Suvarnabhumi Airport Reopens, but Crisis Not Over

[Gaybutton]

The airport is open and flights are beginning to operate. However, the political problems are far from over. The rival parties are, of course, in a new dispute over who the next Prime Minister will be. Just to add fuel to the fire, Pojamon, Thaksin's technically ex-wife, is returning to Thailand. Her plane is due in at the very moment I'm writing this post. Of course, the rumors are already circulating as to why she is picking just now to return and why she is returning at all.

 

The following appears in THE NATION:

_____

 

Suvarnabhumi Airport Resumes Full Service

 

Suvarnabhumi International Airport officially resumed full service again at 11am on Friday after thousands of anti-government protesters ended their weeklong siege at the airport on Wednesday.

 

Large number of passengers lined up at check-in counters since 6am, altogether in a festive atmosphere.

 

Traditionally-clad dancers and rural kathin players beating gongs and drums greeted departing passengers with apologies from the people of Thailand, in elegant processions organised by the Ministry of Culture.

 

The first three flights were Thai Airways International, Thai Air Asia, and Bangkok Airways, while varied international airlines were to gradually resume their flights later in the day, with it being expected that a total of more than 100 flights would operate Friday.

 

Acting Transport Minister Santi Prompat had inspected the readiness of the airport as officials from many agencies including the Department of Civil Aviation, the International Civil Aviation Organisation, the International Air Transport Association and the Airport Operation Committee who together observed the airport in operation on Friday morning to ensure passenger safety and security.

 

Customs Department director general Uthit Thammawathin said the department - and Thailand -- had suffered the loss of revenue from taxes and duties amounting to hundreds of million baht as many cargo shipments were stranded because of the closure of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports.

[Gaybutton]

The following appears in the BANGKOK POST:

_____

 

Potjaman Back

 

Khunying Potjaman, the ex-wife of fugitive Thaksin Shinawatra, returned to Thailand Friday night and was whisked away from the airport in a van as political circles buzzed with speculation over the timing of her trip.

 

Rumours of her return have been going around for at least two weeks. Many believe that the couple divorced for convenience, since most of Thaksin's frozen assets are in his ex-wife's name.

 

Khunying Potjaman could start legal action to try to regain the 72 billion baht in frozen assets. Some believe she may also take a hand in the troubles of the ruling People Power party, now known as Puea Thai, and the efforts to name a new prime minister.

 

Parliament is due to meet on Monday to nominate and elect a new prime minister.

 

She arrived on a Thai Airways flight from Hong Kong, with her son and daughter. "She was on flight TG607. She travelled under her former last name "Damapong," an airline official said.

 

Former members of the People Power Party, the political party affiliated with Thaksin that ruled in coalition until its forced disbandment on Tuesday, were at Suvarnabhumi airport to greet Khunying Potjaman along with her son Pantongtae and daughter Pinthongta as they left through a private exit.

 

She will face legal action for her flight from justice last August, but authorities said she was not under an arrest warrant.

 

Khunying Potjaman was convicted on July 31 of evading billions of baht in taxes and sentenced to three years in prison. She appealed that case, was released on bail and left the country the same day.

 

She was declared innocent in the Ratchadaphisek land-sale case at the Supreme Court a month later. Judges found Thaksin guilty of influence peddling and he remains at large as a fugitive. The couple were divorced in Hong Kong on Nov 14.

 

 

[fedssocr]

I don't understand why she wasn't arrested on the spot.

[Guest lvdkeyes]

I don't understand why she wasn't arrested on the spot.

 

It's called "Money talks and Bull s--- walks".

[Guest Oogleman]

sentenced to 3 years and released on bail lol.

 

 

Wonder how many decades bail lasts for Thai hi-so compared to days for other Thais?

 

And surely the PAD should be surrounding and blockading her wherever she goes and demanding an arrest be made or even arresting her themselves as they hate Thaksin so much?

[Guest]

A far fetched scenario: Could she be the next Prime Minister?

[Guest lvdkeyes]

A far fetched scenario: Could she be the next Prime Minister?

 

That certainly would cause an immense uproar, worse than the airport closings.

[Gaybutton]

A far fetched scenario: Could she be the next Prime Minister?

 

I doubt that. I keep saying it, but nobody listens. I know who ought to become Thailand's next Prime Minister:

 

 

[Guest lvdkeyes]

He's too dumb to know where Thailand is located.

[Guest GaySacGuy]

He'll find it ok...but don't ask him to spell Thailand!!

[Gaybutton]

He'll find it ok...but don't ask him to spell Thailand!!

 

It would probably come out "Taiwan."

 

"I have always loved California. I practically grew up in Phoenix." - Dan Quayle