Disruptive tactics of the Thaksin regime return

 And what about Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej publicly admitting on national television that he is Thaksin's nominee? The public deserves a detailed explanation, as Thaksin's government made the system of checks and balances dwindle away, and as the power of money and greed under Thaksin's government led the way for personal agendas to take over. We need to be clear who is and is not a nominee.

Are you positive the People Power Party is not a nominee government?

The supporters seem to be from the same camp. The actions of pro-Thaksin supporters prior to the coup seem similar to those of current pro-government supporters.

Remember the violence in Chiang Mai in 2006, where pro-Thaksin supporters threw rocks and chairs at members of the Democrat Party onstage?

This happened again just two weeks ago, when pro-government supporters threw rocks at people attending a People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) rally and tried to stir up a scene.

Another unforgivable incident occurred at CentralWorld, where Thaksin appeared to open TK Park in 2006. A few citizens who were exercising their rights to free speech were beaten by pro-Thaksin people, in the presence of Thaksin, and in the presence of nearly 100 police officers who did not make one move to stop the violence, rather just stood at attention. The victims included a 70-year-old man who was bleeding profusely from his injuries. Is there a reason why not one officer made a move during the beating? Was there a reason why the thugs doing the beating were wearing white rubber bracelets and sneakers? Was there a reason why Thaksin did not immediately denounce this violent act?

There is a lot at stake for the former prime minister. The most important thing for Thaksin now is to make sure his people are installed in the right places, so he can attempt to clear his name and release his frozen assets. And he will use all means possible to do this, including hiring expensive lobbying firms, media spin doctors and other spokespeople.

The EC needs to carefully explain the nominee issue to the public, because to the public, all the details really matter. One of Thaksin's regrets, which he stated publicly prior to being deposed, was that he didn't have any influence in the justice system. This comment still rings in our ears, as a warning sign of Thaksin's true intentions.

Carolyn

Bangkok

Thai Rak Thai by

any other name...

If an organisation, let's call it XYZ1, is declared illegal and outlawed, then, to me, if a group sets itself up as, say, XYZ2, and declares itself to be the nominee of XYZ1, then it seems to be only fair and just that XYZ2 be declared illegal and outlawed also. This is because XYZ2 would be, for all intents and purposes, XYZ1 under the skin.

So I do not understand Election Commission (EC) Suthiphon Thaveechaigarn when he says that the EC agrees that the People Power Party is a nominee of the banned Thai Rak Thai - but that the EC has to dismiss the charge of which the defendant is guilty, that of being a nominee.

What game is the EC playing with us? Is their ruling just as well as legal?

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok

Man City fans unlikely to heed Noppadon's words

I read that Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama said the Manchester City Football Club has warned its fans not to print the name of club owner, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, on the Thai flag.

Noppadon Pattama has shown that he knows as little about managing people as Thaksin Shinawatra knows about football. Banning, or even just asking Man City fans not to show the Thai flag, will only encourage them to do it more often. Even more so, with the dislike they are now showing for Thaksin.

Watch out for the next opportunity the fans have to make their protest. However, I hope everyone recognises that it is a protest against Thaksin, not against Thailand.

Bernard

Bangkok

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