No plan to mobilise red shirts: Thaksin

[webfact]

No plan to mobilise red shirts: Thaksin
REUTERS
SEOUL


This handout photo released by The Chosunilbo shows Thailand's former premier Thaksin Shinawatra speaking at the Asian Leadership Conference in Seoul on May 19, 2015.

SEOUL: -- FUGITIVE former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra said yesterday that he had no plans to mobilise red-shirt supporters, but called the first year of the military government "not so impressive".

Thaksin, who lives abroad to avoid a jail sentence handed down for graft in 2008, has rarely spoken about politics since the military toppled the remnants of the government led by his sister Yingluck a year ago.

Yingluck was removed from office days before the army staged a coup after months of protests in Bangkok. She has since been banned from politics for five years, and faces a possible jail term over her role in the costly rice-subsidy scheme.

Thaksin, who was in Seoul to speak at a conference, said there was no plan for his son Panthongtae "Oak" Shinawatra to take over leadership of the Pheu Thai Party.

He called on Thai people not to resort to violence.

"No, we want to see the government be a success, but it's difficult, as you can imagine," Thaksin said on the sidelines of the conference, when asked if there were any plans to mobilise red-shirt supporters.

"It's not so impressive yet," he said of the first year of the military government.

"They have to work harder.

"They have to understand the world, and the mentality of the people who have been in democracy for many years.

"I think democracy will prevail sooner or later, but we have to be patient, and we have to be peaceful," he said.

"Don't resort to any kind of violence."

Junta leader and Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said last week he was not worried about Thaksin's public appearance or whatever comments he might make.

The military ousted Thaksin in 2006, exacerbating a sharp divide between his supporters in the poorer North and Northeast and the traditional royalist-military establishment in the capital and the South.

More than a decade of political strife has seen violent street protests from both Thaksin supporters and their opponents.

With bases in Dubai and London, Thaksin travels frequently in Asia.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/No-plan-to-mobilise-red-shirts-Thaksin-30260500.html


-- The Nation 2015-05-20

[jaidam]

quote "Thaksin, who was in Seoul to speak at a conference, said there was no plan for his son Panthongtae "Oak" Shinawatra to take over leadership of the Pheu Thai Party."

Why does this little snippet keep re-appearing? It's absolute nonsense and even quite offensive to the reds. Thaksin as a champion of democracy would not just shoe-horn his awkward son into the position. If he did that he would be an elitist and nepotistic, two of the things that Dr.Thaksin must abhor. Is there any evidence, anything whatsoever, that shows Thaksin would use nepotism to benefit his clan(other than making his brother in law and sister to be PM).

[NongKhaiKid]

I for one absolutely believe everything he says without any reservation whatsoever !

[trogers]

So he is bragging that the red shirts are his foot soldiers.

Perhaps a couple of pints and he would admit arming them with war weapons too.

[worgeordie]

He just needs to grow a little mustache and he

would be spitting image of Adolf.

Fugitive,with a diplomatic passport,could only

happen in Thailand.

regards Worgeordie

[Tatsujin]

Surely there must be some law, somewhere, that prevents a convicted criminal from owning/running/operating/financing their own political party ... we've seen enough evidence now to "know" that it's Thaksin running it all and dictating what happens and when and who does what.

[yellowboat]

quote "Thaksin, who was in Seoul to speak at a conference, said there was no plan for his son Panthongtae "Oak" Shinawatra to take over leadership of the Pheu Thai Party."

Why does this little snippet keep re-appearing? It's absolute nonsense and even quite offensive to the reds. Thaksin as a champion of democracy would not just shoe-horn his awkward son into the position. If he did that he would be an elitist and nepotistic, two of the things that Dr.Thaksin must abhor. Is there any evidence, anything whatsoever, that shows Thaksin would use nepotism to benefit his clan(other than making his brother in law and sister to be PM).

Wonder how the Shinawatr family would compare the Bush's ? Wonder which side come out on the bottom.

He knows this Junta will fail like the last one and that he will still influence . Abhisit is an example of just how little opposition there is to Thaksin. The day of change in Thailand will be soon.

[SABloke]

You'd think with all his money he could hire a tailor who knows how to measure properly

[trogers]

You'd think with all his money he could hire a tailor who knows how to measure properly

No tailor in the world can accommodate hot air...

[Robby nz]

It really would be great to see him try to bring out "His" (a great admission that they are his) reds again with all the leaders on various charges and most on bail. There would be a quick round up and no bail that time.

I wonder what he compares with when he says the present administration has not impressed ?

Compared to the achievements of his clone Yingluck Govt they are light years ahead.

[recycler]

If there was a plan he would have elabprated in full detail on it....

[alfalfa19]

"He called on Thai people not to resort to violence." Interesting change up for Mr. T.

[NongKhaiKid]

"He called on Thai people not to resort to violence." Interesting change up for Mr. T.

So if the shooting doesn't start he won't have to promise to join them on the barricades which he didn't do anyway.

[joepattaya1961]

"Not so impressive"?

The current government is a gift to the Thai people, however....foreign investors are a bit reluctant to invest in Thailand because of the simple fact that Thailand has a military based government.

Elections would be appropriate by now.

[wvavin]

This fugitive speaks as though Thailand's well being is at his mercy.

[keskeseksa]

Thaksin is just waiting for PM Prayut to rebuild the country so that he can plunder it again. Typical behaviour of a psychopath who is incapable of seeing his own misdeeds and preaches peace and obeying the law. Those advices are of course not applicable for superior beings, as he sees himself in his delusions of grandeur.

[Eric Loh]

Waited for Prayuth usual explosive blow out like he did with Chavalit and others after Thaksin poured scorn on his performance. Didn't happen; he just avoid Thaksin's remark. 2 coups to eradicate Thaksin power and influence seem not working to plan and the reconciliation attempts are falling to the wayside. Prayuth power is waning perhaps not entirely his own doing. Another wasteful coup and 2 years lost opportunities.

[jesimps]

So he is bragging that the red shirts are his foot soldiers.

Perhaps a couple of pints and he would admit arming them with war weapons too.

Same same the junta you mean?

[mikehock]

Who cares for he said. .he has no credibility anyway

[JingerBen]

"...we want to see the government be a success,,,"

Yes sure, you devious lying dog.

[keskeseksa]

To be correct Thaksin should say that the red shirts "were" his foot soldiers. Except for a few diehards and the ones at the top who will continue to bark because they've made tons of money and there is nothing else they can do, red shirt grassroots is a thing of the past. The only way to resurrect them is with hard cash, and that is not even sure.

So he is bragging that the red shirts are his foot soldiers.

Perhaps a couple of pints and he would admit arming them with war weapons too.

[keskeseksa]

Why would PM Prayut explode? Thaksin is a hasbeen. Poor performance? In 40 years I've never seen someone doing a cleanup of Thailand like he does, what are you expecting? if the economy is not to your liking blame it on the West with their warnings that Thailand is a dangerous country, and unending smear campaigns. Sure the West is pissed off, the "buck" does not pass nowadays when it comes to government to government mega projects.

Waited for Prayuth usual explosive blow out like he did with Chavalit and others after Thaksin poured scorn on his performance. Didn't happen; he just avoid Thaksin's remark. 2 coups to eradicate Thaksin power and influence seem not working to plan and the reconciliation attempts are falling to the wayside. Prayuth power is waning perhaps not entirely his own doing. Another wasteful coup and 2 years lost opportunities.

[animatic]

Thai politics; follow the money.

He who has the least scruples for making and using money to gain and hold power

will win the day. The last thing this is about is Democracy, the concept or the actuality,

it is simply a tool to hold power.

Power is the end game for all Chinese Clans with 50 and 100 year plans

to improve their station in the regional / national pecking orders.

No matter who they have to steam roll over to do it.

[FangFerang]

It really would be great to see him try to bring out "His" (a great admission that they are his) reds again with all the leaders on various charges and most on bail. There would be a quick round up and no bail that time.

I wonder what he compares with when he says the present administration has not impressed ?

Compared to the achievements of his clone Yingluck Govt they are light years ahead.

It is a very long list, and no one in the Kingdom except the bankers give the current government better than a C grade for progress, and it is all very selective:

Selective enforcement of land encroachment laws (why are the poor the first to go, and why no serious chartges against the military industrial copmplex?).

Selective enforcement of environmental standards at gold mines (don't those poor local villagers know that cyanide is a vitamin?).

Selective enforcement of lottery protocols (them tigers eat lunch at the officer's club with Prayuth).

Selective enforcement of street vendors (cosmetic reform number 327).

Selective enforcement on the human trafficking issue (where are those Navy operators Reuters keeps talking about?)

Selective information about the new charter (which is opposed by both sides, appoints permanent military-backed overseers, and in all the talk of a referendum and insistence that an actual 'vote" is not concrete by any means).

[JingerBen]

To be correct Thaksin should say that the red shirts "were" his foot soldiers. Except for a few diehards and the ones at the top who will continue to bark because they've made tons of money and there is nothing else they can do, red shirt grassroots is a thing of the past. The only way to resurrect them is with hard cash, and that is not even sure.

So he is bragging that the red shirts are his foot soldiers.

Perhaps a couple of pints and he would admit arming them with war weapons too.

Don't be too sure that the Red Shirts are "...a thing of the past."

They're quiet now and laying low because they won't confront the Royal Thai Army.

If this government falters and loses support, the Reds could become a force to be reckoned with again.

Edited May 20, 2015 by JingerBen

[Toscano]

You'd think with all his money he could hire a tailor who knows how to measure properly

They probably don't have jewish tailors in Dubai and he is not permitted to visit Britain and Saville Row .

[Nickymaster]

Soon there won't be many Shins left in Thailand.

[IamNoone88]

The Asian Leadership Conference should have know better than to give this guy a platform to speak. It endorses a fugitive ex-prime minister and provides a platform for him to speak.

[winstonc]

Waited for Prayuth usual explosive blow out like he did with Chavalit and others after Thaksin poured scorn on his performance. Didn't happen; he just avoid Thaksin's remark. 2 coups to eradicate Thaksin power and influence seem not working to plan and the reconciliation attempts are falling to the wayside. Prayuth power is waning perhaps not entirely his own doing. Another wasteful coup and 2 years lost opportunities.

if you call stopping protesters being killed and charlem allowing it too happen then yes it was a wasteful 1 year....

[Thaddeus]

You'd think with all his money he could hire a tailor who knows how to measure properly

He no longer has access to Beach Road.