Do you really think Jim Taylor that Sondhi L and the Democrats are sleeping together? Sondhi L’s bankruptcy accelerated during Chuan-Nimmanhaeminda 1997-2001 administration-rescue of Thailand from the Thai financial crisis (authored by Chavalit-Thaksin remember?) so how could the romance be ever possible?
You are full of malarkey Jim Taylor but I was shocked to learn that you are a bit of a flasher too!
…a further clarification is needed: …Therefore, if Sondhi has nothing to lose, he must have lots to gain from shifting back to the Democrats including clearing his massive debts promised by Abhisit for bad mouthing Thaksin through his media and in bringing him and his Party down. The plan has been working well up to this point. The Democrats have long had a reputation – even during Oct ’76 – of siding with military for furthering their own interests. Events in 2006 including alignments and mischief making involving an unholy alliance should come as no surprise to my fellow Thai specialists and academic colleagues. And, as for the “romance”, thanks for that bit of nonsence, if I have to drop my pants Matty I’d rather do that for a good person. And as for Sondhi’s website having a lot of hits; this does not mean that it is right especially if you read my background in relation to Sondhi’s long running jealousy and personal vendetta against Thaksin does it? In a different context but of equal hate value Hitler did the same thing that Sondhi has been doing on a more radical scale against the Jewish people in the 1920s. An effective propaganda machine, and within a decade he had won over most of Germany: Does this make it right? Only in Thailand the majority of folk, most silent, can see through Sondhi and his game play: Except “intelligent” but poorly informed farang like…Matty and jonfernquest!!
Thank you jonfernquest for your words but you miss the point, which is that there are many Thais who think there are problems with the judiciary? So it is misplaced racism or misplaced nationalism or wrong.
Awzar, I never knew about that. First time heard of him actually when saw the quote in news. Anyway, I do think the view of someone whom one can have more confidence about his impartiality would be more valuable. So here is Sunai’s opinion on the court decision:
From IPS News Agency:
“A standard is being affirmed by the courts on conflict of interest issues,” Sunai Phasuk, Thai researcher for the global rights lobby Human Rights Watch, said in an interview. “Those in power, no matter who they are, cannot violate the law or the constitution and expect to get away.”
Sunai has often been critical of the military during the coup period as quoted in western media, eg.
IHT:
“We are deeply concerned about the very obvious intentions of the junta,” said Sunai Phasuk, the Thailand representative of Human Rights Watch. “They clearly wanted to stamp out Thai Rak Thai, or whatever it’s called now, from the political landscape, and that in itself is a very clear factor that can make the basis of free and fair elections look very bleak.”
FT:
“They accused Thaksin of manipulating the electoral process and abusing his mandate to put in strongman rule, but now they are doing the same thing,” says Sunai Phasuk, of the US-based Human Rights Watch.
Now, back to Ajahn Giles’s piece: Rather than concentrating on serious issues like democratic legitimacy, murder in street fighting between the two opposing factions or trying to find a peaceful and democratic solution to the crisis, the courts chose to join in the political circus that is playing out.
Blaming the Constitutional court here seems rather misplaced I think since for example the case of the murder, that is the job of the police to conduct the investigations and find the culprits. The courts cannot adjudicate a case that has not yet been fully investigated by police. Anyways, it would be the Criminal court, not the Constitutional court to deal with that case. And on the “trying to find peaceful and democratic solutions to the crisis” bit, not sure what kind of involvement by the judiciary Giles is expecting since it seems more the task of the politicians, PAD leaders, military, etc. to find solutions through negotiations and compromises. Civil society can also get involved by proposing ideas.
I’d like to add my two-penneth, being one of the members of the proposed expedition from the University of Cambridge who Michael mentions in his first post.
Firstly, can I thank all of you who have contributed your advice, and we all greatly respect your knowledge and evident experience in these areas. We certainly could not imagine attempting the route without the information which those like yourselves contribute.
We still intend to pursue the option of the Ledo Road. Personally Mandy, I think the issue of sexual abuse in Myanmar is one which deserves greater media coverage, and while Michael is understandably cautious of dangerously upsetting the fragile situation which may allow our presence there, it is certainly an issue which I would like to uncover in any press which the expedition achieves.
While the sense of adventure is naturally a large contributor to our motives for attempting the expedition, discovery, and honest press representation are also major factors. Travelling the Ledo Road would be highly symbolic, for ourselves, for like minded expeditioners, and hopefully for all those wishing for peace and more favourable diplomatic conditions in Myanmar – summarised in the slogan which Nicholas Farrelly quotes towards the top of this page; “Rejuvenate our lifeline; Revitalize our relationship; Reach out beyond the borders”.
Just because Thailand is/was recently visited by a whole ugly bunch of unprincipled, self-seeking corrupt ‘elected’ members of parliament (enough to form a majority btw) intent on shielding their maestro Thaksin Shinawatra from judicial prosecution under the guise of ‘defending’ Thai democracy, with that comic cook Samak Sundaravej in the lead, does NOT mean democracy cannot work here. Authoritarian orientation is very prevalent in Asian (and other non-Asian) cultures, so why only pick Thailand? In the boondocks and in the villages, yes, the people of Thailand easily bend to whoever is in authority, however corrupt or ill-meaning those in authority may be. But that is the more reason those in the fringes should be empowered by the vote, and,democratic representation in government to speak their voice.
It was wrong of PAD or anyone to presume that the educated and more privileged people of Thailand would prefer to ‘disenfranchise’ the villagers and dilute their vote (by some cockamine 70/30 or something formula). Ask any PAD leader to articulate their alternative(s) to full democracy and they start mumbling idiocies.
Thailand should continue with the path, despite the hurdles and face the challenges ahead to nurture its particular brand of democracy. Of particular challenge is how to diminish (if not fully eradicate) the ‘authoritarian’ influence of local political lords over their constituents weaned on (or corrupted by) patronage, cash handouts, and vote-buying.
Everybody in Thailand knows about Sondhi L and his bankruptcy. I also wonder why people would listen to a bankrupt and a demagogue.
But Jim Taylor what has that got to do with your ongoing love affair with that most notorious Thai fugitive Thaksin Shinawatra?
Jim Taylor if you can manage to convince the Thai authorities to lock up Sondhi L. for rebellion and insurrection and bankruptcy and insulting your hero Thaksin Shinawatra, I personally eternally be full of gratitude.
Sondhi has led the Thai media into disrepute and lack of any credibility; his Manager and ASTV churns out political spin day in day – much of which lacks any credibility at all. For readers here is the brief background to the personal hate campaign against Thaksin which has led the country to the current crisis:
Sondhi has 65 court cases pending for inability to repay debts to 10 financial institutions in Thailand. He initially put up a single land deed for all the dodgy loans he received from these institutions. A senior financier by the name of Prapat SriSathhayakun working at one of the banks found this out and reported to DSI. Sondhi wanted to compete with Thaksin’s communication empire and aspired to be successful like him. He then went to the Lao government and asked them to put up USD 300 million for co-financing a communications project. They eventually found the money only to find that Sondhi was not able to put up his money as he promised. He tried to bullshit his way through. As of now he is not allowed back in that country.
The reason he hates Thaksin relates to the end of the Chuan Government and conflict he had with the then Minister of Finance. At this time Sondhi was pro-Democrat Party. He was heavily in debt at that time and changed sides to try and get Thaksin to help him under the table. He left the Democrats at a whim and supported Thaksin saying that this guy is the BEST PM Thailand has ever had! But as his debts further increased over his print media business he realised that to make bug bucks to repay his loans and achieve his mega-ambitions he needed to go into telecommunications and his own TV channel. He asked Thaksin to help him get a channel called 11/1. But the Public Relations Department had already given a concession to RNT Company (Ruam Nakhorn). This company however gave Sondhi management rights which he ran called Thai-Day.com. But there was a problem in the contract and the concession was cancelled. So he asked Thaksin to solve this problem with Channel 11/1 -by any means. But Thaksin played according to the rules as always and could not help. Thai-Day.com is under Sondhi’s son’s name. This was the first big upset for Sondhi re-Thaksin. The second event was to do with concerns over the appointment of the Krungthai Bank General Manager (now deceased) named Viroj Nuankhae. This guy had helped Sondhi earlier facilitate dodgy finance credits under the table. When Viroj finished his term Sondhi asked Thaksin to help get him reappointed. But Thaksin could not help because the Min of Finance had already sent a letter to the Bank of Thailand indicating the Viroj has some “problems”. Sondhi was disappointed in Thaksin again. Thereafter, Sondhi (being the bullshit artist par excellance), started a war against Thaksin through his print media “The Manager” and initially a program on Channel 9. Every week on this program he would bombard listeners with fiction on Thaksin – the successful man he wanted to be. It has not stopped since as he gained satellite rights on ASTV. Sondhi has nothing to lose. His son has inherited a massive debt from his father. He is angry. So please, before I read further nonsense on New Mandala by people who don’t know about these facts and believe in Sondhi media and friends- find out the real truth first. (e.g try “thai-grassroots.com” and an article called “Prachatouch”)
That’s not entirely true. Sondhi was at the forefront of giving academics a voice in the media in the 1990s through the writing of op-ed pieces in his newspaper. (See Duncan McCargo, Politics and the Press in Thailand: Media Machinations (Routledge 2000, Garuda 2002).
“…is this what he had in mind?”
Obviously not. Though Sondhi certainly has made himself relevant to many people in Thailand as a journalist. His website is infinitely more popular than any news website in Thailand according to Truehits. He has also thwarted the concentration of total power in one man and party. A hero, controversial, but a hero nonetheless.
My bet is those prepaid PPP party members will heed the long-distance advice from the exiled fugitive paymaster Thaksin Shinawatra at UK and renominate Samak Sundaravej as PM. Samak Sundaravej has to accept the renomination of course . . .Samak too is prepaid to do a proxy job for at least 7 months . . . and he has only fulfilled seven.
If only Thaksin Shinawatra could muster enough mojo to face all the judicial cases against him . . . and more probably win . . . then Jim Taylor won’t be crying a river at his tiresome post about his Dear Leader.
“…why are foreigners singled out? Are you being racist-nationalist or just ignoring all those Thais who think there are problems with the judiciary?”
That is ridiculous. Sidh is exactly right.
There is so so much paternalism in the all-knowing wise in democracy big white brother lecturing his little Asian brother because he really doesn’t understand democracy. Any paternalism on the part the Thai government bureaucracy pales in comparison to the paternalism of the western media and academics.
I am a foreigner and there is no doubt in my mind that about 99% of foreign public opinion keeps on repeating the same line of though over and over again without seeing the real issue which is the return of Thaksin.
Thaksin may have found a way to build absolute power but there was absolutely nothing democratic in a deeper sense about that absolute power or the way that it was obtained and used at all.
Thaksin played up to rural public opinion and brought out the absolute worst in these people.
I suggest you go back and take a good look at the extrajudicial executions that became common during his tenure, the acceptance of this heavy handed approach by the rural masses, and the blood lust that accompanied it. And then his ultra arrogant speeches. Even encouraging blood lust in monks. His heavy hand in the south has almost cost the Thais part of their country. Then the tendency to dish out public money to rural areas to support and build his power in off-balance sheet projects, is this democracy?
The missing Muslim lawyer, for example. Also, I will never forget how people were gunned down in cold blood without trial or arrest. Two in one night on the main street in Maesai while I ate dinner and checked up on my email at the internet cafe. Even came across one of the bodies on the way home. Then no investigation at all into 2000 murders with the standard boiler plate that it was the mafia cleaning house. Other cases surfaced during the coup appointed government, such as the police stolen car ring and the kidnapping for ransome by high level police in Mae Sot, investigations that only seem to happen when there isn’t a so-called democratically elected government.
He deserves exactly what he has got. It is as though the immune system of Thailand itself has rejected this demagogue. That elections were not the vehicle for his expulsion is really besides the point.
In economics as well as intellectually Thailand stands way over-exposed to the west and this is what is tearing it apart.
Nonsense! this has nothing to do with Samak- he is the right man for the job- honest, direct and tough enough to handle these buggers- PAD want to bring down the legitimately elected government and install their own puppet (guess who that is?)
Let’s hope that former PM Samak thinks of the country most of all, and will not seek the coming premiership. Let’s be prepared to give him a big hand and wish him a well-earned rest.
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Sondhi Limthongkul before the PAD
Do you really think Jim Taylor that Sondhi L and the Democrats are sleeping together? Sondhi L’s bankruptcy accelerated during Chuan-Nimmanhaeminda 1997-2001 administration-rescue of Thailand from the Thai financial crisis (authored by Chavalit-Thaksin remember?) so how could the romance be ever possible?
You are full of malarkey Jim Taylor but I was shocked to learn that you are a bit of a flasher too!
Sondhi Limthongkul before the PAD
Interesting discussions. But why does one have to be branded as pro-Thaksin if he/she criticizes or exposes Sondhi’s past background?
Authoritarian orientations in Thailand
matty: you might like to read the literature on Asian Values. I’m sure you’d find it interesting.
Sondhi Limthongkul before the PAD
…a further clarification is needed: …Therefore, if Sondhi has nothing to lose, he must have lots to gain from shifting back to the Democrats including clearing his massive debts promised by Abhisit for bad mouthing Thaksin through his media and in bringing him and his Party down. The plan has been working well up to this point. The Democrats have long had a reputation – even during Oct ’76 – of siding with military for furthering their own interests. Events in 2006 including alignments and mischief making involving an unholy alliance should come as no surprise to my fellow Thai specialists and academic colleagues. And, as for the “romance”, thanks for that bit of nonsence, if I have to drop my pants Matty I’d rather do that for a good person. And as for Sondhi’s website having a lot of hits; this does not mean that it is right especially if you read my background in relation to Sondhi’s long running jealousy and personal vendetta against Thaksin does it? In a different context but of equal hate value Hitler did the same thing that Sondhi has been doing on a more radical scale against the Jewish people in the 1920s. An effective propaganda machine, and within a decade he had won over most of Germany: Does this make it right? Only in Thailand the majority of folk, most silent, can see through Sondhi and his game play: Except “intelligent” but poorly informed farang like…Matty and jonfernquest!!
Constitutional madness
Thank you jonfernquest for your words but you miss the point, which is that there are many Thais who think there are problems with the judiciary? So it is misplaced racism or misplaced nationalism or wrong.
The Thai circus continues
Awzar, I never knew about that. First time heard of him actually when saw the quote in news. Anyway, I do think the view of someone whom one can have more confidence about his impartiality would be more valuable. So here is Sunai’s opinion on the court decision:
From IPS News Agency:
“A standard is being affirmed by the courts on conflict of interest issues,” Sunai Phasuk, Thai researcher for the global rights lobby Human Rights Watch, said in an interview. “Those in power, no matter who they are, cannot violate the law or the constitution and expect to get away.”
Sunai has often been critical of the military during the coup period as quoted in western media, eg.
IHT:
“We are deeply concerned about the very obvious intentions of the junta,” said Sunai Phasuk, the Thailand representative of Human Rights Watch. “They clearly wanted to stamp out Thai Rak Thai, or whatever it’s called now, from the political landscape, and that in itself is a very clear factor that can make the basis of free and fair elections look very bleak.”
FT:
“They accused Thaksin of manipulating the electoral process and abusing his mandate to put in strongman rule, but now they are doing the same thing,” says Sunai Phasuk, of the US-based Human Rights Watch.
Now, back to Ajahn Giles’s piece: Rather than concentrating on serious issues like democratic legitimacy, murder in street fighting between the two opposing factions or trying to find a peaceful and democratic solution to the crisis, the courts chose to join in the political circus that is playing out.
Blaming the Constitutional court here seems rather misplaced I think since for example the case of the murder, that is the job of the police to conduct the investigations and find the culprits. The courts cannot adjudicate a case that has not yet been fully investigated by police. Anyways, it would be the Criminal court, not the Constitutional court to deal with that case. And on the “trying to find peaceful and democratic solutions to the crisis” bit, not sure what kind of involvement by the judiciary Giles is expecting since it seems more the task of the politicians, PAD leaders, military, etc. to find solutions through negotiations and compromises. Civil society can also get involved by proposing ideas.
The Stilwell Road
Dear all,
I’d like to add my two-penneth, being one of the members of the proposed expedition from the University of Cambridge who Michael mentions in his first post.
Firstly, can I thank all of you who have contributed your advice, and we all greatly respect your knowledge and evident experience in these areas. We certainly could not imagine attempting the route without the information which those like yourselves contribute.
We still intend to pursue the option of the Ledo Road. Personally Mandy, I think the issue of sexual abuse in Myanmar is one which deserves greater media coverage, and while Michael is understandably cautious of dangerously upsetting the fragile situation which may allow our presence there, it is certainly an issue which I would like to uncover in any press which the expedition achieves.
While the sense of adventure is naturally a large contributor to our motives for attempting the expedition, discovery, and honest press representation are also major factors. Travelling the Ledo Road would be highly symbolic, for ourselves, for like minded expeditioners, and hopefully for all those wishing for peace and more favourable diplomatic conditions in Myanmar – summarised in the slogan which Nicholas Farrelly quotes towards the top of this page; “Rejuvenate our lifeline; Revitalize our relationship; Reach out beyond the borders”.
Many thanks again for your advice.
Theo
[email protected]
Sondhi Limthongkul before the PAD
Mogul in the Making?
12 years later, bankruptcy, 2 lese majeste convicted, trespass and treason charge waiting, and a lot less hair.
I would say NO.
Authoritarian orientations in Thailand
Just because Thailand is/was recently visited by a whole ugly bunch of unprincipled, self-seeking corrupt ‘elected’ members of parliament (enough to form a majority btw) intent on shielding their maestro Thaksin Shinawatra from judicial prosecution under the guise of ‘defending’ Thai democracy, with that comic cook Samak Sundaravej in the lead, does NOT mean democracy cannot work here. Authoritarian orientation is very prevalent in Asian (and other non-Asian) cultures, so why only pick Thailand? In the boondocks and in the villages, yes, the people of Thailand easily bend to whoever is in authority, however corrupt or ill-meaning those in authority may be. But that is the more reason those in the fringes should be empowered by the vote, and,democratic representation in government to speak their voice.
It was wrong of PAD or anyone to presume that the educated and more privileged people of Thailand would prefer to ‘disenfranchise’ the villagers and dilute their vote (by some cockamine 70/30 or something formula). Ask any PAD leader to articulate their alternative(s) to full democracy and they start mumbling idiocies.
Thailand should continue with the path, despite the hurdles and face the challenges ahead to nurture its particular brand of democracy. Of particular challenge is how to diminish (if not fully eradicate) the ‘authoritarian’ influence of local political lords over their constituents weaned on (or corrupted by) patronage, cash handouts, and vote-buying.
Sondhi Limthongkul before the PAD
Everybody in Thailand knows about Sondhi L and his bankruptcy. I also wonder why people would listen to a bankrupt and a demagogue.
But Jim Taylor what has that got to do with your ongoing love affair with that most notorious Thai fugitive Thaksin Shinawatra?
Jim Taylor if you can manage to convince the Thai authorities to lock up Sondhi L. for rebellion and insurrection and bankruptcy and insulting your hero Thaksin Shinawatra, I personally eternally be full of gratitude.
The Nam Tha dam
Very good report, Olivier, thank you. Are there any organisations trying to stop the dam, or educate people on the consequences?
Sondhi Limthongkul before the PAD
Sondhi has led the Thai media into disrepute and lack of any credibility; his Manager and ASTV churns out political spin day in day – much of which lacks any credibility at all. For readers here is the brief background to the personal hate campaign against Thaksin which has led the country to the current crisis:
Sondhi has 65 court cases pending for inability to repay debts to 10 financial institutions in Thailand. He initially put up a single land deed for all the dodgy loans he received from these institutions. A senior financier by the name of Prapat SriSathhayakun working at one of the banks found this out and reported to DSI. Sondhi wanted to compete with Thaksin’s communication empire and aspired to be successful like him. He then went to the Lao government and asked them to put up USD 300 million for co-financing a communications project. They eventually found the money only to find that Sondhi was not able to put up his money as he promised. He tried to bullshit his way through. As of now he is not allowed back in that country.
The reason he hates Thaksin relates to the end of the Chuan Government and conflict he had with the then Minister of Finance. At this time Sondhi was pro-Democrat Party. He was heavily in debt at that time and changed sides to try and get Thaksin to help him under the table. He left the Democrats at a whim and supported Thaksin saying that this guy is the BEST PM Thailand has ever had! But as his debts further increased over his print media business he realised that to make bug bucks to repay his loans and achieve his mega-ambitions he needed to go into telecommunications and his own TV channel. He asked Thaksin to help him get a channel called 11/1. But the Public Relations Department had already given a concession to RNT Company (Ruam Nakhorn). This company however gave Sondhi management rights which he ran called Thai-Day.com. But there was a problem in the contract and the concession was cancelled. So he asked Thaksin to solve this problem with Channel 11/1 -by any means. But Thaksin played according to the rules as always and could not help. Thai-Day.com is under Sondhi’s son’s name. This was the first big upset for Sondhi re-Thaksin. The second event was to do with concerns over the appointment of the Krungthai Bank General Manager (now deceased) named Viroj Nuankhae. This guy had helped Sondhi earlier facilitate dodgy finance credits under the table. When Viroj finished his term Sondhi asked Thaksin to help get him reappointed. But Thaksin could not help because the Min of Finance had already sent a letter to the Bank of Thailand indicating the Viroj has some “problems”. Sondhi was disappointed in Thaksin again. Thereafter, Sondhi (being the bullshit artist par excellance), started a war against Thaksin through his print media “The Manager” and initially a program on Channel 9. Every week on this program he would bombard listeners with fiction on Thaksin – the successful man he wanted to be. It has not stopped since as he gained satellite rights on ASTV. Sondhi has nothing to lose. His son has inherited a massive debt from his father. He is angry. So please, before I read further nonsense on New Mandala by people who don’t know about these facts and believe in Sondhi media and friends- find out the real truth first. (e.g try “thai-grassroots.com” and an article called “Prachatouch”)
Sondhi Limthongkul before the PAD
“His voice didn’t make it. Back then.”
That’s not entirely true. Sondhi was at the forefront of giving academics a voice in the media in the 1990s through the writing of op-ed pieces in his newspaper. (See Duncan McCargo, Politics and the Press in Thailand: Media Machinations (Routledge 2000, Garuda 2002).
“…is this what he had in mind?”
Obviously not. Though Sondhi certainly has made himself relevant to many people in Thailand as a journalist. His website is infinitely more popular than any news website in Thailand according to Truehits. He has also thwarted the concentration of total power in one man and party. A hero, controversial, but a hero nonetheless.
Coup talk
My bet is those prepaid PPP party members will heed the long-distance advice from the exiled fugitive paymaster Thaksin Shinawatra at UK and renominate Samak Sundaravej as PM. Samak Sundaravej has to accept the renomination of course . . .Samak too is prepaid to do a proxy job for at least 7 months . . . and he has only fulfilled seven.
If only Thaksin Shinawatra could muster enough mojo to face all the judicial cases against him . . . and more probably win . . . then Jim Taylor won’t be crying a river at his tiresome post about his Dear Leader.
The Thai circus continues
Karmablues – Dr. James Klein was just another pathetic apologist for the military coup in 2006. So what’s the principle?
Sondhi Limthongkul before the PAD
Nice find.
Vividly remember his (printed) Asia Times. What a newspaper. Excellent layout, great photos, the “Voice of Asia.”
The rest of the story we know.
His voice didn’t make it. Back then.
Constitutional madness
“…why are foreigners singled out? Are you being racist-nationalist or just ignoring all those Thais who think there are problems with the judiciary?”
That is ridiculous. Sidh is exactly right.
There is so so much paternalism in the all-knowing wise in democracy big white brother lecturing his little Asian brother because he really doesn’t understand democracy. Any paternalism on the part the Thai government bureaucracy pales in comparison to the paternalism of the western media and academics.
I am a foreigner and there is no doubt in my mind that about 99% of foreign public opinion keeps on repeating the same line of though over and over again without seeing the real issue which is the return of Thaksin.
Thaksin may have found a way to build absolute power but there was absolutely nothing democratic in a deeper sense about that absolute power or the way that it was obtained and used at all.
Thaksin played up to rural public opinion and brought out the absolute worst in these people.
I suggest you go back and take a good look at the extrajudicial executions that became common during his tenure, the acceptance of this heavy handed approach by the rural masses, and the blood lust that accompanied it. And then his ultra arrogant speeches. Even encouraging blood lust in monks. His heavy hand in the south has almost cost the Thais part of their country. Then the tendency to dish out public money to rural areas to support and build his power in off-balance sheet projects, is this democracy?
The missing Muslim lawyer, for example. Also, I will never forget how people were gunned down in cold blood without trial or arrest. Two in one night on the main street in Maesai while I ate dinner and checked up on my email at the internet cafe. Even came across one of the bodies on the way home. Then no investigation at all into 2000 murders with the standard boiler plate that it was the mafia cleaning house. Other cases surfaced during the coup appointed government, such as the police stolen car ring and the kidnapping for ransome by high level police in Mae Sot, investigations that only seem to happen when there isn’t a so-called democratically elected government.
He deserves exactly what he has got. It is as though the immune system of Thailand itself has rejected this demagogue. That elections were not the vehicle for his expulsion is really besides the point.
In economics as well as intellectually Thailand stands way over-exposed to the west and this is what is tearing it apart.
Coup talk
Nonsense! this has nothing to do with Samak- he is the right man for the job- honest, direct and tough enough to handle these buggers- PAD want to bring down the legitimately elected government and install their own puppet (guess who that is?)
Coup talk
Let’s hope that former PM Samak thinks of the country most of all, and will not seek the coming premiership. Let’s be prepared to give him a big hand and wish him a well-earned rest.
Former Lao President Nouhak Phoumsavanh reported to have died
It’s true, straight from the government mouthpiece: http://www.kplnet.net/english/news/edn1.htm