Thaksin's Control Left in no Doubt

For those who may have been wondering.

Given that Megalomania is his middle name, it is unlikely to change when the new government takes office.

Most political observers had no illusions about the Samak Sundaravej government in 2008 being under the close control of Thaksin Shinawatra.

But how close is perhaps best illustrated by one off-hand remark by then foreign minister Noppadon Pattama at a dinner in April 2008 with then-US ambassador Eric John, then-Russian ambassador Yevgeny Afanasiev and then-UK ambassador Quinton Quayle.

Mr John, in a cable referenced 08BANGKOK1209, wrote that Mr Noppadon laughed when asked how much direction he took from then-deputy prime minister Mingkwan Saengsuwan.

"Noppadon laughed, stating that although he and Mingkwan are longtime friends, he does not take any direction from the [deputy prime minister]," the cable said.

"I am fortunate. I am pretty independent in my work. I don't have to take instruction from anyone, and I only report to Mr Thaksin," Mr Noppadon was quoted as saying.

The cable adds: "When he saw the stunned silence around the table, [Mr Noppadon] quickly added, `and, of course, the Prime Minister [Samak]. But that goes without saying'.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/2 ... n-no-doubt

jackspratt wrote:

"Noppadon laughed,

That in itself made OT laugh


OT..............

Well Khun Jack, what you say may be true; however, it is a little too early to judge unless you have some inside information not yet available to the rest of us. Defeat can leave a bitter taste sometimes. Let's hope you are wrong.

Maybe the last few years might have given a lesson to your meglomaniac, and perhaps it will bring out the best in her, I mean, him.

Let's see what happens, shall we?

Laan Yaa Mo

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but as far as I can see nothing will change regarding Thaksin. He will continue to be the puppet master, manipulating things from afar while the goverment will deny his existence. I'm just not sure just how long it will take for some entity to cut the strings again. I suspect this government will be around for a bit trying to get their ill conceived populist policies in place.

More likely, trying to get Thaksin back, no jail, and trying to lay off the blame for being unable to implement those ill-conceived populist policies. It's started already.

Who could possibly point the finger at an electorate that actually believes it's possible to buy 12 million tablet computers, and raise the minimum wage to 300 baht? Of course they're qualified to vote...

The cynicism of PTP never ceases to amaze...

"Who could possibly point the finger at an electorate that actually believes it's possible to buy 12 million tablet computers, and raise the minimum wage to 300 baht?

It might be the same people who'd consider the Republican method of solving the US debt problem.

The continued arrogance of Thaksin and his TRT, PPP, PT or wharever substitute replacements and surrogated clones he had / they have, will, I reckon, eventually be their undoing.

As for the UDD, it looks like they are incapable of any reasonable thinkng and still have the lack of understanding to others who do not think as they do, will eventually be their undoing................

I await their proven ability to fuff everything up....Big Time

IMHO of course.

marshbags

P.S.Call me newly muticoloured................in other words a neutral......please, should anyone wish to type cast me

P. P.S.

Let us not forget all the other charges awaiting Thaksin on his return to go with the existing one he was found guilty of in a court of law.

To ignore this is to undermine the Thai justice sytsem, it,s institutions and all it,s law abiding citizens, many who are incarcerated on real life jumpted up charges and outrageous jail time for petty crime, in many cases totally innocent.

"many who are incarcerated on real life jumpted up charges and outrageous jail time for petty crime, in many cases totally innocent"

Exactly! Given that's the case, and given that anyone with any money/status in the country won't serve jail time, what's there to undermine?

Despite all the shortcomings of the "justice system" here it is their system and consequently deserves some sort of respect whether you agree with it or not as long as you're going to remain in this country. Every government has its flaws and the one here is no different then anywhere else. One can try to say that one system is better than the other but in the end it always turns out the same. People with money and power very rarely spend any time behind bars no matter what they're accused/convicted of.

The bottom line is that nothing will change until the society (here or abroad) demands the change and I just don't hear any loud demands being made here in LOS. It's so much easier to just sit back & collect the money being spread around to buy votes rather than to do the right thing and refuse it.

I wonder why no one seems to realize that the people voted and the majority voted for the party they wanted. Some votes may have been bought but that can be said for all sides, there are more than one way to buy votes, it is even done in the west if you really think about it. I can tell you my Thai gf and her family and friends who live in the countryside out of Nong Khai were not given or offered money to vote and I can also say they feel very strongly about who they want in government and money would not sway them to vote differently. My gf says they would take the money but would still vote for who they want. As far as Thaksin goes who says he is guilty of anything? The Thai court? Who is controlling them? Are they totally fair and just? I am not saying Thaksin is an angel but I don't think any politicians are here or anywhere for that matter. The only way the other side could defeat Thaksin was to stage a military coup and drum up a bunch of charges. Justified or not we don't know. Never will. The powerful people in Thailand will do what ever it takes to keep there power. This is not about Thaksin, even if he died today the majority of people in Thailand want change and it will be hard but eventually it will happen.

fdimike wrote: People with money and power very rarely spend any time behind bars no matter what they're accused/convicted of.

Tell that to Conrad Black.

Laan Yaa Mo wrote:

fdimike wrote: People with money and power very rarely spend any time behind bars no matter what they're accused/convicted of.

Tell that to Conrad Black.

and six British Lords .http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-14214504

Yes it does happen, but RARELY. I think the world would be a better place if it happened more often. Then people like Blair, Berlusconi, Bush, Cheney, Rowe, Wolfowitz etc etc would be viewing life from inside a cell instead of walking around free.

Jai

Vote buying and corruption has been a part of this society since it began experimenting with democracy some 80 years ago. It doesn't make it right and accepting cash by any of these politicians no matter how you vote simply exacerbates the problem. However, the latest ABAC poll which mirrors several past polls found that the grand majority of Thais feel corruption is ok as long as they stand to get something out of it (see yesterday's BP & Nation). I say that's the sign of a sick society only interested in self gratification and not the welfare of the country as a whole.
Yes you're correct in saying you can buy votes in many ways but handing out cash is not an acceptable way in a democracy. Improve the schools (lord knows they need it badly), improve infrastructure (a real RR would be a great start), increase jobs for the people (goes hand in hand with the RR & infrastructure because factories would then relocate to areas outside BKK & Rayong), flood control which in turn would provide more irrigation for farmers, improve health care etc etc etc. These are all acceptable ways of "buying" votes.
Grandiose giveaway populist schemes like increasing the min wage by 50% to 300B/day, a free tablet to some 8 million children, guaranteeing a starting salary of 15,000B a month to holders of a BA I wonder how the PhD will feel when he/she learns there would only be a 1,000B/month seperation in their pay), guaranteeing farmers 15,000B/ton of rice, and the granddaddy of all - create a new city in the Gulf of Thailand are a joke. I would venture to say that most if not all of these promises will never see the light of day because they are unafordable especially when you factor in the graft which will certainly be a part of it.
A friend of mine operates a small business here in UD and told me that he would have to close up shop or increase prices substanially if he had to meet this 300B min wage. The end result will be a loss of jobs as businesses will either have to lay off workers, close up shop or raise prices considerably.
The Thai justice system is their system and deserves their respect whether they like it or not. Thaksin was convicted by it and his appeals all failed. He just feels that he is above the system (normal for a meglomaniac) and therefore can avoid his jail sentence. If they think its unfair then the society needs to have the system changed. The problem is that it will never happen here in Thailand because politicians here do not really represent the people. It's just a means to acquire additional wealth. Who controls it? I haven't clue but I can tell you that no justice system anywhere is free of outside manipulation.

fdimike wrote:Jai

Vote buying and corruption has been a part of this society since it began experimenting with democracy some 80 years ago. It doesn't make it right and accepting cash by any of these politicians no matter how you vote simply exacerbates the problem. However, the latest ABAC poll which mirrors several past polls found that the grand majority of Thais feel corruption is ok as long as they stand to get something out of it (see yesterday's BP & Nation). I say that's the sign of a sick society only interested in self gratification and not the welfare of the country as a whole.
Yes you're correct in saying you can buy votes in many ways but handing out cash is not an acceptable way in a democracy. Improve the schools (lord knows they need it badly), improve infrastructure (a real RR would be a great start), increase jobs for the people (goes hand in hand with the RR & infrastructure because factories would then relocate to areas outside BKK & Rayong), flood control which in turn would provide more irrigation for farmers, improve health care etc etc etc. These are all acceptable ways of "buying" votes.
Grandiose giveaway populist schemes like increasing the min wage by 50% to 300B/day, a free tablet to some 8 million children, guaranteeing a starting salary of 15,000B a month to holders of a BA I wonder how the PhD will feel when he/she learns there would only be a 1,000B/month seperation in their pay), guaranteeing farmers 15,000B/ton of rice, and the granddaddy of all - create a new city in the Gulf of Thailand are a joke. I would venture to say that most if not all of these promises will never see the light of day because they are unafordable especially when you factor in the graft which will certainly be a part of it.
A friend of mine operates a small business here in UD and told me that he would have to close up shop or increase prices substanially if he had to meet this 300B min wage. The end result will be a loss of jobs as businesses will either have to lay off workers, close up shop or raise prices considerably.
The Thai justice system is their system and deserves their respect whether they like it or not. Thaksin was convicted by it and his appeals all failed. He just feels that he is above the system (normal for a meglomaniac) and therefore can avoid his jail sentence. If they think its unfair then the society needs to have the system changed. The problem is that it will never happen here in Thailand because politicians here do not really represent the people. It's just a means to acquire additional wealth. Who controls it? I haven't clue but I can tell you that no justice system anywhere is free of outside manipulation.

Many good points.