Thaksin and Yingluck fighting lonely battle

[Lite Beer]

Siblings fighting lonely battle
OPAS BOONLOM
THE SUNDAY NATION June 7, 2015 1:00 am

BANGKOK: -- RED SHIRTS UNLIKELY TO TAKE UP CUDGELS ON BEHALF OF THAKSIN AND YINGLUCK

FORMER prime ministers Thaksin and Yingluck Shinawatra face political turbulence, but it is unlikely the red-shirt movement will come to their rescue.

The Foreign Ministry revoked Thaksin's two passports on May 26 on the recommendation of the Royal Thai Police, which found that Thaksin may have violated Article 112 of the Criminal Code for a lese majeste offence.

The move came after Thaksin gave an interview while attending the Asian Leadership Conference in South Korea in which he claimed that members of the "elite" worked behind the scenes to support protests that led to the coup that ousted his sister Yingluck’s government.

Deputy Defence Minister General Udomdej Sitabutr, the Army chief, also assigned Judge Advocate director Maj-General Sarayuth Klinmahom to file a libel suit against Thaksin, who allegedly criticised the military with sarcastic comments about democracy at the same event.

Complainants also filed a complaint with police accusing Thaksin of violating Article 112 of the Criminal Code. Police will seek help from Attorney General Trakul Winitnaiyapak to prosecute Thaksin because the alleged offence was committed abroad.

Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya said he had instructed the Department of Special Investigation to check the clip of the interview with Thaksin, as it could be used as evidence to seek an arrest warrant for Thaksin.

Thaksin may also be stripped of his rank as police lieutenant colonel after the police committee that handles such matters resolved unanimously on May 29 to strip him of his rank because he fled abroad in late 2008 to escape a criminal conviction. The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders sentenced Thaksin to two years jail for the Ratchadaphisek land deal.

Police directives on stripping officers of their rank set down in 2004 that the rank of police and former police will be removed if they are sentenced by the highest court to serve a jail term or if they face criminal charges and escape punishment.

National police chief General Somyot Poompanmuang assigned the police legal department to check the legality of the resolution by the committee to strip Thaksin's rank. Somyot said he did this to protect himself from being sued. He later sent the resolution back to the committee, saying it had to clarify how Thaksin's behaviour had damaged the dignity of the police.

What could come next is stripping Thaksin of his royal decorations. Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has said that if Thaksin is stripped of his police rank, he could lose his royal honours.

PM's Office directive No 8 stipulates that the state agency that requests a royal decoration for a person can seek the PM's approval to request royal permission to recall the decoration.

In accordance with this directive, Thaksin risks being stripped of all his royal decorations because the court sentenced him to two years in prison and confiscated his assets worth Bt46 billion after he was found to be "usually rich".

Thaksin received nine royal decorations from 1974 to 2002.

Yingluck has also been hit hard with a series of legal actions that the Thaksin camp claim are nothing short of efforts to end her political career.

On January 23, when the National Legislative Assembly voted to impeach her for failing to stem losses and corruption in the rice pledging scheme, she was banned from politics for five years.

Yingluck is also standing trial in a criminal case filed by the National Anti-Corruption Commission - accused of negligence in preventing corruption in the rice pledging scheme, which cost the state a massive sum.

A guilty verdict could see Yingluck face up to 10 years in jail.

The NACC also resolved on May 14 to press charges against Yingluck and her Cabinet for unlawfully paying compensation to victims of political rallies from 2005 to 2010.

The anti-graft agency will also decide this month whether to take legal action against Yingluck for allegedly violating Foreign Ministry regulations by giving Thaksin back his passport when she was prime minister.

Red shirt leaders perceive the "crackdown" against the duo as a junta show of force against Thaksin in retaliation for his stinging attack. However, the movement has decided against staging any moves against the junta.

"We can tolerate the current situation. Besides, what is happening does not link or having anything to do with red shirt masses. If we stage any moves, the issues must link with the masses,'' an unnamed red shirt leader said.

The red shirts have chosen to see if the junta can solve the country's problems. They believe Thaksin's remarks may have been a slip of the tongue

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Siblings-fighting-lonely-battle-30261791.html

-- The Nation 2015-06-07

[trogers]

"Thaksin received nine royal decorations from 1974 to 2002"

So...he too is one of the Elites. In Malaysia, he would be carrying the title 'Datuk'.

[rubl]

"They believe Thaksin's remarks may have been a slip of the tongue"

I have no problem believing that. Anyone who can tearfully confess to have made an honest mistake forgetting something as it slipped his mind as unimportant, may equally let something else slip as he deems unimportant.

Edited June 6, 2015 by rubl

[rametindallas]

but it is unlikely the red-shirt movement will come to their rescue.

I wonder why that would be since he is a revered figure among them; at least according to all the Thaksin defenders on this forum. Maybe his popularity ended when the payments ended.

the police committee that handles such matters resolved unanimously on May 29 to strip him of his rank because he fled abroad in late 2008 to escape a criminal conviction

The Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders sentenced Thaksin to two years jail for the Ratchadaphisek land deal.

Police directives on stripping officers of their rank set down in 2004 that the rank of police and former police will be removed if they are sentenced by the highest court to serve a jail term or if they face criminal charges and escape punishment. He is guilty of both.and yet, National police chief General Somyot Poompanmuang seems to be confused as he thinks the reason the panel recommended stripping Thaksin's rank is because Thaksin's behavior had damaged the dignity of the police and he wants proof of that.

Yingluck is also standing trial in a criminal case filed by the National Anti-Corruption Commission - accused of negligence in preventing corruption in the rice pledging scheme, which cost the state a massive sum. A guilty verdict could see Yingluck face up to 10 years in jail.

If she serves ten years in prison, that will be light punishment her for betrayal of the Thai people on behalf of her criminal brother and it will be a warning to other so-called untouchables that there is a new sheriff in town and the rules have changed.

If hi-so elites don't start being held accountable for their misdeeds, no reform-on-paper will ever change Thailand from a backwards, corrupt, third-world country.

The red shirts have chosen to see if the junta can solve the country's problems.

Many posters on this forum keep saying the Red Shirts are wanting to start a revolution over Thaksin's 'mistreatment'. Which is true?

They believe Thaksin's remarks may have been a slip of the tongue

Was it a 'slip of the tongue when, in 2009, Thaksin went on international television stating the Thai army had massacred hundreds of Red Shirts when, in actuality, none had died? Maybe Thaksin is suffering from dementia for he has many 'slips of the tongue'. Maybe he should be confined to a mental institution instead of prison.

.

[Bannum opinions]

The confusion here relates back to the anachronistic notion of "color Politics'....In essence that political distinction has dissapeared and been replaced by a two-sided political reality associated with Democracy...Basically pitting anti-democrats against their opposites.

This business of mixing up Red Shirts with Thaksin stuff, and yellow shirts with their roots is an old way of looking at things and is not relevant anymore.

[ezzra]

Only the lonely.. dum dum dim dum... know the we feel today...Dum-dumb-dummy doo-wah....

[waza]

You can keep the trinkets, I got your money

Thaksin Shinawatra

Net Worth As of 6/6/15 $1.67 Billion

[steven100]

To the Nation newspaper ....

Forget about Thaksin .......... move on !!!

No more stories .... PLEASE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[smedly]

It's all about the money,.............no money no ...............................do anymore

[chainarong]

One wonders where what direction this article actually heads, the less said the better when it comes to the Shinawatra family or so the junta would like you all to believe, so what have we here, just another dreary drab nothing new article on the Shinawatra family or the two most prominent ones, boring boring , nothing new and as to fighting a lonely battle, are they, how do you know what is happening behind closed doors.

[Orac]

One wonders where what direction this article actually heads, the less said the better when it comes to the Shinawatra family or so the junta would like you all to believe, so what have we here, just another dreary drab nothing new article on the Shinawatra family or the two most prominent ones, boring boring , nothing new and as to fighting a lonely battle, are they, how do you know what is happening behind closed doors.

Without Thaksin the Junta would lose its excuse for holding power. Things are not looking good as far as the economy is going and there are more on more ppl voicing discontent especially with the debacle that is the draft constitution so, since the cupboard is looking bare for 'us' things to talk about they need to expand on how bad 'them' is to deflect from their own shortcomings.

For the Junta to get away with extending its stay in power it needs to ramp up the 'threat' hence all the pointless articles such as this one and his trip to Macedonia appearing at the moment.

[Orac]

"Thaksin received nine royal decorations from 1974 to 2002"

So...he too is one of the Elites. In Malaysia, he would be carrying the title 'Datuk'.

Noticeable that the royal decorations stopped in 2002 though he did receive royal decorations in 2003 and 2004 though not from Thailand.

[torpedo1970]

To the Nation newspaper ....

Forget about Thaksin .......... move on !!!

No more stories .... PLEASE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

To all the Thai newspapers ....

Forget about Thaksin .......... move on !!!

No more stories .... PLEASE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Solomon]

It's not such a lonely battle for Thaksin and Yingluck; Suthep and Abhisit are also on the receiving end of a bit of Junta judicial bullying.

The leadership of the political class, from all sides, is under attack in a desperate bid to delay the return of democracy for as long as possible.

Will they go too far and push former foes into a marriage of convenience to defeat a common enemy??

Could we see Abhisit as Yinglucks Deputy PM and the Generals in jail - one can only dream.

[Plutojames88]

but it is unlikely the red-shirt movement will come to their rescue.

The red shirts have chosen to see if the junta can solve the country's problems.

Many posters on this forum keep saying the Red Shirts are wanting to start a revolution over Thaksin's 'mistreatment'. Which is true?

[

.

Aside from the description of calling a Gun wielding General who seizes power "" A new sheriff in Town"" ( the laughter is appreciated)

Your very amusing post , seems to take on face value comments by a carefully worded RED spokesmen.

Do you really think they are going to say things like "" oh yea we are in talks with overseas agencies , and we plan to sit tight until a conviction against Yingluck ""

No they say this.

Why would you show your hand to thugs standing over you?

There is far more likely to be revolt than not.

The scrapping of minimum wage.....Jailing of their elected ex PM .....the Charter that effectively removes their chances of representation.....the silly obsession with Thaksin who successfully ran an economy they can't .

It's just a matter of setting a stage .....

But rather than perhaps the Reds doing the hard work .

The army ( mostly red shirt family members) will perhaps with the support of a few generals over throw the current status Quo to prevent a blood bath.

This Government seems to be testing the Thai people as Thaksin rightly said.

Time will tell.

Your sheriff may well get his high noon

As long as the economy heads south and International opinion questions the corruption and lack of freedoms , waiting is a well thought out plan....

What you think is reluctant commitment , could well be a case of "enough rope "

Edited June 7, 2015 by Plutojames88

[NongKhaiKid]

Is this just official wishful thinking ?

I live in a very red area but you'd never know it at present as it's so far removed from the atmosphere up to the coup. However there's no way I wound suggest as yet that the Shins are yesterday's news and that their support has shrunk far less gone.

The practical aspect is to keep the headdown and mouth shut but who knows what's going on behind the scenes and I don't expect the answer is nothing. Unfortunately if it manifests itself the country could be back to square one.

[steven100]

Red shirt leaders perceive the "crackdown" against the duo as a junta show of force against Thaksin in retaliation for his stinging attack. However, the movement has decided against staging any moves against the junta.

That's the smartest move you've made so far !!

Edited June 7, 2015 by steven100

[smutcakes]

Red shirt leaders perceive the "crackdown" against the duo as a junta show of force against Thaksin in retaliation for his stinging attack. However, the movement has decided against staging any moves against the junta.

That's the smartest move you've made so far !!

What he said was hardly a stinging attack.

The fact that it has lead to them suddenly wanting to strip his police rank, royal decorations and possible LM charges is presumably due to the fact he was just a little to close to the truth for their comfort.

[bamukloy]

Unusual wealth...

Haha

I beg you, you must not go digging things up at this time!!

[Praematura]

Is the definition of lonely now defined as being elected by a majority of the people?

[arfurcrown]

The Red Shirts have come to realise that in the eyes and the minds of the Shinwatra clan and their cronies the on the ground foot soldiers supporters were and are no more than disposable canon fodder to feed and fuel the flames while the Shins and their mates filled their boots and their wallets.

Where are all those vocal supporters now who opened airlines amassed property etc ?

They are all right Somchai !!!

Thaksin Shinwatra is the same as Saddam Hussein who happily sacrificed family and friends so as he could hold onto his money and continue his vicious lust campaign for power in which he like Saddam Hussein is doomed to failure

Edited June 7, 2015 by arfurcrown

[Nickymaster]

The Red Shirts have come to realise that in the eyes and the minds of the Shinwatra clan and their cronies the on the ground foot soldiers supporters were and are no more than disposable canon fodder to feed and fuel the flames while the Shins and their mates filled their boots and their wallets.

Where are all those vocal supporters now who opened airlines amassed property etc ?

They are all right Somchai !!!

Thaksin Shinwatra is the same as Saddam Hussein who happily sacrificed family and friends so as he could hold onto his money and continue his vicious lust campaign for power in which he like Saddam Hussein is doomed to failure

Those families and friends are often financially depended upon those criminals.

[oneday]

"...as it could be used as evidence to seek an arrest warrant for Thaksin..."

Yeah, good luck with that.

Go get a life and start focusing on your economy and your people who need your help now.

[Bakseeda]

It's not such a lonely battle for Thaksin and Yingluck; Suthep and Abhisit are also on the receiving end of a bit of Junta judicial bullying.

The leadership of the political class, from all sides, is under attack in a desperate bid to delay the return of democracy for as long as possible.

Will they go too far and push former foes into a marriage of convenience to defeat a common enemy??

Could we see Abhisit as Yinglucks Deputy PM and the Generals in jail - one can only dream.

"a desperate bid to delay the return of democracy for as long as possible".

What democracy ? Thailand has NEVER been a democratic country. Thailand has NEVER held a free and fair vote.!

Get back to your Kingdom of Israel King Solomon....... and WAKE-UP....!

[GoodThaiGirl]

but it is unlikely the red-shirt movement will come to their rescue.

The red shirts have chosen to see if the junta can solve the country's problems.

Many posters on this forum keep saying the Red Shirts are wanting to start a revolution over Thaksin's 'mistreatment'. Which is true?

[

.

Aside from the description of calling a Gun wielding General who seizes power "" A new sheriff in Town"" ( the laughter is appreciated)

Your very amusing post , seems to take on face value comments by a carefully worded RED spokesmen.

Do you really think they are going to say things like "" oh yea we are in talks with overseas agencies , and we plan to sit tight until a conviction against Yingluck ""

No they say this.

Why would you show your hand to thugs standing over you?

There is far more likely to be revolt than not.

The scrapping of minimum wage.....Jailing of their elected ex PM .....the Charter that effectively removes their chances of representation.....the silly obsession with Thaksin who successfully ran an economy they can't .

It's just a matter of setting a stage .....

But rather than perhaps the Reds doing the hard work .

The army ( mostly red shirt family members) will perhaps with the support of a few generals over throw the current status Quo to prevent a blood bath.

This Government seems to be testing the Thai people as Thaksin rightly said.

Time will tell.

Your sheriff may well get his high noon

As long as the economy heads south and International opinion questions the corruption and lack of freedoms , waiting is a well thought out plan....

What you think is reluctant commitment , could well be a case of "enough rope "

thaksin run a successful economy..your drunk..and trolling...do you even live here..i mean in the here and now......at best try an unbiased debate if your talking about a murdering corrupt fugative..is there a valid reason he wont return try to think before engaging your pinkies on your pc..

[klauskunkel]

"We can tolerate the current situation. Besides, what is happening does not link or having anything to do with red shirt masses. If we stage any moves, the issues must link with the masses,'' an unnamed red shirt leader said.

"In other words, our price went up..., it's not 500 baht a person anymore!"

[mikemac]

One wonders where what direction this article actually heads, the less said the better when it comes to the Shinawatra family or so the junta would like you all to believe, so what have we here, just another dreary drab nothing new article on the Shinawatra family or the two most prominent ones, boring boring , nothing new and as to fighting a lonely battle, are they, how do you know what is happening behind closed doors.

Without Thaksin the Junta would lose its excuse for holding power. Things are not looking good as far as the economy is going and there are more on more ppl voicing discontent especially with the debacle that is the draft constitution so, since the cupboard is looking bare for 'us' things to talk about they need to expand on how bad 'them' is to deflect from their own shortcomings.

For the Junta to get away with extending its stay in power it needs to ramp up the 'threat' hence all the pointless articles such as this one and his trip to Macedonia appearing at the moment.

........................"Without Thaksin the Junta would lose its excuse for holding power."........................

If it was not for Thaksin the military coup would not have happened. If Thaksin had half a brain he would still be PM and would never have been forced into "self imposed exile".....

Every poster who has ever ridiculed the Military Junta on this forum has Thaksin to thank, which is why I find their comments ludicrous.

Even when Yingluck was in power Thaksin was in control of the PTP government and all it's stupid schemes and scams. I am still amazed at the way he abused the people of Issan with the Rice Scheme, the very people he used all those years as a way to get into power and stay there.

All that madman had to do was keep flicking the crumbs to the farmers and act like their savior and all would have been fine. Just don't give the Military an excuse to launch a coup, but what happened ? His greed and hunger for power stuffed everything up and now he is blaming everyone but himself for it.

I hope he never steps foot on Thai soil again in his miserable lifetime.

[Basil B]

I am sure he can buy plenty more decorations from many of the worlds Banana Republics.

Edited June 7, 2015 by Basil B

[EnglishJohn]

This article tries to infer that the red-shirts act according to their own beliefs and principles !. How amusing.

Everyone knows that if Thaksin wants the reds to take to the streets, he just needs to send them money.

Right now he can't get away with it because he hasn't got a crony in charge of the police. He will wait until after the elections before he starts his next moves.

I am wondering if those people here who keep telling us about the 'uprising' are starting to realise they have been suckered. Probably not ...

[Godders]

I live in a small town south of Bangkok and have been asking Thai friends, relatives and associates their views on some of the big issues facing the country a year after the military coup.

While many were understandably reluctant to venture their opinions, others were more forthcoming. Here are some of the conclusions.

1 Most people are not concerned about what happens to the Thaksins and don't want them back in power.

2 They are far less worried about concepts such as democracy and personal freedom than are many of the regime's critics in the West, whom they say simply don't understand Thai mentality.

3 A majority feel the coup was necessary and are prepared to allow the military-led junta to run the show for however long it takes to bring lasting peace, security and stability to the Kingdom.

4 Voters, particularly those living in Bangkok where the army's intervention ended six months of destructive violence and bloodshed, are in no particular hurry for a general election.

5 Most would rather spend years ruled by an" iron fist in a velvet glove" administration rather than return to a political democracy characterised by systemic corruption and political and social unrest.

6 A relatively small number will bother to wade through the fine print of the draft new Constitution, if and when one arrives in the mail box.

7 Many less concerned about the restoration of human rights than the return of the Friday TV soap opera displaced by the PM's weekly paternal chats.

I am not suggesting this small, random sample represents the attitudes of most Thai people. However, it may go some way to explain the apparent ease with which the military-led administration has entrenched itself in the public psyche as a power for good - or at the very worst, a necessary evil.