Govt: Thaksin interview 'offensive to the monarchy'

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• NaLa

  Discussion 36 : 10/11/2009 at 11:15 PM36

  to the discussion number 35 made by Ali
  I don't think your English is good.
  you still make mistakes of using English.
  so you should watche yours before saying Abhisit's is bad.
  when it comes to the politics, It is not about how good his English is or if he is able to speak English fluently or not. so get over it.

• ali

  Discussion 35 : 10/11/2009 at 05:12 AM35

  thai jump to conclusion to quick they blieve what their leader say abhisit on the other hand should go back to school study english ,he got english accent but he doesn't have english knowledge i don't know how he got his bachelor how many of you watched abhisit interview with BBC or english speaking reporter ,listen carefully and you wonder why oxford bachelor do so badly , don't pretend you understand the question that is very dangerous gamble when you're the leader of a country.

• El

  Discussion 34 : 10/11/2009 at 04:47 AM34

  Let me preface this few comments with the revelation that I personally have NEVER been a fan of ex-prime minister Thaksin. While in office, he was a bit too cocky, combative, and self-absorbed for my personal taste. Additionally, I found certain of his stances during the so-called "war on drugs" (e.g., in essence, "bounty compensation" to provincial police for bringing in alleged drug dealers, dead or live) and the defense of the assault on the Southern mosque and the subsequent suffocation deaths of those apprehended and trucked to prison) -- these, among certain of his actions, were too extreme for my tastes.
  
  That said, however, having read the FM's characterization of the Thaksin-Times Online interview first, I was prepared (when reading the transcript of the Times Online interview) to see all manner of outrageous derogatory comments concerning the sacred national institution (which shall remain nameless, although you doubtlessly know to what I refer). But, as I ploughed through paragraph after paragraph of the interview transcript (as posted on the Times Online website), I was somewhat taken aback to be unable to discern comments that fit the PM's characterization. (By the way, I am a native English speaker, American version; hence, I believe that I read and understand written English reasonably well.)
  
  Now, it could be that some of Thaksin's comments -- e.g., those suggesting that institutions must evolve as society evolves and others suggesting political intrigue among some of the key aides surrounding the sacred institution -- fit the THAI definition of lese majeste. This I cannot know because I do not have a good grasp of the line that separates harmless musings to the effect that things could better from commentary that could be construed as "derogatory" and "insulting." Only Thai authorities can know this.
  
  I should also confess that I viewed certain of the ex-premier's representations as either half-truths or outright falsifactions. But, then, big-ego people rarely are able to admit their mistakes. Better, they seemingly believe, to claim total innocence and good intentions, rather than say, "You know, if I had it do all over again, I'd handle such-and-such a situation differently, with greater humility or with less braggadacio or with prayerful understanding that the other side could have been right about that particular issue." This inability has contributed greatly to the downfall of big-ego men throughout recorded history. Humility and big egos mix about as well as oil and water, it seems.
  
  But, be that ever so much as it may, for the sake of the nation and the people, I do wish that the Thai people and the Thai government could move beyond this tit-for-tat between the pro- and anti-Taksin forces, and focus on improving the lives of the people and further developing the country. If this kind of stuff continues unabated, I fear that the country will continue sliding down the slippery slope that it is already on. In the interview, Thaksin described it as a "failed state." Please, let's not let it get to that! Don't let Thailand become the Somalia of Southeast Asia!

• ThaiEye

  Discussion 33 : 10/11/2009 at 03:34 AM33

  Thaksin’s megalomania and paranoia long ago disabled whatever little capacity he ever had to distinguish reality from fantasy. The truth that the rest of the world knows full well as opposed to his own little work of Thaksin does no wrong. The poor deluded and demented creature is truly pathetic.
  
  His interview was recorded and according to The Times the transcript they have published, which he now disputes as distorted, “matches the recording of the conversation and was transcribed by a press representative of Mr Thaksin”. Megalomania, paranoia ? QED. Better sack him Takie as even your own representatives distort the pure gospel truth of your immortal words.
  
  Our former PM we do implore
  You go away and sin no more
  But should that effort be too great
  Just FO at any rate.

• Same Old Denials

  Discussion 32 : 10/11/2009 at 01:49 AM32

  I have just read the full interview script on Times online. Still the SAME OLD DENIALS of all his wrong doings
  
  Taxsin is condemming the interviewer for distortion! See, here is the same old person who would NOT take responsibility for what he said in the interview!
  
  In fact Taxsin is the one who panicked when he realizes that his interview was "perceived as offensive". So he now cries "distortion"! for fear that it will further harm his political capital.
  
  In the interview, he compared himself to Aung San Sukyi! Ha! Aung San chooses to stay in Burma (under house arrest) under a very questionable Burmese justice systems. While Taxsin ran away like a COWARD, even when his brother-in-law was still the prime minister.
  
  I also notice further that all his current business dealings are in all the "questionable" countries like Uganda, Angola, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, etc. WHY NOT in some respectable nations???
  
  Given his background in telecommunication business, one would wonder why he is only dealing in "exploitative" businesses like Lottery Gaming; gold/diamonds; Casino; etc. It just reflects the character & ethical standards of this person!

• Alai na?

  Discussion 31 : 10/11/2009 at 01:34 AM31

  I'd like to thank Richard Parry and the Times for reporting this interview. The deceptions and lies are now known, and the face of the traitor is exposed.

• FreeThinker

  Discussion 30 : 10/11/2009 at 01:24 AM30

  Thaksin was right! The editor's comments were completely misleading. I read the transcript and in no way did he ask for reform of the monarchy or about a shining era. That was all words of the editor. Shame on the editor! This is what happens when you have an editor that is unfamiliar with the sensitivity of the Thai culture. Of course the government wants to keep this interview from you so that Thai citizens can't judge for themselves. The government tells you that Thaksin insulted the King, but then doesn't let you see it for yourself. This is how the government tries to manipulate you. I only hope that Thai citizens will be trusted to read the transcript for themselves. Amazing how freedom is slowly being taken away from the Thais.

• Tropicalevo

  Discussion 29 : 10/11/2009 at 12:00 AM29

  At the end of the day, Kh Taksin is very manipulative of the Thai people and the Thai press.
  
  He did a lot of good for Thailand - in the beginning. BUT he bought votes in the north by offering various 'payments' to his party members and voters.
  
  Having become too greedy - he tried to ensure that he could never loose power. Others stopped this with the coup.
  
  Now - he is a criminal on the run, under Thai law. He should either come back and fight his case (but he ran rather than defended - there is a clue)or come back and accept his punishment and then live to fight another day.
  
  His larger crime now is to try and manipulate the population and the press from his hiding place.
  
  Then - even worse - when it backfires on him, he shouts "foul - I never said that!"
  
  Strange. When they report good things about his comments, all is well. When they say the bad things, they are lying!

• Mr Decency

  Discussion 28 : 09/11/2009 at 11:45 PM28

  Brainwise Thaksin proved already by far superior to the whole current Thai Gvt Cabinet's put altogether, and so goes for some biased English-language newspapers who insist on attacking him groundelessly...
  
  Go, go Thaksin go !!!! The whole International community is more and more standing by you while steering away from a banana-Republic like Gvt who took power by force and back-stage games...a Gvt exhausted by internal fights, in deep indentity crisis, internationally isolated and more and more at odds with all its neighbours.

• chrisp

  Discussion 27 : 09/11/2009 at 11:15 PM27

  The democrats must be loving Thaksin at the moment! Keeping media eyes away from the real more important issues concerning Thailand.
  
  Three cheers for Thaksin, hip hip

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