Thaksin Homesick - But Not Welcomed - Yet

[george]

Ex-premier Thaksin can return -- after martial law is lifted

BANGKOK: -- Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra can 'come home', but it would be better for him to wait until martial law is lifted.

Defense Minister Boonrawd Somtat said Sunday that ousted ex-premier Thaksin is welcome to return home 'as a Thai citizen' but it is better that he should wait until martial law, imposed following the September 19 coup, is lifted.

It is up to Mr. Thaksin himself to consider whether it is appropriate for him to return to Thailand now and whether his return could severely stir the waters, Gen. Boonrawd said.

However, he said both Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont and Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, chairman of the Council for National Security (CNS), will also have to consider whether national security could be threatened if Mr. Thaksin returns now.

The deposed premier is now staying with his family in an apartment in London.

Prime Minister Surayud told journalists Saturday that Mr. Thaksin had telephoned him and asked to return to Thailand. Gen. Surayud said he had told Mr. Thaksin it was the right of all Thais to return to their homeland but the timing must be right and details must be discussed among the concerned parties.

"It's better to wait for the martial law to be lifted," said Gen. Boonrawd, adding that Mr. Thaksin will have to wait until that day, and that concerned officials will have to discuss the issue first to determine whether it is appropriate for him to return home.

Meanwhile, Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal Chalit Phukbhasuk, also deputy chairman of CNS, said he personally believed that martial law could be lifted within the next one or two months if everybody fully cooperates in solving the problems facing the country.

ACM Chalit told journalists after holding talks with the prime minister and Gen. Sonthi on the possibility of lifting martial law that several factors, including internal peace, would have to be taken into consideration before Mr. Thaksin is allowed to return home.

--TNA 2006-10-15

[kayo]

sso, er.. Will he bring back all those suitcases... ??

And return them to the Kingdom?

[Tony Clifton]

sso, er.. Will he bring back all those suitcases... ??

And return them to the Kingdom?

A well know cheapskate, he probably had a yard sale in London.

[bulmercke]

The sorrid details concerning Thaksin's premiership and the rampant and unrestrained corruption that accompanied it will forever be an embarrassment to Thailand and it's fine people.

His 'popular' populist policies were nothing more than a vehicle to further secure his 'unattainable' position.

His ill-gotten gains will be the target of this administration and new premier in the not too distant future.

Som-nam-na.......

Edited October 15, 2006 by bulmercke

[LaoPo]

sso, er.. Will he bring back all those suitcases... ??

And return them to the Kingdom?

Why would anyone bring back so many empty suitcases....I'm puzzled....

LaoPo

[britmaveric]

[Jai Dee]

CNS secretary-general suggests Thaksin return after martial law lifted

Permanent Secretary for Defence Gen.Winai Pattiyakul (วินัย ภัททิยกุล), in his capacity as secretary general of the Council of National Security, expressed an opinion that ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra (ทักษิณ ชินวัตร) should come back to Thailand after the martial law has been lifted.

Gen.Winai believed no unrest will rise from the situation as Gen. Surayud Chulanont <สุรยุทธ จุลานนท์> had consulted with various civic group leaders and they agreed to render cooperation to the government.

Gen.Winai added that the CNS has no concern about the international pressure to abolish the martial law. The government will this week publish a 'White Paper' explaining the world about the situation in Thailand.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 16 October 2006

[ColPyat]

Gen.Winai added that the CNS has no concern about the international pressure to abolish the martial law. The government will this week publish a 'White Paper' explaining the world about the situation in Thailand.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 16 October 2006

And i am sure that this white paper will persuade the world to stop pressuring the CNS to lift the martial law.

[Singha Gold]

I guess he didn't get his visa then.. Shame!

[Tony Clifton]

Could be that he wanted to visit his mia noi (rumour) at the hospital?

Does it hurt when you cough? Hiding evidence up there?

Sudarat undergoes haemorrhoids surgery

Thai Rak Thai deputy leader Sudarat Keyuraphan received an operation to treat her haemorrhoids at the Lertsin Hospital Monday morning.

Several Thai Rak Thai members visited Sudarat who was recovering at the hospital at 3 pm.

Those visiting her included deputy party spokeswoman Sansanee Nakpong, and former Bangkok MP Chakkrapop Penkae.

Sansanee told reporters that Sudarat's condition was not serious but doctors asker her to stay in the hospital for awhile.

The Nation

Edited October 16, 2006 by Tony Clifton

[Unknown]

Ex-premier Thaksin can return -- after martial law is lifted

BANGKOK: -- Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra can 'come home', but it would be better for him to wait until martial law is lifted.

He is far richer than the generals in power today.

And has far better connections.

He'll be back sooner than you think...

[Rinrada]

Word on the street is that if he waits say one year or so before he returns then he will be back in office as PM...and no need to say i told ye so...

Nana noisey tonight wonder why..?

[Khutan]

I guess he didn't get his visa then.. Shame!

He could always go to Cambodia and do Visa Runs to Vietnam

[paully]

Ex-premier Thaksin can return -- after martial law is lifted

BANGKOK: -- Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra can 'come home', but it would be better for him to wait until martial law is lifted.

He is far richer than the generals in power today.

And has far better connections.

He'll be back sooner than you think...

!00% correct. And he won't go to jail either.

[sriracha john]

Sudarat undergoes haemorrhoids surgery

now we know where Thakky was concealing his ASSets....

[sriracha john]

and... the agency tasked with retrieving and confiscating those assets probably are no longer interested in pursuing them....

[Thaipwriter]

Homesick?

He can go to China, no problem?

[John K]

sso, er.. Will he bring back all those suitcases... ??

And return them to the Kingdom?

Perhaps they should do like what the Philippines did when Marcos left with piles of cash. They Simply redesigned the notes and his cash became worthless.

[LaoPo]

sso, er.. Will he bring back all those suitcases... ??

And return them to the Kingdom?

Perhaps they should do like what the Philippines did when Marcos left with piles of cash. They Simply redesigned the notes and his cash became worthless.

Except the billions that were off-shore already.

LaoPo

[sriracha john]

sso, er.. Will he bring back all those suitcases... ??

And return them to the Kingdom?

Perhaps they should do like what the Philippines did when Marcos left with piles of cash. They Simply redesigned the notes and his cash became worthless.

Except the billions that were off-shore already.

LaoPo

Point of historical order:

"When Marcos fled, U.S. Customs agents discovered 24 suitcases of gold bricks; in addition, certificates for gold bullion valued in the billions of dollars were among the personal properties he, his family, his cronies and business partners had surreptitiously taken with them when the American president Ronald Reagan's administration provided them safe passage to Hawaii."

www.answers.com

Now then...Thakky left with what? 114 suitcases??? hmmmm.... how much would THOSE be worth??

[John K]

After reading some of today’s news stories (not posted here yet) it certainly looks like Thaksin wants to come back to grab power again. Regular contact with his class 10 buddies, trips to meet with TRT members in Singapore. Simply all the things he should not be doing if he wants to come back. It sounds like a man planning a counter coup.

It is totally against his nature to simply give up, we have seen it time and time again.

When the military moved his class 10 buddies he made a point of putting them back.

When he stepped down in April, it was only just an appearance of stepping down.

I could list more but I think you know his style.

Certainly the military sees this too in that I just read another story saying take a long break don’t come back anytime soon.

[sriracha john]

Certainly the military sees this too in that I just read another story saying take a long break don’t come back anytime soon.

A good example may be found by recalling once more his SE Asian predecessor Marcos. He was allowed to return to the Philippines seven years after he fled and four years after he had died.

[george]

Thaksin advised to stay abroad for a long time

Army rejects his plan to return, says his coming back would aggravate social division

BANGKOK: -- Ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra had hoped to return to his home in Bangkok next Sunday, but the Council for National Security (CNS) put a stop to his plan.

A political source said household maids had been preparing the Chan Song Lah residence ready for Thaksin's return.

There were also reports that Thaksin, who has taken refuge in London, flew to Singapore over the weekend and met with senior members of the Thai Rak Thai.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont admitted that Thaksin had requested that he be allowed to come home, but was told that the time was not right yet.

Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin, head of the security council, expressed concern yesterday about the volatile political situation caused by certain pressure groups acting like a political undercurrent to exert undue influence.

"The situation has not been completely normalised and authorities are closely monitoring the unfolding events," he said.

In light of the political volatility, the time was not right for deposed premier Thaksin Shinawatra to return, Sonthi said.

The CNS and the interim government would have to hold a joint meeting before giving a green light for Thaksin to return, he said.

Thaksin said in an interview broadcast on iTV yesterday that he would not be returning to Thailand in the near future. Speaking from his posh London apartment, the ex-PM said he wanted a rest.

It was unclear when the interview was recorded.

General Winai Phattiyakul, the CNS secretary general, said Thaksin should not make a hasty decision to end his exile before the lifting of martial law.

"For the sake of peace, many concerned parties have suggested that Thaksin review the timing of his return to Bangkok carefully," Winai said.

He also said the CNS would finalise its decision this week whether to issue a white paper on the domestic political situation. The paper, if published, will explain the September 19 coup.

Chat Thai Party deputy leader Somsak Prissanananthakul said he viewed the timing of Thaksin's return as the real issue.

"It is not a problem for Thaksin to return to his homeland but he should choose the right time to do so," Somsak said. The wrong timing might exacerbate social divisions, he said, adding that he believed Thaksin could decide his options for himself.

Former senator Wallop Tangkhananurak agreed, saying that Thaksin's return at this time could trigger dangerous confrontations between his supporters and detractors.

Deposed premier Field Marshal Thanom Kittikachorn enjoyed the forgiveness of the Thai people after a time lapse of one year in exile and remained a respected figure among his supporters, Wallop said, urging Thaksin to emulate Thanom's example.

Former Thai Rak Thai MP Chalermchai Ulankul said Thaksin should extend his London stay rather than risk living in detention.

Thaksin's return would likely trigger situations that could get out of hand and this in turn would prompt the authorities to restrict his movement, Chalermchai said.

Activist Phromsak Saenpho said he had just made a long-distance call from Chiang Mai to Thaksin in London.

"Thaksin told me he did not want to stir up trouble and confirmed his stand on the peaceful political process," Phromsak said.

He said Thaksin should be allowed his return without any pre-conditions.

Chaiphan Prapasawat, another activist from Chiang Mai, said police should immediately detain Thaksin to face charges relating to policy abuses, corruption and more than 2,000 killings during the "war on drugs".

--TNA 2006-10-16

[kmart]

Certainly the military sees this too in that I just read another story saying take a long break don’t come back anytime soon.

A good example may be found by recalling once more his SE Asian predecessor Marcos. He was allowed to return to the Philippines seven years after he fled and four years after he had died.

Marcos's wife still holds a lot of power and influence there. And a lot of shoes....

[Jai Dee]

Thai military chief "on the fence" on Thaksin's requested return

Thailand's army chief and Chairman of the military Council for National Security (CNS) Sonthi Boonyaratkalin on Monday declined to specify just when "an appropriate time" for ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra to return to Thailand might be, saying that he was undecided on the issue.

The general was quoted by the Thai News Agency (TNA) as saying that the matter must be jointly discussed by the interim government and the CNS, which both need some more time to consider the issue. Their consideration will be based on national stability, peace and order, he said.

Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont earlier said that Thaksin, now staying London after the Sept. 19 coup, called him asking to return home. Surayud replied his predecessor that he should choose "an appropriate time" to return.

On Sunday, Thai interim Defense Minister Boonrawd Somtat further explained the "an appropriate time" as "after the martial law is lifted."

Commenting on calls for the lifting of martial law, Sonthi said on Monday that the law will be lifted when the situation is completely stable.

According to the TNA report, Thai intelligence agencies are still monitoring the situation as some political "undercurrents" remain in place. Nevertheless, the general said the military and the government will do their best to make everyone happy regarding this subject.

The CNS chairman said the decision about keeping martial law in force was not connected with Thaksin's desire to return to Thailand. He said he was unable to tell when the former prime minister should return home.

Source: Xinhua - 17 October 2006

[bluedragon]

Ex-premier Thaksin can return -- after martial law is lifted

BANGKOK: -- Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra can 'come home', but it would be better for him to wait until martial law is lifted.

Defense Minister Boonrawd Somtat said Sunday that ousted ex-premier Thaksin is welcome to return home 'as a Thai citizen' but it is better that he should wait until martial law, imposed following the September 19 coup, is lifted.

It is up to Mr. Thaksin himself to consider whether it is appropriate for him to return to Thailand now and whether his return could severely stir the waters, Gen. Boonrawd said.

However, he said both Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont and Gen. Sonthi Boonyaratkalin, chairman of the Council for National Security (CNS), will also have to consider whether national security could be threatened if Mr. Thaksin returns now.

The deposed premier is now staying with his family in an apartment in London.

Prime Minister Surayud told journalists Saturday that Mr. Thaksin had telephoned him and asked to return to Thailand. Gen. Surayud said he had told Mr. Thaksin it was the right of all Thais to return to their homeland but the timing must be right and details must be discussed among the concerned parties.

"It's better to wait for the martial law to be lifted," said Gen. Boonrawd, adding that Mr. Thaksin will have to wait until that day, and that concerned officials will have to discuss the issue first to determine whether it is appropriate for him to return home.

Meanwhile, Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal Chalit Phukbhasuk, also deputy chairman of CNS, said he personally believed that martial law could be lifted within the next one or two months if everybody fully cooperates in solving the problems facing the country.

ACM Chalit told journalists after holding talks with the prime minister and Gen. Sonthi on the possibility of lifting martial law that several factors, including internal peace, would have to be taken into consideration before Mr. Thaksin is allowed to return home.

--TNA 2006-10-15

Well, unfortunately, PACOM has imposed a travel restriction for all Military and DOD employees traveling to Thailand... LIFT Marshal Law. Regards, BD

[sriracha john]

Certainly the military sees this too in that I just read another story saying take a long break don’t come back anytime soon.

A good example may be found by recalling once more his SE Asian predecessor Marcos. He was allowed to return to the Philippines seven years after he fled and four years after he had died.

Marcos's wife still holds a lot of power and influence there. And a lot of shoes....

Pojaman and Imelda have more than a few things in common....

[Tony Clifton]

Certainly the military sees this too in that I just read another story saying take a long break don’t come back anytime soon.

A good example may be found by recalling once more his SE Asian predecessor Marcos. He was allowed to return to the Philippines seven years after he fled and four years after he had died.

Marcos's wife still holds a lot of power and influence there. And a lot of shoes....

Pojaman and Imelda have more than a few things in common....

Yeah, they both have a zillion pairs of shoes but lack the freedom to wear them and walk anywhere we can.

[Rinrada]

Dont forget that ermmm..technically he is ...like still PM......yea

[Old Man River]

Ex-premier Thaksin can return -- after martial law is lifted

BANGKOK: -- Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra can 'come home', but it would be better for him to wait until martial law is lifted.

He is far richer than the generals in power today.

And has far better connections.

He'll be back sooner than you think...

!00% correct. And he won't go to jail either.

Eh, agreed he won't go to jail, but if he comes back prematurely (before they say so), he will be kept under house arrest. This coup was not about money. His money won't help. This coup was about loyalties to a higher boss. Think about the "charismatic" person who wanted him out and where his loyalities are and you will better understand.