Thaksin on govt TV: Coincidence or collusion? | Bangkok Post: learning

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Was Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's appearance on state-run TV a coincidence or collusion? It depends on whom you talk to.

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Ousted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra appears in a live broadcast on Channel 11 as he presides over a Thai boxing contest in Macau.

Click button to listen to Thaksin on Channel 11 and rightclick to download

Thaksin's appearance 'just a coincidence'

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Prompong Nopparit (Photo by Surapol Promsaka na Sakolnakorn)

BANGKOK – Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's appearance at a muay Thai event in Macau on Sunday night that was broadcast live on state-run Channel 11 was just a coincidence, Pheu Thai Party spokesman Prompong Nopparit said on Monday.

"The people who are criticising Thaksin's appearance are those who have a hidden political agenda," Mr Prompong said.

He said the air time was leased to a private company in advance, just like other broadcast rights for sporting events in general, and no one in the government or Pheu Thai intervened in the broadcast.

"The appearance of Thaksin was a coincidence. He was attending an economic seminar in Hong Kong and he was invited by a close associate to preside over the muay Thai event," the Pheu Thai spokesman said.

He believed that Channel 11 did not know beforehand that Thaksin would appear at the event. However, it was not unusual for the former premier to show up at events because he had not caused trouble for anyone.

"Thaksin is a Thai man and he has the right, as a Thai person, to show his loyalty [to the monarchy]," Mr Prompong said.

Suriyasai Katasila: Thaksin's appearance "not a coincidence". POST TODAY

Suriyasai Katasila, the Green Politics group spokesman and an anti-government activist, said Thaksin's appearance last night did not happen by chance.

"I think that a political group and Channel 11 executives colluded"  about broadcasting Thaksin's presence and speech, he said.

"This is definitely not a coincidence. There must have been preparations in advance because Thaksin was reading from a script when giving his speech.

"Thaksin was using this event to clear and protect himself," Mr Suriyasai said.

He called on Channel 11 chief Thirapong Sodasri to show responsibility for his failure to properly administer his station by resigning.

He said the Green Politics group will file a petition against people behind this broadcast with the National Anti-Corruption Commission this week.

Former Pitak Siam leader Boonlert Kaewprasit also criticised Mr Thaksin's appearance on state-run TV.

"I think that Thaksin is dying to return to Thailand and that he is selfish for using state-run TV, paid for by people's taxes, to express his 'loyalty' [to the monarchy].

"I suggest to him that he return home, pay respect to His Majesty the King, surrender and go to prison, and accept the Thai law, so he can then ask for a royal pardon," Gen Boonlert said.

He said he would not take legal action against Channel 11 because he had no authority to do so, but he would continue the fight against Thaksin.

"If Thaksin wants to return home and is still rich, he can hire people to stage a coup for him," he said.

coincidence – a situation in which separate things happen by chance at the same time or in the same way เหตุบังเอิญ
collusion – secretly working together to do something dishonest การสมรู้ร่วมคิด
ousted – forced out of a position of power ขับออกจากอำนาจ
live broadcast – a programme that can be seen or heard on television or radio at this time โปรแกรมที่มีการถ่ายทอดสด
preside – to be in charge of a ceremony, official meeting, or other event (ทรง) เป็นประธานในพิธี
appearance – an act of appearing in public การปรากฎตัว
state – government รัฐบาล
criticise – to say that you disapprove of somebody/something; to say what you do not like or think is wrong about somebody/something วิจารณ์, ติเตียน,จับผิด
hidden agenda – a secret reason for doing something because you will get an advantage from it วาระซ่อนเร้น; เบื้องหน้าเบื้องหลัง  
lease – to make a legal agreement in which you pay money in order to use a building, piece of land, vehicle, etc. for a period of time, this case time to broadcast a TV program  เช่า
in advance – before the time that is expected; before something happens ล่วงหน้า
right – a legal claim to have or get something or to behave in a particular สิทธิ
in general – including the most important aspects of something; not exact or detailed; overall โดยทั่วไป
intervene – to become involved in a situation in order to try to stop or change it  แทรกแซง
associate – someone you work with, especially in a business ผู้ที่มีความสัมพันธ์กัน (เช่น เพื่อน, ผู้ร่วมงาน, หุ้นส่วน)
beforehand – earlier; before something else happens or is done ล่วงหน้า,เสียก่อน
show up – to arrive at a place แสดงตัว, ปรากฏตัว
loyalty – support that you always give to someone or something because of your feelings of duty and love towards them  ความจงรักภักดี
the monarchy – the king or queen and their family in a particular country สถาบันกษัตริย์
activist – someone who takes part in activities that are intended to achieve political or social change, especially someone who is a member of an organisation นักกิจกรรม
by chance – the way things happen without being planned or expected โดยบังเอิญ, โดยไม่รู้สาเหตุ
executive – a senior manager in a business or other organisation ผู้บริหาร
collude – to act together secretly or illegally in order to deceive or cheat someone สมรู้ร่วมคิด
presence – the fact of being in a particular place, thing or situation การเข้าร่วม, การมีอยู่
script – a written text of a play, film/movie, broadcast, talk, etc ตัวเขียน,ต้นฉบับ, บท
show responsibility – to say or admit you are the cause of something or involved with something, usually something bad แสดงความรับผิดชอบ
administer – to be responsible for managing a company, organization, or institution บริหารงาน, จัดการ, ดำเนินการ
resign – to leave a job permanently ลาออกจากตำแหน่ง
file a petition – to formally give a document signed by many people to someone in power asking them to do something ยื่นคำร้อง
National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) – An independent government organisation to investigate corruption carried out by government officials ปปช. (สำนักคณะกรรมการป้องกันและปราบปรามการทุจริตแห่งชาติ)
selfish – caring only about yourself rather than about other people  เห็นแก่ตัว
suggest – to mention an idea or a plan for somebody else to think about  เสนอ, เสนอแนะ
pay respect to – to show deep admiration for someone แสดงความเคารพ
surrender – to give yourself up ยอมจำนน
ask for a royal pardon – to request that the King grant a pardon ยื่นถวายฎีกาขอพระราชทานอภัยโทษ
legal – relating to the law เกี่ยวกับกฎหมาย
authority – power อำนาจ
hire – to pay someone to work for you, especially for a short time จ้าง
stage a coup – to forcefully seize power ใช้กำลังยึดอำนาจและเปลี่ยนแปลงรัฐบาล

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