TotallyOz Posted July 4, 2011 Posted July 4, 2011 LOL Gaybutton, this is from today! Who didn't see this coming? http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/asiapcf/07/04/thailand.election/index.html?iref=NS1 Quote
Moses Posted July 4, 2011 Posted July 4, 2011 The situation isn't for me so clear as it is described in article. I'm sure - army will not allows returning of Taksin. For now army's position is: "I have talked to military leaders. We will allow politicians to work it out. The military will not get involved," Gen Prawit Wongsuwon told AFP. "Let the elected politicians work. We cannot chase them away. They haven't done anything wrong," Gen Prawit said. But they can change their mind if something will be "wrong". Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted July 4, 2011 Posted July 4, 2011 Thaksin returning or not, this is the most disturbing part of that article in my view - Supong Limtanakool of Bangkok University's Center for Strategic Studies said both parties made big promises they just can't keep. He said Thailand will "have to spend somewhere between an additional 1.5 trillion baht to 7.5 trillion baht ($49 billion to $244 billion) with all the extravagant programs, which is five times the national budget. ... I mean, we'll be broke in one year," he said. Quote
Gaybutton Posted July 4, 2011 Posted July 4, 2011 Gaybutton, this is from today! Congratulations for getting it right this time . . . Don't you love it? She gets elected and what does she talk about? Thaksin. I was hoping to see some articles that would at least include something about what she actually intends to do for Thailand. All I saw were statements concerning Thaksin and the military denying any intention of a coup. I don't know. Was this election about what is best for Thailand or was it about what will now become of Thaksin? As far as I can tell, so far the newspaper articles have been all about Thaksin. Yingluck made a lot of campaign promises. Now that she will become Thailand's new Prime Minister, can't the news media at least devote an inch or two about what she can now be expected to do for Thailand and how she will do it? Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted July 4, 2011 Posted July 4, 2011 As far as I can tell, so far the newspaper articles have been all about Thaksin . . . Now that she will become Thailand's new Prime Minister, can't the news media at least devote an inch or two about what she can now be expected to do for Thailand and how she will do it? Not only the newspapers, but all the TV I have seen as well. But let's be fair to the lady. About the first question every interviewer I have heard (and can understand) has specifically asked about Thaksin. So she has to answer. As to what she will do and how she will do it? O ye of little faith!! She's an inexperienced political animal in the midst of a coalition of political wolves with her strings being pulled by her brother. She has to be given her chance to change things. But this is Thailand, the land where politicians and others become rich through cronyism, deal-making and corruption. She cannot carry out all the party's promises because, as the academic says in the article excerpt I quoted, she'll bankrupt the country. Yet she says they can be afforded because of all the extra revenues that will come in (but I cannot recall precisely from where). Let's see what happens. One thing's for sure. She'll quickly realise that managing a government and an underpaid civil service is a helluva difference from the experience of managing a listed company she has frequently trotted out. I guess one thing the gay chat rooms and message Boards will be discussing in due course is the prospect or otherwise of another social order campaign! Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted July 5, 2011 Posted July 5, 2011 Excerpts from today's Bangkok Post article about Thaksin's return. The Pheu Thai Party looks set to consolidate its power as a majority government with more than 300 House seats to smooth the path for exiled former prime minister and its de facto leader Thaksin Shinawatra to return home, a party source said. The source said the party will use its numbers in the House of Representatives to ensure smooth passage of legislation to grant amnesty for Thaksin's 2008 corruption conviction, which would enable him to come home. The party is now trying to poach MPs from two main factions inside the Bhumjaithai Party led by Somsak Thepsuthin and Sora-at Klinprathum to have the desired number of at least 300 seats . . . The source said Pheu Thai is also seeking to control three major ministries - the Foreign, Defence and Interior ministries - which are crucial to bringing Thaksin back to Thailand. However, the source said the party would tread carefully and not rush the plan to bring Thaksin back home considering that his opponents would come out in opposition to his return, which could rock the stability of the new government. "The party will have to wait for the right timing when the new government becomes strongest with the support of more than 300 House seats to ensure the passage of legislation related to the granting of amnesty is plain sailing," the source said. Pheu Thai will also need to be sure that its coalition partners will be given the cabinet seats they desire to guarantee government stability. http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/election/245443/pheu-thai-gears-toward-amnesty Quote
Guest thaiworthy Posted July 5, 2011 Posted July 5, 2011 I believe returning Thaksin will be their first priority. They weren't patient enough to wait for the election by staging the riots of last year, so I don't believe they'll be very patient for this task, either. I'm watching for trouble ahead. Lots of it. Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted July 6, 2011 Posted July 6, 2011 Well, now we know how Thaksin is likely to start up the ladder to rehabilitation whilst the legal work to overturn his conviction is under way. The Bangkok papers are predicting that he will be appointed a government trade envoy to promote Thai exports abroad. This, of course, will enable him to travel freely around the world and hobnob with business and government leaders. According to his lawyer, this can be done using his present passport issued by the government of Montenegro. All of which is surely slightly ridiculous on the face of it. A convicted felon and known crook promoting the country which convicted and exiled him, who has to travel on the passport of a tiny Balkan nation. But then, this is Thailand! A party source said that when a Pheu Thai-led coalition government is formed and cabinet ministers are appointed, the party would entrust Thaksin with the role of a trade envoy to help his youngest sister Yingluck Shinawatra, who looks set to become the prime minister, handle her responsibilities. Thaksin has well-established connections with corporate executives and leaders of foreign countries and also possesses the business acumen to make bargains and boost trade ties with other nations. As a trade envoy, Thaksin could use his experience abroad during his self-imposed exile to help the government promote trade ties without getting directly involved in politics at home, the source said. http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/election/245629/thaksin-tipped-to-become-trade-envoy Quote
TotallyOz Posted July 6, 2011 Author Posted July 6, 2011 All of which is surely slightly ridiculous on the face of it. A convicted felon and known crook promoting the country which convicted and exiled him, who has to travel on the passport of a tiny Balkan nation. But then, this is Thailand! No more ridiculous than Bush traveling the world on peace or humanitarian missions. IMHO Quote
Guest fountainhall Posted July 11, 2011 Posted July 11, 2011 Well, it seems all the news media were wrong in suggesting Thaksin would be a roving ambassador! In a Bangkok Post interview today, Thaksin is once more back on the reconciliation theme – and on an amnesty for his misdeeds not being important. More surprisingly for someone who has rarely stated that he has done anything but good for the country, if the report is correct, he has actually admitted that he made mistakes. Thaksin said he viewed Dec 5 - the 84th birthday of His Majesty the King - as key to the reconciliation effort. ''Everyone needs to lower their pride and join together,'' he said. ''All colours, all sides, should come together and offer our blessings [to His Majesty]. ''A good beginning [to reconciliation] is important. The government has to start this process well, to give the public confidence.'' Thaksin said he has advised Ms Yingluck to consider his own mistakes. ''Civil society is important and time needs to be given to their concerns,'' he said. ''Before, we worked a lot. We didn't look down [on civil society], we just were immersed in our work. It was a mistake.'' . . . Thaksin played down the imminence and importance of the amnesty. ''An amnesty bill isn't the priority,'' he said. ''Reconciliation is. Once that is accomplished, if [an amnesty] is needed, then OK. If it's not, then it's not. ''I've always said that I don't want to be part of the problem - I want to be part of the solution, or part of the process in helping solve the problems. I return and it helps things improve, then great, but if it makes things worse, then I won't return. I can continue to pursue my interests abroad.'' Thaksin insisted he holds no personal grudges against anyone, even political enemies such as Newin Chidchob, the de facto leader of the Bhumjaithai Party, or Suthep Thaugsuban, the former secretary-general of the Democrat Party. ''I forgive everyone. There aren't any ill feelings,'' he said. ''Now, this doesn't mean that we will have to work together. There are a lot of things involved in working together. But that doesn't have anything to do with ill feelings. ''For anyone afraid I will seek retribution, they can come and see me and I'll gladly treat them to a meal in Dubai.'' http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/election/246419/govt-must-get-moving As one who has criticised Thaksin and openly stated he is likely to seek vengeance, I wonder if he'll pay my trip to Dubai (business or first class) and give me a good meal? Quote
