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Monday, January 26, 2009
Thaksin's old broken record
Posted by Veera Prateepchaikul
BangkokPost.com
Those of you who are fans or no-fans of exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra should have, by now, learned what he had said during his phone-in interview from somewhere abroad with the Dstation of the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship on Sunday.
As usual, what Mr Thaksin said Sunday was the same old stuff that he has kept repeating time and again like a broken record: that he and his family were unfairly treated; that he has not done anything wrong; that he was falsely accused of not being loyal to the monarchy; that he has been targeted for assassination attempts and blah-blah-blah. He vowed to keep the fight for the justice until his death.
So what exactly is the justice that Mr Thaksin has been fiercely fighting for all these days? Obviously, the justice is all about the 76 billion baht in assets earned from the sale of his Shin Corp shares to Singapore’s Temasek holding company which have been ordered frozen by the now defunct Assets Scrutiny Committee; about all the charges against him and his family which are still pending or which have become final, foremost of all the allegation that he is not loyal to the monarchy. Apparently in his fixed mindset, he has always believed that he is innocent because he has never stolen anything from the state and that every baht earned by his companies was legally earned.
As a former prime minister, Mr Thaksin should know fully well that waging a war of words via the air waves is not a right and proper channel to demand justice for himself and his family unless he has other motives to exploit the air waves. What he should do is to come back to defend himself against all the charges against him. Which will also spare him all the troubles of having to hop around the globe like a vagabond that he described himself to be.
During the phone-in interview on Sunday, Mr Thaksin went a bit too far by comparing his ordeal to that of Nelson Mandela. The two men are totally different like black and white. Mr Mandela was jailed for 40 years for his selfless fight for justice for the black South Africans against apartheid and the cause of human rights whereas Mr Thaksin’s fight for justice is all about himself and his family.
The Abhisit government has made it be known for the exiled former prime minister to come back with assurance that he will be treated fairly according to the letters of the law. But so far the offer has been ignored. Instead, Mr Thaksin chose to make use of the air waves, originally through the state-run NBT television station and now the DStation of the UDD which was partially financed by himself, to pave the way for his return home. Through the Dstation which is connected to some cable networks run by Thaksin loyalists, the ex-premier can communicate directly with his grassroot supporters and woo their support. Which explains why Mr Thaksin these days rely and trust the UDD and its red-shirted people more than the Puea Thai party.
At a major rally planned this coming Saturday by the UDD, Mr Thaksin will again address the red-shirted crowd. But how many of the red shirts from the rual areas will turn up this time to hear probably the same old tune from the man in exile remains to be seen. Without free bus ride provided by the organizers, the huge crowd as anticipated by the organizers may not materialize. Since the rally is important as a show of strength of the red shirts and also a show of Thaksin’s popularity, the UDD core leaders and their sponsors will doubtlessly make all the efforts to ensure a huge gathering.
Read commentComment 1
Billy Budd date : 27/01/2009 time : 04:23
Much as I loath Mr Thaksins manipulations. I wouldn't expect a fair trial in a country where corruption and ignorance of the rule of law permeates many institutions including the police, military, judiciary and political parties. Mr Thaksin is a product of the same corrupt system which is why he is wise not to trust it. When, and only when such institutions are shown to be fair, transparent and honest should he risk a fair trial should he be self righteous and confident enough to do so. Can anyone suggest a date?
Comment 2
Tigy Crèvecoeur 
date : 27/01/2009 time : 10:26
date : 27/01/2009 time : 10:26
I am living in France and have been always estonished by he treatment of Thai authorities concerning the case of Mr Thaksin. I just want to remind the people that he has been legally and fairly elected three times by the population of Thailand with a undeniable majority. Furthermore, as he is saying, Mr Thaksin was rich before turning to politics. The only disturbing point is that Mr Thaksin has run the country as a commercial company, fighting against the privilegs of all the "nomenklatura" of Thailand.
Comment 3
Mr Simple date : 27/01/2009 time : 14:25
date : 27/01/2009 time : 14:25
I believe that thr writer of the above has a problem.
Any resonable person that is falsly accused of some would stick to his innocense and repeate this no matter what.
That deosnt make it blahblahblah.
But that what you try to tell the world.
Im not Taksin and im neither a friend of him.
But filling people with the SH.. above makes me sick !
Any resonable person that is falsly accused of some would stick to his innocense and repeate this no matter what.
That deosnt make it blahblahblah.
But that what you try to tell the world.
Im not Taksin and im neither a friend of him.
But filling people with the SH.. above makes me sick !
Comment 4
Noi date : 27/01/2009 time : 15:26
date : 27/01/2009 time : 15:26
Veera--Personally I think you are a
paid coward. You have written a piece of rubbish.
I can see that you have not a small amount of humanity in you. You are full of hatred and jalousy. Taksin was primister of Thailand for 6 years, whatever you think of his contributions to the country he is at least deserved
respect and kindness from most Thais unless they see themseves as his enemy.
Why do you think Taksin risks lonliness,
bankruptcy and deaht,is it for fun-like you try to make fun of him.
paid coward. You have written a piece of rubbish.
I can see that you have not a small amount of humanity in you. You are full of hatred and jalousy. Taksin was primister of Thailand for 6 years, whatever you think of his contributions to the country he is at least deserved
respect and kindness from most Thais unless they see themseves as his enemy.
Why do you think Taksin risks lonliness,
bankruptcy and deaht,is it for fun-like you try to make fun of him.
Comment 5
noristhai date : 27/01/2009 time : 23:48
date : 27/01/2009 time : 23:48
I have read a lot of comments about Thaksin so far.
I am not pro nor contra to him.
He started a lot of good things during the early parts of his stay.
But then total greed took over.
If he just would have stayed with the huge sums of money his companies earned due to his assistance as prime minister, I am pretty sure he would be still in power.
But as history has shown many time in the past people in power lose contact to reality and think they are above everybody.
As soon as he started to fill his coffers by tax evasion and thinking that the Thai public would not dare to be against him, thats when his downfall started.
He is not man enough to admit and put the blame on everybody then himself.
And to my liking he talks too much about the monarchy, but again he refuses to admit.
If he really seeks the best interest for Thailand, he would return and stand up for himself, admit his wrongs and be a role model for all people to show that NOBODY is above the law.
That would be a dream come true.
I am not pro nor contra to him.
He started a lot of good things during the early parts of his stay.
But then total greed took over.
If he just would have stayed with the huge sums of money his companies earned due to his assistance as prime minister, I am pretty sure he would be still in power.
But as history has shown many time in the past people in power lose contact to reality and think they are above everybody.
As soon as he started to fill his coffers by tax evasion and thinking that the Thai public would not dare to be against him, thats when his downfall started.
He is not man enough to admit and put the blame on everybody then himself.
And to my liking he talks too much about the monarchy, but again he refuses to admit.
If he really seeks the best interest for Thailand, he would return and stand up for himself, admit his wrongs and be a role model for all people to show that NOBODY is above the law.
That would be a dream come true.
Comment 6
Unknown date : 28/01/2009 time : 03:24
date : 28/01/2009 time : 03:24
Dear Mr. Veera,
I've read this post, and sincerely I felt that this is very straight forward and genuine as opposing to the discussion web-boards online. Basically I also have a confused feeling about this whole matter with Thaksin and the PAD. I am not a supporter to both sides, but what deeply concerns me is that it seems like Thai people are also confused, because we cannot tell what is right and wrong now. And I just like to ask you about your thoughts on this, what can we do (the people) in a time like this? who can we listen to for the good advice? and what exactly is going on in Thai politics and society? why doesn't it have the same democratic spirit as the American people do?
I've read this post, and sincerely I felt that this is very straight forward and genuine as opposing to the discussion web-boards online. Basically I also have a confused feeling about this whole matter with Thaksin and the PAD. I am not a supporter to both sides, but what deeply concerns me is that it seems like Thai people are also confused, because we cannot tell what is right and wrong now. And I just like to ask you about your thoughts on this, what can we do (the people) in a time like this? who can we listen to for the good advice? and what exactly is going on in Thai politics and society? why doesn't it have the same democratic spirit as the American people do?
Comment 7
mungkon date : 28/01/2009 time : 03:29
date : 28/01/2009 time : 03:29
Veera, it is so naive of you to think that there will actually be justice.
First and foremost, I would like to see the Yellow Shirts detained for all the mess they have caused to the Land of Smiles. How can there be justice - just take a look at the FM, a scar from the turmoil that closes the Airports.
Way to go Thaksin...Keep on fighting
First and foremost, I would like to see the Yellow Shirts detained for all the mess they have caused to the Land of Smiles. How can there be justice - just take a look at the FM, a scar from the turmoil that closes the Airports.
Way to go Thaksin...Keep on fighting
Comment 8
New Siamese date : 28/01/2009 time : 04:47
date : 28/01/2009 time : 04:47
Show your brave heart if you want to be the hero of Thais, Mr Thaksin. Every legend hero has been behind the bars and dare to face every allegation against them. Have you ever read about Legend Hero? Or maybe you just read about yourself how you've blinded rural Thais with less than a quarter from your pocket?
Only fools can believe in you.
Comment 9
dan date : 28/01/2009 time : 06:46
date : 28/01/2009 time : 06:46
Your post might make sense in a first world country. You CANNOT deny that Thailand is riddled with corruption and the judiciary system is not trusted by anyone. With powerful elite and invisible hands this country will always run according to those with the most wealth and most power. I am NOT a Thaksin supporter, and assume he is no monk when it comes to ethics and morals. But you have got to be kidding yourself (or your readers) to assume Thaksin will be treated fairly in Thailand. He was ousted in an illegal military coup at the peak of his leadership. We are told this happened to avoid bloodshed because there were some noisy protesters at Sanam Luang - what a croc! After 15 months of military rule and all the time in the world to bring Thaksins wrongdoings into the light - what are we left with? A dodgy land deal in which he was found guilty by a ruling of 5 to 4!!!! Veera....wake up!
Comment 11
Chom date : 28/01/2009 time : 08:06
date : 28/01/2009 time : 08:06
No need to arrange bus for me, I will pay my own and even bring the whole village in my bus.
Thaksin can not belief that he will be protected under the Thai Law. Where is the Thai Law, there is no Law in actual, No body is arrested for damaging the Government properties and economy.
Thai must adopt the constitutional monarchy to 100 %. The absolute power of the Monarch must be reduced to ceremonial monarch.
By supporting the handful yellow shirts, the Royal family is shortening their life, the red shirts are every where even outside of the Thailand.
Thaksin can not belief that he will be protected under the Thai Law. Where is the Thai Law, there is no Law in actual, No body is arrested for damaging the Government properties and economy.
Thai must adopt the constitutional monarchy to 100 %. The absolute power of the Monarch must be reduced to ceremonial monarch.
By supporting the handful yellow shirts, the Royal family is shortening their life, the red shirts are every where even outside of the Thailand.
Comment 12
Ed Taberoni date : 28/01/2009 time : 08:18
date : 28/01/2009 time : 08:18
The lust for Power and Greed can do strange things to some people, especially when everything they own came easy, and in Thaksin's case, it came all too easy. Instead of showing honor and character, he behaves exactly like a baby when they want something.
Thaksin is Thailand's History, not it's future. he had his chance, time to move aside, He is all about money, money, money, what about the Thai People??
Thaksin is Thailand's History, not it's future. he had his chance, time to move aside, He is all about money, money, money, what about the Thai People??
Comment 13
jarunee somchinda date : 28/01/2009 time : 09:13
date : 28/01/2009 time : 09:13
Frozen Ex. PM Thaksin, is criminal practice, eventhough this business born during he take position, because every thai people knew that this assets settle before he was PM.
I recall justice for him, since honour UDD form the group, they are respect rule of law and never damaged or destroy official property and Thailand immages.
I recall justice for him, since honour UDD form the group, they are respect rule of law and never damaged or destroy official property and Thailand immages.
Comment 14
Mai Dee date : 28/01/2009 time : 14:17
date : 28/01/2009 time : 14:17
Thaksin has only himself to blame for his troubles. When he flew out of Thailand in 2006 with, reportedly, more than 400 suitcases, the autocrat said he was "finished" playing politics. Had he kept his word, Thaksin would still have UK citizenship, own a football club, have no criminal record and no cash flow problems.
There are Thai problems deserving of sympathy. This is not one of them.
Comment 15
Ryan Nash date : 28/01/2009 time : 18:11
date : 28/01/2009 time : 18:11
Biased article. The writer is absolutely a foe of Thaksin. Even if Thaksin donates all his money, the writer will find some fault in that as well. A very good example of yellow journalism. Time for you to be neutral. Who is controlling you, bro?
Comment 16
carl date : 28/01/2009 time : 20:47
date : 28/01/2009 time : 20:47
"During the phone-in interview on Sunday, Mr Thaksin went a bit too far by comparing his ordeal to that of Nelson Mandela."
I think Khun Thanksin has been watching the Gov. Of Illinois on TV.
I think Khun Thanksin has been watching the Gov. Of Illinois on TV.
Comment 17
Kutjebu date : 29/01/2009 time : 04:01
date : 29/01/2009 time : 04:01
Justice in Thailand?......a laugh.
The Abhisit government has made it be known for the exiled former prime minister to come back with assurance that he will be treated fairly according to the letters of the law.
What about the PAD leaders?
The law?Maybe when Thaksin is back.
The Abhisit government has made it be known for the exiled former prime minister to come back with assurance that he will be treated fairly according to the letters of the law.
What about the PAD leaders?
The law?Maybe when Thaksin is back.
Comment 18
Terry date : 29/01/2009 time : 05:19
date : 29/01/2009 time : 05:19
Who cares about this man ?
Do you like him so much that he is present in the BP every day.
..............
Comment 19
G. Barling date : 29/01/2009 time : 09:22
date : 29/01/2009 time : 09:22
Thaksin shall go back a face a legal action as Nelson M was if he really wish to be like Nelson M. From the jail he can fight back, be gentlemen, don't be afraid. This is the sign of real Democracy Fighter. But if you fight for yourself and your family you just like a backing-dog, make noise from outside.
Legally earn money. What Thaksin means? You have power, you buy one big land with a cheap prise and sell with a huge prise to your own government. The same with stock and companies he run. In term of politic, law and Human power it is legal to do it, but in term of Humanity and Christianity it is awfully devil. Please Thaksin.
Legally earn money. What Thaksin means? You have power, you buy one big land with a cheap prise and sell with a huge prise to your own government. The same with stock and companies he run. In term of politic, law and Human power it is legal to do it, but in term of Humanity and Christianity it is awfully devil. Please Thaksin.
Comment 20
CHECK FOR PAYMENTS PLEASE date : 29/01/2009 time : 11:11
It would be very interesting if Bkk Post or tother newspapers infiltrated the red shirt people and his some checking whether they are being paid to attend (and how much), or otherwise.
Waiting Bkk Post....
Waiting Bkk Post....
Comment 21
boonchuay date : 29/01/2009 time : 12:05
date : 29/01/2009 time : 12:05
Thaksin sponsors those red-shirt hostiled activity does hurt Thailand business enormously. Make travellers abroad have false sense of alarm, and some 'd not come, investors feel un-easy. He does that on purpose with his evil mind.
Comment 23
Dennis date : 30/01/2009 time : 00:29
date : 30/01/2009 time : 00:29
My be Mr. Taksin are corrupt, but after many year in Thailand, nobody of you can be under the name of serios. So, I understand that Mr. Taksin , knowing your system are corrupt, not comming back to face a corrupt commity or cort.
Dennis
Dennis
Comment 24
David Seow date : 30/01/2009 time : 02:22
date : 30/01/2009 time : 02:22
I read most of the comments made in the Bangkok Post and I have often discussed with my Thai friends about local politics.
I come to the conclusion that the people had fixed ideas and no amount of arguments will convince them to change their minds. Some are very fanatical in their thinking and get aggressive when they cannot win the arguments.
Comment 25
net date : 30/01/2009 time : 21:31
date : 30/01/2009 time : 21:31
So tell me again what Thaksin did wrong???? still not sure? Seemed like the court judged him guilty in the Ratchada land deal which is understanable. But still I have no clue about what other things he has done that caused him a very very bad fortune.
After all, he has done/ initiated many good things for the Thais (especially the poor ones)....and I liked him...and I would like to know the facts about what has he done wrong????? Anybody fill me in kobey7@gmail.com
Comment 26
Blago's brother in law date : 31/01/2009 time : 00:21
date : 31/01/2009 time : 00:21
Thaksin is just like Blago in the USA- completely innocent. How stupid does one have to be to believe for a single moment that this man is honest? Really, if you support Thaksin today, you are functionally a moron.
uSmy family
uSmy family
Comment 27
mike macarelli date : 31/01/2009 time : 02:10
date : 31/01/2009 time : 02:10
Someone needs to do something about Thaksin. It does not really matter what it takes to shut him up. If Thailand needs to assassinate him, so what? He is causing alot of unrest, and most of his followers do not know what his true agenda is, which is money and power. The best interests of his country have never concerned the man, or he would have paid the taxes he owed, and never suffered the fate he brought upon himself through hubris and arrogance. He needs to be shut up, and Thailand has the responsibility to do it.
Comment 28
Fast Eddy date : 31/01/2009 time : 03:58
date : 31/01/2009 time : 03:58
Yawn! Hang Him High!! The man should be stood in front of a UN tribunaral for crimes against humanity! How many Thais died during his reign of extra judicial murders? somewhere between 2500 and 5000!
Stop giving him space and order his arrest on sight!
Stop giving him space and order his arrest on sight!
Comment 29
doctor J date : 31/01/2009 time : 06:09
date : 31/01/2009 time : 06:09
Did Veera imply that the red shirts were PAID to show up at the Saturday rally? Yeah,some of them might be paid,but did you deduct that ALL of them were paid? Do Veera think that I's paid to post this comment too? What a nasty stupid stereotype thinking of you. Your line of thought suits the PADs and their influential backers so well,I can't help but wonder if you are one of their backer too.
Comment 30
WHAT A CHEEK TAXSIN HAS date : 31/01/2009 time : 08:40
How dare Taxsin compare himself to the role model for all humanity, Mr. Nelson Mandella, who is already seen a one of the great men of all time. And he's so humble.
Taxsin's claims that he has done nothing wrong are blatant lies, and heknos it, again showing the lack of morals this man has.
He stil seems to think that he can easily fool people. Big mistake mr taxsin, you are just making a fool of yourself
Taxsin's claims that he has done nothing wrong are blatant lies, and heknos it, again showing the lack of morals this man has.
He stil seems to think that he can easily fool people. Big mistake mr taxsin, you are just making a fool of yourself
Comment 31
SOB date : 31/01/2009 time : 17:41
Meglomaniac claims it is costing him $5,000,000 a month to live while he is on the lam. Now I guess we know how much it cost to run a profitless television channel and pay 30,000 people to wear red shirts and march on the government house.
Q. How do you spell meglomaniac in Thai?
A. T-H-A-K-S-I-N.
Q. How do you spell meglomaniac in Thai?
A. T-H-A-K-S-I-N.
Comment 32
Tan date : 31/01/2009 time : 22:31
date : 31/01/2009 time : 22:31
He should be SILENCED once and for all!!!!!All he thinks is his MONEY...
Comment 33
Dalmasian date : 01/02/2009 time : 03:20
If Thugsin is truly innocent of al the crimes that he has been accused of perpetrating throughout his administrations and even after those regimes, then he should not be afraid of facing those charges in courts of law here in Thailand. If he truly believes Thailand is his country and the Thai people really loves and admire him like a demi-god, then he should be proud to stand tall in his own land and fight for his rightful place in Thai society. Alas, I regret to say that he is a coward through and through. He is a cowardly fugitive with absolutely no conscience whatsover, running away from the laws of his own country, hiding every which way he can find like a mouse running away from the cats, and talking bullshit over the airwaves designed to incite lawless behavior and illegal activities among the blind Thai people who are paid to "show" support for him in public places. What a pathetic S.O.B. and bastard this "former" Thai prime minister has proven himself to be.
Comment 34
Graeme Laird date : 01/02/2009 time : 05:17
date : 01/02/2009 time : 05:17
Is it not time for Thaksin to go off quietly in the distance? While he did some positive things for the country like raising the awareness of the poverty of the farmers, he did not work out how to pay for the people pleasing measures he took. He missed a great opportunity to root out corruption and proved he was the most corrupt feeling he was above the law. Time for him to leave the scene and let the current goverment get on with things.
Comment 35
Jakkaphan date : 01/02/2009 time : 06:29
date : 01/02/2009 time : 06:29
I think time is the factor that will end the gathering of the Red Shirt. If it is true that the Red Shirts are paid to come for the protest, then most likely they would have to leave the domain when the money is finished. Even the gathering of the Yellow Shirts,who claim that they gathered without being paid, still decrease in size of supporters after a few weeks of protest.
I agree with the writer that Thaksin lied when he said that he didn't corrupt the country. If he is innocent, then why does not he prove it. Besides, he still has got support from the Red Shirts. This shows that he has really done wrong.
It is quite odd to see people sopporting him when they surely know that he is wrong. The only possible reason is that they are paid.
Most of the Red Shirts supporters are lower class people and apparently they would not have the money to give to the organisation. I don't think the gathering will last long.
I agree with the writer that Thaksin lied when he said that he didn't corrupt the country. If he is innocent, then why does not he prove it. Besides, he still has got support from the Red Shirts. This shows that he has really done wrong.
It is quite odd to see people sopporting him when they surely know that he is wrong. The only possible reason is that they are paid.
Most of the Red Shirts supporters are lower class people and apparently they would not have the money to give to the organisation. I don't think the gathering will last long.
Comment 36
Guy date : 01/02/2009 time : 13:59
date : 01/02/2009 time : 13:59
I think the report here is one sided , Thaksin would bot get a fair trial because the system is corupt. If he is guilty yes he should go to prison . The King and Queen of Thailand are loved by the people and I personally have great respect for them and the Thai people.
But the point is If Thailand is a democracy , like Uk we have the Queen as figure head but Parliment has the power over the people and how the country is run, they were chosen by the people. The Queen and militry have no power . But have the respect of the people. when the yellows protested in the airports 25th Nov to 5th Dec they were like a terorist holding farang and Thai hostage , un democratic they should not be able to defite the elected government and the courts should not have given in to there wishes ,the new government is in my opinion Illigal . Thailand all partys yellow and red should agree a genral election and all agree to abide by the result , then Thailand can move forward as a great country that so many Thai and westerners Love .
I pray to God that there problems be resolved .
But the point is If Thailand is a democracy , like Uk we have the Queen as figure head but Parliment has the power over the people and how the country is run, they were chosen by the people. The Queen and militry have no power . But have the respect of the people. when the yellows protested in the airports 25th Nov to 5th Dec they were like a terorist holding farang and Thai hostage , un democratic they should not be able to defite the elected government and the courts should not have given in to there wishes ,the new government is in my opinion Illigal . Thailand all partys yellow and red should agree a genral election and all agree to abide by the result , then Thailand can move forward as a great country that so many Thai and westerners Love .
I pray to God that there problems be resolved .
Comment 37
songwatboy date : 01/02/2009 time : 23:11
date : 01/02/2009 time : 23:11
If I were Thaksin I would not come back to Thailand to defend myself either. The Thai legal system, in this case, has proven to be totally bankrupt. We, from the outside, can see it so clearly, it is people like you who write articles like this one who has convinced us that you guys are hopless, belong to the 18th century. Remember I have no axe to grind with either side.
Comment 38
wandee date : 01/02/2009 time : 23:49
Dear Veera,
Interesting to read your blog and to see, that some people still have it, that magic touch to pretend to be a person writing about Thaksin Shinawatra and not being part of one of the involved parties.
The worst part of your blog refers to the part, were you start to weigh the comments made by Thaksin Shinawatra and give him advice to return to Thailand and fight the allegations against him. But Veera, that would be the same like having asked people to return to countries like Nazi Germany, Soviet Union, North Korea, Iraq under the rule of Saddam, Iran etc after escaping from them. How much of a fair court case would they have to expect or in the cases of the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany had to be expect?
These countries all have courts and had courts. All of them will insist, that only justice is practised there and that all rules of the law are observed and always have been observed. Certainly, you have an opinion on that too. My pondering (I have not been a supporter of Thaksin and never voted for him) brought me to a junction, which told me, that if our courts have been independent and only did serve justice, what did stop them to remove Thaksin from power before the military saw the need for it? If they have not been independent, what right have I to believe now that they are independent, since they have been placed full with people and judges, which had to be anti Thaksin to be appointed?
I am in a position, were I can also read articles and websites banned in Thailand. I am also fully aware, that the laws governing our country are similar to the laws in North Korea, Iran and the darkest part of Africa and that critic on the ruling class will find a harsh response. That my dear Veera has nothing to do with justice but suppression of thought, opinion and basic human rights. Therefore, I don’t believe that Thaksin is fighting only for selfish reasons, but that part of the agenda too is, to ensure that democracy, the one thing which will help to keep Thailand together in the future stays alive and is not buried for good under the Abhisit government.
You write that the Abhisit government has made it be known for the exiled former prime minister to come back with assurance that he will be treated fairly according to the letters of the law. The Abhisit government includes PAD members, which have used terrorist actions to keep over 300.000 foreigners in this country, without access to the law you seem to uphold. The Abhisit government includes a foreign minister who participated in the occupation of two international airports, which was harshly criticised by the US government under George W Bush and the European Union and regarded as acts of terrorism.
Mr Abhisit has made many things to be known, but so have Adolf Hitler, Josef Stalin, Idi Amin, Mao, Pol Pot and all the other leading experts on law, their law.
Interesting to read your blog and to see, that some people still have it, that magic touch to pretend to be a person writing about Thaksin Shinawatra and not being part of one of the involved parties.
The worst part of your blog refers to the part, were you start to weigh the comments made by Thaksin Shinawatra and give him advice to return to Thailand and fight the allegations against him. But Veera, that would be the same like having asked people to return to countries like Nazi Germany, Soviet Union, North Korea, Iraq under the rule of Saddam, Iran etc after escaping from them. How much of a fair court case would they have to expect or in the cases of the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany had to be expect?
These countries all have courts and had courts. All of them will insist, that only justice is practised there and that all rules of the law are observed and always have been observed. Certainly, you have an opinion on that too. My pondering (I have not been a supporter of Thaksin and never voted for him) brought me to a junction, which told me, that if our courts have been independent and only did serve justice, what did stop them to remove Thaksin from power before the military saw the need for it? If they have not been independent, what right have I to believe now that they are independent, since they have been placed full with people and judges, which had to be anti Thaksin to be appointed?
I am in a position, were I can also read articles and websites banned in Thailand. I am also fully aware, that the laws governing our country are similar to the laws in North Korea, Iran and the darkest part of Africa and that critic on the ruling class will find a harsh response. That my dear Veera has nothing to do with justice but suppression of thought, opinion and basic human rights. Therefore, I don’t believe that Thaksin is fighting only for selfish reasons, but that part of the agenda too is, to ensure that democracy, the one thing which will help to keep Thailand together in the future stays alive and is not buried for good under the Abhisit government.
You write that the Abhisit government has made it be known for the exiled former prime minister to come back with assurance that he will be treated fairly according to the letters of the law. The Abhisit government includes PAD members, which have used terrorist actions to keep over 300.000 foreigners in this country, without access to the law you seem to uphold. The Abhisit government includes a foreign minister who participated in the occupation of two international airports, which was harshly criticised by the US government under George W Bush and the European Union and regarded as acts of terrorism.
Mr Abhisit has made many things to be known, but so have Adolf Hitler, Josef Stalin, Idi Amin, Mao, Pol Pot and all the other leading experts on law, their law.
Comment 39
Ron Green date : 02/02/2009 time : 04:32
date : 02/02/2009 time : 04:32
The parties at the opposite side of Thaksin are not that clean as you would others to believe. Buddhism believes in karma. What they did (not exactly through legal procedures) to the previous government are coming back to haunt them.
Try your luck to avoid the inevitable.
Comment 40
Ryan Nash date : 03/02/2009 time : 02:01
date : 03/02/2009 time : 02:01
You are a yellow journalist. Completely biased. Shame on you!
Comment 41
dale boe date : 03/02/2009 time : 05:09
date : 03/02/2009 time : 05:09
I am from the usa and we have our problems as you know, we voted ours out and will forget him . Why cant the thai people do the same. Goodby to bad rubbish
Comment 42
Pichaaa date : 03/02/2009 time : 09:27
date : 03/02/2009 time : 09:27
i think thaksin has his own right to do anything as he is also a human like anybody. so i guess there ain't any war in his case. everyone has the right to do so. when there was a rally from yellow party there must be a rally from red too because after all everyone is human and they have the right to do so.
justice is needed atlast.
justice is needed atlast.
Comment 43
Kees date : 04/02/2009 time : 10:53
Do not make a holy man of Mandela. He personally killed a police-officer so his (just) protest actions were far from peacefull.
Comment 44
Per date : 04/02/2009 time : 17:44
date : 04/02/2009 time : 17:44
I have met a lot of Thai people in Sweden where I live. No one like this goverment and everybody talk about what a good man Thaksin is.
Comment 45
Grey date : 04/02/2009 time : 19:12
date : 04/02/2009 time : 19:12
In reality Thaksin (Toxin-poison) sold Shin Corp to the dictator of Temaske whose family owns the vast majority of the company. By then the multi-billionaire Toxin thought he was above paying taxes. He fancied himself a King. Even the wealthy elite in Thailand pay some taxes so why does Toxin think he owes his own country a few crumbs out of the billions he made selling Shin Corp? The man is obnoxious, arrogant, and a convicted criminal. He continues to divide Thailand and will continue as long as he as access to the Thai airways. The big question is how many billions of baht did Toxin fly out of the country when he fled to the safe haven of England?
Comment 47
Porn date : 05/02/2009 time : 07:14
Chef was removed by Justice ,also rebel has been allowe by Justics.
is this Thailand ?
Comment 48
Herman date : 05/02/2009 time : 08:36
date : 05/02/2009 time : 08:36
K. Veera, you may be the supporter of PAD and UDD. But for sure you are pro-Abhisit.
Your article is too biased and absolutely misleading.
Your article is too biased and absolutely misleading.
Comment 49
farangboy date : 05/02/2009 time : 09:28
date : 05/02/2009 time : 09:28
The problem with Thaksin is, that he the same sort of sefish politician as Berlusconi in Italy. The few good things he initiated are overwhelmingly outpaced by his selfish money-laundering and the corruption of his political kingmakers and members of his administration. Read "Thaksin gin mueang" and get some insight into his "work"...
Comment 50
Noob date : 05/02/2009 time : 12:32
date : 05/02/2009 time : 12:32
"Citation needed"
maybe the author has been watching too much ASTV or something. he wrote this based on his own emotion, you cannot find facts or anything. He is full of it
maybe the author has been watching too much ASTV or something. he wrote this based on his own emotion, you cannot find facts or anything. He is full of it
Comment 51
Ed Taberoni date : 05/02/2009 time : 13:29
If fair people we are taught to share, what do you call people who want to have everything for themselves for as long as they want and at the same time take liberties away from others,
Who lived in Thailand under the Taksin regime ??, it was scary and he targeted foreigners as foes, but as soon as he got run out of office he ran to the foreigners for refuge and abused their laws to hide his plunder?
All this mail coming in saying he is a nice guy, well Mr. Nice guy got 2 terms as PM, grabbed 1 million times more money for himself than 99% of the earth's people will ever dream of earning in 100 life times, and is still wanting to come back for more and more.
Yet it is not okay to allow a new Prime Minister and allow others their turn..strange, that is not fair is it?
Who lived in Thailand under the Taksin regime ??, it was scary and he targeted foreigners as foes, but as soon as he got run out of office he ran to the foreigners for refuge and abused their laws to hide his plunder?
All this mail coming in saying he is a nice guy, well Mr. Nice guy got 2 terms as PM, grabbed 1 million times more money for himself than 99% of the earth's people will ever dream of earning in 100 life times, and is still wanting to come back for more and more.
Yet it is not okay to allow a new Prime Minister and allow others their turn..strange, that is not fair is it?
Comment 52
Pat date : 05/02/2009 time : 14:35
Thaksin is still being mesmerized by his past achievements. Was his money that poured into the North and Northeastern people? Or out tax money. Abhisit has yet to be caught cheating. For Thaksin? Like his ex-right hand man said to Thaksin on his last plea for mercy, 'Boss, it's over!'.
Comment 53
Pat date : 05/02/2009 time : 14:37
date : 05/02/2009 time : 14:37
Thaksin is one old broken product of Thaland attempting a re-launch with poor record of quality and HONESTY in managing Thailand.
Comment 54
Gunnnar date : 05/02/2009 time : 14:45
Veera, do you know about the unusual cases of UCOM and DTAC ?
Comment 55
Suku date : 06/02/2009 time : 01:28
date : 06/02/2009 time : 01:28
Hi..
1. Thaksin is not fighting anything -- legally at least. He is just a defendant. So, if the prosecution has the evidence, let them fight it in the court (the court needs evidence, not Thaksin).
2. As neutral readers, we just want to ensure that the law is adhered in words..and spirit.
3.The writer should know the real meaning of exiled, and even be ashamed of using it. Know of Ramayana ? King Rama was exiled....(do not use words so cheaply that, words should become cheaper)
4. Waging war of words..listen, you media crave for freedom...freedom of press..we all love and respect freedom of expression..as long as it is within the norms..and then, why are you scared of his expression ? if you have the courage, just counter it...(we did it right through in schools...to real life..and it is a simple word -- debate !! )
5. Abhisit government ---assurance that treatment will be according to the letters of the law..(very courageous)
6. The spirit of democracy..freedom of expression, and the writer is jealous that others get a free ride...!!!
Comment 56
Des date : 06/02/2009 time : 01:40
date : 06/02/2009 time : 01:40
Reply to comment 13. People love Thaksin because what they see is just basically the cover of the book. I sincerely doubt that Thais in Sweden really know what is going on.
Thaksin is risking everything just to get back his 70billion. Had anyone ever think that before being PM, he declared his asset to be 20billion, within a few years - 70billion??
He's just making a publicity stunt. We all should ignore him and let the topic die, no publicity.. no news cover. Lets see how far he can go.
UK and Japan banned him.. which country is next on the list?
Thaksin is risking everything just to get back his 70billion. Had anyone ever think that before being PM, he declared his asset to be 20billion, within a few years - 70billion??
He's just making a publicity stunt. We all should ignore him and let the topic die, no publicity.. no news cover. Lets see how far he can go.
UK and Japan banned him.. which country is next on the list?
Comment 57
Cher date : 06/02/2009 time : 02:01
date : 06/02/2009 time : 02:01
Come on !!!!
Looks like a lot of comments are made by persons not knowing what happened when The Fugitive was elected the first time.
Please read the history, use your common sense and then type a posting again.
All of a sudden after being elected he had no assets BUT his driver, maid and good knows how many others became MULTI MILLIONARES........and he just escaped being kicked out of office because of this tricky deal.
Then the Burma case about the giant loan and the "lucky" deal with his company.
Then the land case.......and we can go on and on and on with doubtful cases like these.
The fugitive mostly did things to benefit himself at any consequences for the country and now he wants everybody to feel pity for him, and obviously many do.
Seeing postings from people not even living here claiming he is a Saint is a disgrace to the Thai society in general, and comparing himself with the honourble Mr Mandela is telling everything about the fugitive's mindset.....simply sick just like we saw another person some 80 years ago in Europe.
During the time in office the fugitive made more censorship to the free press than you can imagine if you did not live here.
He used to claim that London / England is a modern and fully educated democracy ....and it is ....and that is why he was kicked out from there.
No doubt the fugitive is a smart person, knowing how to manipulate people around him so they feel pity for him, but he should use his power in a way to do good to the Thai people and Thailand instead of trying to do good to his own wallet.
There will only be silence and progress in Thailand the day nobody care about the convicted fugitive and the politicians stop discussing him and his doings.
Comment 58
Sensitivity date : 06/02/2009 time : 05:51
date : 06/02/2009 time : 05:51
I totally agree with Khun Veera Prateepchaikul - Congratulations for such insight. Thaksin is an utterly evil and greedy low life from hell. All he cares about is himself and his self interest. The word "Enough" does not exist in his dictionary. What a wicked unrepentant parasite! May Thaksin rot in hell. What goes round comes round. People who blindly support him are being used. Wake up to yourselves! Use your brains for the good of Thailand.
Comment 59
jo date : 06/02/2009 time : 10:06
date : 06/02/2009 time : 10:06
Thaksin will become the first president of thailand one day in the near future. I do believe only him can fight against dictator as king
Comment 60
uaga date : 06/02/2009 time : 11:50
date : 06/02/2009 time : 11:50
What the reality Thaksin should have to face is the trial. I wonder why he fled again after he was verdicted by the court he first recognized ? And what did his lawyers do with 2 million baht in the candy box?
Overall, what is 'justice' according to Thaksin? I really want to know.
Overall, what is 'justice' according to Thaksin? I really want to know.
Comment 61
Scott Beveridge date : 06/02/2009 time : 13:41
date : 06/02/2009 time : 13:41
Dera Mr. Veera,
(Once again) You can plainly see that the pen is not (always) mightier than the sword and there are quite a few sharp pens out there Re: your ever-so-boring-diatribe against any person or group of people who strive to bar the baroque elitists with their all-consuming -power-struggle from raping this fair country. Give it a rest! It's time for this MAJOR change in your country ( I won't speak higher than this). In 2 months the country's federal reserves will be depleted and must resort begging FOREIGN COUNTRIES YET AGAIN for assistance. I, myself, believe this assistance will NOT be forthcoming. I do not agree with all that Mr. Thaksin has said or done , however, some of those much criticized populist policies that he (Thaksin) introduced are NOW being re-introduced by the DEMOCRAT PARTY. Does this party think that anyone that can spell the word THAILAND is that stupid!!!!?????? Been here for 30 years now by the way....
(Once again) You can plainly see that the pen is not (always) mightier than the sword and there are quite a few sharp pens out there Re: your ever-so-boring-diatribe against any person or group of people who strive to bar the baroque elitists with their all-consuming -power-struggle from raping this fair country. Give it a rest! It's time for this MAJOR change in your country ( I won't speak higher than this). In 2 months the country's federal reserves will be depleted and must resort begging FOREIGN COUNTRIES YET AGAIN for assistance. I, myself, believe this assistance will NOT be forthcoming. I do not agree with all that Mr. Thaksin has said or done , however, some of those much criticized populist policies that he (Thaksin) introduced are NOW being re-introduced by the DEMOCRAT PARTY. Does this party think that anyone that can spell the word THAILAND is that stupid!!!!?????? Been here for 30 years now by the way....
Comment 62
Dada date : 06/02/2009 time : 16:28
date : 06/02/2009 time : 16:28
I think the word "exiled" is not appropriate to describe the status of Thaksin. Since Thaksin fled from Thailand and the court verdict, he should be a fugitive. If we use the wrong adjective, outside people would misinterpret.
Comment 63
Renee date : 06/02/2009 time : 21:47
date : 06/02/2009 time : 21:47
Thailand would have been great if Thaksin weren't so greedy. People who said that Thaksin is a great man only because they got something from him. He is like a feeding tube. If you cut off the tube, the receiver got nothing. That's why there are many of his loyalists. The biggest problem here is he believes that he didn't do anything wrong. It is so pathetic that he does not realize what he did was wrong.
Comment 65
boonchuay date : 07/02/2009 time : 04:37
date : 07/02/2009 time : 04:37
Thaksin is the worse PM of all. He has hurt this country badly. As a PM he supposed to secrify for the country, instead he did make use of all his power for money and even more power. He even change the law so he didn't have to pay tax. This is just one example of being bad citizen.
Comment 66
MW date : 07/02/2009 time : 04:51
date : 07/02/2009 time : 04:51
Thailand is a beautiful country, with the majority of people having kind, warm and generous hearts. The problem with Thailand is those at the top - the ruling classes both "red, yellow and others" - anyone with the mentality that they are better than others - your moral compass is non existent- your greed and selfishness do nothing but trickle down to others who aspire to be like you, that your way of living life is ok. That is why the functioning of your country is disfunctional and you have people who live in poverty and have a sub class of people - women, men and children who are abused in many forms every day for profit, pleasure and power - it sickens and saddens me! - To the true Thai people - send a message, tell the idiots who continue to use the public stage to bicker with one another that you don't care about them - just wear plain black Tshirts as a sign of mourning for the sorry state Thailand is in at the moment. And to those who have any position of power get a grip – your intent should be to better peoples lives not your own bank account!
Comment 67
MW date : 07/02/2009 time : 04:52
date : 07/02/2009 time : 04:52
Thailand is a beautiful country, with the majority of people having kind, warm and generous hearts. The problem with Thailand is those at the top - the ruling classes both "red, yellow and others" - anyone with the mentality that they are better than others - your moral compass is non existent- your greed and selfishness do nothing but trickle down to others who aspire to be like you, that your way of living life is ok. That is why the functioning of your country is disfunctional and you have people who live in poverty and have a sub class of people - women, men and children who are abused in many forms every day for profit, pleasure and power - it sickens and saddens me! - To the true Thai people - send a message, tell the idiots who continue to use the public stage to bicker with one another that you don't care about them - just wear plain black Tshirts as a sign of mourning for the sorry state Thailand is in at the moment. And to those who have any position of power get a grip – your intent should be to better peoples lives not your own bank account!
Comment 68
Rungroj date : 07/02/2009 time : 05:41
date : 07/02/2009 time : 05:41
I always respected social law and Democracy systems we must accept more voice,more vote of people even that thing become wrong we must response what thing we had done never sorry after done;and we don't forget the word forgive for person to get wrong. Everyone can mistake; we should separate between person and democracy do not take over by voted of only representative;unfair for me. i want to vote again. Do not destroy my voted.
Comment 69
aussiebob date : 07/02/2009 time : 11:29
date : 07/02/2009 time : 11:29
The Bangkok Post is the one I find to be a broken record when it comes to Mr Thaksin. But as the Bangkok Post always go to get their information from the Democrats this is not surprising as they are full of broken records.
Comment 70
aussiebob date : 07/02/2009 time : 11:34
date : 07/02/2009 time : 11:34
YOUR COMMENTS ARE WHAT YOU SAY TIME AFTER TIME. Are the Democrats such an embarrasment to you that you have to continually go to the past. I know the best times and most productive times were under Mr Thaksin. Tell me who are better off now since the coup 2006. And everyone in dire times always go back to the good times I know their is nothing truthfully great you the Bangkok Post can say about the Democrat government so I guess that is why you always go back to Mr Thaksin
Comment 71
Ironman date : 07/02/2009 time : 14:20
date : 07/02/2009 time : 14:20
Readers: read the comments and judge for yourself which side has the soundest arguments. Despite smears and lies you must be your own judge. Decide for yourself if this country a fledging democracy or a failed state. There's more to everything than meets the eye.
Comment 72
dude date : 07/02/2009 time : 16:33
date : 07/02/2009 time : 16:33
There is no justice where a country is under unelected government, military, and people who mastermind the seize of air port. To maintain the meaning of Democrazy, the democrat party in Thailand should change their name. Democrat is working very close to military to help them to power. Military, democratically, didn't follow the order of an elected government. Thailand doesn't need to use democrazy in their politics... Democrazy doesn't work... Military or some other form of government would be better.. Majority vote is not respected at all by some certian people in Thailand... So why does thailand have election...
Comment 73
mick date : 07/02/2009 time : 16:56
date : 07/02/2009 time : 16:56
can any of the thanksin pros explain me how they want the situation to be handled? if he returns to thailand, lets say after the re-election of the ppp/pt, the court decision should be made void? or should mr. thaksin choose his favourite court? many people point out, that thaksin has won elections and should be the pm, but i dont see what this has to do with the legal circumstances of his business behaviour!
that would actually mean, the decisions of the supreme court are useless!
how can justice work, if groups, even majorities simply claim legal decisions void?
i expect your comments!
thank you
that would actually mean, the decisions of the supreme court are useless!
how can justice work, if groups, even majorities simply claim legal decisions void?
i expect your comments!
thank you
Comment 74
mike date : 07/02/2009 time : 21:57
date : 07/02/2009 time : 21:57
What did he done wrong to his country.?
he initiated the education,health care 30 baht and many projects for all Thais people to far from poverty.
he loves all Thai and His Majesty
He tries to make Thailand advance in Asian and for Thai people with dignity.
All he has done for his beloved country
Better than 60 years Party Clumsy
What did his done wrong for his country.?
he initiated the education,health care 30 baht and many projects for all Thais people to far from poverty.
he loves all Thai and His Majesty
He tries to make Thailand advance in Asian and for Thai people with dignity.
All he has done for his beloved country
Better than 60 years Party Clumsy
What did his done wrong for his country.?
Comment 75
Kornga date : 07/02/2009 time : 23:45
date : 07/02/2009 time : 23:45
First of all, Thai politic is still far behind in another country. You see, he talked about Mendela, but some people link that he wants to become President !.
Any people can do wrong, but all the charges are too much for K.Thaksin
Ngakor
Any people can do wrong, but all the charges are too much for K.Thaksin
Ngakor
Comment 76
Wake up people date : 08/02/2009 time : 01:23
date : 08/02/2009 time : 01:23
Between Thaksin and Rod Blagojevich, I really don't know who has copied whom but boy these guys are really good.
Comment 77
Phansaeng K. date : 08/02/2009 time : 04:24
date : 08/02/2009 time : 04:24
Right now, I hope everyone can move on with their lives. There are many problems existing in Thai society right now more than anyone who can see them thoroughly. My only sincere wish is that the present Government will do their best - in the most honest, intellectual and selfless ways to tackle the sluggish economy as well as social problems like housing, health care and education. Thaksin is a grown up man, we don't need to think for him or tell him what to do. By the way, I'm 24 and need a job. Currently working for CP China. So please, if anyone could introduce a decent job, please contact me on my e-mail. Thank you.
Comment 79
May date : 08/02/2009 time : 12:26
We still remain honour our former Prime as Dr. Thaksin is most value prime minister of Thailand and worth to honour him as long lasting Prime minister in our heart and we still need him to return to political and become the Prime Minister of Thailand again and again. We love our Prime Thaksin as usual and understand how bad of situation unfair accusing hit him and his family. So Poor Thai
Comment 80
Bazzat date : 08/02/2009 time : 20:37
date : 08/02/2009 time : 20:37
My only wish is the when someone takes the bold move un hinge and spend his elisit gains it will not all be distibuted in BROWN ENVELOPES and go to do some good around this great country finishing off some important projects.
this guy should count his self lucky they gave hime a chance, at lease they call it a day when he was out of the country if that was a nod in the right direction we will never know.
this guy should count his self lucky they gave hime a chance, at lease they call it a day when he was out of the country if that was a nod in the right direction we will never know.
Comment 81
Robin date : 08/02/2009 time : 23:14
date : 08/02/2009 time : 23:14
The 70 billion are only those assets that the government has been able to legally take and hold pending an inquiry/court case.
There is countless more money that he stole from the country in other shady deals.
Read his history he is a very inept businessman, failed more than 3 times, until he was given the GSM contract trhru contacts in the government and police departments. He had a monopoly and any fool can make millions with a monopoly.
Secondly, the people with red shirts are paid to protest, and this is no secret, if they were not paid, they would not bother to move from their farm. They have little or no political commonsense, just commercial reality.
Had Thalsin been a good PM he would not have been ousted, he instead made enemies within his cabinet. And he forgot to distrubut his ill-gotten gains.
No secret also that nearly every member of his party have similar gravy trains to wealth, but not a single honest bone in their body.
Abisit is a real chance for Thailand, if he can control the cabinet and gain consensus in both houses. A mammoth task, but at least he is trying, and not manipulating as many before him have.
I thank God the King remains healthy, and that the political parties hold him in esteem, without his guidance I am sure there would be even more turmiol.
There is countless more money that he stole from the country in other shady deals.
Read his history he is a very inept businessman, failed more than 3 times, until he was given the GSM contract trhru contacts in the government and police departments. He had a monopoly and any fool can make millions with a monopoly.
Secondly, the people with red shirts are paid to protest, and this is no secret, if they were not paid, they would not bother to move from their farm. They have little or no political commonsense, just commercial reality.
Had Thalsin been a good PM he would not have been ousted, he instead made enemies within his cabinet. And he forgot to distrubut his ill-gotten gains.
No secret also that nearly every member of his party have similar gravy trains to wealth, but not a single honest bone in their body.
Abisit is a real chance for Thailand, if he can control the cabinet and gain consensus in both houses. A mammoth task, but at least he is trying, and not manipulating as many before him have.
I thank God the King remains healthy, and that the political parties hold him in esteem, without his guidance I am sure there would be even more turmiol.
Comment 82
John date : 09/02/2009 time : 01:47
date : 09/02/2009 time : 01:47
I just dont get why people are so eager to get his money back for him. Plenty of people on the streets of Bangkok with begging bowls. The people turning up at these big gatherings on his behalf should give him a bowl and leave him to it and worry about how they can make their own money.
On a different note, when they use the football stadium for the gatherings do they have to pay to rent the stadium? If not i was wondering if its free for anyone as we are struggling to get a pitch to play on Tuesday nights.
On a different note, when they use the football stadium for the gatherings do they have to pay to rent the stadium? If not i was wondering if its free for anyone as we are struggling to get a pitch to play on Tuesday nights.
Comment 83
Mr.P date : 09/02/2009 time : 03:41
date : 09/02/2009 time : 03:41
The author failed to point out the fact that the justice system in Thailand is not functioning fairly. Where in the world would the court sentence a man 2 years jail because his signature of consent acknowledging his wife's legal auction bidding? This is a first. Thus, asking him to come back and fight his case fairly isnt as fair as it seems.
Comment 84
SYLee date : 09/02/2009 time : 07:58
date : 09/02/2009 time : 07:58
Thaksin's 76 billion should be confiscated permanently and returned to the state coffer. If he ever gets the money back, then Thailand will be in for more division and violence. He is a verry vindictive man and will use money to get back at his enemies. When is the court going to try all the other pending cases so he can be put away for life?
Comment 85
SYLee date : 09/02/2009 time : 07:59
date : 09/02/2009 time : 07:59
Thaksin]s 76 billion should be confiscated permanently and returned to the state coffer. If he ever gets the money back, then Thailand will be in for more division and violence. He is a very vindictive man and will use money to get back at his enemies. When is the court going to try all the other pending cases so he can be put away for life?
Comment 86
Anon date : 09/02/2009 time : 14:25
Whoever wrote this should be reprimanded for being so unprofessional!
Where's the neutrality?
For or against him you shouldn't BLAHBLAH ANYONE! Give me the news without your opinion. I can digest the facts myself.
Comment 87
Nutty date : 09/02/2009 time : 16:55
date : 09/02/2009 time : 16:55
In my opinion your article is so very biased. It seems that you have your own agenda and personal issues in attacking Thaksin the way you did. In addition, your critisisms are not constructive and based purely on your own narrow minded opinion.
I think Thaksin is one of the best priminister Thailand has ever had to date. He had helped to improve the economy of Thailand and the standard of living for Thai people especially the poor. Also the point you made of his corruption, can you name one person in the history of Thai politic that had not corrupted in one way or another. If the accusations of his corruption were true at least he did a lot of great things for the country compared to all the idiots that are in the current government at the moment.
If I were Thaksin I will do exactly as he did by staying away from Thailand. Nobody in their right mind will come back to the country run by the corrupted people who want to see his down fall for their own personal gains.
I think Thaksin is one of the best priminister Thailand has ever had to date. He had helped to improve the economy of Thailand and the standard of living for Thai people especially the poor. Also the point you made of his corruption, can you name one person in the history of Thai politic that had not corrupted in one way or another. If the accusations of his corruption were true at least he did a lot of great things for the country compared to all the idiots that are in the current government at the moment.
If I were Thaksin I will do exactly as he did by staying away from Thailand. Nobody in their right mind will come back to the country run by the corrupted people who want to see his down fall for their own personal gains.
Comment 88
tookta date : 09/02/2009 time : 22:46
date : 09/02/2009 time : 22:46
This is the first time ever that we have trusted justice department,no bribery!!!
If he believe he is right,he can come back to the court even after many bad mouthed and contempt of court.Mr.Veera is correct 100 percents and I congratulate him for his bravery.
If he believe he is right,he can come back to the court even after many bad mouthed and contempt of court.Mr.Veera is correct 100 percents and I congratulate him for his bravery.
Comment 89
North date : 10/02/2009 time : 05:47
date : 10/02/2009 time : 05:47
Well, he has been consistent in one thing...his lack of respect for the law. Look at the neary 3000 'drug dealers' who were summarily executed without trail. Maybe he should just be executed too if this is his preferred method of 'justice'. And to you Thaksin lovers, stop going on about democratically elected - he bought the votes. Stop bleating about giving money to the poor - he took tax payers money to give to the poor in badly organised schemes so that he could win their votes. And stop going on about how well loved he was - it was 'his' money which was well loved and he was just lucky to be attached to the emotion. He is scum and his time is over. Get over it and move on.
Comment 90
Thai Man date : 11/02/2009 time : 02:24
date : 11/02/2009 time : 02:24
Dear Mr. Veera,
Reading your comments make me sick. All politicians corrupt. Don't tell me no one, as a politiician corrupts except Mr. Thaksin. The Democrats are not corrupt? Yeah right. But at the end, who made the country of Thailand progress? Who tried to wipe out the drugs and mafia that have been ruining this country for ages? Hell yeah, it's Mr. Thaksin. Mr. Thaksin has been the best PM Thailand has ever had!
Comment 91
JUSTICE UNDER TAXSIN'S RULE? date : 11/02/2009 time : 02:39
date : 11/02/2009 time : 02:39
RE, COMMENT number 15, you wrote:
"Justice in Thailand?......a laugh.
The Abhisit government has made it be known for the exiled former prime minister to come back with assurance that he will be treated fairly according to the letters of the law.
What about the PAD leaders?
The law? Maybe when Thaksin is back."
You must be joking to suggest that there was or there would be equal justice for all under Thaksin. During his bought time in power he ruined, dismantled, corrupted, ignored many aspects of justice and there were thousands of people who were killed and would never receive personal justice.
No thanks, I believe there is better chance of justice under Abhisit.
Comment 92
Connel707 date : 11/02/2009 time : 02:57
date : 11/02/2009 time : 02:57
To quote a very famous man, you can fool some of the people all of the time, you can fool all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all the peoples all of the time, Thaksin was sure no Robin Hood, and all of his ill gotten loot, stolen from the Thai peoples, went straight to himself and his family, now he should go straight to prison like any other convicted common criminal.
Comment 93
songwatboy date : 11/02/2009 time : 09:11
date : 11/02/2009 time : 09:11
History will give your ex leader a proper verdict and you, Veera, will be judged as an idiotic newsperson who could not see the basic and simple justice, let alone writing anything sensible. Thailand is a wonderful country and the Thais are wonderful people and it deserves better reporters who can report news correctly and fairly. It certainly is people like you who has given Thailand a bad name, certainly in my eyes.
Comment 94
Noi date : 11/02/2009 time : 11:50
date : 11/02/2009 time : 11:50
Why Bangkokpost still leaves this garbbage article on your front page.
The man can not write ,shallow and bais.
BKP should be ashamed just to repeat that Thaksin is a crimminal- where on earth you can find verdict by the court like the one that his enemy handed out to him,it is injustice of the first degree. Anyhow I think you know this too well but you mouth is stuffed full of baht that you can not spell 'truth'
The man can not write ,shallow and bais.
BKP should be ashamed just to repeat that Thaksin is a crimminal- where on earth you can find verdict by the court like the one that his enemy handed out to him,it is injustice of the first degree. Anyhow I think you know this too well but you mouth is stuffed full of baht that you can not spell 'truth'
Comment 95
Noi date : 11/02/2009 time : 11:53
date : 11/02/2009 time : 11:53
Why Bangkokpost still leaves this garbbage article on your front page.
The man can not write ,shallow and bais.
BKP should be ashamed just to repeat that Thaksin is a crimminal- where on earth you can find verdict by the court like the one that his enemy handed out to him,it is injustice of the first degree. Anyhow I think you know this too well but you mouth is stuffed full of baht that you can not spell 'truth'
The man can not write ,shallow and bais.
BKP should be ashamed just to repeat that Thaksin is a crimminal- where on earth you can find verdict by the court like the one that his enemy handed out to him,it is injustice of the first degree. Anyhow I think you know this too well but you mouth is stuffed full of baht that you can not spell 'truth'
Comment 96
punyachon date : 11/02/2009 time : 21:02
date : 11/02/2009 time : 21:02
What saddens me most is to see our country has been destroyed and Thai people are divided to hatred since September 19,2549.I didn't realize at first why? Until now it just comes up to me little by litle and finally the whole pictures are open up clearly telling the true story when time's passing by!
Wouldn't it be ridiculous to spend a lot of money from our taxes to get the country confidence back for all the messes some people have done intentionally to invite all the troubles for their excuses to have to go against the law and playing outside politics just because they love Thailand more than others and that they act on behalf of the ...? "I don't think so"...? replied " They do things for themselves"!!
Worst to worst after causing such a tremendous LOSS to the country,not only that they've been trying to get away from their ILLEGAL protests but their PROXIES who directly get the benefits out of the outlaw missions to switch the political power to their side already have given the rewards to these people instead!!!
Comment 97
james date : 12/02/2009 time : 02:05
date : 12/02/2009 time : 02:05
Dear all, I concern alot about political situation in Thailand recentlly and just comment that the good way now is the current governmment should leave Thaksin alone and everything will be OK. I am not protecter of Thaksin but I think that He has contributed a lot to Thailand when he was PM by very quickly get thailand out of the monetary crisis which happened in 1997.
Comment 98
Loong date : 12/02/2009 time : 03:10
date : 12/02/2009 time : 03:10
If he think that he did nothing wrong. Why he jumped bail? Many people who work under his watch went to jail like Wasana Permlarp and co., the two millions bahts stuffed in cookie box that sent his three lawyers straight to jail. He should come back and face the charge, people will forgive him, I sincerely would.
Comment 99
Somchai date : 12/02/2009 time : 03:36
Thaksin or not Thaksin fair trail or not
The root of the whole problem is our corrupt system. For us ethnic original Thais with short family names compare to yellow shirt long names we are just fed up. All politichan here are corrupt it's just for us to elect the least corrupt that will give us medicare,education and one vote one person. That at least Thaksin did. We voted for him and we benefitided from he's so called popular sweeters. We original ethnic Thais are hospital in our nature but when the chinesee immigrant (yellow shirts) and their offspring that rule 95% of our economi ttell us that we are too stupid to vote and decide our oown destiny I believe our hospitallity has been over streched. Stop this yellow/red shirt arguments right now and let us develop a democrocy with one vote one person or this can only lead to the same ethnic conflict we have seen in Malaysya and Indonesia in the past where the chinesee immigrants were put in check. Shamlong and he's gang better understand the dire concequences before it's too late.
The root of the whole problem is our corrupt system. For us ethnic original Thais with short family names compare to yellow shirt long names we are just fed up. All politichan here are corrupt it's just for us to elect the least corrupt that will give us medicare,education and one vote one person. That at least Thaksin did. We voted for him and we benefitided from he's so called popular sweeters. We original ethnic Thais are hospital in our nature but when the chinesee immigrant (yellow shirts) and their offspring that rule 95% of our economi ttell us that we are too stupid to vote and decide our oown destiny I believe our hospitallity has been over streched. Stop this yellow/red shirt arguments right now and let us develop a democrocy with one vote one person or this can only lead to the same ethnic conflict we have seen in Malaysya and Indonesia in the past where the chinesee immigrants were put in check. Shamlong and he's gang better understand the dire concequences before it's too late.
Comment 100
Shakespeare date : 12/02/2009 time : 04:39
date : 12/02/2009 time : 04:39
Thaksin protesteth too much. His ongoing legal action against those he disagrees with speaks much louder than his ever-changing story ...
Comment 101
Yesterday's Man date : 12/02/2009 time : 04:40
date : 12/02/2009 time : 04:40
Who is this Thaksin anyway? I vaguely remember the name.
Comment 102
Frenchiee date : 12/02/2009 time : 08:25
date : 12/02/2009 time : 08:25
for the comments number 2. I guess you have no knowledge regarding to the circumstance at all. I think things are much much more complicated. Of course he was rich before being in the power and was elected legally but all well educate Thai knows that it was not purely clean election and selling his company was not very right by just exploit the tax evasion while he has so much money!
Comment 103
Nikko date : 12/02/2009 time : 09:02
date : 12/02/2009 time : 09:02
Having lived in Thailand since 2003 I do really think it is time for Thaksin to return and take his chance in court. He is a man that only cares for himself and making money for himself. If Thailand has such a corrupt system and he has so many friends in high places then I would think he should have a good chance of proving his so called "innocence" . . . . he can just buy the verdict . . . . . that is if one is to belive him and his supporters !
Comment 104
Decha date : 12/02/2009 time : 16:05
date : 12/02/2009 time : 16:05
Mr. thaksin is absolutely very good man. He did a lot for country. We should respect him.
Comment 105
punyachon date : 12/02/2009 time : 17:15
date : 12/02/2009 time : 17:15
c/o PM THAKSIN...If I were you,I might have to do the same thing as you're doing now...to fight for the right...JUSTICE and EQUALITY! It really is too much to set up the outlaw games and awful missions just to get rid of you and care not to divide Thai people and also break up our country down to earth!
Don't take it wrong that I'm speaking for you The truth is... I just can't stand to see why they have to OVER-REACT just to steal the power from your democratic government to their side by all means! What I don't understand is that why they could make themselves The LAW to judge you by putting you all serious accusations... and at the same time using the street politics(their well- paid strategic partner) to take demonstration just to say bad on you and set up "hatred fever" and "outlaw propaganda" through their 24 hour cable and their media networks just to go after you days and nights!
The worst is that they don't realize how bad the consequences are for our country and our people.Thai people are not happy at all to see the masterpiece they have created to invite all the TROUBLES to THAILAND since September 19,2549 to take over the power of HIS MAJESTY government by the Coup d'etat and "tearing" the People Constitution 2540 to write their new Coup Constitution 2550 to be able to appoint their people to be the senators instead of the election as before! Moreover,Act 309 written to give the AMNESTY to the Coup and the new justice organization(KorTorSor) appointed by the Coup d'etat mainly to check after PM THAKSIN and this Act allows them to do NO WRONG from the Past,Present and to the Future!! How about that?
It would be FAIR to go through the NORMAL JUSTICE SYSTEM but not going under the Coup set-up people from my sincere opinion. I don't think it's right to destroy your political opponents the ways you are now using and it seems like you take PM THAKSIN who had worked so hard and smart for our country in the past 6 years as your ENEMY? and intend to go further to GENOSIDE him and his followers for whatever excuses you want to give just to make him unable to come to politics again??
Your demanding to put him in jail by the Coup justice system can tell YOUR STANDARD to startle your people that our country will have nothing left if THAKSIN comes back to politics again! Try to remember "MISINFORMATION" and "HALF-TRUTH" could "KILL"Thai people and "BREAK UP" our country to pieces!!!
Don't take it wrong that I'm speaking for you The truth is... I just can't stand to see why they have to OVER-REACT just to steal the power from your democratic government to their side by all means! What I don't understand is that why they could make themselves The LAW to judge you by putting you all serious accusations... and at the same time using the street politics(their well- paid strategic partner) to take demonstration just to say bad on you and set up "hatred fever" and "outlaw propaganda" through their 24 hour cable and their media networks just to go after you days and nights!
The worst is that they don't realize how bad the consequences are for our country and our people.Thai people are not happy at all to see the masterpiece they have created to invite all the TROUBLES to THAILAND since September 19,2549 to take over the power of HIS MAJESTY government by the Coup d'etat and "tearing" the People Constitution 2540 to write their new Coup Constitution 2550 to be able to appoint their people to be the senators instead of the election as before! Moreover,Act 309 written to give the AMNESTY to the Coup and the new justice organization(KorTorSor) appointed by the Coup d'etat mainly to check after PM THAKSIN and this Act allows them to do NO WRONG from the Past,Present and to the Future!! How about that?
It would be FAIR to go through the NORMAL JUSTICE SYSTEM but not going under the Coup set-up people from my sincere opinion. I don't think it's right to destroy your political opponents the ways you are now using and it seems like you take PM THAKSIN who had worked so hard and smart for our country in the past 6 years as your ENEMY? and intend to go further to GENOSIDE him and his followers for whatever excuses you want to give just to make him unable to come to politics again??
Your demanding to put him in jail by the Coup justice system can tell YOUR STANDARD to startle your people that our country will have nothing left if THAKSIN comes back to politics again! Try to remember "MISINFORMATION" and "HALF-TRUTH" could "KILL"Thai people and "BREAK UP" our country to pieces!!!
Comment 106
punyachon date : 12/02/2009 time : 17:19
date : 12/02/2009 time : 17:19
Why keep on CHECKING THE BILLS on the former PM THAKSIN and the Red shirts-the United front for Democracy against Dictatorship(UDD) but just let the Yellow shirts-the People Alliance for Democracy(PAD)to get away from their OBVIOUS ILLEGAL PROTEST to divide Thai people and break up our country to pieces? Who really are to be RESPONSIBLE for the CHAOS AND TRAGEDY of this country???
If we choose to use DOUBLE STANDARDS to punish our political opponents and ignore the illegal demonstration over and over of PAD just because they are MobMeeSen,then how could we get our country's FAITH back when Thai people and the World could tell that "NO JUSTICE" and "NO EQUALITY" in THAILAND!!!
If we choose to use DOUBLE STANDARDS to punish our political opponents and ignore the illegal demonstration over and over of PAD just because they are MobMeeSen,then how could we get our country's FAITH back when Thai people and the World could tell that "NO JUSTICE" and "NO EQUALITY" in THAILAND!!!
Comment 107
passingby date : 13/02/2009 time : 08:35
when first he take an important roll in thai gov, he was a deputy pm that bankruptcy thailand, and this people got away with hands full of money from the crisis.
later he came back as a PM,
who in a right mind keep elect people with a history of destroy his/her own country back as a PM? ha! thais!
in his 6yrs as a PM he proof that money can buy everything in thailand.
to those like to talk what democracy is,
tell me a successful democratic country that accept corruption as a way to go for the country, and corruption actuary help the country success in develop themselves.
give me one example, and i will back off.
Comment 108
Swan date : 14/02/2009 time : 12:35
date : 14/02/2009 time : 12:35
For the sake of our country.
As we often said even coin have 2 faces.
Nobody is Ferfect.
But At least and not last! Who save the face of Thailand? Who paid the IMF?
Who start the 30 Bahts for the Hospitals bill?
And what wrong with the loterries?
Whom got the benefit of the Underground loterry?
The end Taksin still did his best job during his Premiere Minister
As we often said even coin have 2 faces.
Nobody is Ferfect.
But At least and not last! Who save the face of Thailand? Who paid the IMF?
Who start the 30 Bahts for the Hospitals bill?
And what wrong with the loterries?
Whom got the benefit of the Underground loterry?
The end Taksin still did his best job during his Premiere Minister
Comment 109
NEWBIE date : 15/02/2009 time : 01:22
date : 15/02/2009 time : 01:22
Considering the amount of times Thaksin has been ACCUSED & considering the amount of times the ASC ACTUALLY HAD A CASE, I am not at all surprised they are now defunct.
The ASC are the biggest bunch of losers ever to be formed.
They ONLY had the rather dodgy case of Land Disruption through his wife, and then they threw in the towel.
The reason for Thaksin still being at large is because they have come up (and still haven't come-up) with anything solid.
He did Les Mageste, he tried to take-over the country... so what!?
Thailand would have been one of the strongest South East Asian Nations, being untouchable even from Singapore or Japan if it wasn't for this bullshit that is caused right-now.
You can hear China and Vietnam ,Cambodia and Burma having a laugh as Thailand and it's citizens are trying to kill each other while the rest of ASEAN takes all the profits.
Good-job Thailand!!! You guys are really, really stupid in trying to find an enemy within yourselves!!!
WHen will it be late enough for you to realize it should be Thailand VS the World???
Mr. Abhishit has no power, just see the PAD walking all over his so called Government. It's just a higher power + Army creating an Untouchable Army called the PAD who wants Thailand back.
Such People's Alliance of Destruction would never live elsewhere because they have no right to do their actions without paying the price for it.
I cannot believe the PAD still exists. Lets hope the UDD know what they are doing also...
WAKE-UP !!!
The ASC are the biggest bunch of losers ever to be formed.
They ONLY had the rather dodgy case of Land Disruption through his wife, and then they threw in the towel.
The reason for Thaksin still being at large is because they have come up (and still haven't come-up) with anything solid.
He did Les Mageste, he tried to take-over the country... so what!?
Thailand would have been one of the strongest South East Asian Nations, being untouchable even from Singapore or Japan if it wasn't for this bullshit that is caused right-now.
You can hear China and Vietnam ,Cambodia and Burma having a laugh as Thailand and it's citizens are trying to kill each other while the rest of ASEAN takes all the profits.
Good-job Thailand!!! You guys are really, really stupid in trying to find an enemy within yourselves!!!
WHen will it be late enough for you to realize it should be Thailand VS the World???
Mr. Abhishit has no power, just see the PAD walking all over his so called Government. It's just a higher power + Army creating an Untouchable Army called the PAD who wants Thailand back.
Such People's Alliance of Destruction would never live elsewhere because they have no right to do their actions without paying the price for it.
I cannot believe the PAD still exists. Lets hope the UDD know what they are doing also...
WAKE-UP !!!
Comment 110
Nirut date : 15/02/2009 time : 03:03
I agree with poster 41. Thaksin should also be tried for the murder of innocent Thai citizens, under the guise of a drug war.
Was the 9 year old a drug dealer????
Was the baby infant a drug dealer?????
Over 3,000 people confirmed dead and over 1,000 it was proven had NOTHING to do with drugs.
Thaksin ONLY cares about his 76 billion and nothing else. He is a sick man, like Hitker in so many ways.
Let's hope me meets the same end. Hint Hint Mr. Thaksin!!!
Comment 111
Nirut date : 15/02/2009 time : 03:05
I agree with poster 41. Thaksin should also be tried for the murder of innocent Thai citizens, under the guise of a drug war.
Was the 9 year old a drug dealer????
Was the baby infant a drug dealer?????
Over 3,000 people confirmed dead and over 1,000 it was proven had NOTHING to do with drugs.
Thaksin ONLY cares about his 76 billion and nothing else. He is a sick man, like Hitler in so many ways.
Let's hope me meets the same end. Hint Hint Mr. Thaksin!!!
Comment 112
mephisto date : 15/02/2009 time : 04:02
date : 15/02/2009 time : 04:02
The above is presumably making an attempt to refer to the airport closure-a direct reference may help.They ought to be aware that it was the head of the AOT and noone else who shut the airport.were protesters on the runway,did they damage the control tower?
Reference to proxy benefits is rich coming from a supporter-or so it seems-of a self interested group who made no secret of being proxies for someone they thought could apply a misguided corporate structure to a country.It might work for Singapore (barely),it is a joke in Hong Kong.Neither has a freely elected leader.It is a model unlikrely to work in a country of 60m
Reference to proxy benefits is rich coming from a supporter-or so it seems-of a self interested group who made no secret of being proxies for someone they thought could apply a misguided corporate structure to a country.It might work for Singapore (barely),it is a joke in Hong Kong.Neither has a freely elected leader.It is a model unlikrely to work in a country of 60m
Comment 113
Ted date : 15/02/2009 time : 07:21
date : 15/02/2009 time : 07:21
The problems in Thailand summarised by MW (nbr 35) are spot on. Unfortunately,I can not see the people with the power or money to help their own people changing. As I have commented previously, money and power define the select minority in Thailand. A lot of families are struggling to have enough funds to survive themselves and are not in the position to help other family members.
To: Comment 40. Yes, I agree, that the author has failed to report about the fairness of the justice system. Ok, about the very issue of the land deal, BP had reported 40/90 (?)cartons of evidence, presented by the investigation agencies to the Courts. In the time the Courts started the hearing, to jumping of the bail, to the announcing of the judgement of 2 years of jail, maybe 2-3 months, (?), do the Courts expect us to believe that they have examined 40/90 (?) cartons of evidence, and found BEYOND ANY REASONABLE doubt, that the executive authority had been abused ? And how could that have been ensured if the evidence has not gone thro a due legal process, with the defendent given a right to defend or appeal ?
Comment 115
Fed up Thai date : 15/02/2009 time : 16:11
date : 15/02/2009 time : 16:11
PAD did more damage to the country during 9 days of airport closure than Mr. Thaksin can do in a life time. So why is nobody going after the PAD leaders? Thaksin is in excile, in a court case with his country. How else can he be a threat? Let's stop worrying about him and let's worry about the material things like the world economic crisis, Thailand's economy, and unemployment!
Comment 116
lpenton date : 16/02/2009 time : 01:16
date : 16/02/2009 time : 01:16
I WANT TO COMMEND MR. VEERA OF SPEAKING
THE TRUTH, NOTHING ELSE BUT TRUTH, ABOUT MR. THUGSIN. IT IS ABSURD FOR SOME ONE SUGGESTINGT THAT IT IS O.K FOR PRIME MINISTER TO BREAK LAW OF THE LAND.
THE TRUTH, NOTHING ELSE BUT TRUTH, ABOUT MR. THUGSIN. IT IS ABSURD FOR SOME ONE SUGGESTINGT THAT IT IS O.K FOR PRIME MINISTER TO BREAK LAW OF THE LAND.
Comment 117
Sarah Palin date : 16/02/2009 time : 02:16
date : 16/02/2009 time : 02:16
Poor, poor Mr Thaksin. Perhaps he should ignore all those fair-weathered 'friends', make himself busy developing those Burmese islands he so admires?
Comment 118
Singhnoi Thongcome date : 16/02/2009 time : 02:46
date : 16/02/2009 time : 02:46
Dera Sir,
Mr. Thaksin is a family man and wants to be back with his family.He Treated the Kingdom of Thailand as his own property and did as he liked it. Why sent his family back from the start?
And who is barring him from coming back? He is not afraid of death, so why afraid of jail? If death means nothing to him, what is 80,000 million Baht?
Singhnoi Thongcome.
Mr. Thaksin is a family man and wants to be back with his family.He Treated the Kingdom of Thailand as his own property and did as he liked it. Why sent his family back from the start?
And who is barring him from coming back? He is not afraid of death, so why afraid of jail? If death means nothing to him, what is 80,000 million Baht?
Singhnoi Thongcome.
Comment 119
why me date : 16/02/2009 time : 07:36
Takkie, why all seems interesting, even you are now mister nobody, huh ?
Comment 120
nuc001 date : 16/02/2009 time : 23:37
date : 16/02/2009 time : 23:37
The land deal was not illegal because:
1 - Thaksin did not force them to sell it to him for a lower price. They auctioned it and his wife paid around 100million baht more than the 2nd highest bidder.
2 - The land revenue department did not want to press charges because they saw the transaction as a profit. They acquired the land after the huge economic crash in the 90's and everyone should know that land acquired like this are always not sold to their full current value. Also they valued the land at the time of the trial, not when Thaksin bought it.
Also every other major cooperation/businesses in Thailand use the exact same method in the stock market when businesses change hands. Anyone who dabbles in the stock market should know that under the law whatever profits you make in the stock market is not subjected to taxation, because it is considered quite a high-risk investment. However, when a rich person gets involved in politics, being rich in itself becomes a bad thing. If he wasn't PM, no one would have given this issue a second thought.
One more point. Some say that the major increases in his assets came during his term as PM. However, remember this...when he started out, Thailand's bubble just burst, and his telecommunications company's stock value was only valued at around 25000 million baht. However, the economy improved vastly during his term and it's value went up to around 76000 million baht, which was when he sold it. Many other companies, like Red bull and Bunrod (Beer Singh) Group's shares rose by an even higher percentage, but they are not politicians, so they are ok. Some still argue that you can spin shares up to whatever value you want. Let me remind you that it is extremely difficult to spin shares when your company is international and has millions upon millions of share holders. Also the Singaporean government's investment fund (Temasek) would not have bought the company if it smelled fishy.
Frankly I don't see anything illegal at all. All I see is that he seems to be getting richer faster than most people and they don't like it. Thai society is soaked with jealousy. When one gets rich and no one knows about it, fine, but when one becomes a public figure, questions come out of the woodwork. The normal mind set that most people tend to see is that if one is a politician, one is rich, one must be corrupt. Can't we not believe, or at least dream, that an uncorrupted one may come along someday? That person better be poor and stay poor though, otherwise who knows what would happen...
1 - Thaksin did not force them to sell it to him for a lower price. They auctioned it and his wife paid around 100million baht more than the 2nd highest bidder.
2 - The land revenue department did not want to press charges because they saw the transaction as a profit. They acquired the land after the huge economic crash in the 90's and everyone should know that land acquired like this are always not sold to their full current value. Also they valued the land at the time of the trial, not when Thaksin bought it.
Also every other major cooperation/businesses in Thailand use the exact same method in the stock market when businesses change hands. Anyone who dabbles in the stock market should know that under the law whatever profits you make in the stock market is not subjected to taxation, because it is considered quite a high-risk investment. However, when a rich person gets involved in politics, being rich in itself becomes a bad thing. If he wasn't PM, no one would have given this issue a second thought.
One more point. Some say that the major increases in his assets came during his term as PM. However, remember this...when he started out, Thailand's bubble just burst, and his telecommunications company's stock value was only valued at around 25000 million baht. However, the economy improved vastly during his term and it's value went up to around 76000 million baht, which was when he sold it. Many other companies, like Red bull and Bunrod (Beer Singh) Group's shares rose by an even higher percentage, but they are not politicians, so they are ok. Some still argue that you can spin shares up to whatever value you want. Let me remind you that it is extremely difficult to spin shares when your company is international and has millions upon millions of share holders. Also the Singaporean government's investment fund (Temasek) would not have bought the company if it smelled fishy.
Frankly I don't see anything illegal at all. All I see is that he seems to be getting richer faster than most people and they don't like it. Thai society is soaked with jealousy. When one gets rich and no one knows about it, fine, but when one becomes a public figure, questions come out of the woodwork. The normal mind set that most people tend to see is that if one is a politician, one is rich, one must be corrupt. Can't we not believe, or at least dream, that an uncorrupted one may come along someday? That person better be poor and stay poor though, otherwise who knows what would happen...
Comment 121
boonchuay date : 17/02/2009 time : 00:54
date : 17/02/2009 time : 00:54
Right or wrong..Thaksin's case has been already unfairly convicted according to the deeply feeling of most Thai people due to this conviction was cooked up by most of his powerful conservative political foes so called invisible power,not by democratic civil court.The only way to cease this public conflict is to disolve parliament,burn away the current constitution,bring back the Constitution of Year 2540, then let the people judge by an election process otherwise the dispute will never be terminated.
Comment 122
char date : 17/02/2009 time : 05:29
date : 17/02/2009 time : 05:29
Thailand has the Gold palm in Politics. By the way Mandela didnt spend 40 years in Jail, but 27 and he is the longest political detainee the world has ever known.
Comment 124
aussiebob date : 17/02/2009 time : 06:28
date : 17/02/2009 time : 06:28
The only broken record I see is your continual obsession against Mr Thaksin who brought a better life to so many Thai poor people who know are back in the poor of poorest conditions under this inept Democrast PM.
Comment 125
aroonsri date : 17/02/2009 time : 09:52
date : 17/02/2009 time : 09:52
I live in the northeast of thailand worked as a government I can say Hell Taksin!!!!!!!! really Hell Taksin!!!!!!! Cheat all people in his party! if you been to the villages you will know how hell he was....hell, hell
Comment 126
John Zebelk date : 17/02/2009 time : 16:03
date : 17/02/2009 time : 16:03
Let us see without Mr. Thaksins provided transportation and few hundred baths for food to uneducated and poor people , how many RED shirts will rally for him .
He is calling the Monarch family as a dictators but this is the same family gave him opportunity to explain himself in court of law but instead he ran away like a chicken and hide himself in a unknown place for his so called supporters .
Don't you have any kind of shame towards your nation who you do believe they love you or do you really wants to bring democracy under blanket of dictatorship .
Wasn't you who advertise internationally pay 250.000 Baht and be a member of your pervert club to do whatever you like without any consequences ?
He is calling the Monarch family as a dictators but this is the same family gave him opportunity to explain himself in court of law but instead he ran away like a chicken and hide himself in a unknown place for his so called supporters .
Don't you have any kind of shame towards your nation who you do believe they love you or do you really wants to bring democracy under blanket of dictatorship .
Wasn't you who advertise internationally pay 250.000 Baht and be a member of your pervert club to do whatever you like without any consequences ?
Comment 127
vince date : 17/02/2009 time : 16:05
date : 17/02/2009 time : 16:05
I think comment #8 explained his guilt in the best possible way...
"...how you've blinded rural Thais with less than a quarter from your pocket?"
Mr. Taksin's greed and arrogance blinded him from the responsibilities of a PM.
"...how you've blinded rural Thais with less than a quarter from your pocket?"
Mr. Taksin's greed and arrogance blinded him from the responsibilities of a PM.
Comment 128
John Zebelk date : 17/02/2009 time : 16:08
date : 17/02/2009 time : 16:08
Be a man and show your face in court of law , the same law you did abuse for your own good .
Comment 129
punyachon date : 17/02/2009 time : 16:20
date : 17/02/2009 time : 16:20
c/o PM THAKSIN...If I were you,I might have to do the same thing as you're doing now...to fight for the right...JUSTICE and EQUALITY! It really is too much to set up the outlaw games and awful missions just to get rid of you and care not to divide Thai people and also break up our country down to earth!
Don't take it wrong that I'm speaking for you The truth is... I just can't stand to see why they have to OVER-REACT just to steal the power from your democratic government to their side by all means! What I don't understand is that why they could make themselves The LAW to judge you by putting you all serious accusations... and at the same time using the street politics(their well- paid strategic partner) to take demonstration just to say bad on you and set up "hatred fever" and "outlaw propaganda" through their 24 hour cable and their media networks just to go after you days and nights!
The worst is that they don't realize how bad the consequences are for our country and our people.Thai people are not happy at all to see the masterpiece they have created to invite all the TROUBLES to THAILAND since September 19,2549 to take over the power of HIS MAJESTY government by the Coup d'etat and "tearing" the People Constitution 2540 to write their new Coup Constitution 2550 to be able to appoint their people to be the senators instead of the election as before! Moreover,Act 309 written to give the AMNESTY to the Coup and the new justice organization(KorTorSor) appointed by the Coup d'etat mainly to check after PM THAKSIN and this Act allows them to do NO WRONG from the Past,Present and to the Future!! How about that?
It would be FAIR to go through the NORMAL JUSTICE SYSTEM but not going under the Coup set-up people from my sincere opinion. I don't think it's right to destroy your political opponents the ways you are now using and it seems like you take PM THAKSIN who had worked so hard and smart for our country in the past 6 years as your ENEMY? and intend to go further to GENOSIDE him and his followers for whatever excuses you want to give just to make him unable to come to politics again??
Your demanding to put him in jail by the Coup justice system can tell YOUR STANDARD to startle your people that our country will have nothing left if THAKSIN comes back to politics again! Try to remember "MISINFORMATION" and "HALF-TRUTH" could "KILL"Thai people and "BREAK UP" our country to pieces!!!
Don't take it wrong that I'm speaking for you The truth is... I just can't stand to see why they have to OVER-REACT just to steal the power from your democratic government to their side by all means! What I don't understand is that why they could make themselves The LAW to judge you by putting you all serious accusations... and at the same time using the street politics(their well- paid strategic partner) to take demonstration just to say bad on you and set up "hatred fever" and "outlaw propaganda" through their 24 hour cable and their media networks just to go after you days and nights!
The worst is that they don't realize how bad the consequences are for our country and our people.Thai people are not happy at all to see the masterpiece they have created to invite all the TROUBLES to THAILAND since September 19,2549 to take over the power of HIS MAJESTY government by the Coup d'etat and "tearing" the People Constitution 2540 to write their new Coup Constitution 2550 to be able to appoint their people to be the senators instead of the election as before! Moreover,Act 309 written to give the AMNESTY to the Coup and the new justice organization(KorTorSor) appointed by the Coup d'etat mainly to check after PM THAKSIN and this Act allows them to do NO WRONG from the Past,Present and to the Future!! How about that?
It would be FAIR to go through the NORMAL JUSTICE SYSTEM but not going under the Coup set-up people from my sincere opinion. I don't think it's right to destroy your political opponents the ways you are now using and it seems like you take PM THAKSIN who had worked so hard and smart for our country in the past 6 years as your ENEMY? and intend to go further to GENOSIDE him and his followers for whatever excuses you want to give just to make him unable to come to politics again??
Your demanding to put him in jail by the Coup justice system can tell YOUR STANDARD to startle your people that our country will have nothing left if THAKSIN comes back to politics again! Try to remember "MISINFORMATION" and "HALF-TRUTH" could "KILL"Thai people and "BREAK UP" our country to pieces!!!
Comment 130
Ashok Chand date : 18/02/2009 time : 01:15
date : 18/02/2009 time : 01:15
Dear Mr. Veera,
Please be fair - so to keep your integral impartial reporting.
Thaksin was elected through Democracy.
He was dislodged by a Coup.
Assuming he is corrupt - and the people still like and vote for him, then maybe one reason may be - that he still does good for people ( while earning for himself like you say ) --- which the majority population think is better than your Army and other parties - that do nothing and still earn money for themselves.
Guess - Mr. Veera you want your own form of Democracy - like PAD --- Democratic for Media sake -- but run it your own way --- well we call the double standard and hypocracy - and so how you are different from all others - except that some Billions did not enter your pocket!
Please be fair - so to keep your integral impartial reporting.
Thaksin was elected through Democracy.
He was dislodged by a Coup.
Assuming he is corrupt - and the people still like and vote for him, then maybe one reason may be - that he still does good for people ( while earning for himself like you say ) --- which the majority population think is better than your Army and other parties - that do nothing and still earn money for themselves.
Guess - Mr. Veera you want your own form of Democracy - like PAD --- Democratic for Media sake -- but run it your own way --- well we call the double standard and hypocracy - and so how you are different from all others - except that some Billions did not enter your pocket!
Comment 131
tokleman yanassi date : 18/02/2009 time : 01:27
date : 18/02/2009 time : 01:27
the tragedy of the whole Thaksin business is that a corrupt individual like Thaksin has come to represent a legitimate critique of the mess that is Thai "democracy". While thailand labors under its archaic lese majeste laws and the civil concomitants thereof there can be no open or constructive discussion of the fundamental problems in constructing a Thai democratic system.
Comment 132
Johnny date : 19/02/2009 time : 08:09
date : 19/02/2009 time : 08:09
The ex PM is a victim of his own greed. In English is called a self inflicated wound.. som nam na
Comment 133
Boon date : 19/02/2009 time : 13:14
date : 19/02/2009 time : 13:14
You know what is broken?
The Thai democratic system !
And it's people like you that support this joke of a government.
Let time tell the achievements of thaksin vs this world bank borrowing government!
The Thai democratic system !
And it's people like you that support this joke of a government.
Let time tell the achievements of thaksin vs this world bank borrowing government!
Comment 134
Noy date : 20/02/2009 time : 02:19
date : 20/02/2009 time : 02:19
I am not Thai but I have some suggestions.
You should care for your people living condition. othewise you will keep fighting and never ends, so
I have a question to ask Thai people. What goverment makes your people living condition better? and not owe the debt to foreign country. Democrate? Thai Luck Thai? and then don't care about who corrupts so I think, you could except the fact that the corruption happens to every party and goverment, they just fight for their own power and they're saying very nice words to you.
You should care for your people living condition. othewise you will keep fighting and never ends, so
I have a question to ask Thai people. What goverment makes your people living condition better? and not owe the debt to foreign country. Democrate? Thai Luck Thai? and then don't care about who corrupts so I think, you could except the fact that the corruption happens to every party and goverment, they just fight for their own power and they're saying very nice words to you.
Comment 135
Plai date : 20/02/2009 time : 04:13
date : 20/02/2009 time : 04:13
Thaksin ,although he did something wrong but i think ( most people )he is the best former prime minister that Thailand have than ever . I hated corruption but I like his thinking.
Comment 136
Kangaroo Court date : 20/02/2009 time : 14:43
date : 20/02/2009 time : 14:43
There can be no fair trial as both the judiciary and military felt threatened...
Thanks to Mr Thaksin we now have internet in Myanmar. Looking at which way Thailand is going with its democracy, we feel so grim about our own changes.
Comment 138
Klatu date : 21/02/2009 time : 13:54
date : 21/02/2009 time : 13:54
What can u expect from an underpaid drop out of a BangkokPost writer(Veera)? Instead of presenting facts impartially. He has mixed his own feelings in the article.
10 Facts:
1) All Politicians are Corrupt. (Some more and some less)
2) Thaksin Corrupt or not dug Thailand out of a major debt with IMF.
3) He was elected 3 Times.
4) He was accused for not able to solve Southern Thailand Problem. The New Appointed PM also cannot Solve that problem.
5) He was forcefully Removed.
This means against the wishes of the majority of people in Thailand.
6) Thailand is a very Corrupt Country
so anything you see or read in the media
can be partially falsified.
7) The New Appointed Government
is still using 80% of Thaksin's policies to run the Country.
8) The New Appointed Government is still
ineffective in revitalizing Thailand's Economy. You can try to get a loan from a bank and they will not approve unless you are already rich.
9) The political struggles are rarely about justice. Its more about which party gets how much of tax payer's money.
10) To be treated fairly "to the letter of the Law" Means you royally f**ked. Because Laws can be changed and bended to suit the benefit of those in power. And at the moment Thaksin is not in Power.
You all have a great day. :)
10 Facts:
1) All Politicians are Corrupt. (Some more and some less)
2) Thaksin Corrupt or not dug Thailand out of a major debt with IMF.
3) He was elected 3 Times.
4) He was accused for not able to solve Southern Thailand Problem. The New Appointed PM also cannot Solve that problem.
5) He was forcefully Removed.
This means against the wishes of the majority of people in Thailand.
6) Thailand is a very Corrupt Country
so anything you see or read in the media
can be partially falsified.
7) The New Appointed Government
is still using 80% of Thaksin's policies to run the Country.
8) The New Appointed Government is still
ineffective in revitalizing Thailand's Economy. You can try to get a loan from a bank and they will not approve unless you are already rich.
9) The political struggles are rarely about justice. Its more about which party gets how much of tax payer's money.
10) To be treated fairly "to the letter of the Law" Means you royally f**ked. Because Laws can be changed and bended to suit the benefit of those in power. And at the moment Thaksin is not in Power.
You all have a great day. :)
Comment 139
tanya date : 22/02/2009 time : 13:23
date : 22/02/2009 time : 13:23
Veera,
Do you understnad" Democracy"? I think that Mr.Thaksin became priminister throung this system. This is what the whole world has seen.
Do you understnad" Democracy"? I think that Mr.Thaksin became priminister throung this system. This is what the whole world has seen.
Comment 140
Eve date : 22/02/2009 time : 15:04
date : 22/02/2009 time : 15:04
I never like Thaksin's. He has left Thailand in a mess.He wanted power for himself and he was responsible for corruption.
Comment 142
I'm a Thai date : 22/02/2009 time : 21:36
date : 22/02/2009 time : 21:36
If Khun Thaksin was the root cause of conflict in the country (where almost all of us love), only Khun Thaksin could end this situation, which is ruining the nation. Khun Thaksin...If you really love Thailand as you have repeated time after time, please give up (Sia Sa La) and tell all your loyalists to stop and come declaring your innocent in the court. Please do before our country is collapsed.
Comment 143
yensama date : 26/02/2009 time : 08:25
date : 26/02/2009 time : 08:25
He will eventually lose everything. His money and his pride.
Oh wait, he did completely lose one of them, and almost ran out of the other.
Oh wait, he did completely lose one of them, and almost ran out of the other.
Comment 144
I. Hope date : 26/02/2009 time : 15:17
date : 26/02/2009 time : 15:17
What short memories some people in Thailand have. The indiscriminate murder of 3000 men women and children in the populist 'War on Drugs' carried out with impunity by corrupt officials to cover their own backsides is what Thaksin's morality and claims for justice should be weighed against. Please bring him, his wife and children and all his family back to this beautiful country to stand trial, and please allow me to offer the courts my impartial guidance as to his fate.
Comment 145
Disgusted date : 27/02/2009 time : 07:09
date : 27/02/2009 time : 07:09
The author of the above article is biased and has absolutely no idea about Thailand. Mr.Thaksin was the best Prime Minister Thailand has ever had. After three years in exile and most of his money which had been made legally through his telecommunications company before he became PM, has been confiscated, he's still immensely popular with the grassroot Thais as well as many middle class. If he had not done so much for the country during his time as PM, do you think he would still remain popular with the people? He would have long been forgotten. Come on, give me a break.
With the injustice and double-standard practiced in this country, he would be mad to return. I can assure you that Thaksin is not afraid to go to jail. However, he's afraid of being treated unfairly. He might even be killed in prison. During his time in office, there were many attempts to assasinate him.
Thaksin worked very hard while being PM to give the underprivileged a chance to improve their lives.He had no time for public relations and his problem is he does not suffer fools gladly. Perhaps that was his downfall.
Jealousy is a terrible thing and it isn't money that rules the world but envy and jealousy.
With the injustice and double-standard practiced in this country, he would be mad to return. I can assure you that Thaksin is not afraid to go to jail. However, he's afraid of being treated unfairly. He might even be killed in prison. During his time in office, there were many attempts to assasinate him.
Thaksin worked very hard while being PM to give the underprivileged a chance to improve their lives.He had no time for public relations and his problem is he does not suffer fools gladly. Perhaps that was his downfall.
Jealousy is a terrible thing and it isn't money that rules the world but envy and jealousy.
Comment 146
Johnny date : 01/03/2009 time : 01:50
date : 01/03/2009 time : 01:50
It appears the Bangkok Post has nothing interesting to report as the weekly highlight is poor ex PM. Perhaps the editor should ignore the ex PM’s crying and maybe he will go away...
Comment 147
David date : 02/03/2009 time : 12:04
date : 02/03/2009 time : 12:04
Thaksin did do many things to benefit the people but not before his familt were the main benefactors - remember the satellite deal with Burma? My in-laws in Nakorn Pathom - normal Thai folks were sick of Thaksin and even sicker of the shower that followed. However, if the Primae Minister of any developed country had evaded his tax he would have been forced to resign and wouln't have been allowed to return to politics. Its a shame - Thaksin had the power and leadership to do great things for Thailand but greed overcame and he wanted even more - not surprising as money never fills a vacuum but merely creates one.
Comment 148
chongkt date : 03/03/2009 time : 05:25
date : 03/03/2009 time : 05:25
Abhisit+Military+Ploice+Media(Limthongkhol)+Palace Advisor so dont worry PAD wont get into jail but Thaksin will end up into jail
Comment 149
Rights of Man date : 12/03/2009 time : 08:41
"
"
I am truly amazed how much time and space Thai news media is being spent on him.
Veera, don't you have any other topic to write about? I am so bore to wake up every morning to read, listen and watch all you journalists report, criticize or make fun of what he does or what he says. In fact, without him, you guy might find a hard time finding other topics to write about.
You should thank him, truly.
"
"
By the way, John Zebelk, for your information, LAW was changed so much since the junta did the coup. Your single sentence perspective may needt some work.
Veera,
You dig deep into Thaksin don't you and you actually don't have one second of time to talk about what the Nominated PM Abhisit has done for the last 3 months in office or have you not got one positive thing to say about his performance have you?
If I not wrong, you're obessed with him and base on that fact, I suggest you resign yourself as a political analyst as do do not fit in such catagory....
You dig deep into Thaksin don't you and you actually don't have one second of time to talk about what the Nominated PM Abhisit has done for the last 3 months in office or have you not got one positive thing to say about his performance have you?
If I not wrong, you're obessed with him and base on that fact, I suggest you resign yourself as a political analyst as do do not fit in such catagory....
Comment 151
Bad Dog date : 10/04/2009 time : 13:15
date : 10/04/2009 time : 13:15
RED SHIRTS OR BLACK SHIRTS?
1. I walked along Radjadamnoen Nok Avenue yesterday and heard a red shirt leader crying for "throats to be cut today".
2. Last night on both local and international TV I saw the red shirts
propaganda in letters five feet high proclaiming "NO VIOLENCE"(!)
3. This morning, I heard Black Shirt leader and former Thaksin spokesman Jakrapob telling one half-truth after another to "the world" about Thaksin's love of democracy whereas the facts are that Thaksin perpetrated a wholesale rollback of all democratic checks and balances during his term in office.
4. This afternoon, I heard a Black Shirt leader lie to Riz Khan on Aljazeera that this government "is illegal": it's as immoral a Thaksin maybe, but certainly not illegal or less democratic.
5. Bottom line: REAL red-shirts don't need phonies like Thaksin.
1. I walked along Radjadamnoen Nok Avenue yesterday and heard a red shirt leader crying for "throats to be cut today".
2. Last night on both local and international TV I saw the red shirts
propaganda in letters five feet high proclaiming "NO VIOLENCE"(!)
3. This morning, I heard Black Shirt leader and former Thaksin spokesman Jakrapob telling one half-truth after another to "the world" about Thaksin's love of democracy whereas the facts are that Thaksin perpetrated a wholesale rollback of all democratic checks and balances during his term in office.
4. This afternoon, I heard a Black Shirt leader lie to Riz Khan on Aljazeera that this government "is illegal": it's as immoral a Thaksin maybe, but certainly not illegal or less democratic.
5. Bottom line: REAL red-shirts don't need phonies like Thaksin.
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