Thaksin seeks peaceful end

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Published: 11 Aug 2012 at 19.22
Online news: Local News

Thaksin Shinawatra is confident his fight for "real democracy" is about to end in peace but says there's a slim chance that a new military coup could push things back to square one.

The fugitive former prime minister made the comments in an exclusive interview with Isra News Agency on Friday evening in San Francisco.Describing current political tensions as "a tug-of-war for democracy", he said that only someone who was on ya ba (methamphetamine) would ever consider leading a new coup to topple the government.Unlike in the past, members of the public were now more actively involved in democratic activities, said Thaksin who was overthrown in the Sept 19, 2006 coup.He gave the interview while having dinner with a group Asian-American businesspeople at a Thai restaurant in North Beach in the northeast of San Francisco.Thaksin was on a trip to the US to meet with his red shirt supporters there, he said.Asked whether the Pheu Thai Party government led by his sister Yingluck should withdraw controversial reconciliation bills amid growing protests by its opponents, Thaksin said there was no need to withdraw the bills.However, there was no need to rush them either, he added.In fact, the bills should be kept in parliament so that the people protesting against them would have to wait outside day and night for fear that they would be passed, said Thaksin half-jokingly. So should the third and final reading of the constitutional amendment bill,...

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geoffo
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Discussion 11 : 11 Aug 2012 at 21.0311
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The self-exiled billionaire this year has touched down in border town Laos and Cambodia and expects to go to Myanmar.

He is running up and down outside the fence, barking and yowling but not quite game to jump over. pretty silly behavior IMO.
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bern1005
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Discussion 10 : 11 Aug 2012 at 20.5210
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Why is it that no news agency outside Thailand has reported Thaksin to be in the USA? It all seems very strange to me.
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meme
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Discussion 9 : 11 Aug 2012 at 20.499
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What about the fugitive returning and face justice? Two years in prison and 10+ other corruption- and terrorist cases pending. That would be a very peaceful solution and a huge step forward towards democracy.
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prh
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Discussion 8 : 11 Aug 2012 at 20.338
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On checking the Isra News Agency site I notice no mention of TS as yet. Obviously not important news.

He is really in demand in the USA if only the Israel News Agency wants an interview with him.

Maybe they think he is full of it as well.
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englishjon
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Discussion 7 : 11 Aug 2012 at 20.267
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This man is as slippery as an eel and behind all the sickly PR shots lies a cold, ruthless heart.

Thailand is better off without him. He is causing untold damage for the future. If he really loved his country he would stay out of politics and let Thailand move forward.
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abbub
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Discussion 6 : 11 Aug 2012 at 19.416
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Taksin should keep his mouth shut and stay out of politics now. The more he talks the more ammunition he gives those who oppose democracy. This is not about Taksin, this is about the future of the people of Thailand.

Introducing the reconciliation bill so soon was political idiocy and showed the arrogance and lack of vision of the PT. They should have made it through one term of office showing what they can do (which is, apparently a lot less than they promised) and if re-relected ran with a stated intent of introducing something for Taksin's return.

They have now brought themselves down several notches along the already low ladder of Thai politics.
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englishjon
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Discussion 5 : 11 Aug 2012 at 19.345
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The problem for Thaksin is that you can only lie so many times before people stop paying attention.

This is just more of the same old rubbish.
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jwatch
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Discussion 4 : 11 Aug 2012 at 19.334
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I don't get it, he's the guy that said democracy wasn't important...only economic growth and stability.

I think someone needs to ask him what he means by "real democracy"
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borthong
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Discussion 3 : 11 Aug 2012 at 19.333
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Only someone on 'yaa baa' would believe this guy is interested in democracy.
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rontorr
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Discussion 2 : 11 Aug 2012 at 19.332
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Touche, I can't wait for all of the panic stricken shrill condemnations in the morning :-)
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Thaksin seeks peaceful end | Bangkok Post: news