Thread: Thaksin Wants Strong Support Base Before Contemplating Return Home

The Nation
May 22, 2015

Fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has told a South Korean newspaper that he would prefer to wait until support for his camp is strong enough before making a political return.

Speaking to Chosun Ilbo in Seoul, Thaksin said he wanted to tell his red-shirt supporters who were calling for his return to "wait patiently until our voice gains strength". But he insisted that "violence is not the answer".

The ex-premier, who is living in exile overseas to avoid imprisonment at home, gave an exclusive interview to Chosun Ilbo. He was in Seoul earlier this week attending the Asian Leadership Conference, which was organised by the newspaper. Thaksin was a speaker at the annual international event.

Thaksin also had a message for Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha. "Matters of the people should be resolved democratically … What the military wants and what the general public wants are different. What I mean is that the people should not be seen as subordinates."

When asked how he views the post-coup government, Thaksin responded: "It is regrettable that politics is moving backwards only in Thailand when advances are being made across the world. "I want to clone the DNA of the Thai democracy. I want to take it [DNA] into the 'Thaksin lab' to make a stronger and better democracy."

Meanwhile, General Prayut has told the American cable news channel CNN that his government remained committed to returning Thailand to democracy, despite repeated delays in the timetable for new elections. "I reaffirm, as I always have, that our country must be fully democratic, but it must be a constitutional monarchy. I am not trying to resist or delay or meddle with this at all. I don't want to be in power," he said.

Thaksin, who has retained his influence in the formerly-ruling Pheu Thai Party, alleged that the new constitution aimed "to bring about the rise of many small parties in order to prevent a particular party wielding too much power". He added: "A new constitution that reflects the will of the people should be established."

He defended his younger sister, former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who has been charged with negligence in connection with her government's Bt518-billion corruption-plagued rice-pledging scheme.

"It was a policy to help the poor. It is probably the first time in the world that a prime minister was indicted for such a policy. It is a contradiction to want to generate profits while helping the poor. Is it not the obvious thing to do in spite of losses? Other countries have similar policies," he told Chosun Ilbo.

Thaksin also defended his political party's populist policies. "The poor can benefit from such policies, and they can spend the money," he said.

Thaksin wants strong support base before contemplating return home - The Nation

Thaksin who ?

Stay away dick-nose

He needs to work on his "support base" in the army.

Warning to the Thai courts if Yingluck is convicted.

Meanwhile, General Prayut has told the American cable news channel CNN that .... < > .... "I reaffirm, as I always have, that our country must be fully democratic, but it must be a constitutional monarchy. I am not trying to resist or delay or meddle with this at all. I don't want to be in power," he said.

How does leading a coup fit in with that?

Thaksin wants immunity before he returns. That's all. His claim to be a supporter of democracy is quite laughable for a man who muzzled the press with mega lawsuits, murdered 2500 citizens in the name of a bogus war against drug trafficking, assassinated inconvenient whistleblowers and dismissed the notion of basic human rights with such utter disdain.

How many times has this 2500 been posted as an argument, the whole political system was behind the drug war.

Originally Posted by Neverna

Meanwhile, General Prayut has told the American cable news channel CNN that .... < > .... "I reaffirm, as I always have, that our country must be fully democratic, but it must be a constitutional monarchy. I am not trying to resist or delay or meddle with this at all. I don't want to be in power," he said.

How does leading a coup fit in with that?

Total BS spouted in that interview. Democracy....... what democracy? Delay.......what delay? Meddle......of course not.

Originally Posted by Neverna

Meanwhile, General Prayut has told the American cable news channel CNN that .... < > .... "I reaffirm, as I always have, that our country must be fully democratic, but it must be a constitutional monarchy. I am not trying to resist or delay or meddle with this at all. I don't want to be in power," he said.

How does leading a coup fit in with that?

Just listen to happy song daily. He does not want to be in power. Everyone is happy. End of.

Originally Posted by Horatio Hornblower

How many times has this 2500 been posted as an argument, the whole political system was behind the drug war.

Exactly. Starting from the man on the top, to man on street. Drugs were a huge problem.

Said he would do many things
sorting bangkok's traffic problems in 6 months was another.

All he ever did was look after No. 1.

and some help with health provision for the masses.

Is that still in operation ?

He's waiting for the 2016 budget, that's getting spent on infrastructure,that the Chinese and Japanese are paying for.

Originally Posted by Neverna

Meanwhile, General Prayut has told the American cable news channel CNN that .... < > .... "I reaffirm, as I always have, that our country must be fully democratic, but it must be a constitutional monarchy. I am not trying to resist or delay or meddle with this at all. I don't want to be in power," he said.

How does leading a coup fit in with that?

He is simply doing what is told!

Thaksin raps coup 'masterminds

Thaksin Shinawatra has claimed that privy counsellors worked behind the scenes in supporting the protests that culminated with the ousting of his sister Yingluck's government by the military. "The armed forces listen to privy counsellors. When they did not want us to stay in power, they ordered Suthep (Thaugsuban) to come out and ordered the armed forces to help (Suthep),'' Thaksin told Choson Media in Seoul on Wednesday. He referred to the military coup on May 22 last year which ousted the Pheu Thai Party-led government. Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, the army chief and coup leader at the time, then made himself prime minister. The 1.32-minute-long video clip of the interview was later posted on Stop Fake Thailand, a Facebook page. Thaksin said in the interview that he and his younger sister Yingluck ended up being treated the same way. "I've told prime minister Poo that what happened to her is exactly the same as what happened to me," he said.

Poo is Ms Yingluck's nickname. "The armed forces might admire Myanmar-style democracy. But it's over in Myanmar,'' he said in the interview, which was conducted in Thai. The interview was the strongest political attack on Gen Prayut since he came to power. When Ms Yingluck was prime minister, her government was plagued by the street rallies of the People's Democratic Reform Committee led by former Democrat MP Suthep Thaugsuban. The months of political protests and violence culminated in the May 22 coup. Thaksin was in Seoul on Tuesday and Wednesday to attend the 6th Asian Leadership Conference organised by the Chosonilbo newspaper, which is part of Choson Media. He said on Tuesday on the sidelines of the annual forum that the government of Gen Prayut was ''not so impressive''.

Deputy government spokesman Maj Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd refused to comment on the latest remarks by Thaksin, saying ony that political talk would only add fuel to the problem. People were quite capable of deciding for themselves what was right and what was wrong, he said.

Thaksin raps coup 'masterminds' | Bangkok Post: news

The tide seems to be slowly turning against the general ... slowly, but noticeably.

Must be something about to happen, Suthep is leaving the Monkhood.

Originally Posted by billy the kid

Said he would do many things
sorting bangkok's traffic problems in 6 months was another.

All he ever did was look after No. 1.

and some help with health provision for the masses.

Is that still in operation ?

Operation went fine, but the patient died.

Writing's on the wall...

Originally Posted by Horatio Hornblower

Thaksin raps coup 'masterminds

Thaksin Shinawatra has claimed that privy counsellors worked behind the scenes in supporting the protests that culminated with the ousting of his sister Yingluck's government by the military. "The armed forces listen to privy counsellors. When they did not want us to stay in power, they ordered Suthep (Thaugsuban) to come out and ordered the armed forces to help (Suthep),'' Thaksin told Choson Media in Seoul on Wednesday. He referred to the military coup on May 22 last year which ousted the Pheu Thai Party-led government. Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha, the army chief and coup leader at the time, then made himself prime minister. The 1.32-minute-long video clip of the interview was later posted on Stop Fake Thailand, a Facebook page. Thaksin said in the interview that he and his younger sister Yingluck ended up being treated the same way. "I've told prime minister Poo that what happened to her is exactly the same as what happened to me," he said.

Poo is Ms Yingluck's nickname. "The armed forces might admire Myanmar-style democracy. But it's over in Myanmar,'' he said in the interview, which was conducted in Thai. The interview was the strongest political attack on Gen Prayut since he came to power. When Ms Yingluck was prime minister, her government was plagued by the street rallies of the People's Democratic Reform Committee led by former Democrat MP Suthep Thaugsuban. The months of political protests and violence culminated in the May 22 coup. Thaksin was in Seoul on Tuesday and Wednesday to attend the 6th Asian Leadership Conference organised by the Chosonilbo newspaper, which is part of Choson Media. He said on Tuesday on the sidelines of the annual forum that the government of Gen Prayut was ''not so impressive''.

Deputy government spokesman Maj Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd refused to comment on the latest remarks by Thaksin, saying ony that political talk would only add fuel to the problem. People were quite capable of deciding for themselves what was right and what was wrong, he said.

Thaksin raps coup 'masterminds' | Bangkok Post: news

Originally Posted by Neverna

Meanwhile, General Prayut has told the American cable news channel CNN that .... < > .... "I reaffirm, as I always have, that our country must be fully democratic, but it must be a constitutional monarchy. I am not trying to resist or delay or meddle with this at all. I don't want to be in power," he said.

How does leading a coup fit in with that?

He surely does know whose butter to use on his bread and even more so who to subliminally suck up to....

would of been more suitable for Fox news.

Originally Posted by Horatio Hornblower

would of been more suitable for Fox news.

Doubt it...
They're 99.5% culturally-centric.

Originally Posted by Horatio Hornblower

privy counsellors worked behind the scenes in supporting the protests that culminated with the ousting of his sister

Impossible!! Privy counsellors would never interfere in politics. They are dedicated near saintly folks who live only for the betterment of Thailand and it's people. See it on TV. Everyday.

Originally Posted by billy the kid

Said he would do many things
sorting bangkok's traffic problems in 6 months was another.

All he ever did was look after No. 1.

and some help with health provision for the masses.

Is that still in operation ?

Interesting watching the address last night which included the "roadmap" for decreasing traffic congestion in Bangkok along with building a new monorail and increasing dual rail capacities. Air traffic was also discussed. There were massive cost numbers thrown out that will only increase once things get started, if they ever do. I wonder where all that money will come from? China, Japan?

It seemed to me that a lot of posturing took place and the proof will be in the pudding.

but, but
Thaksin repeated that he was out of politics.
No more politics he said.
He wanted to spend time with family and so