Falsehood can't alter the truth

The Bahamas and Bermuda have denied granting any privileges to, or welcome for, Thaksin.

"As far as I know, I am not aware of any request, nor has any honorary citizenship been granted to [Shinawatra]," Brent Symonette, deputy prime minister and minister of foreign affairs told The Nassau Guardian.

"I know nothing about it [the suggestion Thaksin could be headed there]. It's absolutely not true," Bermuda's Premier Ewart Brown told Bermuda's The Royal Gazette.

INN news agency was the first to report the stories about Thaksin. Since August, INN reported 13 stories about Thaksin on its website. All were positive news about the absconding former PM. However, when many countries denied their involvement, and some Thai media raised questions about the reports, INN issued a statement clarifying about the source of its information. However, some doubts remain.

Irrespective of whether Thaksin spread the stories in his interest, or others did it for him, the motive behind fooling Thais was to promote the image of how the fugitive was important in the eyes of other countries, if not in Thailand. Through such exposure he might arouse sympathy among Thais as well.

Choosing INN news agency as his mouthpiece was cunning though deceiving. INN has an audience of millions who would have received these Thaksin reports through SMS and radio news. And subscribers to SMS news and radio listeners don't bother too much about details. Brief news items are enough to start discussions among colleagues and friends. They are not normally curious where the news comes from or whether it is true or not. Not infrequently, SMS reports are proved to be inaccurate.

Thaksin is a person who usually plays his games at the expense of others.

These stories about him have deceived Thais, who believed them. The falsehoods have also damaged the reputation of the countries, who it was falsely claimed had offered him refuge.

jintana@nationgroup.com