threats against the opposition.

[sriracha john]

excerpt from:

Car bomb suspect’s family appoints lawyers, seeks bail

Sgt Ittiphol said he was given just a few minutes to talk to his brother, who was guarded by two police commandoes inside his cell, and three more outside.

He urged the police to make more arrests so his Lt Thawatchai could clear his name.

“Thawatchai told me he received a call from a friend called Jui,” he said. “The police have made no effort to track him down and seek this man’s testimony.”

He said Lt Thawatchai was a supporter of Thaksin and would never be involved in any attempt to kill him.

-------------------------

Police at the scene said the car was carrying bomb-making materials, but senior officials later claimed the bomb was fully assembled and “ready to go off at any time.”

-------------------------

The caretaker prime minister insists he knows of four current or retired military officers who are seeking to take his life, although he is yet to name them.

-------------------------

Suriya Jungrungreangkit, secretary-general of the ruling Thai Rak Thai party, yesterday insisted there was nothing suspicious about Thursday’s chain of events.

“The public who saw the crime scene and saw what happened have also seen that we have arrested a suspect, so this was clearly not a set up,” he said, without elaborating.

-------------------------

- ThaiDay

[sriracha john]

Update:

Half of Bangkok doesn't believe it

Fact or fiction, 'bomb plot' worsens the split

BANGKOK: -- Half the people in Bangkok do not believe the alleged bomb plot against Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was genuine, according to an opinion poll. The finding came as academics predicted a more confrontational society, regardless of the election outcome.

A Bangkok University poll found 49.8% of people surveyed in the capital and the surrounding areas believed the alleged plot on Mr Thaksin's life was a hoax.

And 60.6% of them were convinced the government itself orchestrated the incident, while 20% believed anti-government elements more...

Additional polling results. Talk about scams backfiring:

More sympathy for Gen Pallop than PM

Despite the alleged bomb plot targeting caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the public feels more sympathy toward sacked deputy security chief Gen Pallop Pinmanee than the premier, according to a survey by Bangkok University’s Krungthep Poll Center.

The poll of 1,174 residents of Bangkok and neighboring areas followed what the government claimed was an attempt to assassinate Thaksin.

However, half those polled said they were unconcerned about the “foiled” attempt on the prime minister’s life.

Of those familiar with the details of the alleged bomb plot, only 21 percent thought it was a serious attempt to assassinate the premier, while 50 percent thought the bomb plot was staged to divert public opinion from more pressing political matters.

Following reports of the alleged bomb plot, 57 percent of those polled said they did not feel less secure, while 43 percent said they where concerned about their personal security.

Following the sacking of Gen Pallop as deputy director of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) on suspicion that he was involved in the alleged attack, 23 percent said they were sympathetic toward the general, while 20 percent said they felt sorry for the prime minister.

Another 13 percent of respondents were concerned about Lt Thawatchai Klinchana, Gen Pallop’s former driver, who was arrested Thursday morning while driving a car packed with explosives near Thaksin’s residence.

Some 33 percent of those polled had no opinion on the matter.

Just under half, or 48 percent of those who responded to the poll, believed it would either positively or negatively affect the prime minister’s popularity.

Of these, 27 percent thought the incident would boost Thaksin’s image, while 26 percent thought his popularity would decline.

- ThaiDay

[sriracha john]

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra returns a wai to a Thai Rak Thai party supporter, who was among a group of about 100 former party MPs and followers, many from the provinces, who traveled to Government House yesterday to express moral support for their leader.

Four military officers were behind bomb plot: Thaksin

Caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra yesterday said a group of four military officers were behind an audacious plot to assassinate him after a car packed with explosives was discovered near his home in Bangkok on Thursday.

Thaksin said the military officers, some of whom are retired, were behind a politically motivated plot to bomb his motorcade as he left his residence that morning.

“We know which group made [the bomb], and more suspects will be arrested,” Thaksin said. “I never thought this kind of thing could happen in Thailand. It upsets me, as I have never had any intention to harm anybody.”

Thaksin refused to say who or how high-ranking the suspects were, but he said that Maj-Gen Chamlong Srimuang, his one-time political mentor, now his foe, has not been linked to the plot.

Maj-Gen Chamlong is one of the key leaders of the anti-Thaksin People’s Alliance for Democracy. He and Gen Pallop Pinmanee, who has been linked to the only suspect arrested so far in connection with the plot, are former military academy classmates.

Lt Thawatchai Klinchana, Gen Pallop’s former driver, was arrested on Thursday morning. Thaksin promptly sacked Gen Pallop from his position as deputy director of the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC), just hours after Lt Thawatchai’s arrest.

In a television interview yesterday, Gen Pallop urged the caretaker prime minister to reveal the identities of the four military figures Thaksin claimed were involved in the alleged assassination plot. The Vietnam War veteran has denied involvement, and has said he is prepared to fight any charges.

He was also ordered to resign from his position as an advisor to the Defense Ministry. He has said he will resign, and also cancel his membership of the Thai Rak Thai (TRT) party.

Conflicting reports over whether the bomb was fully assembled at the time of Lt Thawatchai’s arrest, and other lingering questions, have led to suggestions that Thursday’s events were a political stunt by an embattled caretaker government – accusations that Thaksin and other TRT officials vehemently refuted yesterday.

Caretaker Defense Minister Gen Thammarak Isarangura Na Ayutthaya insisted the government’s detractors will stop at nothing to remove Thaksin from power, and that there was definitely an assassination plot.

“There is an attempt to bring down the government and kill its leader,” Gen Thammarak told reporters. “I am sure that this is not a setup, because there are no reasons for Lt Thawatchai to sacrifice himself.”

The Royal Thai Police also refuted suggestions that the bomb plot was just a hoax. Police Spokesman Pol Lt Gen Ajiravid Subarnbhesaj insisted the bomb was fully assembled and that it would have caused devastation had it been detonated.

“Police know there are at least two suspects involved in the plot, and, more importantly, we know that someone was behind it,” he said.

The police spokesman said that the two suspects will not be arrested until police have sufficient evidence. “At this stage, the investigating officers haven’t pointed out who the suspects are.”

A weary looking Lt Thawatchai was yesterday taken by heavily armed police commandos from his holding cell at the Crime Suppression Division (CSD) to the military court.

The Military Court granted police a 12-day extension to continue their investigations, and he was then returned to the CSD.

The government has said it will seek to try Lt Thawatchai in the Criminal Court.

Photo and Text - ThaiDay

[sriracha john]

Another Fake Bomb Found Near Thaksin's House

A bag made to look like bomb was found at the back of a bank near the house of caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The bag was spotted near the wall of the Siam Commercial Bank by a maid of the bank at 6:30 am.

The maid looked inside and found black plastic box attached with a clock and wires were linked the clock into the box.

The bank is located about 500 metres away from Soi Jaruslarp, which is connected to the soi where Thaksin's house is located on.

The maid alerted police who placed seven tires over the box and called in bomb disposal officials to check it.

Bomb disposal officials took about 30 minutes to check it and found that it was a fake bomb. There was no explosive inside, except an old battery tied with wires.

Officials also found a page of paper with abusive words against Thaksin written in handwriting.

The Nation

[cclub75]

I am getting the feeling this will head south very quicky for Thaksin probably by midweek. Literally anything else he says will add to the proof that he set this up. If he makes an arrest of military personnel accusing them of involvement, it will only add more doubt to Thaksin’s story. I think it was a good move on the Democrats part to call his bluff.

I think the same : this is why from a logical point of view... Thaksin's clique would have to set another... "event" (bomb for instance)... to support the first one and its wrong consequences.

That's the problem with lies : it's like a spider web : the more you move, the more you get stuck.

At this stage, I see 3 solutions :

-the situation is getting really out of control (other revelations in the medias) : they need to continue on their way, another "terrorist" event (a successfull one this time) is likely

-they close the case by setting another "contre feu" : other event take the lead in the media (new airport delay, whatever)... nobody will talk anymore about the "plot"... The poor driver will be forgotten, waiting for his trial.

-Thaksin's clique continue to use the first event : other arrests, emergency decree etc.

Solution 3 looks unlikely.

[stumonster]

there is one group whom would benefit from mr 't' going out with a bang - rather than being dragged kicking and screaming through the legal system and hopefully stripped of a consideral portion of his assets.

that group is the upeer echelons of the TRT party who have behaved in a similar manner to mr 't' while they have had control.

[Plus]

So that's the guy manning the business desk in the Newsline! Son of Pridiyatorn himself! He's hilarious. I posted about him last week and Tittanan (?) said he is well connected, I had no clue.

MUST watch this guy today, after the weekend, around 10 on Channel 11.

[womble]

So that's the guy manning the business desk in the Newsline! Son of Pridiyatorn himself! He's hilarious. I posted about him last week and Tittanan (?) said he is well connected, I had no clue.

MUST watch this guy today, after the weekend, around 10 on Channel 11.

Yeah it was obvious he was connected, it seems he is seriously connected.

Out of interest can anyone shed light on his fathers relationship to Thaksin, do they get on, does he follow what he's told or is there any conflict.

This guy said something really funny on saturday night, he said he normally know the truth within a day or two, however this time he said it may take a couple of weeks.

The other guy on this programme is really wet, he also tries to disagree with much that Pridiyatorn's son says just for the sake of it.

Anyone know who he is?

[sriracha john]

150 people rally outside Prem's house, asking him to protect Thaksin

A group of 150 people turned up in front of the residence of Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda Friday morning, asking him to help protect caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The group turned up at Prem's house at 8:30 am.

They were not allowed to enter the residence and an aide of the Privy Council president came out to meet them.

They begged Prem through the aide to "help protect the life of the prime minister of the poor".

The Nation

----------------

Prem is 80 years old. Not sure what these people are expecting.

CORRECTION

With the greatest possible apologies.... Prem is actually 86 years old, which, of course, makes their pleadings all the more preposterous.

and now... the not-to-be-unexpected development in this ridiculous situation:

Just one day after the exposure of an alleged assassination plot against the Thai Rak Thai dear leader, caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, by the use of a "car bomb", near his Chan Song Lah mansion, about 100 people who called themselves the Grassroots Group showed up in front of Pa Prem's Sisao Theves residence to plead with him to show mercy and to help save the life of Mr Thaksin. These people appeared to be "hired" by someone who could afford to hire about 10 mini-buses to bring them to Pa Prem's house. One of them reportedly admitted to reporters that he didn't know why they were there, but was simply told to get in a mini-bus for a free ride to Sisao Theves. Apparently, the person who organised the mercy-seeking mission was in a hurry and did not have time to brief the demonstrators so they would not stray from the script. Also, the manipulator failed to inform the group that it was Pa Prem's birthday, otherwise they would have shown courtesy by expressing well wishes to the old man before asking him for mercy and to spare the life of their beloved prime minister. Pa Prem's close aide, Vice-Admiral Pachoon Tamprateep, said he wondered why the group chose to make the plea to Pa Prem just one day after the alleged bomb plot against Mr Thaksin took place. Not only was the timing wrong, but the group's move also implied that Pa Prem might have something to do with the plot or could influence the plotters to stop their attempts and thus save Mr Thaksin's life. The thought of Pa Prem being dragged into the assassination plot pushes the bounds of decency.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/28Aug2006_news19.php

[womble]

Ok this is a long time ago, but sheds a little light.

Thaksin's Tiff With the Thai Bank Governor: William Pesek Jr.

Oct. 22 (Bloomberg) -- If you're wondering about the health of Thailand's economy, rising tensions between the prime minister and the central bank governor may offer some ominous clues.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra ordered the finance ministry to study ``reform'' of the Bank of Thailand's supervisory role, according to Post Today newspaper. The idea is to reduce the central bank governor's authority, splitting his role as regulator from that of deciding monetary policy.

All this may sound pretty innocuous. It's not like Thaksin is looking for a bigger say in interest rate decisions. Well, not yet at least. Investors could be excused for wondering if this is the first step toward Thaksin wrestling some control over monetary policy away from independent central bankers.

Thaksin is used to getting his way, as any strong-willed former CEO might. His history -- self-made, larger-than-life billionaire -- made him Asia's answer to Silvio Berlusconi, a tycoon who leveraged his business success to become prime minister of Italy. Thaksin, like Berlusconi, also has been accused of using public office to advance his private business interests.

Yet as both men amply demonstrate, one's prowess in the corporate boardroom can count for little when running a country or an economy. Thaksin's efforts to rein in the central bank may prove to be an example of that phenomenon -- one that could have dismal implications for the nation's bond market over time.

The Debt Factor

The very underpinnings of Thailand's economic boom in recent years may be unraveling and debt has much to do with it. The saga over at state-owned Krung Thai Bank Pcl is a case in point. It's also at the heart of Thaksin's rift with Bank of Thailand Governor Pridiyathorn Devakula.

Earlier this month, the central bank revoked the reappointment of Krung Thai's president, Viroj Nualkhair, after the lender announced that it had added 46 billion baht ($1.1 billion) of bad loans in the second quarter. It alleged Viroj, who was selected by Thaksin's finance minister in 2001 to run the bank, was ``lax'' in supervising lending. Viroj denied the allegation and asked the government to investigate.

``The Pridiyathorn-Viroj conflict has dragged on for weeks, undermining confidence in Thailand's financial sector management,'' economist Thitinan Pongsudhirak of the London School of Economics wrote in a report for IDEAglobal.

Economic Uncertainty

One reason, Thitinan notes, is that ``it now appears that Pridiyathorn's days are numbered irrespective of how the tussle between him and Viroj turns out.'' Yet at the same time, Thitinan says, Thaksin must consider how risky it would be to fire a respected central bank governor at a time of growing uncertainty about the economy.

The government last month cut its 2004 growth forecast to 6 percent from 8 percent at the start of the year. Thailand's SET Index is down 14 percent the year, and the currency, the baht, is down more than 4 percent. Along with the growth outlook, investors are looking at a resurgence of bird flu and violence related to Muslim separatists in Southern Thailand.

Krung Thai has been a key player in Thaksin's strategy to boost domestic growth known as ``Thaksinomics.'' It was always more hype than substance -- old-fashioned pump priming dressed as something new and revolutionary. And banks like Krung Thai were there to help things along, pumping credit into the economy to stimulate consumption and investment.

State Banks

``The state banks are being used by the government as a source of off-budget financing and are being told to lend to politically important sectors,'' The Economist Intelligence Unit said in an Oct. 19 report. ``The private banks have been forced to match state bank lending. There is a real risk that in the event of a sharp rise in interest rates, non-performing loans in the financial sector would soar and the government might be forced to bail out the state banking sector.''

All this raises a question: Wouldn't the lack of an independent central bank regulating banks only increase these risks?

It may be just an unfortunate coincidence that all this is occurring at a time when the Thai central bank is tapping the brakes more aggressively than its peers in Asia. This week it raised its benchmark interest rate by a quarter point for the second time in two months to 1.75 percent.

Credit Conditions

While low short-term rates are a key element of Thaksinomics, the central bank had little choice. Consumer prices last month rose 3.6 percent from a year earlier, the fastest pace in almost six years. If policy makers don't tighten credit conditions, bond traders will do it for them with higher yields. Yet the government can't be happy, especially ahead of national elections in February.

A central banker in your pocket has always been a good thing to have in Asia. Prior to the Asian financial crisis, close ties between monetary powers and governments were the norm. The arrangement kept money too cheap, financial risks unmanaged and fueled the speculative bubbles that burst so spectacularly in 1997.

There's been a very visible effort since then to create firewalls between monetary policy and politics. One can only hope Thaksin isn't looking to turn back the clock on central bank independence. If he does, investors should be quick and fierce in their punishment.

To contact the writer of this column: William Pesek Jr. in Tokyo at at [email protected] .

Last Updated: October 21, 2004 16:25 EDT

[sriracha john]

So that's the guy manning the business desk in the Newsline! Son of Pridiyatorn himself! He's hilarious. I posted about him last week and Tittanan (?) said he is well connected, I had no clue.

MUST watch this guy today, after the weekend, around 10 on Channel 11.

Sorry, I missed your earlier reference to him, otherwise I would have posted it then. Just toooo much going on with umpteen threads.

My apologies.

He's come a loooooong way from the extremely tranquilizing, monotone business news reports that used to anesthetize me into oblivion while desperately trying to stay awake and watch Jennifer Su during her tenure as the Newsline's main presenter five years ago.

With this new format they have shuffling through the Bangkok Post newspaper stories, it's MUCH more open and, at times, actually quite honest.

It IS comical much of time... with the other presenters feeding him straight lines in their own inept manner.

Still, the opportunities for him to come out and just slam the government is often bypassed. Nevertheless, the show has progressed tremendously from it's previous only-happy-flowery-news style.

*edit*

comparing this photo to the one of his son posted earlier shows more than just a passing family resemblance. No paternity questions necessary.. :

Edited August 28, 2006 by sriracha john

[Plus]

Re. visit to Pa Prem.

The "petitioners" were also drunk (8.30 AM), which prompted Prem's aide to comment to the newspapers that they wouldn't remember where they had been when they sober up.

[sriracha john]

The latest threat on the Prime Minister:

[sriracha john]

Additional information on the "other" bomb....

Bomb near Thaksin's home a real fake

A fake bomb was found Monday near Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's home, days after police foiled an alleged assassination attempt on the embattled caretaker premier.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Prathan Jamduang said a car battery, clock and fuses were found in a paper bag placed outside a Siam Commercial Bank branch about 500 metres from Thaksin's residence in Bangkok.

An insulting message for the premier was written on the bag, said Prathan, who refused to repeat the insult because of its crudeness.

awwww..... c'mon Prathan.... we wanna hear it...

The bomb scare follows an alleged bomb attempt on Thaksin's life last Thursday, when police arrested an army lieutenant in a rented car packed with explosives, parked on a route the prime minister was scheduled to take that morning.

The alleged assassination attempt has been met with great skepticism by Bangkok residents.

as well as anyone else with more than a Pre-K level of education....

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=112515

============================================================

chuckling at BP's choice of titling the article... this "real fake" bomb is not to be confused with the "fake fake" bomb of last week.

Edited August 28, 2006 by sriracha john

[mark lamai]

i see that so far they are only charging the driver with illegal possession of explosives.

since "planning to do something is not a crime in Thailand"

ummmm?

are there no conspiracy laws in thailand?

conspiracy to commit murder would seem obvious,

conspiracy to -

- disrupt traffic

- get police on TV appearing to do something

- make Thailand look ridiculous

- to get caught acting out a conspiracy

but seriously he needs to learn from the beloved John Howard of Australia,

the best enemy to invent is always an external one,

a better would have been to blame it on Muslim radicals with links to Al Anything.

[sriracha john]

The only real danger here of someone getting hurt is......

ME!!....

from falling down laughing so hard...:

A Thai police officer holds a plastic bag claimed to be a fake bomb his colleagues collected from a parking building of a bank near Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's house in Bangkok, Thailand Monday, Aug. 28, 2006. Responding to a call about a suspicious object on the street, police found some wire, an alarm clock and a brick with a handwritten note attacking Prime Minister Thaksin attached. (AP Photo)

[marquess]

150 people rally outside Prem's house, asking him to protect Thaksin

A group of 150 people turned up in front of the residence of Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda Friday morning, asking him to help protect caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

The group turned up at Prem's house at 8:30 am.

They were not allowed to enter the residence and an aide of the Privy Council president came out to meet them.

They begged Prem through the aide to "help protect the life of the prime minister of the poor".

The Nation

Is this comedy of errors or a carnival of stupidity? Just goes to show that those in "higher" positions don't have much regard for the poorer members or society. Just there to be abused and used as they deem fit!

----------------

Prem is 80 years old. Not sure what these people are expecting.

CORRECTION

With the greatest possible apologies.... Prem is actually 86 years old, which, of course, makes their pleadings all the more preposterous.

and now... the not-to-be-unexpected development in this ridiculous situation:

Just one day after the exposure of an alleged assassination plot against the Thai Rak Thai dear leader, caretaker Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, by the use of a "car bomb", near his Chan Song Lah mansion, about 100 people who called themselves the Grassroots Group showed up in front of Pa Prem's Sisao Theves residence to plead with him to show mercy and to help save the life of Mr Thaksin. These people appeared to be "hired" by someone who could afford to hire about 10 mini-buses to bring them to Pa Prem's house. One of them reportedly admitted to reporters that he didn't know why they were there, but was simply told to get in a mini-bus for a free ride to Sisao Theves. Apparently, the person who organised the mercy-seeking mission was in a hurry and did not have time to brief the demonstrators so they would not stray from the script. Also, the manipulator failed to inform the group that it was Pa Prem's birthday, otherwise they would have shown courtesy by expressing well wishes to the old man before asking him for mercy and to spare the life of their beloved prime minister. Pa Prem's close aide, Vice-Admiral Pachoon Tamprateep, said he wondered why the group chose to make the plea to Pa Prem just one day after the alleged bomb plot against Mr Thaksin took place. Not only was the timing wrong, but the group's move also implied that Pa Prem might have something to do with the plot or could influence the plotters to stop their attempts and thus save Mr Thaksin's life. The thought of Pa Prem being dragged into the assassination plot pushes the bounds of decency.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/28Aug2006_news19.php