41 replies to this topic

[Lite Beer]

Democrats to write to US Congress about Thaksin
The Nation on Sunday

BANGKOK: -- ​The opposition Democrat Party will write to the US Congress to "expose" former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's alleged role in the unrest and riots of 2010, party spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut said yesterday.

The party will later this week send its letter to Senator John Kerry, chairman of the US Congressional Committee on Foreign Relations, to explain that Thaksin was behind the unrest and riots.

It also would point out that he was accused of terrorism in connection with the violence during the unrest in April and May 2010, the Democrat spokesman said.

Chavanont said the US government appeared to have changed its stance on Thaksin's application for a US visa.

He said that when Thailand's Democrat Party was in power, the US Embassy informed the Thai Foreign Ministry that Thaksin's visa application to the US Embassy in the United Arab Emirates was rejected because the ex-leader was wanted for a serious crime under US law.


-- The Nation 2012-08-19

[ratcatcher]

The opposition Democrat Party will write to the US Congress to "expose" former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra's alleged role in the unrest and riots of 2010.

Alleged?

I think the U.S.Congress (or at least half a dozen congressmen) know who Thaksin is and are aware of his proven role in the unrest and riots of 2010.
It's all on You tube to see. "Pee nong khrap!"

[endure]

More windbaggery. The only people who'll be impressed by this are those who are already in thrall to the BS that is Thai politics anyway...

[jayboy]

I would have thought this was rather dangerous territory for the Democrats.Since they have never been committed to an in depth investigation of the events of 2010 it would seem odd to ask a foreign power to consider just one part of it (the allegations against Thaksin) when the actions of their own leaders (Abhisit, Suthep) and the brutal generals remain unscrutinised.I don't for a moment believe the US Congressional Committee will take much notice of the Democrats' silly grandstanding but hypothetically the Americans might just start asking some questions about the deaths of civilians that the Dems prefer not to examine.

Edited by jayboy, 2012-08-19 08:03:56.

[Orac]

They are just going to make themselves look stupid again on the international stage when the obvious question is asked of why they did nothing about it when they were in power to get a red notice/international arrest warrant issued. Lets hope at least their everything they send to congress is in english this time

[ramrod711]

"You won't have to wait for your 500 baht" Thaksin Shiniwatra. enough said.

[Orac]

"You won't have to wait for your 500 baht" Thaksin Shiniwatra. enough said.

Without a link/source so it can be put in context I would say you haven't said enough yet.

[maidu]

US congressional members and their staff (who are the ones who might read such letters), are more concerned about upcoming US elections. However, they do care for Thailand. Most see Thais as nice people who inhabit a little country which is in a strategic spot near China. And they're of the generation who remember Thailand allowed US jets to base here during the VN war, and enabled monthly gaggles of horny guys to go apeshit with spending money on pretty girls.

Thai Dems and anyone else who might be interested in the fact that the US broke its own rules to enable T to travel to enter the US, should probably have written such warning letters earlier.

The bottom line is, there's a Shinawatre as head of gov't and another Shinawatre running the show, and a majority of Thai voters chose them. It's not much concern (for US politicians) whether those voters were paid to vote and/or promised they'd get rich. The US likes Thailand, partly because it has a semblence of democracy and it's friendly towards the US. When your enemies are so gnarly (like Iran and N.Korea) you tend to be forgiving with your friends.

Edited by maidu, 2012-08-19 09:02:29.

[MEL1]

Crikey, they're sending a letter!

Reminds me of Kim Jong il in Team America.

Kim Jong Il: Hans Brix? Oh no! Oh, herro. Great to see you again, Hans!
Hans Blix: Mr. Il, I was supposed to be allowed to inspect your palace today, but your guards won't let me enter certain areas.
Kim Jong Il: Hans, Hans, Hans! We've been frew this a dozen times. I don't have any weapons of mass destwuction, OK Hans?
Hans Blix: Then let me look around, so I can ease the UN's collective mind. I'm sorry, but the UN must be firm with you. Let me in, or else.
Kim Jong Il: Or else what?
Hans Blix: Or else we will be very angry with you... and we will write you a letter, telling you how angry we are.



-mel.

[hellodolly]

I would have thought this was rather dangerous territory for the Democrats.Since they have never been committed to an in depth investigation of the events of 2010 it would seem odd to ask a foreign power to consider just one part of it (the allegations against Thaksin) when the actions of their own leaders (Abhisit, Suthep) and the brutal generals remain unscrutinised.I don't for a moment believe the US Congressional Committee will take much notice of the Democrats' silly grandstanding but hypothetically the Americans might just start asking some questions about the deaths of civilians that the Dems prefer not to examine.

Whats to investigate it was all over TV and you can find it on u tube. The red shirts led a armed invasion in down town Bangkok and the army stopped them. The same as the Germans and Japan led a armed invasion in the second world war and the allies stopped them. do you want a full investigation of the allies?

Many civilians died in the second world war. When you leed a armed invasion in civilian terratory civilians get killed. Thaksin should be on the hot seat for this but you red shirts are in power and that sure is not in your plans. White wash the villains is your plan.

[maidu]

Thai officialdom is often 'behind the 8 ball' when it comes to making official complaints. Three examples:

>>>> Preah Vihar (sp?) temple. It wasn't until months after Cambodian officials formally requested 'World Heritage Site' status, that Thai authorities realized what was happening.

>>>> The Thai boxer's coaches had five full minutes to formerly dispute the fight results, but didn't do so. Instead, they bellyached for days afterwards.

>>>> The current issue of Thai Dem politicians acting 'after the fact' re; Thaksin's illegal permission to enter the US.

Incidentally, it's not only Thais who aren't aware of such things. Ten years before the handover of Hong Kong to China, not one Chinese official was aware of the impending issue. It was a British official who informed the Chinese premier (at a cocktail party) - who then raised the issue to all his minions.

[moe666]

Because of Big T being in the 1 per cent the Republicans will support him

[KeyserSoze01]

And they expect John Kerry to do what exactly? Give Thaksin a yellow card and tell him not to do it again?

[edwinchester]

How many years did the Dems hold office and fail to get off their collective arses and try to nab Taksin through Interpol?

[jayboy]

I would have thought this was rather dangerous territory for the Democrats.Since they have never been committed to an in depth investigation of the events of 2010 it would seem odd to ask a foreign power to consider just one part of it (the allegations against Thaksin) when the actions of their own leaders (Abhisit, Suthep) and the brutal generals remain unscrutinised.I don't for a moment believe the US Congressional Committee will take much notice of the Democrats' silly grandstanding but hypothetically the Americans might just start asking some questions about the deaths of civilians that the Dems prefer not to examine.

Whats to investigate it was all over TV and you can find it on u tube. The red shirts led a armed invasion in down town Bangkok and the army stopped them. The same as the Germans and Japan led a armed invasion in the second world war and the allies stopped them. do you want a full investigation of the allies?

Many civilians died in the second world war. When you leed a armed invasion in civilian terratory civilians get killed. Thaksin should be on the hot seat for this but you red shirts are in power and that sure is not in your plans. White wash the villains is your plan.

If he only knew how revealing his post was.Sometimes it's not necessary to respond when as this instance he condemns himself.

[Thaddeus]

How many years did the Dems hold office and fail to get off their collective arses and try to nab Taksin through Interpol?

You are making the same assumption that has been made many times by many people.

It is far more likely that they wanted to keep him out of Thailand and only paid lip service to wanting anything else.

[Moruya]

I would have thought this was rather dangerous territory for the Democrats.Since they have never been committed to an in depth investigation of the events of 2010 it would seem odd to ask a foreign power to consider just one part of it (the allegations against Thaksin) when the actions of their own leaders (Abhisit, Suthep) and the brutal generals remain unscrutinised.I don't for a moment believe the US Congressional Committee will take much notice of the Democrats' silly grandstanding but hypothetically the Americans might just start asking some questions about the deaths of civilians that the Dems prefer not to examine.

If memory serves me correctly, not only have the Dems in question not fled the country to live in exile but they have repeatedly refused amnesty and made themselves freely available for investigators.

Now if you compare that to the other side.....

[Ricardo]

Wonder when the ongoing-investigation will be questioning Thaksin on his contribution to the events of 2010 ?

Former-PM Abhisit is at least still here.

[chooka]

Isn't it a little pointless and a little like closing the gate after the horse has bolted? What is it going to achieve? He has already been granted a visa and by the time they get around to drafting this letter to tell the U.S what they already know thaksin will have finnished his whirlwind tour and left the country. If they have so much spare time why not get in and help the current government clean up Thailand. Concentrate on current issues and any future issues that may arise.

[edwinchester]

How many years did the Dems hold office and fail to get off their collective arses and try to nab Taksin through Interpol?

You are making the same assumption that has been made many times by many people.

It is far more likely that they wanted to keep him out of Thailand and only paid lip service to wanting anything else.

Then it is doubly hypocrital to suddenly push the agenda to one of extradite him now and highlight his crimes. Shameful imo.

[samran]

Politically - this is just disheartening.

Some in the Dems seem intent of reliving past battles and trying to win the history wars, rather than trying to develop a strategy to actually win the next election. Dragging the US into this seems perplexing and somewhat amusing. What are the US going to do about it all?

For better or worse, the Dems are the best hope for bringing a sense of equlibrium to the political balance in the short term, and (if they pulled their finger out) have the best infrastructure to make themselves electorally competitive in 6 or 7 years time.

[Buchholz]

Wonder when the ongoing-investigation will be questioning Thaksin on his contribution to the events of 2010 ?

Former-PM Abhisit is at least still here.

The potential death penalty case has had the arrest warrant issued while the investigation on the terrorism charges proceed.

Thaksin Faces Thai Terrorism Charges

http://online.wsj.co...0458640676.html

Edited by Buchholz, 2012-08-19 11:53:01.

[metisdead]

Off topic posts have been removed as well as some baiting posts.

[givenall]

Like they care. They have a lot of their own problem these days

[Thaddeus]

How many years did the Dems hold office and fail to get off their collective arses and try to nab Taksin through Interpol?

You are making the same assumption that has been made many times by many people.

It is far more likely that they wanted to keep him out of Thailand and only paid lip service to wanting anything else.

Then it is doubly hypocrital to suddenly push the agenda to one of extradite him now and highlight his crimes. Shameful imo.

No, not really, they can push for it now because they know that it is never going to happen.A bit like not wanting amnesty for something that could never be proved.