Airport, PM's Deals Face Probes

[Jai Dee]

CORRUPTION

Airport, PM's deals face probes

Jaruvan to play key role, but Constitution Court dismisses 30 cases set for rulings

Auditor General Jaruvan Maintaka vowed yesterday to probe alleged corruption by the deposed government after the Council for Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy (CDRM) secured her status.

On Wednesday, the CDRM dissolved the State Audit Commission, which had been the supervisory body of the Auditor-General's Office.

The new military leaders entrusted Jaruwan with full authority to pursue investigations into 14 cases of alleged corruption that occurred during governments overseen by ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

"A big issue is the graft scandal involving the CTX bomb scanners' purchase that can be concluded within the next few days," Jaruvan said. "I believe, with the evidence we have, we can punish those who are corrupt."

Other graft allegations include rail links to Suvarnabhumi Airport, the sell-off of Thaksin family's shares in Shin Corp to Singapore's Temasek Holdings and alleged corruption in donations to fishing communities affected by the tsunami. All would be investigated before the findings are passed to the CDRM, she said.

Several owners of fishing trawlers had complained that they had not received any assistance money from public donations, she explained. After dissolution of the SAC, Jaruwan said she would establish new commissioners to assist her in ensuring the investigations proceed effectively.

A source said this should enable Jaruwan to do her work smoothly because a majority of the former State Audit commissioners were believed to be friends of ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra - and they often disrupted her work.

The source said the authorities were also waiting to see if Thaksin's children should pay tax on shares sold in the Bt73-billion Shin Corp take-over, before the deadline for mid-year tax payments at the end of September - by the end of next week.

The Auditor General's Office had earlier asked Revenue Department officials to explain why the department decided not to tax Panthongtae and Pinthongta Shinawatra, Thaksin's eldest children, for Shin stock transactions.

Panthongtae and Pinthongta purchased Shin Corp shares from Ample Rich Investment, a firm registered in the British Virgin Islands, for only Bt1 each before selling them for Bt49.25 to Temasek of Singapore on the following trading day.

Some tax experts have claimed that Panthongtae and Pinthongta should have been subject to capital gains tax of more than Bt5.8 billion from this transaction.

Meanwhile, Paiboon Warahapaitoon, secretary-general at the Constitution Court, said that about 30 cases awaiting rulings would be dismissed because the CDRM had ordered the court to be dissolved.

Key cases involved the dissolution of five political parties and the interpretation of qualifications of five nominees for the National Counter Corruption Commission.

Election Commission (EC) member Sumet Oupanisakorn said that although the CDRM had kept the EC's status - despite cancelling the Constitution - the commission could only manage local elections.

The CDRM disqualified Members of Parliament shortly after seizing power from the Thaksin government in a bloodless coup. The Council has said it wants an interim government to oversee a revamp the Constitution and staging of a new poll by October 2007.

Source: The Nation - 22 September 2006

[Jai Dee]

A protester demands the seizure of PM and other officials’ assets.

Source: The Nation - 22 September 2006

[Ricardo]

The Khunying is clearly going to be a very busy lady. Good Luck

I recall that she doesn't have too much longer, on her time-in-office, to run. It would be a positive move, in view of the many months she spent locked out of her own office, if she were to be given a couple of extra years. In the interests of fairness.

[womble]

The Khunying is clearly going to be a very busy lady. Good Luck

I recall that she doesn't have too much longer, on her time-in-office, to run. It would be a positive move, in view of the many months she spent locked out of her own office, if she were to be given a couple of extra years. In the interests of fairness.

She now has as long as she wants, the constitution has been abolished, she has been put in the position in definatley, probobally till after the election.

She also does not have her hands tied by the SAC. I believe much of her work is already done and will be reported in the next few days.

I would love to see Thaksin extradited and brought back to face corruption charges, i'd love to see his sorry face broadcast all over TV live from the courtroom.

I doubt it'll happen, but if it does it would send a very clear message to anyone else thinking of ripping off the country.

[fruittbatt]

To those who have claimed that "all Thais or all Thai governments are corrupt" look at Khunying Jaravan's fearless courage in pursuing the most powerful and most corrupt office-holder in the former government - Toxin. I totally agree with the sentiments of the two previous posters: well said!

Edited September 22, 2006 by fruittbatt

[penzman]

I'm glad she can now work uninterrupted and that this very work involves probing the one man who was THE cause of all her troubles.

Chok dee!

[meemiathai]

Yeah....I can see suddenly all thai officials are clean.

I am guessing that banks are going to be really busy for a while. Money flowing here and there looking for their new masters.

[Jai Dee]

Panel will probe assets of Thaksin, ex-Cabinet

The Council of Democratic Reform under Constitutional Monarchy (CDRM) will set up a six-person committee to investigate the assets of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, his family, and 15 former Cabinet members.

Sources at the CDRM, which overthrew the Thaksin regime last Tuesday, said members of the asset probe panel will likely include Klanarong Chantik, a former member of National Counter Corruption Commission.

Other likely panel members are former judge Nam Yimyaem; former senator Kaewsan Atipoti; former central bank chief MR Chatu Mongkol Sonakul; former judge Wasant Soipisut; and former national security chief Prasong Soonsiri.

Besides Thaksin and the former Cabinet members, the panel will also look into the assets of Thaksin's wife, Khunying Pojaman; personal secretary Padoong Limcharoenrat; Thaksin's sister, Yaowapa Wongsa-wat and husband Somchai; and Pojaman's brother, Bannawit Damapong.

The list of ex-Cabinet members whose assets will also be investigated include: deputy premier Suriya Jungrungreangkit; agriculture minister Sudarat Keyuraphan, natural resources minister Yong-yuth Tiyapairat; PM's Office minister Newin Chidchob; deputy premier Surakiart Sathirathai; transport minister Pongsak Ruktapong-paisal; deputy minister Phumtham Vejjachai; deputy premier Suwat Liptapanlop; labour minister Somsak Thepsuthin.

Others to be investigated include deputy finance minister Varathep Rattanakorn; PM's secretary-general Prommin Lertsuridej; interior minister Kongsak Wattana; deputy minister Pracha Maleenont; and social development minister Wattana Muangsuk.

CDRM sources said the majority of its members supported the panel being set-up, even though Gen Ruangroj Mahasalanont disagreed.

The CDRM will approach Auditor-General Khunying Jaruvan Maintaka to join the investigation panel.

If there is solid evidence to implicate Thaksin, his family and relatives, and former Cabinet members in possible corruption cases, the panel will forward the results of its investigation to the Supreme Court for further legal action.

Sources said the panel will function like the National Counter Corruption Commission, which has been abrogated by the CDRM.

Source: The Nation - 22 September 2006

[kmart]

To those who have claimed that "all Thais or all Thai governments are corrupt" look at Khunying Jaravan's fearless courage in pursuing the most powerful and most corrupt office-holder in the former government - Toxin. I totally agree with the sentiments of the two previous posters: well said!

Hear, hear! Jaravan and the pathologist Dr Pornthip are two ladies who really do deserve the "Khunying" status bestowed on them. Fighting the massive corruption and police malfeasance so bloody rife in this country. (As opposed to say... being photographed with Louis Vuitton handbags at hiso soirees all over town. )

They have both been targets for intimidation and death threats, but have the moral backbone to never stop doing what they believe to be right. I wish the kingdom would produce more people like this.

[John K]

I'm glad she can now work uninterrupted and that this very work involves probing the one man who was THE cause of all her troubles.

Chok dee!

Jaruvan Maintaka should stay on, right now she is my hero in this.

Penzman your choice of phrases is uncanny. The verb “probe” has several meanings. I suspect Jaruvan will be making use of several, including the probing one might experience if one was to bar fine a ladyboy.

[The Snark]

When I read that the 'Iron Lady' had been summoned to meet with Sonthi and she gave a thumbs up to the crowd, it said it all. This woman deserves all the praise that can be bestowed upon her and is a model of a civil servant. I honestly cringe to think of the harassment she has been subjected to while trying to do her job.

It is very noteworthy that one of the very first things Sonthi did was put her 'back' in her office with greater powers. That alone told me the coup was on the right track and working in the best interests of the Thai people.

Hats off to Jaruvan and keep an eye on what will be coming out of her office.

Long Live the King!

[John K]

When I read that the 'Iron Lady' had been summoned to meet with Sonthi and she gave a thumbs up to the crowd, it said it all. This woman deserves all the praise that can be bestowed upon her and is a model of a civil servant. I honestly cringe to think of the harassment she has been subjected to while trying to do her job.

It is very noteworthy that one of the very first things Sonthi did was put her 'back' in her office with greater powers. That alone told me the coup was on the right track and working in the best interests of the Thai people.

Hats off to Jaruvan and keep an eye on what will be coming out of her office.

Long Live the King!

I did not see that, but that one act alone puts me 100% behind Sonthi.

[Thai-Aust]

I wonder if England would extradite Thaksin and his family if found guilty?

[John K]

I wonder if England would extradite Thaksin and his family if found guilty?

If?

[Plus]

Even if gets protection from extradition on some legal grounds, they would protect him only while in the UK. If he travels to France and Thailand requests extradition, he's in hot water again.

I bet the UK government has its fingers crossed that he won't apply for asylum and cause them all sorts of legal problems.

[1900]

"before selling them for Bt49.25 to Temasek of Singapore on the following trading day."

Does this mean that AIS SIM I ripped out of my phone some months ago will be a valuable vestage I should put in a safe place?

[Martin]

Quoting 'fruitbatt', from another thread:

".......partial democracy has been happening in Thailand for about 70 years now...coups are a form of "check and balance" when democracy is usurped or subverted by the likes of taksin and his corrupt cronies."

Looking back to 1932, some Thais who had gone abroad to study came back with some only-slightly-digested ideas of democracy, and got the trappings of democracy pasted on to a country of people who basically believe in hierarchy.

It was a classic case of "We've brought in the hardware and software, but we ain't got the orgware".

And, for all the huffing and puffing, constitutions, elections and coups, there hasn't been any significant change.

Good luck to Thailand. If democracy leads to things like the USA and the Uk doing what they have done to Iraq, I will be happy to see democracy not come.

At the end of the day, comparing Thaksin with Bush and Blair is like comparing a used-car salesman with the Spanish Inquisitors.

(And wasn't it nice of General Sonthgi, in his declaration of the coup, to "apologise for any inconvenience". Also to tie yellow bands round the barrels of the guns of the tanks to indicate that it was all just theatre!!).

Lovely Thailand, Land of Smiles. We are so lucky to have discovered it and be allowed to share it.

However, I hope the outcome of re-visiting the machinations of the Thaksin Government is handled with equal sensitivity. Like taking a fair few billion in Capital Gains Tax, but not hounding people into jail. It never does any good to inhibit decent, competent people from being ready to put themselves forward for political office.

And I hope that the cabinet installed by the CDRM prove able to measure up to running the economy well.

Were they to cock that up, it would be "Come back, Dr T. All is forgiven and there are 25 million votes waiting for you."

"Political theatre" is 'sanook', but food and shelter are 'serious'.

One thing that will be interesting to watch will be what happens to the Shin operations now.

On an ASEAN scale, it actually makes a lot of sense to let the Singaporeans head up the provision of telecomms for the region. They are good at that sort of thing, and need something to keep them busy, since they can't grow rice.

We live in interesting times.

[The Snark]

First, a Thankyou to General Sonthi and His Majesty.

Questions asked.

Q. Will Thaksin's assets be seized?

A. Yes, some of them will. He will be fully investigated. The real question should be, will his mental instability force him to remain a public figure which, in the face of the evidence which will invariably accumulate, will make him into a pariah and destine him to the history books in a very unsavory light?

Q. What other investigations will be undertaken?

A. Minimal, that are going to be visible to the public. However, in light of the enormity of the corruption, there are still going to be dozens, more likely hundreds of indictments coming down.

Q. When will the next government come into being?

A. Exactly as Sonthi has stated. There will be an interim Prime Minister within the two week time frame. Most likely a 'sleeper'. The problem facing Sonthi is untangling the vast web of intrigues and corruptions that Thaksin has woven over the past 10 years. Corruption so vast and intricate it is possible the world has never known the likes of before. This is why a year has been asked before the next constitution comes into being.

Q. Why a year for the next constitution?

A. The former constitution was excellent. But as all political scientists know, a constitution is not a one shot deal. It has to be tried and tested countless times over many years. It has to be tailored to not only the people, but to the times, past, present, and future. It must accomodate the people it serves in as many aspects as possible.

With this in mind, Thailand should be grateful to Thaksin. The subversion and adulteration he has subjected the constitution to has essentially given the authors of the new constitution a blue print of what weaknesses that can be exploited.

In all likelyhood, the former constitution will be used as the blue print for the next consitution, but one must keep in mind the extreme complexity of the subversion that Thaksin subjected it to. It will take political analysts months just to fully fathom and map out the intrigues that weakened or perverted the original constitutional intents.

Q. Will there be changes in the Thai attitude towards foreign visitors such as expats?

A. Yes, but minimal. Thaksin's regime was utter duplicity in this regard. He opened the door wide for foreigners, but only where him and his cronies could foresee profits. On the other hand, he had come out publicly on several occasions and demonstrated a xenophobic attitude towards the westerner.

The new powers that will come about in Thailand will very likely be more benevolent towards the visitors, but a subtle note will underlie everything: The Thai people come first.

Q. Are the Generals such as Sonthi out for their own personal gains?

A. Absolutely not. The proceedings of the coup will merit being watched very closely. This coup may very well go down in history as being a model of of the people, for the people, and quickly, by the people. What will prove interesting is the comparison of the coup in Burma and Thailand. Already we are seeing tremendous differences.

Q. What of the relations between Thailand and Burma?

A. Burma will become a true pariah without Thaksin's continuing support. However, Burma still retains the ability to continue to blackmail Thailand with it's oil. How this will be resolved is unknown at present.

Q. What of ASEAN?

A. Within the next two or three years Thailand will be the leading ASEAN country and a model for the rest to follow.

Q. Will Thaksin be indicted?

A. There will be a lot of lenience seen which may aggravate people. The final decision will be, is it in Thailand's best interests to doggedly pursue Thaksin's arrest and prosecution. This will be weighed against the extremely strong underlying theme of the new Thailand to not be vindictive.

Wild predictions? For those of you who know Thailand and truly understand the King, ... need I say more? Watch and see. Calm, patience, sincereity, ethics and compassion will be the keynotes of this coup.

Edited September 22, 2006 by The Snark

[John K]

Even if gets protection from extradition on some legal grounds, they would protect him only while in the UK. If he travels to France and Thailand requests extradition, he's in hot water again.

I bet the UK government has its fingers crossed that he won't apply for asylum and cause them all sorts of legal problems.

Hmm Bangers and mash or snails... hmmm

[Martin]

"Wild predictions? For those of you who know Thailand and truly understand the King, ... need I say more? Watch and see. Calm, patience, sincereity, ethics and compassion will be the keynotes of this coup."

Wow. Won't the tailors be busy, sewing new clothes for 60 million people, able to accommodate sprouting angels' wings!!!

P.S. My scepticism is proffered in all sincerity.

[The Snark]

"Wild predictions? For those of you who know Thailand and truly understand the King, ... need I say more? Watch and see. Calm, patience, sincereity, ethics and compassion will be the keynotes of this coup."

Wow. Won't the tailors be busy, sewing new clothes for 60 million people, able to accommodate sprouting angels' wings!!!

P.S. My scepticism is proffered in all sincerity.

If you see any angels, let us know. However, I see a Mahatma and a dedicated servant, a soldier, kneeling before him.

Edited September 22, 2006 by The Snark

[fruittbatt]

Quoting 'fruitbatt', from another thread:

".......partial democracy has been happening in Thailand for about 70 years now...coups are a form of "check and balance" when democracy is usurped or subverted by the likes of taksin and his corrupt cronies."

Looking back to 1932, some Thais who had gone abroad to study came back with some only-slightly-digested ideas of democracy, and got the trappings of democracy pasted on to a country of people who basically believe in hierarchy.

It was a classic case of "We've brought in the hardware and software, but we ain't got the orgware".

And, for all the huffing and puffing, constitutions, elections and coups, there hasn't been any significant change.

Good luck to Thailand. If democracy leads to things like the USA and the Uk doing what they have done to Iraq, I will be happy to see democracy not come.

At the end of the day, comparing Thaksin with Bush and Blair is like comparing a used-car salesman with the Spanish Inquisitors.

(And wasn't it nice of General Sonthgi, in his declaration of the coup, to "apologise for any inconvenience". Also to tie yellow bands round the barrels of the guns of the tanks to indicate that it was all just theatre!!).

Lovely Thailand, Land of Smiles. We are so lucky to have discovered it and be allowed to share it.

However, I hope the outcome of re-visiting the machinations of the Thaksin Government is handled with equal sensitivity. Like taking a fair few billion in Capital Gains Tax, but not hounding people into jail. It never does any good to inhibit decent, competent people from being ready to put themselves forward for political office.

And I hope that the cabinet installed by the CDRM prove able to measure up to running the economy well.

Were they to cock that up, it would be "Come back, Dr T. All is forgiven and there are 25 million votes waiting for you."

"Political theatre" is 'sanook', but food and shelter are 'serious'.

One thing that will be interesting to watch will be what happens to the Shin operations now.

On an ASEAN scale, it actually makes a lot of sense to let the Singaporeans head up the provision of telecomms for the region. They are good at that sort of thing, and need something to keep them busy, since they can't grow rice.

We live in interesting times.

I think the difference in our perspectives runs along the lines of cleavage in Thai political life: metropolitan vs rural concerns...it is this difference in outlook which has been one of the chief obstacles to a functioning democracy in recent years as I understand it ( & I'm not very well-read in Thai history). It seems to me that Taksin exploited the loyalties of farmers for his own selfish & power-hungry ends and left farmers lamenting when they realised that instead of being loaned a cow they had in fact been given a bum steer by the man who paid for their votes.

[ilyushin]

Auditor General Jaruvan Maintaka I wish you success on all the difficult work you have ahead. I can't wait for her findings and reports.

Good luck!

[Martin]

For 'fruitbatt', re post #22, which says:

"I think the difference in our perspectives runs along the lines of cleavage in Thai political life: metropolitan vs rural concerns...it is this difference in outlook which has been one of the chief obstacles to a functioning democracy in recent years as I understand it ( & I'm not very well-read in Thai history). It seems to me that Taksin exploited the loyalties of farmers for his own selfish & power-hungry ends and left farmers lamenting when they realised that instead of being loaned a cow they had in fact been given a bum steer by the man who paid for their votes."

Yes, I agree about the cleavage between rural and metropolitan concerns.

As a society, Thailand has a great problem that neither understands the other.

This morning, we went to the little forest temple that we go to most weeks. After the service, none of the fifteen people eating breakfast had anything to say against Thaksin. As far as they were concerned, he delivered on his promises with the thirty-baht outpatient scheme, OTOP, our new vocational college, and the cattle loans. But they were resigned to the fact that he had upset a lot of influential people in Bangkok, and so had got slung out.

And they did not feel that their votes had been "paid for". They decide who they will vote for, and accept the customary little gift of goodwill that ensues.

I think that Thailand does wonderfully well not to descend into mayhem when the broad situation is that the metropolitans have the bulk of the money and the rural people have the bulk of the votes, and they can't talk it through, since the hyperurban primate city sucks away from the rural areas all those who could lead the debate.

For a quick briefing on rural Thailand, I suggest a small green book of only 131 little pages: Chatthip Nartsupha "The Thai Village Economy In The Past"; translated and with an added commentary by Chris Baker and Pasuk Phongpaichit.

Some years ago, I got it at one of the kiosks of Asia Books at DonMuang Airport and found that it describes what is still the backbone of the lifestyle and economy the Isaan villages.

As one who comes from a long line of yeoman farmers (12 generations that I know of and probably umpteen dozen before that), I am biased towards being on the side of rural people whenever I see them being exploited by a system that favours the metropolitan ones.

I regret that yeoman farming has been driven to extinction in the UK and the USA, but am cheered that it is still in strong-enough health in Thailand so that it can expand and 'save the day' when cheap oil ceases to be available to enable mega-cities to be viable.

For understanding how the 'disjointedness' between Thailand's metropolitan middle and upper classes and the rural people comes about, I recommend Niels Mulder "Thai Images: The CultureOf The Public World". It is available by mail order from Silkworm in Chiang Mai. He analyses what Thai schoolchildren and students are 'fed' with, and how it is quite unhelpful to the development of a cohesive society.

I just hope that those who carry out this probing into Thaksin's manipulation of the previous Constitution do it with some sensitivity.

If it appears to be vindictive, it could do harm.

From where I type, it looks as if all he did was to beat his opponents at their own power-hungry game. (And on that, I recommend "Money and Power in Provincial Thailand", edited by Ruth McVey, and also available from Silkworm. It spells out just what machinations go on in Bangkok, that have to be coped with by those who are elected by the rural people.)

[I come from Mars]

Even if gets protection from extradition on some legal grounds, they would protect him only while in the UK. If he travels to France and Thailand requests extradition, he's in hot water again.

I bet the UK government has its fingers crossed that he won't apply for asylum and cause them all sorts of legal problems.

It's just an unfair game. Shame on you, Jaruwan. You did everything for country or your position.

[The Snark]

It's just an unfair game. Shame on you, Jaruwan. You did everything for country or your position.

BEWARE.

Not criticizing the poster here, this is an example of something that gets farangs into trouble a LOT! Thai's do not understand sarcasm as it comes across in English. There is no way under the sun you could explain the 'shame on you' to a Thia where they will understand it is not derogatory.

Edited September 22, 2006 by The Snark

[meemiathai]

It's just an unfair game. Shame on you, Jaruwan. You did everything for country or your position.

BEWARE.

Not criticizing the poster here, this is an example of something that gets farangs into trouble a LOT! Thai's do not understand sarcasm as it comes across in English. There is no way under the sun you could explain the 'shame on you' to a Thia where they will understand it is not derogatory.

Like the word "farang" to farangs?

[fruittbatt]

Yes, I agree about the cleavage between rural and metropolitan concerns.

As a society, Thailand has a great problem that neither understands the other.

This morning, we went to the little forest temple that we go to most weeks. After the service, none of the fifteen people eating breakfast had anything to say against Thaksin. As far as they were concerned, he delivered on his promises with the thirty-baht outpatient scheme, OTOP, our new vocational college, and the cattle loans. But they were resigned to the fact that he had upset a lot of influential people in Bangkok, and so had got slung out.

And they did not feel that their votes had been "paid for". They decide who they will vote for, and accept the customary little gift of goodwill that ensues.

I think that Thailand does wonderfully well not to descend into mayhem when the broad situation is that the metropolitans have the bulk of the money and the rural people have the bulk of the votes, and they can't talk it through, since the hyperurban primate city sucks away from the rural areas all those who could lead the debate.

For a quick briefing on rural Thailand, I suggest a small green book of only 131 little pages: Chatthip Nartsupha "The Thai Village Economy In The Past"; translated and with an added commentary by Chris Baker and Pasuk Phongpaichit.

Some years ago, I got it at one of the kiosks of Asia Books at DonMuang Airport and found that it describes what is still the backbone of the lifestyle and economy the Isaan villages.

As one who comes from a long line of yeoman farmers (12 generations that I know of and probably umpteen dozen before that), I am biased towards being on the side of rural people whenever I see them being exploited by a system that favours the metropolitan ones.

I regret that yeoman farming has been driven to extinction in the UK and the USA, but am cheered that it is still in strong-enough health in Thailand so that it can expand and 'save the day' when cheap oil ceases to be available to enable mega-cities to be viable.

For understanding how the 'disjointedness' between Thailand's metropolitan middle and upper classes and the rural people comes about, I recommend Niels Mulder "Thai Images: The CultureOf The Public World". It is available by mail order from Silkworm in Chiang Mai. He analyses what Thai schoolchildren and students are 'fed' with, and how it is quite unhelpful to the development of a cohesive society.

I just hope that those who carry out this probing into Thaksin's manipulation of the previous Constitution do it with some sensitivity.

If it appears to be vindictive, it could do harm.

From where I type, it looks as if all he did was to beat his opponents at their own power-hungry game. (And on that, I recommend "Money and Power in Provincial Thailand", edited by Ruth McVey, and also available from Silkworm. It spells out just what machinations go on in Bangkok, that have to be coped with by those who are elected by the rural people.)

Martin,

Thank you for these references, which I have put on my book list. Thanks also for the rare qualities of restraint and compassion which shine through in your posts.

I can empathise with the position of farmers and rural dwellers. They constitute the majority of voters and produce all the food we enjoy so much, yet their children must move to the metropole to find work, and their interests are ignored, trampled or misunderstood by urban middle class voters and their representatives. I can also understand why the rural poor in particular looked to Thaksin as their champion.

Where I differ from you is in my analysis of Thaksin's actions. I cannot condone his fraudulent dealings, his massive tax-evasion and insider trading as having been conducted on a level playing field with equally ruthless "competitors". The obscene fortune he has amassed by stealth in the last 12 months (1% of GDP) has been at the expense of every Thai taxpayer. Those who have been injured most by it are those who can least afford the pinch: construction workers, rural poor, urban poor.

It has been reported that Thaksin intended to "set up" the PAD demonstrators to be shot down by Forest Police with rifles in order to declare martial law and have himself instated as interim PM for an indefinite term. If these reports are indeed correct, then such pre-meditated murder for political ends is as morally reprehensible as the actions of Bush or Blair or Howard in invading Iraq et alia.

So far, the actions of the Generals seem to be geared toward investigating allegations of corruption, and preparing the way for an interim government. The release of Phayup Taksin and the report that Pojaman and her two children are living back in their home suggests that petty vindictiveness is definitely not on the generals' agenda. I share your hope that the trend continues.

Best wishes.

[Martin]

Or 'peasants' to a yeoman-farming family who own their freehold?

(Which reminds me of George Bernard Shaw observing that "Every time an Englishman opens his mouth, he makes another Englishman despise him." Even when the accent is acceptable, the choice of words in which a statement is phrased gives big signals---but only to those who have been brought up on the same signalling manual.)

'The Snark' has a good point here. It is easy to think that we will give one impression, but have our words interpreted quite differently.

And it is easy to 'get the wrong end of the stick' about some message transmitted by a Thai.

I recently 'went ballistic' about something in an e-mail from a very senior Thai professor, but it turned out that he had just picked up a phrase without understanding its derogatory connotation to a Brit.

[Laulen]

Let us hope that, when this current crisis resolves itself, there are a few more women in the highest political positions.

Despite what many Thais might think, there are an amazing number of Thai women holding all sorts of professional positions throughout the country. Who will be enlightened enough to give politics a go?

Could they do a better job at healing the apparent rift between city and country.

Perhaps then there will be a greater sense of balance, fairness, and equity for all of Thailand's peoples, whether in the country or the city.

Laulen

Edited September 22, 2006 by Laulen