The way to solve problems between thailand and cambodia is to have a winner take all match at the up and coming SEA Games in Laos. I would suggest a game of Petanque with the winner taking the gold, Prea Vihear and Taksin!
Khun Susie, your dedication to the ‘one true truth’ in the face of these nefarious attempts to distort and deface our Thai history and culture makes me want to weep with joy. I am proud to be a Thai today.
tell a lie and hope nobody will notice is hardly something the Dems/PAD have a lock on. The red/UDD/PTP side are quite adept at that game too.
On other stuff
I dont buy into the I dont like Thaksin and only side with him because the other side is worse arguiment. Nobody is forcing anyone to take sides. It is a perfectly reasonable position to condemn both.
For those arguing that at least Thaksin got this or that done. He also had a lot ofpeople killed. Mussolini made the trains run on time…..
As for Sunday I doubt the PAD will get more than 10,000 or not many more.
I think past records can reflect the current Thai government’s behavior. If you come to power using illegitimate methods, you won’t be afraid to do it again. Here is another reflection of the same type of behaviors, Aphisit, Kasit, Suthep, and the first secretary of Thai embassy in Cambodia on the espionage charge.
Bangkok Post:
Thai arrested on espionage charge in Cambodia
Published: 13/11/2009 at 03:35 PM
Cambodian police have charged a Thai man with spying on fugitive former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra, further inflaming a diplomatic crisis between the neighbouring countries.
The spy row erupted as Thaksin played a relaxed round of golf with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, underscoring Bangkok’s powerlessness to make Phnom Penh extradite the fugitive politician to serve a jail term for conflict of interest while prime minister.
Siwarak Chothipong, a 31-year-old employee of the Cambodia Air Traffic Service, which manages flights in the country, was accused of stealing Thaksin’s flight schedule and sending it diplomats at the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodian deputy police chief Lt-Gen Sok Phal said on Friday.
Lt-Gen Sok Phal alleged that Siwarak handed over the flight schedule to the first secretary at the Thai embassy, who was then ordered by Cambodia on Thursday to leave the country on Thursday for carrying out activities inconsistent with his official duties.
We will know by the end of tomorrow – Sunday November 15th, a lot of things, but especially :
Whether Thaksin has made a major miscalculation – or his opponents have.
I’m not expecting Sunday’s PAD rally to end in anything other than a major bloodbath – likely there will be too many agent provocateurs stirring trouble, to prevent that.
And apparently Abhisit has only been able to muster 450 police to control an expected crowd of 30,000 !!
Leah-
What I can’t make sense of was the follow-up commentary (at the time) that the Abhisit side of the debate was receiving equally strong, if not stronger, signals from some Other party in the power struggle you’re referring to.
There are two obvious Higher parties who could have trumped Germany. One is supposedly no longer active in these sorts of conversations, the other has previously visibly thrown support behind the the main pro-Patheep advocates. But my understanding was that she and Germany saw eye-to-eye.
So, I guess my question is: was Someone, before his most unfortunate incident on September 15, more active than is being acknowledged; or, was the police battle an indication of an inter-generational split; or, or was the Other party intra-generational to Germany?
It came from the news article titled, “Move Beyond the Period of the Monarchy Institution As the Center of Political Conflicts,” in Prachatai Webboard, November 12th 2009.
Thanks BKK lawyer for explaining it to pco.
Leah, I guess you are right that the deeper conflict is the succession issue, that is, the struggling forces between those in favor of Sirinthorn versus Vachilalongkorn.
The articel Susy Wong cites (from Prachatai) is intellectually shallow, half-baked. See some of my comments (in Thai) on the comment page of that article.
In this country, there’re no such things as issues of ‘demo-cracy, people’s welfare, freedom that can be set up (as the author suggests) as the ‘real’ or ‘main’ targets in separation from the issue of monarchy.
Without resolving the monarchy issue, there are not even the demos – or more accuarately, citizens – to speak of, let alone ‘their’ welfare, ‘their’ freedom. The status of the monarchy is the same issue of whether there will even be ‘people’ or ‘citizens’ in this country (or just ‘loyal subject’ as is now), and of course, wihout ‘people/citizen’ there cannot be any question of ‘their’ welfare’, freedom, and so on.
The argument of that article is an old one, that has dominated the thinking, and acted as the excuse, of most social activists (ngos, academics, etc.) for the past decade. It’s simply intellectual cowardice dressed up as ‘sensible’ thinking.
Leah Hoyt – thanks for that infromation, of which I had no
inkling. What incredibly complex, subtle culture and politics Thailand has – I can hardly make sense of it all !!
Ralph, I think Portman was being ironic with his last paragraph in #6.
Arthurson, I’m with you. Hated Thaksin, hating the alternative more. Would take an elected populist autocrat over elitist royalist religious demagoguery, barely. You lose the free press either way, might as well help the economy.
Khun Somsak, I did prefaced the text as “melodramatic”, and know for my self that these are commentaries and do appreciate how (as far as I have experienced) free and flowing these comments are. So, I appreciate you opposition to blind fate, if anything at all we should all be more like you. And awake in the 21st century!
I apologize my overly dramatic concerning Thaksin and tax laws, it is correct at Portman wrote in correction of my comment. How ever, his attempt at putting the “Economic Zone Act” of 2005, ( Please read these two articles for clarification, http://www.asialaw.com/Article/1971350/Search/Results/Taxing-Times-for-Thailand-over-Capital-Gains-Loophole.html?Keywords=Tax+law+reforms; http://www.nationmultimedia.com/Election2005/news/news.php?news=02/03020504.htm) which many protested against was more or less what I deemed Thaksin policy which seeks to influence the rules of the laws towards self gain.
I used the term “Farang”, as an effect, to demand my ground the ground which myself as a Thai person stood, and that “Others” are others, outsiders. It is a right and a privilege position to be in the position to speak, but to speak for others, its problematic for me to see and hear.
I am not PDA nor Democrat (as in the party) which HC seems to have a disdain for, and you are correct to bring up the lie on lies, issue. I am not here to present a white paper on Thaksin’s misdeeds as a Prime Minister. As a person who grew up in this society, in this culture, I can see and smell “self-interest” which often comes a long with corruption, from miles away. That goes equally to PADs, Democrats to red white and blue and green and kaki, but we are Thai’s and we will have to fight it out. You can sit on the side and complain about how this (Thai) society, this culture, this Government or the Monarchy, but you are as I have said a Farang.
I agree that Nationalism from either side of the dividing line is unacceptable, and as manipulative as going to have a photo-op. with Hun-Sen. The current situation in Thai politics is untennable, but we have been in a snake eating it own tail, since the word Constitutional Monarchy came to being, (further read, http://journals.cambridge.org/download.php?file=%2FJJP%2FJJP7_02%2FS1468109906002246a.pdf&code=ae3541ca19bb124a3d961c531b3262e2) but this is the turning point of this country, weather we go forward with some ground rules which we abide by or we are just going to constantly change the game to suit our power structure to be enriched on the backs of people who work everyday in the sun! Apisit may be ineffectual and as Arthurson says not walk the walk or talk the talk, but one can see that its a tight rope he is on, and I would give him his credit for trying to (this is my opinion, based on my observations… I am sure you will debate this out) keep by the rules and stick to what ever shaky ground there is. But in the end, an election will be called, and now that the PAD fraction has entered itself in to a legitimate arena ( I also thinks a (self proclaimed) Socialist like Ji Ungpakorn, should also enter into this arena, instead of mouthing off on the sideline all air and no action!), we will have to wait and see. But as much as I don’t believe in the way Thaksin or perhaps any number of Thai politicians, run and conduct the affairs of this country, I know that I have my vote to cast and it is just the one. I will accept the outcome of the election, and always have, and I will criticizes what I see and find to be of ill judgement, of injustices and of corruption, I will do what I can as a voice in this society. I will accept the successes of governments I don’t not agree with if it is for the majority of the people, but I will condemn to hell anyone who seeks to take advantage of those who are not in position of power and exploit their innocence, their gullibility, nor their poverty.
Susie- Just to clarify, is that last paragraph your thoughts, or a continuation of your summary of the article? Thank you for the translation, by the way.
This seems to be an odd quote in any case, but odder considering that WLH and I both found the article blocked yesterday. I wonder if The Nation coordinated with MICT to ensure it was unblocked before publication, or if they are just saying, as usual, what they want people to think rather than the truth.
@Chris Beale:
The idea that the battle over the police is between Aphisit and Thaksin is probably appealing to those who want to make the storyline simplistic and Orwellian. But there is a lot more going on in Thailand than Thaksin despite all of the powerfully-backed efforts to make it appear that way. I had thought that everyone knew who the players in the police struggle were and that the frequent references to Germany cast a shining light on who was the on the other side of the squabble.
I’ve just read an article in a Thai intellectual newspaper, Prachatai, and would like to share its fruit of thought about the issue of Thaksin and the monarchy.
The article argues that our main objectives should be focusing on important issues: political democracy, jobs, political transparency, economic democracy and social fairness, etc. The issue of Thaksin or no-Thaksin, monarchy or no-monarchy, should not be argue in an absolute term. Rather, the argument should be based on facts and reasons. Arguing in an absolute term with an assumption that pro-monarchy is absolutely right and anti-monarchy is absolutely wrong is incorrect. The correct approach should be how Thaksin or no-Thaksin, monarchy or no-monarchy response to the real issues: political democracy, jobs, transparency in politics, economic democracy and social fairness, etc.
In our modern day time, we cannot keep the monarchy institution if it reduces the status of democracy. We can save it by reforming the monarchy institution to the universal cultural norms of democracy which is based on an acceptance and respect of liberty, equality, justice, and the sovereignty power of its people.
Re comments by Portman and Rirkrit that most farang readers of NM have bought into romantic notions of Thaksin or are ignorant about how most Thais feel.
I didn’t like Thaksin when he was in power and I still don’t like him. I have friends who knew innocent people who died during his campaign of extrajudicial killings in his war on drugs. I and many Thais close to me were very offended by his blatant abuse of power to avoid capital gains taxes in the Shin Corp sale.
It is just that I have come to believe that the PAD, the Democrats, the Royalists, the ‘King Taksin’ thugs, and especially the MICT under the current administration are as bad if not worse than the TRT when they were in power. Thaksin as PM was no saint and displayed some very Machiavellian tendencies, but at least he got the 30 baht plan and OTOP going. What have the Democrats done for the rural poor?
Abisit talks to talk but doesn’t walk the walk. Setting the Rohingya boat refugees adrift at sea happened during his watch, remember? He currently opposes an autonomous region for Pattani for no good reason. Now we have this more or less constant (and idiotic) drumbeat for war with Cambodia. Perhaps the most egregious sin of the Democrats and the PAD is that they want to disenfrancise the Isaan voters on the grounds that they are just too ignorant to vote for the right candidates! I groan whenever I read the propagandist headlines in the Bangkok Post these days, and I have stopped reading The Nation altogether. It looks like events are headed for some kind of a show down, and in these types of situations just one miscalculation can get a lot of folks killed.
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Another taboo broken!
I think Not the Nation has trumped this letter with its very good article on “Taksin and the Pandas”. Well done!
http://www.notthenation.com/pages/news/getnews.php?id=844
The way to solve problems between thailand and cambodia is to have a winner take all match at the up and coming SEA Games in Laos. I would suggest a game of Petanque with the winner taking the gold, Prea Vihear and Taksin!
Even more Thai ephemera
Khun Susie, your dedication to the ‘one true truth’ in the face of these nefarious attempts to distort and deface our Thai history and culture makes me want to weep with joy. I am proud to be a Thai today.
The core pillar
HC
tell a lie and hope nobody will notice is hardly something the Dems/PAD have a lock on. The red/UDD/PTP side are quite adept at that game too.
On other stuff
I dont buy into the I dont like Thaksin and only side with him because the other side is worse arguiment. Nobody is forcing anyone to take sides. It is a perfectly reasonable position to condemn both.
For those arguing that at least Thaksin got this or that done. He also had a lot ofpeople killed. Mussolini made the trains run on time…..
As for Sunday I doubt the PAD will get more than 10,000 or not many more.
Richard Lloyd Parry with Thaksin
I think past records can reflect the current Thai government’s behavior. If you come to power using illegitimate methods, you won’t be afraid to do it again. Here is another reflection of the same type of behaviors, Aphisit, Kasit, Suthep, and the first secretary of Thai embassy in Cambodia on the espionage charge.
Bangkok Post:
Thai arrested on espionage charge in Cambodia
Published: 13/11/2009 at 03:35 PM
Cambodian police have charged a Thai man with spying on fugitive former Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra, further inflaming a diplomatic crisis between the neighbouring countries.
The spy row erupted as Thaksin played a relaxed round of golf with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, underscoring Bangkok’s powerlessness to make Phnom Penh extradite the fugitive politician to serve a jail term for conflict of interest while prime minister.
Siwarak Chothipong, a 31-year-old employee of the Cambodia Air Traffic Service, which manages flights in the country, was accused of stealing Thaksin’s flight schedule and sending it diplomats at the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh, Cambodian deputy police chief Lt-Gen Sok Phal said on Friday.
Lt-Gen Sok Phal alleged that Siwarak handed over the flight schedule to the first secretary at the Thai embassy, who was then ordered by Cambodia on Thursday to leave the country on Thursday for carrying out activities inconsistent with his official duties.
The core pillar
We will know by the end of tomorrow – Sunday November 15th, a lot of things, but especially :
Whether Thaksin has made a major miscalculation – or his opponents have.
I’m not expecting Sunday’s PAD rally to end in anything other than a major bloodbath – likely there will be too many agent provocateurs stirring trouble, to prevent that.
And apparently Abhisit has only been able to muster 450 police to control an expected crowd of 30,000 !!
Overcoming Malaysia’s racial divisions
[…] posting is a follow-up on civil society movements attempting to create a more just Malaysia – especially in reversing […]
Translation of Thaksin interview
Leah-
What I can’t make sense of was the follow-up commentary (at the time) that the Abhisit side of the debate was receiving equally strong, if not stronger, signals from some Other party in the power struggle you’re referring to.
There are two obvious Higher parties who could have trumped Germany. One is supposedly no longer active in these sorts of conversations, the other has previously visibly thrown support behind the the main pro-Patheep advocates. But my understanding was that she and Germany saw eye-to-eye.
So, I guess my question is: was Someone, before his most unfortunate incident on September 15, more active than is being acknowledged; or, was the police battle an indication of an inter-generational split; or, or was the Other party intra-generational to Germany?
Translation of Thaksin interview
It came from the news article titled, “Move Beyond the Period of the Monarchy Institution As the Center of Political Conflicts,” in Prachatai Webboard, November 12th 2009.
р╕Вр╣Йр╕▓р╕бр╣Гр╕лр╣Йр╕Юр╣Йр╕Щр╕вр╕╕р╕Др╕кр╕Цр╕▓р╕Ър╕▒р╕Щр╣Ар╕Ыр╣Зр╕Щр╕ир╕╣р╕Щр╕вр╣Мр╕Бр╕ер╕▓р╕Зр╕Вр╕нр╕Зр╕Др╕зр╕▓р╕бр╕Вр╕▒р╕Фр╣Бр╕вр╣Йр╕Зр╕Чр╕▓р╕Зр╕Бр╕▓р╕гр╣Ар╕бр╕╖р╕нр╕З
Thu, 2009-11-12 05:06
р╕Щр╕▒р╕Бр╕Ыр╕гр╕▒р╕Кр╕Нр╕▓р╕Кр╕▓р╕вр╕Вр╕нр╕Ъ
Thanks BKK lawyer for explaining it to pco.
Leah, I guess you are right that the deeper conflict is the succession issue, that is, the struggling forces between those in favor of Sirinthorn versus Vachilalongkorn.
Translation of Thaksin interview
The full transcript has been blocked in the Thai media (what’s new about one-sided reporting in Thailand?)
Translation of Thaksin interview
The articel Susy Wong cites (from Prachatai) is intellectually shallow, half-baked. See some of my comments (in Thai) on the comment page of that article.
In this country, there’re no such things as issues of ‘demo-cracy, people’s welfare, freedom that can be set up (as the author suggests) as the ‘real’ or ‘main’ targets in separation from the issue of monarchy.
Without resolving the monarchy issue, there are not even the demos – or more accuarately, citizens – to speak of, let alone ‘their’ welfare, ‘their’ freedom. The status of the monarchy is the same issue of whether there will even be ‘people’ or ‘citizens’ in this country (or just ‘loyal subject’ as is now), and of course, wihout ‘people/citizen’ there cannot be any question of ‘their’ welfare’, freedom, and so on.
The argument of that article is an old one, that has dominated the thinking, and acted as the excuse, of most social activists (ngos, academics, etc.) for the past decade. It’s simply intellectual cowardice dressed up as ‘sensible’ thinking.
Translation of Thaksin interview
Leah Hoyt – thanks for that infromation, of which I had no
inkling. What incredibly complex, subtle culture and politics Thailand has – I can hardly make sense of it all !!
Translation of Thaksin interview
pco: It appears to be a continuation of her summary; it tracks the second Thai paragraph.
The core pillar
Ralph, I think Portman was being ironic with his last paragraph in #6.
Arthurson, I’m with you. Hated Thaksin, hating the alternative more. Would take an elected populist autocrat over elitist royalist religious demagoguery, barely. You lose the free press either way, might as well help the economy.
Richard Lloyd Parry with Thaksin
Khun Somsak, I did prefaced the text as “melodramatic”, and know for my self that these are commentaries and do appreciate how (as far as I have experienced) free and flowing these comments are. So, I appreciate you opposition to blind fate, if anything at all we should all be more like you. And awake in the 21st century!
The core pillar
I apologize my overly dramatic concerning Thaksin and tax laws, it is correct at Portman wrote in correction of my comment. How ever, his attempt at putting the “Economic Zone Act” of 2005, ( Please read these two articles for clarification, http://www.asialaw.com/Article/1971350/Search/Results/Taxing-Times-for-Thailand-over-Capital-Gains-Loophole.html?Keywords=Tax+law+reforms; http://www.nationmultimedia.com/Election2005/news/news.php?news=02/03020504.htm) which many protested against was more or less what I deemed Thaksin policy which seeks to influence the rules of the laws towards self gain.
I used the term “Farang”, as an effect, to demand my ground the ground which myself as a Thai person stood, and that “Others” are others, outsiders. It is a right and a privilege position to be in the position to speak, but to speak for others, its problematic for me to see and hear.
I am not PDA nor Democrat (as in the party) which HC seems to have a disdain for, and you are correct to bring up the lie on lies, issue. I am not here to present a white paper on Thaksin’s misdeeds as a Prime Minister. As a person who grew up in this society, in this culture, I can see and smell “self-interest” which often comes a long with corruption, from miles away. That goes equally to PADs, Democrats to red white and blue and green and kaki, but we are Thai’s and we will have to fight it out. You can sit on the side and complain about how this (Thai) society, this culture, this Government or the Monarchy, but you are as I have said a Farang.
I agree that Nationalism from either side of the dividing line is unacceptable, and as manipulative as going to have a photo-op. with Hun-Sen. The current situation in Thai politics is untennable, but we have been in a snake eating it own tail, since the word Constitutional Monarchy came to being, (further read, http://journals.cambridge.org/download.php?file=%2FJJP%2FJJP7_02%2FS1468109906002246a.pdf&code=ae3541ca19bb124a3d961c531b3262e2) but this is the turning point of this country, weather we go forward with some ground rules which we abide by or we are just going to constantly change the game to suit our power structure to be enriched on the backs of people who work everyday in the sun! Apisit may be ineffectual and as Arthurson says not walk the walk or talk the talk, but one can see that its a tight rope he is on, and I would give him his credit for trying to (this is my opinion, based on my observations… I am sure you will debate this out) keep by the rules and stick to what ever shaky ground there is. But in the end, an election will be called, and now that the PAD fraction has entered itself in to a legitimate arena ( I also thinks a (self proclaimed) Socialist like Ji Ungpakorn, should also enter into this arena, instead of mouthing off on the sideline all air and no action!), we will have to wait and see. But as much as I don’t believe in the way Thaksin or perhaps any number of Thai politicians, run and conduct the affairs of this country, I know that I have my vote to cast and it is just the one. I will accept the outcome of the election, and always have, and I will criticizes what I see and find to be of ill judgement, of injustices and of corruption, I will do what I can as a voice in this society. I will accept the successes of governments I don’t not agree with if it is for the majority of the people, but I will condemn to hell anyone who seeks to take advantage of those who are not in position of power and exploit their innocence, their gullibility, nor their poverty.
Translation of Thaksin interview
Susie- Just to clarify, is that last paragraph your thoughts, or a continuation of your summary of the article? Thank you for the translation, by the way.
Translation of Thaksin interview
The linked article in The Nation states that:
“Residents in Thailand can still access the newspaper’s articles as well as the interview’s full transcript. ”
http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/11/12/politics/politics_30116422.php
This seems to be an odd quote in any case, but odder considering that WLH and I both found the article blocked yesterday. I wonder if The Nation coordinated with MICT to ensure it was unblocked before publication, or if they are just saying, as usual, what they want people to think rather than the truth.
@Chris Beale:
The idea that the battle over the police is between Aphisit and Thaksin is probably appealing to those who want to make the storyline simplistic and Orwellian. But there is a lot more going on in Thailand than Thaksin despite all of the powerfully-backed efforts to make it appear that way. I had thought that everyone knew who the players in the police struggle were and that the frequent references to Germany cast a shining light on who was the on the other side of the squabble.
Translation of Thaksin interview
I’ve just read an article in a Thai intellectual newspaper, Prachatai, and would like to share its fruit of thought about the issue of Thaksin and the monarchy.
The article argues that our main objectives should be focusing on important issues: political democracy, jobs, political transparency, economic democracy and social fairness, etc. The issue of Thaksin or no-Thaksin, monarchy or no-monarchy, should not be argue in an absolute term. Rather, the argument should be based on facts and reasons. Arguing in an absolute term with an assumption that pro-monarchy is absolutely right and anti-monarchy is absolutely wrong is incorrect. The correct approach should be how Thaksin or no-Thaksin, monarchy or no-monarchy response to the real issues: political democracy, jobs, transparency in politics, economic democracy and social fairness, etc.
In our modern day time, we cannot keep the monarchy institution if it reduces the status of democracy. We can save it by reforming the monarchy institution to the universal cultural norms of democracy which is based on an acceptance and respect of liberty, equality, justice, and the sovereignty power of its people.
“р╣Ар╕гр╕▓р╕Др╕зр╕гр╕вр╕╢р╕Фр╣Ар╕нр╕▓ “р╣Ар╕Ыр╣Йр╕▓р╣Ар╕лр╕бр╕▓р╕вр╕нр╕▒р╕Щр╣Бр╕Чр╣Йр╕Ир╕гр╕┤р╕З” р╕бр╕▓р╣Ар╕Ыр╣Зр╕Щр╕ир╕╣р╕Щр╕вр╣Мр╕Бр╕ер╕▓р╕Зр╕Вр╕нр╕Зр╕Ыр╕▒р╕Нр╕лр╕▓ р╣Ар╕гр╕╖р╣Ир╕нр╕Зр╣Ар╕нр╕▓-р╣Др╕бр╣Ир╣Ар╕нр╕▓р╕Чр╕▒р╕Бр╕йр╕┤р╕У р╕лр╕гр╕╖р╕нр╣Ар╕нр╕▓-р╣Др╕бр╣Ир╣Ар╕нр╕▓р╕кр╕Цр╕▓р╕Ър╕▒р╕Щр╕Хр╣Йр╕нр╕Зр╣Др╕бр╣Ир╕Чр╕│р╣Гр╕лр╣Йр╣Ар╕Ыр╣Зр╕Щр╕Др╕зр╕▓р╕бр╣Ар╕Кр╕╖р╣Ир╕нр╣Бр╕Ър╕Ър╕лр╕▒р╕зр╕Кр╕Щр╕Эр╕▓ р╣Бр╕Хр╣Ир╕Хр╣Йр╕нр╕Зр╕Чр╕│р╣Гр╕лр╣Йр╣Ар╕Ыр╣Зр╕Щр╣Ар╕гр╕╖р╣Ир╕нр╕Зр╕Чр╕╡р╣Ир╕Щр╕│р╕бр╕▓р╕Цр╕Бр╣Ар╕Цр╕╡р╕вр╕Зр╕Бр╕▒р╕Щр╣Др╕Фр╣Йр╕Фр╣Йр╕зр╕вр╕Вр╣Йр╕нр╣Ар╕Чр╣Зр╕Ир╕Ир╕гр╕┤р╕Зр╣Бр╕ер╕░р╣Ар╕лр╕Хр╕╕р╕Ьр╕е” р╕Щр╕▒р╕Бр╕Ыр╕гр╕▒р╕Кр╕Нр╕▓р╕Кр╕▓р╕вр╕Вр╕нр╕Ъ
р╣Гр╕Щр╣Вр╕ер╕Бр╕вр╕╕р╕Др╣Гр╕лр╕бр╣Ир╣Ар╕гр╕▓р╣Др╕бр╣Ир╕нр╕▓р╕Ир╕гр╕▒р╕Бр╕йр╕▓р╕кр╕Цр╕▓р╕Ър╕▒р╕Щр╣Ар╕нр╕▓р╣Др╕зр╣Йр╣Др╕Фр╣Йр╕Фр╣Йр╕зр╕вр╕Бр╕▓р╕гр╕ер╕Фр╕Чр╕нр╕Щр╕Др╕зр╕▓р╕бр╣Ар╕Ыр╣Зр╕Щ р╕Ыр╕гр╕░р╕Кр╕▓р╕Шр╕┤р╕Ыр╣Др╕Хр╕в р╣Бр╕Хр╣Ир╕нр╕▓р╕Ир╕гр╕▒р╕Бр╕йр╕▓р╣Др╕зр╣Йр╣Др╕Фр╣Йр╕Фр╣Йр╕зр╕вр╕Бр╕▓р╕гр╕Чр╕│р╣Гр╕лр╣Йр╕кр╕Цр╕▓р╕Ър╕▒р╕Щр╕Ыр╕гр╕▒р╕Ър╕Хр╕▒р╕зр╕Хр╕▓р╕бр╕зр╕▒р╕Тр╕Щр╕Шр╕гр╕гр╕бр╕Ыр╕гр╕░р╕Кр╕▓р╕Шр╕┤р╕Ыр╣Др╕Хр╕вр╕кр╕▓р╕Бр╕е р╕Др╕╖р╕нр╕Бр╕▓р╕гр╕вр╕нр╕бр╕гр╕▒р╕Ър╣Бр╕ер╕░р╣Ар╕Др╕▓р╕гр╕Юр╣Ар╕кр╕гр╕╡р╕ар╕▓р╕Ю р╕Др╕зр╕▓р╕бр╣Ар╕кр╕бр╕нр╕ар╕▓р╕Д р╕Др╕зр╕▓р╕бр╣Ар╕Ыр╣Зр╕Щр╕Шр╕гр╕гр╕б р╣Бр╕ер╕░р╕нр╕│р╕Щр╕▓р╕Ир╕нр╕Шр╕┤р╕Ыр╣Др╕Хр╕вр╕Вр╕нр╕Зр╕Ыр╕гр╕░р╕Кр╕▓р╕Кр╕Щ
Translation of Thaksin interview
Interesting that Liberal Thai isn’t blocked. The MICT usually goes after Thai-language sites much more aggressively than English ones.
Then again, these are the people that blocked The Times’ interview excerpt article but not the full interview. Incompetent or deceptive.
The core pillar
Re comments by Portman and Rirkrit that most farang readers of NM have bought into romantic notions of Thaksin or are ignorant about how most Thais feel.
I didn’t like Thaksin when he was in power and I still don’t like him. I have friends who knew innocent people who died during his campaign of extrajudicial killings in his war on drugs. I and many Thais close to me were very offended by his blatant abuse of power to avoid capital gains taxes in the Shin Corp sale.
It is just that I have come to believe that the PAD, the Democrats, the Royalists, the ‘King Taksin’ thugs, and especially the MICT under the current administration are as bad if not worse than the TRT when they were in power. Thaksin as PM was no saint and displayed some very Machiavellian tendencies, but at least he got the 30 baht plan and OTOP going. What have the Democrats done for the rural poor?
Abisit talks to talk but doesn’t walk the walk. Setting the Rohingya boat refugees adrift at sea happened during his watch, remember? He currently opposes an autonomous region for Pattani for no good reason. Now we have this more or less constant (and idiotic) drumbeat for war with Cambodia. Perhaps the most egregious sin of the Democrats and the PAD is that they want to disenfrancise the Isaan voters on the grounds that they are just too ignorant to vote for the right candidates! I groan whenever I read the propagandist headlines in the Bangkok Post these days, and I have stopped reading The Nation altogether. It looks like events are headed for some kind of a show down, and in these types of situations just one miscalculation can get a lot of folks killed.