Thaksin regrets flag insult

BANGKOK (AFP) — Manchester City owner Thaksin Shinawatra has apologised to the Thai people after a group of the club's fans emblazoned his name on the national flag, a crime in his homeland.

The flag was unfurled reading "Thank you Thaksin" (???) during City's home loss to Fulham a week ago, a shock defeat that fuelled speculation that manager Sven-Goran Eriksson will be sacked.

Prime Minister Samak Sundarajev was not amused, while Thai police were reportedly mulling charges against the former premier for disrespecting the flag. In Thailand it is a crime to alter or deface the flag in any way.

"I regret the incident by Manchester City fans in England, who were trying to show their love for the club and for Thailand," Thaksin was quoted as saying in the Thai-language Daily News.

"It's OK in their culture, and once we explained the problem to them, they expressed their regret.

"I was there at the stadium and I saw it. At the time, I was caught up in the game, but soon afterwards we informed them of the problem and they agreed to stop.

"They understand the differences in our cultures, and they have conveyed their regret. I have explained the situation to Prime Minister Samak via a third person," he added.

Thaksin's lack of support for the embattled Eriksson has angered many City fans who almost unanimously came out in support of the Swede in the 1-0 defeat at Liverpool over the weekend.

Despite fears that he will be fired, Eriksson indicated on Sunday that he expected to lead the club on their end-of-season tour which includes a game in Thailand on May 17.

My Take: From the picture spread over the media, only "Thaksin" word on the lower white stripe of Thailand flag is visible. For Thais, red on the flag means the nation, white means religion and most importantly blue means the King. Therefore, having the name on the flag symbolize much more than westerner can imagine. And that's why this is very inappropriate and upset most Thai people.

FIT of FURY

PPP Member of Parliament Karun Hosakul faces charges after kicking and throwing a punch at Democrat MP

April 3, 2008

Thailand, A government coalition MP decided to take things to a physical level yesterday by kicking an opposition member.

People Power Party member Karun Hosakul kung-fu kicked Democrat Somkiart Pongpaiboon yesterday while he was dining.

But, Karun being no Bruce Lee, missed widely barely touching Somkiart's right leg.

The incident occurred about 3pm.

Witnesses say Somkiart was eating with colleagues at the Parliament cafeteria when Karun entered and launched his ineffective attack.

Karun then lashed out with a fist, but missed again. Then the pair got into a shouting match, with Somkiart on the end of heated abuse.

In fact, Karun got so worked up that he had to be restrained by police officers and other PPP members.

Media rush in

As soon as word of the brawl got out, members of the press rushed to the scene and managed to witness some of the altercation until chief government whip Chai Chidchob came to take Karun away.

Somkiart says he'll seek the prosecution of Karun for assault.

Speaking to the press later,  Karun said Somkiart was the first to shove him, and that he responded with a push and then they started arguing. He denied trying to kick Somkiart.

The Democrat Party says it will support Somkiart if he decides to file charges against Karun.

The party will also demand that the Speaker look into the incident and punish the unruly member.

How it all started

Karun was reportedly unhappy at Somkiart's behaviour in Parliament in the lead-up to the incident.

During yesterday's session, PPP, including Karun, attacked Somkiart for his involvement in a rally organised by People's Alliance for Democracy at Thammasat University last week. Somkiart is one of the five leaders of PAD.

The alliance was behind anti-Thaksin Shinawatra rallies and is said to be planning to  unseat the Samak government.

PPP members blame alliance leader Sonthi Limthongkul for attempting to discredit the coalition.

Somkiart has challenged the government to bring disciplinary action against him if they believe he's broken Parliament rules.

Daily Xpress

XTRA

A violent history

>> Karun Hosakul, 41, allegedly beat his former wife, Ratchadawan. In April 2005, she divorced him.

>> Two months after the divorce, Karun attacked her at Don Mueang Airport as she returned from a trip abroad. Karun grabbed her hair, slapped her and threatened to disfigure her. She was rescued by airport guards.

>> In 2006, Karun assaulted a guard at an abandoned cinema, when he and his friends were refused entry. He kicked the guard twice in the head, reportedly shouting: "I will be back. Don't you know who I am?"

>> In 2007, as a Bangkok City Councillor, Karun head-butted an undercover policeman at a cock fight.

>> In 2005, Karun was stopped from contesting a Bangkok seat because he lacked the educational

qualifications required.

My Take: What a nice quality rep. !!!!

The Nation
http://nationmultimedia.com/2008/04/03/headlines/headlines_30069979.php

Thailand to use 'quiet diplomacy' to make Myanmar democratic

Mar 20, 2008

WASHINGTON (AFP) — Thailand pledged Thursday to help transform Myanmar into a democracy through quiet diplomacy, but said that change has to come from within and Western sanctions against its military-ruled neighbor would fail. (I hope Noppadon or his boss Thaksin talks to the U.S. like this (for their country, Thailand) when the U.S. and EU put up so many barriers and sanctions against Thailand since Sep 19, 2006 coup, instead of made a World tour and giving shit to his country. Yet, during U.S.-U.K. Iraq invasion, Thaksin has done nothing but agreed with them by sending Thai troops into Iraq. Yet again, don't for get to include the CIA secret prison in Thailand rumor in your considerations.)

Thai Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama said, as a start, his country would help Myanmar organize a May constitutional referendum preceding elections, both of which he emphasized should be "inclusive and credible."

"Quietly though slowly, we aim to turn this burden of proximity into a pragmatic opportunity for the sake of the people of Myanmar, our next door neighbour," he said at a forum of the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Speaking after talks with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, where Myanmar was a key subject, Noppadon said the issue should not be a stumbling block to relations between the United States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

"As things now stand, we should be frank the ASEAN-US partnership has been kept from developing to its full potential in no small part by the issue of Myanmar," said the foreign minister of the newly elected Thai government.

"In fact, this issue has unfortunately even spilled over into the discussion on Thai-US relations. My question is: is this worth it for both of us?."

Noppadon emphasized that imposing sanctions or putting pressure on Myanmar "would not work," saying that economic engagement with the state, as well as technical assistance and infrastructure development to it, could help lay the foundation for a successful democracy.

"As a friend, Thailand can give Myanmar neighborly advice and as a friend, we will be in better position to persuade them to see the merit of democracy, respect for human rights and rule of law," he said. (This is so funny. Respect for human rights? Somchai the lawyer is still missing!! and again democracy or capitalism?)

"Indeed, if Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines could be taken as examples, democratic change has to come from within and not from outside."

Noppadon also said that he had conveyed the concerns of the international community to Myanmar's ruling military junta during Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's visit to Yangon last week.

World powers condemned Myanmar's military general for their bloody crackdown on peaceful pro-democracy protests in September last year.

At least 31 people died in the unrest, according to the United Nations, although Human Rights Watch put the toll at more than 100. (Last year, the number of innocent died in the Southern unrest was more than 2,000)

Noppadon said he also informed Myanmar's military rulers of "our wish to see continued momentum towards democratization and national reconciliation, the need for credible and inclusive referendum and elections, and importance of Myanmar's continued cooperation with the United Nations.

"As a first step, the Myanmar authorities have been receptive to our offer to share Thailand's experiences on holding a national referendum for the constitution," he said. (We are in the conflict again due to current constitution's strong penalty for committed unlawful election activities)

The referendum is meant to pave the way for multiparty elections in 2010.

But pro-democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi, whose party's sweeping victory in 1990 elections was not recognized by the military, is barred from participating in the vote under the newly drafted constitution because she had been married to a foreigner. (Noppadon has never mentioned about Aung San Suu Kyi. Looks like he doesn't care about the people who fights for democracy.)

The Nobel peace prize winner has spent 12 of the last 18 years under house arrest.

Noppadon stressed the political limitations in ASEAN, where member states cannot interfere in each other's internal affairs.

"That is a line we cannot cross but we (Thailand) will, as the new chairman of ASEAN, engage more actively with Myanmar. I am a pragmatist and optimist and hope that one day there would be change in Myanmar."

Thailand will take over this summer from Singapore as chairman of the 10-member ASEAN grouping, which also comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines and Vietnam.

Thai FM Wants Engagement With Myanmar

Mar 20, 2008

WASHINGTON (AP) — Thailand's new foreign minister said Thursday that sanctions favored by the United States and other powers are not spurring change in Myanmar and urged engagement with Myanmar's military leaders instead.

Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama, who represents the first elected Thai government since a 2006 military coup, said he discussed Myanmar and the need for a greater U.S. role in Southeast Asia with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Thursday.

The Bush administration favors a harsh sanctions policy against Myanmar's junta. After a violent crackdown by the junta in September against pro-democracy demonstrators, Western countries tightened sanctions against Myanmar, also called Burma, but Southeast Asian countries have done little to increase pressure. Thailand, Myanmar's neighbor to the west, is a major trading partner.

"Sanctions hardly work," Noppadon told an audience at the Center for Strategic and International Studies think tank. "If you impose more sanctions, those who will suffer are ordinary people."

Speaking on the 175th anniversary of relations between the United States and Thailand, Noppadon said "true economic engagement" would help improve the lives of Myanmar's people and would allow those countries engaged with Myanmar to push for democracy and human rights changes.

"Democratic change has to come from within and not from outside," he said.

Last month, Thailand returned to an elected government as a Cabinet packed with politicians tied to ousted Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was sworn in by King Bhumibol Adulyadej.

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej leads a coalition government assembled after his People's Power Party won the most parliamentary seats in a December election. The party, formed by Thaksin loyalists, is regarded as a vehicle for the former leader.

Thaksin was toppled by a Sept. 19, 2006, coup after months of demonstrations demanding that he step down because of alleged corruption and abuse of power.

My Take: "Democratic change has to come from within and not from outside," <--- That hit Bush and his administration right in the face. Everything sounds good, but wait!! The southern unrest is still going on and U.S. troops are still in Iraq making peace :D One more question, any hidden agenda with making peace with Myanmar? Noppadon

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j3in4goLN6WM82-KeIoWUGTNndbgD8VHFCPG0

JUDICIAL NOMINEES

Samak cries foul over choice of thaksin critics

Says judges should not be openly critical of ex-PM

March 26, 2008

THAILAND, Minister Samak Sundaravej yesterday questioned the nomination of four judges with critical views of the former Thaksin Shinawatra government, while the Constitution Court selection committee insisted the process was proper and unbiased.

"I have doubts about Constitution Court judges who openly opposed the previous government," he said in reference to the upcoming litigation involving Thaksin and his allies.

Samak also said he viewed it as unusual to nominate only hostile judges ahead of the electoral-fraud cases linked to three coalition parties, including his People Power Party, punishable by party dissolution.

The four-member selection committee voted to nominate four candidates for vetting by the Senate before submitting their names for royal command of appointment.

Picked for their expertise in the law are Justice permanent-secretary Jaral Phakdeethanakul and Appeal Court Senior Judge Wasant Soipisut.

Nominated for their expertise in political science and public administration are two retired diplomats: Supot Kaimook and Chalermphol Ek-uru.

Responsible for the four nominations are Supreme Court president Virat Limvichai, Supreme Administrative Court president Ackaratorn Chularat, National Counter Corruption Commission chairman Panthep Glanarongran and opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva.

House Speaker Yongyuth Tiyapairat is an ex-officio member of the committee and has been on a leave of absence, due to his trial for electoral fraud.

Jaral and Wasant won their nominations in the first round of open balloting with three and four votes, respectively.

Jaral secured less than a unanimous endorsement, because Virat cast his vote for another candidate.

Supot received his nomination in a unanimous decision in the first round of voting.

Chalermphol went through three rounds of voting before securing three votes for his endorsement.

The four, if appointed, will sit on the nine-judge bench for a term of nine years. The five ex-officio judges comprise three from the Supreme Court and two from the Supreme Adminis-trative Court.

The Supreme Court is expected to convene its full bench meeting on April 4 to elect three judges for the high court in a peer vote.

"Each selection-committee member has exercised his individual discretion to the best of his ability to nominate the most qualified and capable candidates for the job," Virat said in his capacity as leader of the selection process.

He said he had no reply to criticism the four successful candidates were seen as critical of the government.

"I can only say each candidate is suitable for the job, but I cannot vouch for future performance," he said.

Ackaratorn said the selection process was free and fair and that each committee member cast votes independently without any outside pressure.

"I don't think people in such senior positions would allow themselves to be dictated about what to do. If these people could be ordered around, then there would be no hope for the country," he said.

He said there was no linkage between the selection process for judges and an alleged plot to undermine or overthrow the government via the judicial process. "The speculation has gone overboard, as no one is capable of taking the entire country into own hands," he said.

The Nation
http://nationmultimedia.com/2008/03/26/politics/politics_30069193.php

My take: If you are not Thaksin's nominee and were not engaged in illegal acctivities then you have nothing to worry about.....................But TOO BAD, YOU ARE!!!

EC has no script to destroy PPP: Prapun

THAILAND, Electon Commission member Prapun Naigowit on Tuesday ruled out the allegation that the EC was bent on destroying the People Power Party by citing the electoral fraud as a pretext.

"There is no written script nor conspiracy to fault any party and the EC is doing its job strictly in accordance with the law," he said.

Prapun was reacting remarks by coalition leaders raising concern on the leeway to dissolve a party.

Although it was up to political parties to decide whether to amend Article 237 of the 237 Constitution, this provision on party dissolution was nothing new as it was enforced since the suspended 1997 Constitution and its organic laws, he said.

The leeway allowed under the present charter was about the party's linkage to the fraud, he said, adding that not every case of campaign violations linked to the party would lead to disbandment.

He said the EC would not link its work to the ongoing move to amend the charter.

The Nation
http://nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/read.php?newsid=30069137

My Take:  Doesn't want the dissolution? then why didn't they stop buying votes and engaging in illegal acts in the first place!!   The new constitution was designed to stop dirty political parties and corrupted politicians.