tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71624823503049359102024-03-14T22:02:29.377+07:00Thailand Jumped the SharkDocumenting the Shark Jumping activities of the Thai people: Thai media watch, Thai society, Thai politics, farangUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger919125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7162482350304935910.post-35775404612278811802011-08-04T12:48:00.001+07:002011-08-04T12:51:14.999+07:00King’s failing health, and his $30B fortune, puts Thailand in jeopardy<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(52, 52, 52); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 21px; ">BANGKOK—Towering high in the heavens overlooking the courtyard of Bangkok’s Siriraj Hospital stands an illuminated portrait of Thailand’s King Bhumibol, with a garland of dazzling neon lights proclaiming, “Long Live The King.”</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 21px; ">But how long does the king have to live?</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 21px; ">On his own private floor in this hospital on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, the 83-year-old king has battled Parkinson’s, depression and a series of strokes since being admitted here in September 2009.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 21px; ">Now his days appear numbered, a fact that has many in this nation of 68 million worried.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 21px; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 21px; ">----</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 21px; "><br /></p></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(52, 52, 52); font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 21px; ">Someone who has always spoken openly is the country’s most famous social thinker and well-known Buddhist, Sulak Sivaraksa.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 21px; ">Despite his gentle demeanour, Sulak, even at 78, is accustomed to speaking truth to power, and he has been charged for it under the lèse majesté law.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 21px; ">Once close to the king, in fact part of “the inner circle,” he says, he had a falling out when he rejected the palace’s old official line that the king’s older brother had been assassinated.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 21px; ">“The truth is the present king killed his brother — accidentally. I’ve not only said it openly, I’ve published it,” he says. He was charged and last year let off, apparently on instructions from the king.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 21px; ">Looking to the future Sulak sees the end of an era.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 21px; ">“To put it negatively, I think the monarchy will end with the demise of the present King.</p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 21px; "><br /></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 21px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; line-height: 21px; "><a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/article/1033697--king-s-failing-health-and-his-30b-fortune-puts-thailand-in-jeopardy">http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/article/1033697--king-s-failing-health-and-his-30b-fortune-puts-thailand-in-jeopardy</a></p></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7162482350304935910.post-89270897176653870482011-07-14T02:23:00.005+07:002011-07-14T04:39:27.726+07:00Thai Government causes Crown Prince to lose face over unpaid foreign debts and confiscated plane in Germany<div class="article_body"> <article> <p>BERLIN — A plane being used by Thailand’s Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn has been impounded in Germany as part of a long-running battle with the Thai government over payments for a building project in Thailand, officials said Wednesday.</p><p><br /></p> <p>The Boeing 737 “Royal Flight” was seized on a court order, and is now being kept at Munich airport, said Robert Wilhelm, a spokesman for the airport.</p><p><br /></p><p></p><p>The Thai government owes the now-bankrupt builder the money under a contract agreed to more than 20 years ago to build and operate a toll highway to Bangkok’s Don Muang airport, Alexander Goerbing said.</p><p><br /></p><p>The “drastic measure” of seizing the Royal Thai Air Force’s plane amounts to “the last resort” to secure the payment, a claim that courts and a ruling by an international arbitration panel in 2009 have declared legitimate, he added.</p><p><br /></p><p>The Crown Prince regularly uses the state-owned plane, and the German bankruptcy administrator apparently had been working for some time to get it impounded.</p><p><br /></p><p>http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/asia-pacific/thai-crown-princes-plane-impounded-in-germany-amid-dispute-over-building-project/2011/07/13/gIQAiHmFCI_story.html</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p></p></article></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7162482350304935910.post-62414624447157384132011-07-09T06:24:00.004+07:002011-07-09T06:36:12.119+07:00Democrat Party: When you can't win elections at the polling booth<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggyz3iJgPNlPZfB9H-1YL2d_U1_EDFY3q3jjXmHFTrqxgj8Pb0FtHgJ822FtLF2ekgf-_8Tefs51buKFKWMYv8jNSW2DhLwcpPpQbDqC6054CwNPif-wWgTTSPurICTqryXFfL2UU7TaM/s1600/facepalm+collage+3.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 237px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggyz3iJgPNlPZfB9H-1YL2d_U1_EDFY3q3jjXmHFTrqxgj8Pb0FtHgJ822FtLF2ekgf-_8Tefs51buKFKWMYv8jNSW2DhLwcpPpQbDqC6054CwNPif-wWgTTSPurICTqryXFfL2UU7TaM/s320/facepalm+collage+3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627129339413283618" /></a><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(55, 55, 55); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif, Georgia; font-size: 12px; "></span></div><span><span>The Democrat Party's legal expert yesterday filed a petition with the Election Commission (EC) asking it to recommend that the Constitution Court dissolve the Pheu Thai Party for allowing banned politicians to take part in its election campaign.</span></span><div><br /></div><a href="http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/Democrat-seeks-Pheu-Thai-dissolution-30159882.html">http://www.nationmultimedia.com/home/Democrat-seeks-Pheu-Thai-dissolution-30159882.html</a><div><br /><br />The outgoing ruling party asked the Election Commission to recommend that the rival Puea Thai Party, which won the July 3 general election, be disbanded on the grounds that banned politicians were involved in its election campaign.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/246108/">http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/246108/</a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7162482350304935910.post-41076587308462559292011-07-02T04:00:00.006+07:002011-07-02T07:04:50.494+07:00Andrew MacGregor Marshall's Wikileaks articlesYes, I am still in retirement, but I have been trying to follow the Wikileaks revelations coming from Thailand.<div><br /></div><div>There is some good stuff in Mr. Marshall's articles.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have read what has so far been published.</div><div><br /></div><div>Quite honestly, from what I read, there isn't really anything new if one has followed Thai politics and history for some time. </div><div><br /></div><div>Marshall actually says this is his pieces.</div><div><br /></div><div>Basically, the Wikileaks just verify what was once speculation.</div><div><br /></div><div>There are a few things that I have discovered that I wasn't really aware of.</div><div><br /></div><div>For example, I would have never guessed that Prem was completely out of the loop after HMTK was hospitalized.</div><div><br /></div><div>Another thing I have been thinking about is the importance Luang Ta Maha Bua role played in all this. In retrospect, I think his attacks on Thaksin played a more important role in getting rid of Thaksin than most people realize.</div><div><br /></div><div>The State department kind of blows him off as a crazy old monk in the Wikileaks.</div><div><br /></div><div>Luang Ta Maha Bua wasn't a crazy old monk. He was the most powerful monk in Thailand.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajahn_Maha_Bua">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ajahn_Maha_Bua</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.luangta.com/English/Index.html">http://www.luangta.com/English/Index.html</a></div><div><br /></div><div>You can't really write off somebody who is considered an arahant, which basically is an enlightened Buddha.</div><div><br /></div><div>When Luang Ta Maha Bua attacked Thaksin, it was the equivalent of Lord Buddha descending from the sky and declaring Thaksin the most evil man in Thailand.</div><div><br /></div><div>Anyway, here are the links, copied from Zenjournalist.com:</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 21px; ">Part one of his four-part story on Thailand can be viewed <a href="http://www.zenjournalist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/thaistory1-1.3.pdf" target="_blank" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(160, 65, 13); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">here</a>, <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/58516989/thaistory1-1" target="_blank" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(160, 65, 13); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">here</a> and <a href="http://thaicables.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(160, 65, 13); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">here</a>.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 21px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 21px; ">Part two is <a href="http://www.zenjournalist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/THAISTORY2.0.pdf" target="_blank" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(160, 65, 13); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">here</a>, <a href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/58625853/THAISTORY2-0" target="_blank" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(160, 65, 13); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">here</a> and <a href="http://thaicables.wordpress.com/" target="_blank" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(160, 65, 13); text-decoration: none; border-bottom-style: dotted; border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">here</a>.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 21px; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 21px;"><a href="http://www.zenjournalist.com/2011/06/thailands-moment-of-truth/#more-10202">http://www.zenjournalist.com/2011/06/thailands-moment-of-truth/#more-10202</a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span><span>The one aspect I find entertaining in this whole sordid affair is watching Thanong's head explode on Twitter and his back and forth with Mr. Marshall.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span><span><a href="http://twitter.com/#!/zenjournalist">http://twitter.com/#!/zenjournalist</a></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span><a href="http://twitter.com/#!/ThanongK">http://twitter.com/#!/ThanongK</a></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span"><span><br /></span></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7162482350304935910.post-79977037768164442182010-04-17T14:42:00.003+07:002010-04-17T14:51:49.280+07:00Creating a border crisis to distract from internal incompetence<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><div id="hn-headline" style="margin-top: 0.1em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 24px; line-height: 24px; "><a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5ilpP4ElJiZXga4PagJycVqvQfu0AD9F4L9OO0">Cambodia, Thai soldiers exchange gunfire at border</a></div><div id="hn-headline" style="margin-top: 0.1em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.3em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; font-size: 24px; line-height: 24px; "></div><span><span><br />PHNOM PENH, Cambodia — Cambodian and Thai soldiers engaged in a brief gunbattle in a disputed border area Saturday, with Cambodia accusing its neighbor of instigating their latest clash.</span></span></span><div><span><span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px;font-size:13px;"><br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;">No injuries were immediately reported.Troops fired rifles, machine guns and rockets in the 15-minute gunbattle near the Ou Smach checkpoint in northern Cambodia, said Pech Sokhin, governor of Oddar Meanchey province where the border is located.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span><span>The countries accuse each of encroaching on the other's territory.Pech Sokhin said the Thai soldiers fired shots after Cambodian troops ignored a demand to shift their location deeper into Cambodia.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span><span>"Once the Thais got back to their side, Thai forces opened fighting and Cambodia had to respond," Pech Sokhin said, adding that no Cambodian soldiers were wounded.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span><span>Thai authorities could not immediately be reached for comment.</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 18px; font-family:Arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><span><span></span></span><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- color:initial;"></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- color:initial;"><br /></p><p color="initial" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">Can't control the South. Can't control the cities. Can't control the border.</span></p><p color="initial" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border- "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">What good is the army for except coups and stealing from the tax payers?</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">I think the army will try to manufacture a nationalist crisis to turn attention away from other troubles and try to unite the country around a phony war with Cambodia.</span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 1em; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FF0000;">Why not? The army has failed at everything else it has tried so far to contain the problems it started in the first place.</span></p></span><br /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7162482350304935910.post-21439103880889362772010-01-01T12:42:00.002+07:002010-01-01T13:08:38.860+07:00Thai Navy, Submarines, and more dodgy math<a href="http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/30323/navy-couldsink-b1bn-on-submarine">Navy could sink B1bn on submarine</a><br /><br /><br />Bangkok Post<br /><br /><blockquote><br />The navy is looking into the feasibility of buying submarines for military and economic security reasons, navy chief Kamthorn Pumhirun says.<br /><br />A feasibility committee has been set up to study submarine technology.<br /><br />The navy will push for the purchase of the submarines, priced at 20 billion baht each, when there is enough money available.<br /><br />In the meantime, Adm Kamthorn said, the navy might buy a second-hand submarine for training purposes.<br /><br />The idea is to buy a used submarine costing less than a billion baht and recondition it.<br /><br />"The reason for acquiring submarines is to fulfil our military strategy. It's not something we want to pursue on a whim," Adm Kamthorn said.<br /><br />The navy chief said neighbouring Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam all had ordered submarines from Russia.<br /><br />The submarines, he insisted, could serve many purposes and were a necessity.<br /><br />The committee's task is to keep pace with developments in submarine technology.<br /><br />"We want to make sure that once we are able to afford submarines, we'll be ready for them," Adm Kamthorn said.<br /><br />He stressed that buying submarines would not lead to an arms race. Countries with the submarines would command strong bargaining power in international negotiations.<br /><br />He said the country needed at least three or four submarines but initially there might only be enough money for one.</blockquote><p></p><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Ah, the joys of the Thai media and never holding the military accountable for anything they say or do.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">First, Malaysia and Singapore don't have Russian submarines. The very fact that the Admiral of the Thai Navy doesn't know what submarines Malaysia and Singapore have is frightening.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Second, the 20 billion baht price tag per submarine is an interesting figure.</span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/Vietnam-Reportedly-Set-to-Buy-Russian-Kilo-Class-Subs-05396/">Vietnam bought 6 Russian subs for 1.8 billion dollars</a> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">plus all kinds of goodies thrown in for good measure.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">That is 300 million dollars per sub.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">20 billion baht is roughly 600 million dollars per sub.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">I guess the admirals plan on taking a 100% commission per submarine when the deals go through.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">I like how the Admiral says that a submarine could be used as leverage in international negotiations.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">What? Just like the mothballed "aircraft carrier?"</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7162482350304935910.post-21604160875831798862009-11-30T13:45:00.007+07:002009-12-01T01:50:06.021+07:00Thaksin’s Blood Gold<p>I think most everybody has heard of “Blood Diamonds” especially after the Leonardo DiCaprio movie of the same name. But what about “Blood Gold?”</p><p><br /></p> <p> </p> <p>The US TV news magazine <span style="font-style: italic;">60 Minutes</span> just had a segment called "How Gold pays for the Congo’s Deadly War."</p><p><br /></p> <p> </p> <p>You can watch the story here:</p> <p> </p> <div style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; display: inline; float: none;" id="scid:5737277B-5D6D-4f48-ABFC-DD9C333F4C5D:d33964a5-da4b-4ad8-9e88-f20859a449d0" class="wlWriterEditableSmartContent"><div><embed src="http://cnettv.cnet.com/av/video/cbsnews/atlantis2/player-dest.swf" flashvars="linkUrl=http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5825990n&tag=related;photovideo&releaseURL=http://cnettv.cnet.com/av/video/cbsnews/atlantis2/player-dest.swf&videoId=50080151&partner=news&vert=News&si=254&autoPlayVid=false&name=cbsPlayer&allowScriptAccess=always&wmode=transparent&embedded=y&scale=noscale&rv=n&salign=tl" allowfullscreen="true" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" width="425" height="324"></embed><br /><a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/">Watch CBS News Videos Online</a><br /><br /></div></div> <p> </p> <p>Five million people have died in the Democratic Republic of Congo in a war fueled primarily from gold mined in the country by warlords and smuggled out to be sold on the open market. Scott Pelley reports.</p><p><br /></p> <p> </p> <p>According to a <a href="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article6909258.ece?token=null&offset=96&page=9" target="_blank">Times (UK) interview with Thaksin </a> banned in Thailand, Thaksin has 10 gold mines in Uganda:</p><p><br /></p> <p> </p> <blockquote> <p align="justify">I don't know. Now I'm working, I'm doing business. I cannot just sit here and spend money. I'm doing business. Now I invest. I have ten gold mines in Uganda. I have lottery licences in Uganda, in Fiji, in Angola. We are about to start in January. Then the gold mining licence, which has very good potential. Then I'm signing the contract in Papua New Guinea on the gold concession, on land. I do the rough diamonds, too, we do the polishing. I decided not to do the mining because it's too risky. We will turn a profit quickly.</p><p align="justify"><br /></p> </blockquote> <p> </p> <p>Interestingly enough, Uganda doesn’t really have much of a gold industry. According to <span style="font-style: italic;">60 Minutes</span>:</p><p><br /></p> <p> </p> <blockquote> <p>Uganda is right next door to Congo, but it has almost no gold production of its own. In fact, in 2007, Uganda produced about $500 worth. But in the same year, it exported $75 million in gold. Almost all of that is coming from the war zone. </p> <p><br />We took a hidden camera into a trader called "Jit." We offered gold for sale and we were clear it came from Congo.</p><p><br />He bought our gold. And we got hold of internal Ugandan records that list 228 international shipments by Jit and many others.</p><p><br /></p><p>U.N. investigators say most of it is gold from Congo, relabeled as a product of Uganda. After Kampala, it heads to refiners in Dubai and then out to the world.</p><p><br /></p> <p> </p> </blockquote> <p>Thaksin reportedly has a Ugandan passport. He says he owns Ugandan gold mines, but all the Ugandan gold comes from the Congo. Thaksin is living in Dubai. The gold is processed in Dubai and exported elsewhere.</p><p><br /></p><p>Other sources: <a title="http://www.energypublisher.com/article.asp?idarticle=22811" href="http://www.energypublisher.com/article.asp?idarticle=22811">http://www.energypublisher.com/article.asp?idarticle=22811</a>, <a title="http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/13/701473" href="http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/13/701473">http://www.newvision.co.ug/D/8/13/701473</a> , <a title="http://allafrica.com/stories/200911190002.html" href="http://allafrica.com/stories/200911190002.html">http://allafrica.com/stories/200911190002.html</a></p><p><a title="http://allafrica.com/stories/200911190002.html" href="http://allafrica.com/stories/200911190002.html"><br /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>If you want to read a comprehensive analysis on “Blood Gold”, Human Rights Watch has this report: <a title="http://www.hrw.org/en/node/11733/section/9" href="http://www.hrw.org/en/node/11733/section/9">http://www.hrw.org/en/node/11733/section/9</a></p><p><a title="http://www.hrw.org/en/node/11733/section/9" href="http://www.hrw.org/en/node/11733/section/9"><br /></a></p> <p> </p> <p>Excerpt:</p><p><br /></p> <p> </p> <blockquote> <p>According to the U.N. panel of experts on the illegal exploitation of Congolese resources, companies who buy gold from Uganda may also be contributing indirectly to human rights abuses in the Congo. After mapping the interconnections between Congolese parties to the conflict, foreign governments, and companies, the panel maintained that some business activities, directly or indirectly, deliberately or through negligence, contributed to the prolongation of the conflict and related human rights abuses.<a href="http://www.hrw.org/en/node/11733/section/9#_ftn399" name="_ftnref399_9764">[399]</a> Gold industry experts and companies who trade in gold must, or should be, aware that most of the gold traded from Uganda comes from a conflict zone in the Congo and that it was likely to have been exported illegally.<br /></p><p><br /></p> </blockquote> <p> </p> <p>Thaksin is in enough trouble as it is. Has he foolishly decided to break international law by funding a civil war in the Congo through his dodgy "Ugandan mine” operations?</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7162482350304935910.post-37282211440323789672009-10-31T04:44:00.002+07:002009-10-31T04:56:19.085+07:00The Nation's Dishonest Editorial on the Ratchadapisek Case<a href="http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/10/31/opinion/opinion_30115596.php">The Nation</a><br /><br />excerpt:<br /><br /><p></p>The Supreme Court has ruled that Thaksin broke the law by giving his wife official consent to buy state-owned land in Ratchadaphisek.<br /><br /><br />While the ruling and other incidents involving Thaksin have divided Thailand more than anything in history, one thing is clear: Law was violated in the acquisition of the land and finding Thaksin guilty for it is purely legal, not political.<br /><br />Chalerm was mixing things up to try and reinforce the blurred picture that Thaksin is trying to present to the world that what happened to him was "political", not legal. Of course, the coup was a big setback for democracy. But irrespective of the coup that deposed him, Thaksin violated the law and needs to be imprisoned. Everything is there in the letter of the law.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">I don't know why The Nation insists on lying and distorting this case all the time.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Here are the facts:</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">The court never found Thaksin guilty of any collusion on the bidding.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">There was no injury to the state.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">There was no criminal conspiracy to defraud the public.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">MR Pridiyathorn Devakula signed off on the deal and testified in Thaksin's favor.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Potjaman was never found guilty of any crime and didn't have the land confiscated.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">In fact, Thaksin was compelled under Thai law to sign the land transfer documents because Thailand is a community property country.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Now, I guess one could make an ethical argument that the prime minister's wife shouldn't be buying land during his tenure just to keep appearances up.<br /><br />But an ethical lapse doesn't mean one should get 2 years in the gaol.<br /><br />The Nation refuses to tell the truth about the case because it might interfere with its "Get Thaksin" propaganda and might have to stop referring to Thaksin as that corrupt prime minister fugitive from justice.<br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7162482350304935910.post-68895647637015973982009-09-26T14:20:00.002+07:002009-09-26T14:27:55.840+07:00Abhisit Spinning on CNBC<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/DRqXNm5ZEQA&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/DRqXNm5ZEQA&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="344" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Abhisit is very articulate and can spin with the best of them.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">But I don't know why he has to lie.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Thailand is not an open economy or is it even remotely liberal.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">It is a protectionist country. Nothing wrong with being protectionist but to tell the entire world you are an open economy when you prevent foreign ownership in most industries, prohibit foreigners from internal trading, prohibit foreigners access to Thai capital, and don't even allow foreigners to own common shares in companies or to own land is not very honest.<br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7162482350304935910.post-85198441570020435082009-09-23T13:32:00.003+07:002009-09-23T22:41:46.568+07:00Abhisit in New York (Shamelessly Lying Through His Teeth)<a href="http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/09/23/headlines/headlines_30112896.php">The Nation</a><br /><br />Post-Crisis Thailand : Building a new democratic society<br /><br />---<br /><br /><br />The second crisis is of our own making, our own political situation which has been making headline news for the past few years. My Government came in nine months ago and since then we have managed to gain back confidence from our friends. The fact that I can be here speaking to you today can very well testify that the situation is in good order and not to be of concern.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Gain back confidence? Abhisit is a legend in his own mind. Everything must be in good order because the military has decided not to overthrow his regime while he is in New York?</span><br /><br /><br />After nine months in office, my Government has proved to the Thai people that we are a Government that represents people of all colors. For those who do not see things eye to eye with the Government and feel that their voices can be better heard on the streets, we fully respect their right to assembly and right to freedom of expression. What we as Government will make sure is that these rights are exercised in a peaceful and responsible manner with full respect to the rule of law and does not affect other people's rights to carry out their daily activities.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">This is the same Abhisit who joined the PAD in trying to use pressure to oust Thaksin before the coup. This is the same Abhisit who was calling for a royally appointed prime minister. This is the same Abhisit who gave the PAD his blessing to do what it wanted when it tried to oust the PPP from power by taking over government house and the airports.</span><br /><br />---<br /><br />Based on past experiences, what would a post-crisis Thailand look like?<br /><br /><br />Like countries around the world, Thailand aspires for a kind of democracy that will lead us to sustainable development. We realize that this road towards a functioning democracy and sustainable development is a long and winding one, with many exits, many corners, many pot holes, and at times, seems like there is no end to it.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">What exactly has Abhisit done to put Thailand on the road to sustainable development? Giving his corrupt coalition partners half a trillion baht in stimulus money so they can siphon money off the top to become filthy rich?</span><br /><br /><br />Thailand has gone through our democratic experience formally since 1932 when Thailand transformed from an absolute monarchy to a Constitutional Monarchy and parliamentary system. We have had 18 constitutions, we had about 24 coups, and we may have had 4 governments within the last two years. But that doesn't mean that democracy is failing in Thailand. On the contrary, democracy is vibrantly at work. Like Secretary Clinton said when she visited Thailand in July this year, Thai politics is as spicy as its food.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">How is democracy working when the military ousts legitimate governments, fascist groups bully governments, and the courts outlaw Abhisit's enemies?</span><br /><br /><br />We have been through ups and downs and we are learning. The whole society is learning to adapt and to find ways to have a sustainable democracy. And one good thing about the political situation we have been experiencing is that more and more Thai people in all walks of life, at all levels, are becoming engaged in politics. They do not leave politics in the hands of the few.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Right, Abhisit's legitimacy comes from where exactly? The military and the amartaya.</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Abhisit is the hands of the few.</span><br /><br /><br />Politics is no longer a matter of a few elites or people at the top. Politics is in every household and I consider that a good start for a strong and sustainable democracy. There is always a silver lining in every cloud. Always an opportunity exists in every crisis.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Abhisit is the elite.</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Abhisit is part of taking politics from the hands of every household and putting it in the hands of the few households that determine his political destiny</span>.<br /><br /><br />Now as to what type of democracy is needed, let me share with you my thoughts.<br /><br />We want a kind of democracy which is based on the rule of law, responsibility and accountability. We want a kind of democracy where people's voices are not only heard during elections, but their voices are integral to all decision-making processes.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Abhisit doesn't believe in the rule of law. He believes in selective enforcement of the law when it benefits his political career. Why is the PAD still on the loose?</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"> Which part of the masses are integral to the decision making processes now?</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">That's right, none.</span><br /><br /><br />We want a democracy where not only the majority rules, but the minority also has a fair share, their voices duly heard and their interest equally recognized.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">If Abhisit believed in majority rule, he would have called for an election, and when he says that minority should have a fair share, he means the only share.</span><br /><br /><br />How we actually get such a democracy is, of course,a challenge, a big challenge.<br /><br /><br />As a believer in liberal democracy and as a student of politics and economics, I will offer my thoughts on how my Government intends to build Thailand into a new democratic society.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Abhisit doesn't believe in liberal democracy. He believes in an aristocracy that is born to rule.</span><br /><br /><br />---<br /><br />Then I laid down basic principles on how I would bring the country to the next level. They are vital factors to making a new democratic society and these principles can very well apply to many other countries aspiring for democracy.<br /><br /><br />First, a new democratic society must be based truly on people and the people's needs. No government nowadays is a legitimate government if it does not rule in the interest of its people. In Thailand you may have heard that political division goes by color, be it yellow, red, and so on. I have made it clear since the first day in office that this Government intends to work for people of all colors, on a non-discriminatory basis. And we have done just that over the past nine months.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Flat out fabrication.</span><br /><br /><br />Under the first stimulus package, we have the "Tonkla-Archeep" program, which is a skill training scheme, as a social safety net for those who became unemployed during the economic crisis. 70% of 200,000 participants in this scheme have found new jobs, which, in some cases, are in different sectors from what they did previously. We have also the program called "subsistence benefits" to provide some monthly money for the elderly people without pensions to ensure that their living condition is acceptable.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">What is the social security stipend? Something like 700 baht.</span><br /><br /><br />Second, a new democratic society in transition needs to pay attention to reconciliation. We need to ensure that political division doesn't get into the way of development. Without reconciliation, we cannot implement policies to benefit people. Change cannot be introduced. As a result, development cannot be achieved. But reconciliation does not mean bending laws. On the contrary, we will make sure that law enforcement is sufficient and fair, and that there will be justice and political solution to political problem.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">This is why the courts protect Abhisit's political allies and destroy his political enemies.</span><br /><br /><br />When I talk about reconciliation in Thailand, I mean reconciliation at many levels; reconciliation of differences between people of all colors, be they yellow, red or others; reconciliation in the Southern border provinces, or even reconciliation and enhanced relations with our neighbors.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">So far, Abhisit's policies have been a complete failure on every level in this department.</span><br /><br /><br />Regarding the situation in the Southern border province, my Government is trying our best to bring the situation to normalcy and to achieve prosperity and development in the long term. Through education, and social policies as well as economic development schemes, the Government has already begun to win back the hearts and minds of those who may otherwise think that the Government does not care about them.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Terrorism is still out of control in the South.</span><br /><br /><br />On our Eastern border, you may have heard news about tension between Thailand and Cambodia. But the situation is just one minor piece of the comprehensive relations between Thailand and Cambodia. Both sides agree not to let one single issue cloud over others. And we will not allow emotions to win over reasons and facts.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">This is the same Abhisit who was using Preah Vihear to oust the previous government.</span><br /><br /><br />Reconciliation can happen only when we put away our subjectivity and prejudices and try to understand challenges facing all sides, their strength and weaknesses, their constraints and limitations, as well as those of our own.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Translation: We will use right-wing nationalism when its suits our political interests and benefits us.</span><br /><br /><br />Reconciliation can happen only when we talk and engage in dialogue in good faith. And I take this opportunity to welcome the wind of change in the US foreign policy under President Obama. I commend his willingness to "engage" and to "listen" in conducting the new chapter of US foreign policy which emphasizes on 3Ds---namely defense, development, and diplomacy. The US' leading role in addressing many challenges of today's globalized world will not be successful without the attempt to reconciliate. And reconciliation takes the efforts of all sides.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Translation: Reconciliation is good when we are calling the shots and can determine the conditions of surrender.</span><br /><br /><br />Third, a new democratic society needs more openness. There is no time that the world economy needs openness more than now. This is why the Government has initiated many investment incentives for foreign investors. Over the last nine months, Thailand has even entered into two more free trade agreements. So investing in Thailand does not mean investing in a market of 64 million consumers, but increasingly we are a base for production for exports, especially given the hard-working and skilled human resources. And remember, Asean has close to 600 million people and we are becoming an economic community in 2015.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">This is the same Abhisit who went into hysterics when Thaksin was signing free trade agreements.</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">This is the same Abhisit who has done nothing to weed out corruption in the bureaucracy, ripping off foreigners at the ports, etc.</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">This is the same Abhisit who has his ministers foment nationalist hysteria over foreigners buying farm land or any land.</span><br /><br /><br />Openness is not only about economic policies. It is more about attitude and the way of life. Thais are known for our flexibility, open-mindedness, and that still holds true today. For many hundreds of years, we have welcomed foreigners to our society as traders, advisors, missionaries, teachers, investors and tourists. As ever, Thailand continues to welcome our foreign friends.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Maybe he should be paying more attention to all the crimes and scams committed against foreigners that are more out of control than ever.</span><br /><br /><br />Fourth, a new democratic society must be firmly founded on good governance. Democracy and development is certainly not possible without good governance. The political situation that we got ourselves into, in fact, is deeply rooted in the lack of good governance and accountability.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Maybe he should give his partner, Newin Chidchob, another kiss and hug for all his good work in promoting good governance and accountability.</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Or his buddies in the military for their procurement scams or his ministers who are stealing from the sufficiency projects.</span><br /><br /><br />Government popularly elected claimed their basis for governing from votes and then corrupted policies for their own benefits. But democracy should not and must not end at voting booths. Democracy is a process and it is a process which should rest firmly on the basis of good governance.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Abhisit has failed on both counts.</span><br /><br /><br />Apply this situation everywhere in the world and you would see where democracy is failing is where good governance is lacking. What a sustainable democracy and a sustainable development need more than anything else is good governance. This need for good governance goes for not only government but the private sector as well.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Right, when was the last time a Thai corporation has ever been held accountable for its dodgy dealings?</span><br /><br /><br />Fifth, in a globalised world, a new democratic society like Thailand's must take into account regional integration. Asean is now growing as a community. And as a community, Asean has entered into free trade agreements with China, Australia, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, India and Japan. Asean as a market of 580 million people, with hard working and one of the most efficient labor force in the world, a region strategically located next to two of the world's fastest growing economies, India and China, offers tremendous opportunity for investment and trade. By 2015 Asean would become a single economic community, linking together ten promising economies, 600 million consumers and capable workforce.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Who actually believes in this neo-liberal fantasy?</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Abhisit's policies don't match the rhetoric.</span><br /><br /><br />Even more important than economic benefits from regional integration, I believe, is the effects of regional integration on political development in the region. In places where democracy flourishes in one country, where people at grassroots level participate actively in local and national politics, it is inevitable that its neighbors will also feel the effects. Democracy is a learning process.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Burma, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam will become liberal democracies through Thailand's example? You can stop laughing now.</span><br /><br /><br />Regional integration helps accelerate the learning process. On one side, it is a peer pressure, on another side, it is simply learning by seeing, by imitating. Most importantly, regional integration helps building democracy by teamwork, with all stakeholders involved.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Who will Thailand learn from and who will learn from Thailand?</span><br /><br /><br />Sixth , a new democratic society in Thailand needs economically sound policies. Without economic policies which can bring development to people, democracy is bound to fail. Economic development which doesn't narrow the income gap will not bode well for democracy. I mentioned this point with concern as the gap between the rich and the poor in Thailand is also widening.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">This is the same Abhisit who refuses to tax the rich.</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">What ever happened to land reform?</span><br /><br /><br />My Government attaches great importance to the sufficiency economy philosophy initiated by our beloved King. Sufficiency Economy is not about shutting in from the outside world, but it is about living in moderation.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Good at spending billions to produce lame propaganda.</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Good at lecturing the poor to be MOSO while the rich continue to act the same as usual.</span><br /><br /><br />We learn from the recent crisis that a small, open economy like Thailand cannot always rely on exports to external markets by as much as 70% of GDP like the traditional textbooks postulate.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">No textbook told Thailand to do this.</span><br /><br /><br />Thailand is trying to balance the external demand with the internal ones boosted by the Stimulus Package 2 which is also financed domestically.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">And financed internationally.</span><br /><br /><br />Over the next three years, we plan to make massive long-term investments such as those in infrastructure initiated by the government and continued by the private sector or Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) and in human capital. In addition, we will expand our creative economy which combines our identical culture with the local innovations and technology from the current 10% of GDP to 20% with Stimulus Package 2.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">We plan on directing billion to ministries that are controlled by our political allies and make them filthy rich so we can stay in power for 3 more years.</span><br /><br /><br />We will also provide our people enough protection from the adverse effects of globalization, either economically or culturally. The other aspect would be environmentally-friendly development toward low carbon green economy to ensure sustainable development for the future generation.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Good if true, but with Abhisit's rhetoric always trumps action.</span><br /><br /><br />Seventh, a new democratic society needs innovation and vision. Innovation is as important to democracy as it is to sustainable development. In any democracy, the lack of innovation can gravely undermine the spirit of learning, the desire for knowledge, and vice versa. People can become complacent and take democracy for granted. When you leave policy-making in the hands of your representatives and do not monitor them and do not consider the wider interest of the whole nation, that puts democracy in a risky situation.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">This is why Abhisit goes out of his way to systematically destroy and silence his enemies through control of the media, control of state propaganda and draconian national security measures.</span><br /><br />---<br /><br />Vision is not only about Government, but we need the public to be able to visualize what they would wish to see their country in 5 years' time, in 10 years' time and then, with a common vision in mind, the whole nation will help move the country forward together.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">A bunch of half-baked propaganda schemes and campaign does no equate vision.</span><br /><br />---<br /><br />I can say that what I am most proud of my Government's work over the past nine months is the fact that we have started a free 15 year basic education program. Education provides access to opportunities and equality. Democracy where people cannot make informed decision can be very damaging. It can lead to the tyranny of the majority. A true democracy must be founded on an educated public. We must invest in our future by investing in education. This is not a choice but a must.<br /><br /><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Like I said in another blog, whether it be 9 years of education or 15 years of education, it doesn't matter the length of time if what is being produced is crap. Of course, Abhisit doesn't believe in any sort of structural reform to overhaul the education ministries so that they are functioning properly. Without reform, adding more years of schooling will only create more problems.</span></p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br /></span></p><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">There is a part of me that would like to believe Abhisit's sincerity and good intentions. But the more he talks like this, the more I am convinced he is a charlatan with guile that exponentially surpasses Thaksin on every level.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7162482350304935910.post-8273306244552251572009-09-22T11:50:00.003+07:002009-09-22T12:20:45.981+07:00Should Thaksin Fight from the Brazilian Embassy? (President Zelaya Back in Honduras)<a href="http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601086&sid=aN4Db5OPAEbw">Bloomberg</a><br /><br /><p> </p>Sept. 22 (Bloomberg) -- Honduras’s deposed President Manuel Zelaya breathed new life into his efforts to regain office by slipping into the country and taking shelter in the Brazilian Embassy, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said.<br /><br /> Clinton, speaking in New York after meeting with Costa Rican President Oscar Arias, who has mediated the Honduran political crisis, said Zelaya’s return to the capital, Tegucigalpa, created the chance to restore “constitutional and democratic order” and move ahead with elections in November. Arias, pushing his 11-point plan, said he will continue to mediate if asked.<br /><br /> Zelaya’s homecoming “makes it easier for us to put some more pressure on the de facto government,” Arias said last night in New York, adding achieving his return was the main hurdle to implementing the so-called San Jose accord.<br /><br /> Even as Clinton and Arias called for dialogue, the deposed president’s presence in the city is likely to move the conflict into the streets, said Brookings Institute analyst Kevin Casas- Zamora. Acting President Roberto Micheletti’s resistance to talks will intensify after Zelaya let his ally, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, announce his return and invited Jose Miguel Insulza, the secretary-general of the Organization of American States, to lead discussions in Honduras.<br /><br /> “What we’re about to witness is a series of demonstrations and counter-demonstrations and there’s also a great risk of violence,” said Casas-Zamora, former vice president of Costa Rica under Arias. Kicked Out<br /><br /> Zelaya was overthrown in June and kicked out of the country after the Supreme Court ruled his push for constitutional change was illegal. His opponents claim he was planning to follow in the footsteps of Chavez and attempt to modify the Honduran Constitution so that he could stay in power.<br /><br /> The ousted leader’s surprise homecoming prompted the Micheletti government to impose a 15-hour curfew starting at 4 p.m. yesterday after the ousted leader, donning his signature cowboy hat, greeted crowds of supporters who marched to the Brazilian embassy to support him, according to images broadcast on Venezuela’s government-owned Telesur network. The Micheletti government also closed the country’s airports today, the Spanish news agency EFE reported.<br /><br /> “I’m here in the Honduran capital, in the first place carrying out the people’s will, which has insisted on my restoration,” Zelaya said on the Telesur network. “I’m here to initiate a dialogue.”<p> </p><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Imagine if Thaksin had the balls to do something like this.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">It would be a bold move.<br /><br />It might even be a little macho.<br /><br />Thaksin ain't macho.<br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7162482350304935910.post-33281003315678293562009-09-14T00:32:00.004+07:002009-09-14T01:10:10.957+07:00Collapsing like a deck of cards<a href="http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/investigation/23794/dunkley-s-chance">Bangkok Post</a><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Story regarding foreign investment in the regional media</span>:<br /><br /><br />However, it's not an achievement that's likely to be repeated in Thailand. Dunkley scotched months of rumours that his Post Media Company was looking to buy this paper's chief competitor, <em>The Nation</em>.<br /><br /><p>"Of course, blind Freddy will tell you The Nation is potentially gasping for air and is on its knees. Incompetence is finally catching up with them," he said.</p><p><br /></p> <p>"Market analysts are also arriving at the same conclusion, so I wonder how long it will be before we see the group collapsing like a deck of cards. It wouldn't take much. We are not particularly interested," he said bluntly.</p><p><br /></p> <p>"How could we be when foreign ownership is capped at 30% and at the board level 25%, which is strange in itself. Navigating the minefield of politics would also be quite a task. I wonder wouldn't it be better to go farther afield for investment opportunities?"</p><br />H/T <a href="http://bangkokpundit.blogspot.com/2009/09/would-you-buy-nation.html">Bangkok Pundit</a><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Dow Jones actually owns a minority share of Nation Group (not much to made a difference obviously).</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Despite that fact, the Nation Group is a poorly managed company probably on its last death throes.</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">The only way I can see it survive is with assistance from the government with state owned company advertising contracts, which is plausible, since it acts like the English language propaganda mouthpiece for the Abhisit government, a media partnership with its military masters and patrons, getting producing kick backs from Thai PBS(controlled by Thepchai Yong, Suthichai Yoon's brother) in a strategic partnership arrangement, or a total top to bottom restructuring where basically everybody is fired, which probably won't happen because Suthichai Yoon is also a major minority shareholder in the company.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Even if The Nation gets state support with producing contracts and state advertising, that will only keep it afloat(maybe), but will do nothing to alleviate the massive debt it is shouldering.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7162482350304935910.post-83812881715557942822009-09-01T03:01:00.003+07:002009-09-01T03:21:39.270+07:00Deconstructing Avudh Panananda: Da Deserves 18 years for Cursing!!<a href="http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/09/01/politics/politics_30111145.php">The Nation</a><br /><br /><p>Cyberspace is littered with political graffiti deemed offensive to the country's revered institution. Are Internet vandals sharing the same thoughts as Daranee and acting foul-mouthed out of spite, since they see themselves as too marginalised to make a difference?<br /></p><p><br /></p><p> </p><p>Daranee emerged out of obscurity to achieve instant fame, though in a bad way, by smearing the monarchy. Several people under catchy pseudonyms gain cult-like popularity in web boards by posting offensive messages. The royal bashing may be the name of the game for fame seekers, whatever the cost. </p><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">When you consider that lese majeste is a major national security crime in Thailand, you'd think The Nation would be quick to uncover these anti-monarchy evil-doers like George Bush flushed out Al Qaeda from their caves in Pakistan.</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">It is quite revealing what The Nation gets sanctimonious about.</span><br /><br />---<br /><br />The underlying theme to her speeches was the alleged link between the coup and the Royal Palace, with chief royal adviser General Prem Tinsulanonda as the conduit. She seemed, however, more intent on belching out foul words and curses instead of stating her case.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">When you consider that The Nation does the bidding of the Palace and the military without question, and never would even consider a link between the Privy Council and the coup, though the evidence is crystal clear, I guess I would be screaming profanities too at those who caused my illegal disenfranchisement.</span><br /><br /><br />---<br /><br />Last year, she framed her comments at three red-shirt rallies on January 18, June 7 and June 13 to make veiled attacks on the Royal Palace. Although she did not mention any names, her remarks were explicit and insulting.<br /><br />The matter came to light after yellow-shirt leader Sondhi Limthongkul blew the whistle on the inflammatory remarks.<br /><br />The Criminal Court ruled last Thursday Daranee had tarnished the reputation of Their Majesties with malicious intent to sway the crowds to lose their reverence and trust in the monarchy.<br /><br />Daranee was penalised with a combined jail term of 18 years for three counts of insulting remarks, each carrying six-year imprisonment.<br /><br /> As Daranee languishes in her cell, she may reflect on whether she has accomplished anything worthwhile in return for her conviction. How many will remember her message other than the legacy of her foul mouth?<p></p><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Basically, Avudh is siding with the censorship and jailing of Darunee for 18 years, because she had a foul mouth.</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">What if someday somebody decided, hey, let us make it a criminal offense for bad reporting.</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Is destroying the sanctity of the free press any less horrible than shouting curse words? I could make a very strong argument that The Nation's horrible reporting has done far more damage to Thailand's national security than Darunee's curse words.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Do you know what is really disgusting about this column? It is that a reporter actually has the audacity to defend the jailing of a political activist for 18 years and do it with a straight face.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">In any event, when all is said and done, what she said were just words. How can a Buddhist with any basic religious training defend such an outrageous response to curse words?</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">The real crime is not the words that were expressed, but the taking of liberty as a punishment for saying them. Those words had no meaning until the idiotic court gave them value.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7162482350304935910.post-64976546162279709822009-08-28T14:00:00.004+07:002009-08-28T15:55:27.901+07:00Darunee "Da Torpedo" Chanchoengsilpakul Gets 18 years<a href="http://www.bangkokpost.com/breakingnews/152894/18-years-in-jail-for-da-torpedo">Bangkok Post</a><br /><br /><p class="preParagraph"></p>The Criminal Court on Monday morninng sentenced Daranee Chanchoengsilpakul, alias Da Torpedo, to 18 years imprisonment for lese majeste.<br /><br />The court ruled that Ms Daranee, a United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship member, made several remarks deemed to be lese majeste in a speech on the stage at a UDD rally at Sanam Luang on June 7 last year.<br /><br />The court sentenced her to 18 years in jail without suspension.<br /><br />After hearing the verdict, Ms Daranee, who was wearing a prison uniform and a surgical face mask, made a V sign with her hand to about 30 UDD supporters who turned up at the court in a show of support.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Eighteen years in prison for a political speech? Unbelievable.</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Off the top of my head, I can't think of any instance in the modern era where a person has received 18 years in jail for making a political speech, even in the most authoritarian countries.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">I guarantee all the western countries that make a big stink about saving journalists and advocating for free speech for political dissidents will be stone silent over this case.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />I can't still get my head around it. Eighteen years of life stripped away just for expressing political views.</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">The whole thing makes me sick to my stomach.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7162482350304935910.post-9411004851470037342009-08-24T13:42:00.001+07:002009-08-24T13:46:04.381+07:00Economy in Shambles, Politics a Mess, King gives a unity speech, Time for xenophobic stories in press<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><a href="http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/22577/foreigners-own-90-of-phuket-beach-land">Bangkok Post<br /></a><br />About 90% of beach land in Phuket is controlled by foreigners through Thai nominees, a leading research body has found.<br /><br />A similar situation exists in other prime tourism destinations in provinces such as Chiang Mai and Rayong.<br /><br />Local officials and legal experts have helped clear the way for foreign investors to take control of the country's rice farms and property in resort provinces, according to research on foreign land ownership by the Thailand Research Fund.<br /><br />TRF called a seminar on the research findings yesterday attended by economics and legal scholars.<br /><br />There recently has been speculation that foreign businessmen, particularly from the Middle East, were snapping up rice fields in the central plains and elsewhere through proxy local companies.<br /><br />Transnational business consortiums were said to be holding the land through Thai nominees, which is against the law.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);" >Typical</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">. What is it about the Thai media that when the country is in a crisis, they have to find some excuse to go after foreigners.</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Comical yet pathetic in their predictability.</span><br /><br /><div class="zemanta-pixie"><img src="http://img.zemanta.com/pixy.gif?x-id=faec6960-49bb-8621-848d-edb16ceeb1ab" alt="" class="zemanta-pixie-img" /></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7162482350304935910.post-2710397956008827762009-08-19T08:20:00.012+07:002009-08-20T00:01:23.592+07:00The Nation's Editorial on Global Economy and its Financial Statement<a href="http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/08/19/opinion/opinion_30110079.php">The Nation</a><br /><br /><br />Editorial "Economists cannot provide any answers":<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Like most economists, Krugman can't get out of the hole into which he has dug himself.</span> He somehow believes that the global economy will return to its growth path, similar to what happened over the past few decades: The exporting nations, armed with excess production capacity, will continue to produce manufactured goods for global consumers. This excess production and excess consumption will continue forever, or so it seems, so that planet earth will experience joy and prosperity. Krugman and the world's economists believe in the sustainability of global capitalism and global financial capitalism even though they are teetering on the edge of a cliff.<br /><br />---<br /><br /><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">But how can governments come up with further stimulus programmes when they are already saddled with debts amid growing business bankruptcies?</span> Excess production and excess consumption have reached a point where we actually need radical restructuring so that we can get back to our original shape.<br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">We can't continue to produce and consume excessively, buoyed by paper wealth that does not correspond to the fundamentals. Sadly, no economist can admit this reality, including the policy-makers, who are all tempted to introduce stimulus programmes for short-term gain.</span><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">The only way out of this crisis is to undertake restructuring in a painful way</span>. We might witness a New Economy emerging. The old global capitalism is dead, for good.</p><br /><br /><iframe src="http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=tnvhYGuVQolV0U_MUqqw9-Q&single=true&gid=0&output=html&widget=true" width="440" frameborder="0" height="800"></iframe><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">I suspect Thanong wrote the editorial.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">I doubt he was talking about his own company--even though he should.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">The Nation's financial statement is one that shows a company that has been run into the ground.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">It is saddled with short-term debt and long-term debt. Put simply, it is over-leveraged and it is losing money hand over fist.<br /><br />Here are some of the bad parts of The Nation's financial statement:<br /><br /></span> <table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 236pt;" width="315" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><col style="width: 180pt;" width="240"> <col style="width: 56pt;" width="75"> <tbody><tr style="height: 15pt;" height="20"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 15pt; width: 180pt;" width="240" height="20">(in thousand baht)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Working Capital</span></td> <td style="width: 56pt;" width="75"><br /></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15pt;" height="20"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 15pt;" height="20">Current assets</td> <td align="right">1449049</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15pt;" height="20"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 15pt;" height="20">Current liabilities</td> <td align="right">1445740</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15pt;" height="20"> <td class="xl64" style="height: 15pt;" height="20">Total</td> <td align="right">3309</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15pt;" height="20"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 15pt;" height="20"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Working Capital per baht of sales</span></td> <td><br /></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15pt;" height="20"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 15pt;" height="20">Working Capital</td> <td align="right">3309</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15pt;" height="20"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 15pt;" height="20">Total Sales</td> <td align="right">560000</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15pt;" height="20"> <td class="xl64" style="height: 15pt;" height="20">Total</td> <td align="right">0.00590893</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15pt;" height="20"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 15pt;" height="20"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Current ratio</span></td> <td><br /></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15pt;" height="20"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 15pt;" height="20">Current Assets</td> <td align="right">1449049</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15pt;" height="20"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 15pt;" height="20">Current Liabilities</td> <td align="right">1445740</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15pt;" height="20"> <td class="xl64" style="height: 15pt;" height="20">Total</td> <td class="xl64">1.00228879</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15pt;" height="20"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 15pt;" height="20"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Acid Test ratio</span><br /></td> <td><br /></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15pt;" height="20"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 15pt;" height="20">Current Assets</td> <td align="right">1449049</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15pt;" height="20"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 15pt;" height="20">Inventory</td> <td align="right">374000</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15pt;" height="20"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 15pt;" height="20">Current Liabilities</td> <td align="right">1445740</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15pt;" height="20"> <td class="xl64" style="height: 15pt;" height="20">Total</td> <td align="right">0.74359774</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15pt;" height="20"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 15pt;" height="20"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Debt to equity ratio</span></td> <td><br /></td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15pt;" height="20"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 15pt;" height="20">Total Liabilities</td> <td align="right">2535573</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15pt;" height="20"> <td class="xl63" style="height: 15pt;" height="20">Shareholders Equity</td> <td align="right">701072</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15pt;" height="20"> <td class="xl64" style="height: 15pt;" height="20">Total</td> <td align="right">3.61670841</td> </tr> </tbody></table><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br />These numbers are not good.<br /><br />It keeps borrowing short-term money to pay its bills.<br /><br />Another horrifying number is that current liabilities are almost triple revenues and revenues don't even cover the operating expenses.<br /><br />The equity in the company is exponentially shrinking.<br /><br />You'd have to be a fool to buy this company's stock. It is at the point where it can't borrow anymore because its current assets already equal its current liabilities. When you subtract inventory, it is a even more dismal picture.<br /><br />It has very little working capital to make more money.<br /><br />Thanong better send this editorial to his publishers or he will be out of a job soon, though I suspect if the company goes bankrupt everybody will be running over to the state run media, or to the Manager Group.<br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7162482350304935910.post-35424667117871915772009-08-18T12:12:00.001+07:002009-08-18T12:14:53.060+07:00Petition Submitted<a href="http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/22219/the-petition-in-full">Bangkok Post</a><br /><br /><br /><p>Your Majesty the King,</p><p><br /></p> <p>We, whose names are attached to this petition, would like to inform Your Majesty as follows:</p><p><br /></p> <p>1.We have suffered a great deal from economic hardships of which the root cause was the Sept 19, 2006, coup d'etat. The coup-makers destroyed a regime elected under a constitutional monarchy and replaced it with a military dictatorship.</p><p><br /></p> <p>The putsch was so damaging to the country that it has affected the economy until today, when the country is also being impacted by the global economic downturn. As a result, we have been unable to cope with the difficulties we are facing.</p><p><br /></p> <p>Moreover, the formation of the current government, which lacks legitimacy under democratic principles, has not received any love or cooperation from the public. How can this government lead the country out of a recession when the prime minister can't even travel to many parts of the country?</p><p><br /></p> <p>2.Pol Lt Col Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister who was overthrown in the coup, is well-versed in economic matters and trusted by all of us. We believe he is the only one who can ease our difficulties. He has been living in exile abroad because he has been a victim of a dictatorial regime who enforced unjust laws against him. The litigation against him has barred him from using his intelligence and potential to assist the country and the people. This is a big loss in terms of human resources.</p><p><br /></p> <p>Thaksin, who has been living in exile for a long time now, has been barred from happiness and warmth that one can enjoy in his motherland.</p><p><br /></p> <p>3.The military takeover of Sept 19, 2006, not only affected the economy negatively but also hurt the country's international standing and tainted the reputation of its judicial system to an extent that lawyers, who used to be so proud of their profession, can't help agree that since the 2006 coup, the country has had problems enforcing the law. This is shameful in the eye of the world community.</p><p><br /></p> <p>We, and the people in general, are aware that double standards are being used in the enforcement of law against two particular groups of people which we consider as uncivilised and unacceptable approaches. For this reason, we have staged rallies to demand justice and legitimacy. If they hadn't forced so many injustices upon us, we would not have had to take such steps as there is a limit to everyone's patience.</p><p><br /></p> <p>4.We would like to tell Your Majesty that you are the one and only person we know we can turn to for help. This is because Your Majesty are always committed to improving the people's well-being. You have a long-term vision and adhere to good governance, and we have faith that Your Majesty will not allow us to endure hardships for too long.</p><p><br /></p> <p>We, therefore, are submitting this petition to ask Your Majesty to grant a royal pardon to Pol Lt Col Thaksin Shinawatra for the two-year jail sentence handed to him by the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions. Only then would he be free to return as Your Majesty's servant and resume his contribution to the country. At the least, he could become an economic adviser. We have confidence and trust in his capability.</p><p><br /></p> <p>We expect that our petition will lead to solidarity and reconciliation among people in the country. Only then can the country unite to fight the common dangers we are facing.</p><p><br /></p> <p>Thais will then be able to live happily in peace and Your Majesty's reputation would be enhanced. However, we leave the decision on this issue at the discretion of Your Majesty.</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7162482350304935910.post-56173100640610271042009-08-16T01:24:00.005+07:002009-08-16T01:31:21.750+07:00Thai Generals Don't Count<a href="http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/08/16/politics/politics_30109878.php">The Nation</a><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Excerpt from "Thaksin petition will be thrown out":</span><br /><br /><p></p>"Meanwhile, Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Political Sciences dean Charat Suwanmala lectured yesterday on petitioning for clemency, saying laws in most countries opposes amnesty for politicians convicted of conflict of interest.<br /><br />"If politicians are sentenced to jail and a government siding with them legislates to grant amnesty, the justice system is under the influence of lawmakers and the government, and the balance of power is disrupted,'' he said."<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">I guess Charat will be calling for every general and military officer still alive and participated in a coup will have their legislative amnesties and executive pardons rescinded and will be tried for treason.<br /><br /><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7162482350304935910.post-33225685376577484052009-08-13T12:14:00.003+07:002009-08-13T12:49:21.879+07:00More on Thailand's Secret Prison<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/13/world/13foggo.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1">A Window Into C.I.A.’s Embrace of Secret Jails</a><br /><br /><br />New York Times<br /><br /><br />Excerpt:<br /><br />Early in the fight against Al Qaeda, agency officials relied heavily on American allies to help detain people suspected of terrorism in makeshift facilities in countries like Thailand. But by the time two C.I.A. officials met with Mr. Foggo in 2003, that arrangement was under threat, according to people briefed on the situation. In Thailand, for example, local officials were said to be growing uneasy about a black site outside Bangkok code-named Cat’s Eye. (The agency would eventually change the code name for the Thai prison, fearing it would appear racially insensitive.) The C.I.A. wanted its own, more permanent detention centers.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Another story the Thai government and media can cover up. This story only proves the extent to which the Thai media takes orders from the generals and covers up for them.<br /><br />I just want to remind that readers once again that <a href="http://www.nationmultimedia.com/search/read.php?newsid=84056&keyword=Hambali">Kavi over at The Nation was reporting</a> directly on the interrogations when Hambali was captured and tortured in Thailand.<br /><br />So basically all the editors over there were aware of the torture and secret prison and have been playing dumb recently in supplication to the government.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://quickstart.clari.net/qs_se/webnews/wed/au/Qthailand-us-attacks.RfcP_DSH.html">Here is a story</a> and another <a href="http://www.nationmultimedia.com/search/read.php?newsid=85788&keyword=Hambali">story in The Nation</a> about the reward for the capture and how Thai security personal were all going to divvy the loot. Oh, by the way, Thai government officials were present when Hambali was interrogated. General Chavalit even admitted to knowing the 10 officers who received the reward.<br /><br />Did the Thai media ever get around to asking General Surayud or General Chavalit about the secret prison? Nope. Never bothered.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/local/12737/anupong-denies-us-secret-prison-here">Did General Anupong resign for basically lying to the media?</a> Nope.<br /><br />Amazing what the generals get away with.<br /><br />By the way, it seems <a href="http://nationmultimedia.com/2009/08/13/opinion/opinion_30109676.php">General Anupong got away with another lie regarding his denial</a> that nobody from the state was responsible for the recent Mosque massacre in the South.<br /><br />Buddha forbid that The Nation holds the military to the standards they have for Thaksin. But we all know that hell will freeze over before that ever happens. After all, Yoon doesn't want to lose his shows on military TV and his brother, Thepchai, owes his career to the military giving him Thai PBS.<br /><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7162482350304935910.post-38242346665783081922009-08-12T23:25:00.006+07:002009-08-13T08:24:41.933+07:00Sondhi Lim is the source for Thanong's conspiracy theories<a href="http://www.prachatai.com/english/node/1359">Prachatai</a><br /><br /><br />On Aug 10, PAD co-leader Sondhi Limthongkul commented in an ASTV programme about his attempted assassination. He said that Suthep Thaugsuban, Secretary-General of the Democrat Party and Deputy Prime Minister, should stop protecting the culprits. He suspected that Suthep may be in the know as to who plotted the ambush. Some said that Suthep had been aware of the plot, but did not speak out.<br /><br />---<br /><br />While sparing Abhisit as a good man, Sondhi said the Democrat Party lacked ideology and Suthep’s behaviour was suspicious.<br /><br />---<br /><br /><p></p>‘The Democrats are a bunch of ingrates. Suthep clearly said that the Democrats were not associated with the PAD, and were not indebted to the PAD. With the Secretary-General saying this, what will the PAD-Democrats say?,’ Sondhi asked.<br /><br />When asked by the co-host of the programme about the government’s slack response to the red shirt petition campaign, he said that he had the impression that Suthep was extraordinarily close to Thaksin, as he observed that Suthep did not want to speak about Thaksin, and vice versa.<br /><br />There are links between the two men, one of which is a woman nicknamed ‘Ngoh’ who works for Thaksin. She has been a link between them since Suthep was the Minister of Transport. Another is Suthep’s man whose name Sondhi did not want to reveal for now.<br /><br />‘Today Suthep is in charge of police affairs, but the revocation of Thaksin’s police rank has been going nowhere,’ Sondhi said.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">It doesn't take a genius to understand that Thanong basically copies what he reads and hears over at The Manager Group.<br /><br />Bangkok Pundit has more commentary on the "Suthep the traitor" topic <a href="http://bangkokpundit.blogspot.com/2009/08/suthep-traitor.html">here</a>.<br /><br />BP actually makes an excellent point. Suthep is a major financier of the Democrat Party and has a lot of power. He is at the pinnacle of power and basically the equivalent of Chief of Staff in the US presidential system.<br /><br />Logically, Suthep should have zero interest in destroying Abhisit and his own party just to support Thaksin. Seriously, that is just stupid. What is in it for him in crossing to the Dark Side when Suthep will never achieve the amount of power he has now under a Thaksin regime.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7162482350304935910.post-69089932811751555742009-08-12T00:53:00.003+07:002009-08-12T01:07:59.841+07:00The Nation's Hypocritical Editorial on Aung San Suu Kyi 's Trial<a href="http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/08/12/opinion/opinion_30109604.php">The Nation</a><br /><br /><p></p>As expected the internationally condemned trial of Burma's democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi has ended with a guilty verdict and an 18-month sentence handed down to her for violating the terms of her previous house arrest. Suu Kyi will now have to remain under house arrest for a further 18 months, just long enough for her to be unable to take part in the general election set for next year.<br /><br />While it is generally agreed the so-called democratisation process in Burma is a sham, Suu Kyi's participation would have lent a degree of legitimacy to the process.<br /><br />Despite tilting the ground rules for the election absurdly on the side of the military junta, the generals still do not want her anywhere near the process. If anything, this illustrates the enormous fear these men in uniform have of this lady.<br /><br />The sentence has naturally provoked anger in countries all around the world, including some Asean members who are fed up with Burma continually dragging the regional grouping into controversy.<br /><br />The court at Rangoon's notorious Insein Prison sentenced Suu Kyi to a three-year jail term plus hard labour for breaching the terms of her house arrest following an incident in which an American man swam to her lakeside residence in May.<br /><br />---<br /><p></p>Suu Kyi has been in detention for 14 of the past 20 years, since Burma's ruling military junta refused to recognise her National League for Democracy's landslide victory in the election of 1990.<br /><br />Burma's state-run newspaper, The New Light of Myanmar, has had the audacity to tell the world to keep out of it and also warned its own citizens not to cause trouble.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">This editorial belongs in Not the Nation.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">It is absolutely mind boggling when The Nation gets on the high horse concerning Burma when its editorial position for the last 4 years has been to favor the Burmese junta's tactics in Thailand.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Everything that The Nation condemns here has been right out of its own playbook.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Here is a short list of The Nation's editorial positions:</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">1) Justify coups to destroy their political enemies</span>.<br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">2) Use the courts to destroy political enemies. (Remember, fugitive Thaksin is on the run from a 2 year prison sentence because he signed his wife's land title documents, just as any husband would in any community property country.)</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">3) Disenfranchise most of the country and give power to the generals</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">4) Attack the foreign media for interfering and not agreeing with The Nation's editorial positions.</span><br /><p style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7162482350304935910.post-20656480145893640582009-08-11T04:54:00.004+07:002009-08-11T09:19:47.713+07:00Update: Tsunami Watch: Cancelled<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlPoZaxrdQGOPcbsGOn9J73oyyFOOlncRd4rwvPOLgNY0mMouz5bxSVZjJ5qzlw_ekauZ0DZxDfnGRZei-stwwLnCkTDN8rpiKvYW0AyrHilNJ2RrEmAKd87Ph3OY1FZc7eXjdnsNMV4M/s1600-h/af.reuters.com.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlPoZaxrdQGOPcbsGOn9J73oyyFOOlncRd4rwvPOLgNY0mMouz5bxSVZjJ5qzlw_ekauZ0DZxDfnGRZei-stwwLnCkTDN8rpiKvYW0AyrHilNJ2RrEmAKd87Ph3OY1FZc7eXjdnsNMV4M/s320/af.reuters.com.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5368458746354132754" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5jDL_wWN72vmZ-4LV_Kyy5PMJI_eg">AFP</a>:<br /><br /><br /><p>NEW DELHI — A huge 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck off the Andaman Islands between India and Myanmar on Tuesday, triggering a tsunami warning across the Indian Ocean, the US Geological Survey reported.</p><p><br /></p><p>The quake hit around 263 kilometres (163 miles) north of Port Blair, the main town in the Andamans, and was around 33 kilometres (20.2 miles) deep, said a USGS statement.</p><p><br /></p><p>The epicenter was also around 364 kilometres (226 miles) southwest of the Irriwaddy Delta region of Myanmar which was devastated by a huge cyclone in May last year that left over 138,000 people dead.</p><p><br /></p><p>The USGS said a tsunami watch had been issued for India, Myanmar, Indonesia, Thailand and Bangladesh.</p><p>---</p><p>Thailand's National Disaster Warning Centre, which was set up after the 2004 tsunami, said it was monitoring events.</p><p><br /></p><p>"We have been warned about the quake and are watching the situation. We have not yet issued an alert, we are still watching developments," an official at the centre said.</p><p><br /></p><p>---</p><pre><span><span style="font-size:85%;">TSUNAMI BULLETIN NUMBER 002<br />PACIFIC TSUNAMI WARNING CENTER/NOAA/NWS<br />ISSUED AT 2105Z 10 AUG 2009<br /><br />THIS BULLETIN IS FOR ALL AREAS OF THE INDIAN OCEAN.<br /><br />... A REGIONAL TSUNAMI WATCH IS IN EFFECT ...<br /><br />A TSUNAMI WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR<br /><br />INDIA / MYANMAR / INDONESIA / THAILAND / BANGLADESH<br /><br />FOR OTHER AREAS OF THE INDIAN OCEAN REGION...THIS MESSAGE IS FOR<br />INFORMATION ONLY AT THIS TIME.<br /><br />THIS BULLETIN IS ISSUED AS ADVICE TO GOVERNMENT AGENCIES. ONLY<br />NATIONAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO MAKE<br />DECISIONS REGARDING THE OFFICIAL STATE OF ALERT IN THEIR AREA AND<br />ANY ACTIONS TO BE TAKEN IN RESPONSE.<br /><br />AN EARTHQUAKE HAS OCCURRED WITH THESE PRELIMINARY PARAMETERS<br /><br />ORIGIN TIME - 1956Z 10 AUG 2009<br />COORDINATES - 14.1 NORTH 93.0 EAST<br />LOCATION - ANDAMAN ISLANDS INDIA REGION<br />MAGNITUDE - 7.7<br /><br />EVALUATION<br /><br />SEA LEVEL READINGS INDICATE A TSUNAMI WAS GENERATED. IT MAY HAVE <br />BEEN DESTRUCTIVE ALONG COASTS NEAR THE EARTHQUAKE EPICENTER. <br /> <br />THE THREAT MAY CONTINUE FOR COASTAL AREAS LOCATED WITHIN ABOUT A <br />THOUSAND KILOMETERS OF THE EARTHQUAKE EPICENTER. FOR THOSE AREAS <br />WHEN NO MAJOR WAVES HAVE OCCURRED FOR AT LEAST TWO HOURS AFTER <br />THE ESTIMATED ARRIVAL TIME OR DAMAGING WAVES HAVE NOT OCCURRED <br />FOR AT LEAST TWO HOURS THEN LOCAL AUTHORITIES CAN ASSUME THE <br />THREAT IS PASSED. DANGER TO BOATS AND COASTAL STRUCTURES CAN <br />CONTINUE FOR SEVERAL HOURS DUE TO RAPID CURRENTS. AS LOCAL <br />CONDITIONS CAN CAUSE A WIDE VARIATION IN TSUNAMI WAVE ACTION THE <br />ALL CLEAR DETERMINATION MUST BE MADE BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES. <br /><br />ESTIMATED INITIAL TSUNAMI WAVE ARRIVAL TIMES AT FORECAST POINTS<br />WITHIN THE WARNING AND WATCH AREAS ARE GIVEN BELOW. ACTUAL<br />ARRIVAL TIMES MAY DIFFER AND THE INITIAL WAVE MAY NOT BE THE<br />LARGEST. A TSUNAMI IS A SERIES OF WAVES AND THE TIME BETWEEN<br />SUCCESSIVE WAVES CAN BE FIVE MINUTES TO ONE HOUR.<br /><br />LOCATION FORECAST POINT COORDINATES ARRIVAL TIME<br />-------------------------------- ------------ ------------<br />INDIA NORTH ANDAMAN 13.3N 92.6E 2021Z 10 AUG<br /> LITTLE ANDAMAN 10.7N 92.3E 2053Z 10 AUG<br /> PORT BLAIR 11.9N 92.7E 2121Z 10 AUG<br /> GREAT NICOBAR 7.1N 93.6E 2136Z 10 AUG<br /> KAKINADA 17.2N 82.7E 2205Z 10 AUG<br /> BALESHWAR 21.6N 87.3E 2231Z 10 AUG<br />MYANMAR PYINKAYAING 15.9N 94.3E 2047Z 10 AUG<br /> CHEDUBA ISLAND 18.9N 93.4E 2100Z 10 AUG<br /> SITTWE 20.0N 92.9E 2135Z 10 AUG<br /> MERGUI 12.8N 98.4E 2243Z 10 AUG<br /> YANGON 16.5N 96.4E 2321Z 10 AUG<br />INDONESIA BANDA ACEH 5.5N 95.1E 2204Z 10 AUG<br />THAILAND PHUKET 8.0N 98.2E 2244Z 10 AUG<br /> KO PHRA THONG 9.1N 98.2E 2257Z 10 AUG<br /> KO TARUTAO 6.6N 99.6E 0012Z 11 AUG<br />BANGLADESH CHITTAGONG 22.7N 91.2E 2340Z 10 AUG<br /><br />ADDITIONAL BULLETINS WILL BE ISSUED BY THE PACIFIC TSUNAMI<br />WARNING CENTER FOR THIS EVENT AS MORE INFORMATION<br />BECOMES AVAILABLE.<br /><br />THE JAPAN METEOROLOGICAL AGENCY MAY ISSUE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION<br />FOR THIS EVENT. IN THE CASE OF CONFLICTING INFORMATION...THE<br />MORE CONSERVATIVE INFORMATION SHOULD BE USED FOR SAFETY.</span></span></pre><p>Update:</p><p>Canceled</p><p><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/08/10/india.earthquake/">CNN</a><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7162482350304935910.post-91856267531222641332009-08-11T01:19:00.003+07:002009-08-11T01:40:33.627+07:00Avudh on Abhisit<a href="http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/08/11/politics/politics_30109506.php">The Nation</a><br /><br /><br />On top of fractious politics and other domestic woes, the installation of Abhisit's leadership coincided with the global economic downturn. The prime minister had reason to congratulate himself in rescuing the country from a freefall.<br /><br /><p> </p><p>But this is no time to bask on a molehill of achievements when a mountain of problems remains unsolved. The economy has bottomed out; pundits seem to agree on this. But no one has a sure fire prediction on how long the recovery process will take. </p><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Honestly, I think all this happy talk about green shoots is wishful thinking at this point.</span><br /><br />---<br /><br />The lynchpin to ensure the government's survival is the Bt1.43 trillion spending plan for the Strong Thailand Project.<br /><br />The spending, to be spread over three years, is expected to rehabilitate and rebuild the economy on an unprecedented scale. It is the most ambitious nation-building plan to date.<br /><br />Abhisit can be assured of his legacy if he can push through just half of the planned spending. The jury is still out on the issue. It is one thing to draw up a grand plan but success is measured by the implementation.<br /><br />In a bureaucracy plagued by corruption, it is no easy task to implement a mega project, not to mention the Bt500 billion spending to revamp the country's logistic and transportation infrastructure.<br /><br />The controversy surrounding the Bt4 billion bus leasing project should serve as a lesson that the Strong Thailand Project may never move from the drawing board to the implementation if partisan interests are allowed to cloud judgement.<br /><br />To succeed, Abhisit needs to exert a firm leadership to safeguard the integrity of the spending plans. If corruption scandals erupt, then his ticket for survival may yield the opposite result, hastening his exit. <p></p><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">No doubt that Thailand needs massive investments in bringing the country's infrastructure into the 21st century.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Many politicians and bureaucrats will be made millionaires maybe even billionaires over night.</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Down the road, this unjust enrichment will change the power structure in Thailand, like it did when the military was embezzling military procurement money and when the provincial Godfathers became powerful after winning state concessions.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Avudh says it is Abhisit's duty to make sure that doesn't happen. History has a funny way of repeating itself.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">In typical Nation fashion, he doesn't believe it is the media's role to check corruption.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">So far, policy-wise, Abhisit's only claim to fame is out Thaksining Thaksin, except that state spending has increased exponentially.</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Most people can see through the charade, but with more state spending comes more corruption. That is the nature of beast.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Corruption will be Abhisit's Achille's heel.</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">The Thai media can cover up for him and Newin only so much, and continue to lay all the blame at Thaksin's feet for every ill in Thai society, but if Puea Thai or the PAD media group can uncover any massive corruption during Abhisit's tenure and keep it in the news despite the cover-ups in the pro-Abhisit media, the show is over.<br /><br /><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7162482350304935910.post-23590137661821579262009-08-10T13:12:00.004+07:002009-08-10T13:43:00.693+07:00General Patcharawat's Back, Thanong and Yoon in Hysterics<a href="http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/ThaiTalk/2009/08/10/entry-1">Yoon</a><br /><br /><br />National Police Chief, Police Gen Patcharawat Wongsuwan, surprised even the premier by coming home earlier than expected. He was to turn up for work today. Acting Police Chief, Police Gen Vichien Potposri, admitted just now that as soon as the police chief was back in his chair, his "acting role" would end.<br /><br /><p>What would Premier Abhisit do now? He was expecting that Patcharawat would at least be away until Aug 14...or even longer...so that the acting police chief could smoothen the proceedings of the police probe into the attempted assassinatin of Sondhi Limthongkul. Also, with Patcharawat out of the way for a few weeks, the premier could probably revise the list of 152 police officers up for reshuffle under the new police organization.</p><br /><a href="http://blog.nationmultimedia.com/thanong/2009/08/10/entry-1">Thanong</a><br /><br /><p>Pol Chief Patcharawat Wongsuwan sprang a surprise by appearing at his office this morning at the Office of National Police. He wants his chair back, quickly.</p><p><br /></p><p>Patcharawat was supposed to take a leave, for as long as 30 days as Prime Minister Abhisit Vejajjiva has suggested. This would allow Pol Gen Thanee Somboonsap to proceed with the full investigation into the attempt assassination against Sondhi Limthongkul.</p><p><br /></p><p>Abhisit's indecisiveness is once again returning to haunt him. He should have transferred Patcharawat to an inactive post the Office of the Prime Minister. But, like Hamlet, he hesitated and was afraid to make decisions until he was really certain of what he saw or heard. But that could be too late. Now Patcharawat is challenging his authority as premiership.<br /></p>---<br /><br /><p>Phriewphan and Patcharawat belong to the same camp, whose colour is bloody red.</p><p><br /></p><p>At the Office of National Police, two hot issues are catching up with one another. The first is Thanee's investigation into the attempted murder of Sondhi. The second involves the reshuffle list of around 130 police officers, about 60 of whom are under Phriewphan.</p><p><br /></p>Rumours are circulating that big money is involved in this transfer. So the stake of the police chief is very high during this critical juncture<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">This only proves once again what lousy reporters Yoon and Thanong are.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">The Nation created drama that didn't exist. General Patcharawat said he wasn't going on leave. He said he would be back after the trip from China.</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Out of everybody, only General P has told the truth and everybody else has been lying and making things up.</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Regardless, he is going to be gone in a month and a half when he retires and is out of everybody's hair.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">The fact is that neither Thanong nor Yoon have provided any evidence to anybody proving that General Patcharawat has interfered in the Sondhi Lim case or has been at the helm of a dodgy cash for promotion reshuffle list. They basically are regurgitating what they hear from ASTV and pretend that it is original journalism. Put simply, Yoon and Thanong are mouth pieces of baseless Sondhi Lim propaganda and are happy in that role.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Yoon and Thanong are the dynamic duo of</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">rumours, conspiracy theories, innuendo. These guys should be writing spy novels and give up their careers as journalists.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Another thing I find fascinating is that Yoon and Thanong are sitting around waiting for General Thanee's report. They refuse to do any investigating themselves. They think a reporter's job is to wait for the government to tell them what to think. What is the point of having an independent media if all it does is act an extension of government propaganda?</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7162482350304935910.post-61371388776178616182009-08-06T03:24:00.011+07:002009-08-06T17:24:08.362+07:00Other Royal Pardons without process: General Suchinda and General Manoonkrit<a href="http://www.nationmultimedia.com/worldhotnews/30047585/September-9,-1985:-Coup-Attempt-to-Oust-Prem-Fails">Here is an article in The Nation</a> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">that briefly mentions that General Manoonkrit received a royal pardon while in exile.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">General Manoonkrit was responsible for trying to overthrow Prem during the eighties.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Also, back in 1992</span>, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/1992/05/25/world/thailand-premier-quits-over-unrest.html?scp=3&sq=Royal%20pardon%20Thailand%20coup&st=cse">General Suchinda received a Royal Pardon</a> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">in return for resigning.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">If you want to go back even farther, the 1932 revolutionaries were also given a royal pardon for their overthrow of the absolute monarchy.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">So all these</span><a href="http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/08/06/opinion/opinion_30109217.php"> pontificaters</a>, <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">crying about process in the royal pardon, are basically lying.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">There is precedent for a Royal Pardon without process.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">By the way, General Suchinda and General Manoonkrit's crimes were far worse than Thaksin signing the land title documents for his wife.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">General Suchinda basically got away with murder and was rewarded for his crimes with state concessions(Telecom Asia/True Corporation) and became filthy rich. His cohorts, such as General Surayud, who were shooting protesters in the streets were also given royal amnesty. General Manoonkrit became a successful politician.</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">His cohorts in the coup against Prem were also given royal amnesty.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">By the way, there was a pooyaism in Pornpimol's column today:</span><br /><br /><br />The antecedent of a pardon, even in the United States - the beacon of liberal democracy, is remorse, and not entitlement. The former president Bush decided not to grant Scooter Libby a parting presidential pardon in spite of an almighty lobbying push from vice president Cheney. Bush, by his own account, was bothered by Libby's lack of repentance.<br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Pornpimol should look back further in US history.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">Richard Nixon was given a full pardon by Gerald Ford before there was even a prosecution.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">The US military personal and draft dodgers were given a blanket amnesty by Jimmy Carter after the Vietnam War for fleeing abroad in a time of war.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://bangkokpundit.blogspot.com/2009/08/petitions-pardons-and-law.html">Bangkok Pundit as some analysis </a>on the royal pardons.<br /><br /><br />I believe that HMTK has the power of pardon that is unconditional and absolute. This is usually an inherent power invested in most sovereigns and heads of state unless the constitution/law stipulates otherwise.<br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1