Govt 'unaware' of Thaksin broadcast

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Govt 'unaware' of Thaksin broadcast

Critics in uproar over Channel 11 address

Published: 11 Dec 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

The government is on the defence and says it was unaware that deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra would be appearing during the state-run Channel 11 kickboxing broadcast on Sunday.

The claim follows severe criticism from Thaksin's critics, who have threatened to initiate probes against the government and its Public Relations Department (PRD).

The opposition Democrat Party said it would ask the Office of the Ombudsman to investigate who gave the broadcast the go-ahead while the Green Politics group plans to take the matter to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC).

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ricoaj22
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Discussion 17 : 11 Dec 2012 at 10.5017
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Unbelievable arrogance by the TV station / affiliates and from TS himself.
I fail to understand how a current fugitive from the law demands any kind of respect at all regardless of his former position. He obviously has such little integrity that he has to hide behind a TV screen to talk rather than come home, talk in person and then face the charges laid against him.
People inside and outside of Thailand were appalled at some of his actions whilst PM, the fact he doesn't even wish to say his side is a total disgrace and an insult to all those who were negatively impacted by his policies and actions. total shambles
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jacksprat
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Discussion 16 : 11 Dec 2012 at 10.4616
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The government didn't know, there is no terrorism in the far south, there is no corruption in the rice purchasing programme. This government seems to live in an alternate universe, not the one the rest of us do.
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amazed
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Discussion 15 : 11 Dec 2012 at 10.3515
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If Thaksin wants to defend himself, no problem. He has a list of things waiting for him to defend himself for.
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tu-whit
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Discussion 14 : 11 Dec 2012 at 10.2014
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I agree with Disc #7. But personally, I believe that Thaksin loves to turn the screws on the Dems. and will do anything to piss them off.
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boontong
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Discussion 13 : 11 Dec 2012 at 09.5013
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I don't see any logic in Thaksin's sudden appearance neither do I see it a problem or newsworthy. Perhaps it was to keep the oppositions alive.
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mogy71
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Discussion 12 : 11 Dec 2012 at 09.2212
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Drsmith9: the payment for airtime question you ask of the general is what the journalists need to be asking him.
And once again his usual suspect 'supporters' are all very quiet on this thread..
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watchdog
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Discussion 11 : 11 Dec 2012 at 09.1911
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I never liked Thaksin, but why is it illegal for him to appear on a TV show broadcast in Thailand? I was sympathetic to those who opposed Thaksin and his undemocratic policies until I noticed that his opponents are equally undemocratic and, in many cases, far worse than Thaksin. And have you ever noticed that Thaksin's biggest opponents right now were his biggest supporters when he was first in office. Why is that? Money? None of this seems to about principles. Its all a fight over the spoils of political office in Thailand, and the Democrats are as bad or worse than the UDD.
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bkksim
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Discussion 10 : 11 Dec 2012 at 08.4610
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"He called the allegations against the former premier "painful", adding that Thaksin deserves to defend himself."

If he needs to defend himself come back to Thailand and do it in the court of law!

"There is no hidden agenda. He is a former prime minister and we give him respect," he said. "I paid Channel 11 for the airtime and I had the right to use it [as I saw fit]," he said.

Investigate who actually paid for it my guesses are that thaksin paid for it.

Is there any Shinawatras that are not the head or presedent chief of something?
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drsmith
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Discussion 9 : 11 Dec 2012 at 08.329
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"I paid Channel 11 for the airtime and I had the right to use it [as I saw fit]," he said." Did the General pay for the airtime with his own money or did he pay for it with government money? Big difference there. Using government money to publicly give Thaksin political airtime when he remains a fugitive is indeed unethical. According to the Generals own comment, it appears he saw fit to pre-plan this speech in advance with Thaksin. No more evidence needed. One more General thinking he is above the laws of the land.
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OldThaiHand
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Discussion 8 : 11 Dec 2012 at 08.318
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Disc. 4

I totally agree. A dead horse, indeed.

The definition of crazy is doing and saying the same thing repeatedly expecting a different result.
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