Reuters
PHNOM PENH - EMBOLDENED by a rousing welcome in Cambodia, Thailand's fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra is raising the stakes in his bid for a political comeback by rallying support from just over the border.
About 100 of his red-shirted supporters plan to travel from Thailand by bus or plane to meet Thaksin in the Cambodian town of Siem Reap on Friday, according to Puea Thai, the latest incarnation of his disbanded Thai Rak Thai party.
Pursued by the Thai government as a fugitive convicted of graft after his ousting in a 2006 coup, the former prime minister is flexing his political muscle in Cambodia and taunting his enemies in the Thai establishment.
The prospect of Thaksin running a political campaign from across the border is spurring protests by the powerful opponents who have fought hard to keep him at bay, pointing to more instability in Southeast Asia's second-biggest economy.
Royalists aligned with the military, who wear the king's traditional colour of yellow, plan a demonstration of their own on Sunday in Bangkok to denounce Thaksin and Cambodia, threatening to deepen the political and diplomatic impasse.
Speaking in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh on Thursday, the billionaire former telecommunications tycoon dismissed attacks by his critics in Thailand as 'false patriotism' in a speech to about 300 business leaders that drew strong applause.
About 100 of his red-shirted supporters plan to travel from Thailand by bus or plane to meet Thaksin in the Cambodian town of Siem Reap on Friday, according to Puea Thai, the latest incarnation of his disbanded Thai Rak Thai party.
Pursued by the Thai government as a fugitive convicted of graft after his ousting in a 2006 coup, the former prime minister is flexing his political muscle in Cambodia and taunting his enemies in the Thai establishment.
The prospect of Thaksin running a political campaign from across the border is spurring protests by the powerful opponents who have fought hard to keep him at bay, pointing to more instability in Southeast Asia's second-biggest economy.
Royalists aligned with the military, who wear the king's traditional colour of yellow, plan a demonstration of their own on Sunday in Bangkok to denounce Thaksin and Cambodia, threatening to deepen the political and diplomatic impasse.
Speaking in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh on Thursday, the billionaire former telecommunications tycoon dismissed attacks by his critics in Thailand as 'false patriotism' in a speech to about 300 business leaders that drew strong applause.
11 comments:
Retaliatory measures must be adopted and implemented in response to the childish behavior this neighboring nation. The measures must be draconian, or it would not be effective.
In the meantime, given a downward trajectory in diplomatic relations between the two nations, the absolute certainty of the economic war is looming, yet the ongoing childish attitudes is absolutely a precursor to war. In other words, both nations are on the precipice of war. However, if such event occurs, this will be our ineluctable option--but to choose war.
CPP Traitor
Taksin talking about economic by khmer tv
I think Hun Sen chose the right person to teach the people of Cambodia. He (Thaksin) probably is the best guy to teach Cambodians how to be crook like him(Hun Sen)
I hope Cambodians are smarter by the end of Thaksin's lecture.
To 5:18 PM,
I don't know if you watch it yet. But I do.
His lecture is absolutely fascinate. His experiences is very much relevent to Cambodia. His experience 12 years ago is very much matched with what Cambodia is facing today.
I personally thank Mr. Thaksin and I do hope that all those participants will put into practice what they have learned from this very important session.
5:49 PM
That's bullshit!
Stop bragging!
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, is it okay for thai to refuse to extradite a Russian to the U.S.
August 12, 2009
Thailand Blocks Extradition of an Arms Dealing Suspect
By THOMAS FULLER
BANGKOK — A Thai court stunned American officials here on Tuesday by rejecting the extradition of Viktor Bout, a Russian businessman who is accused of global arms trafficking.
The United States says Mr. Bout agreed to sell millions of dollars worth of weapons to agents posing as Colombian rebels intending to kill American pilots patrolling in the drug war.
A three-judge panel said that the case did not fall under Thailand’s extradition treaty with the United States for two main reasons. One, the country recognizes the rebels — the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC — as a political organization, not a terrorist group. Two, on the charge that Mr. Bout was conspiring to kill American citizens, one of the judges, Jitakorn Patanasiri, said, “A Thai court cannot judge a case regarding aliens killing aliens outside of Thailand.”
Thai government prosecutors, acting as proxies for their American counterparts, immediately said they would appeal. Mr. Bout would be freed only if an appeal was not filed within 72 hours.
James Entwistle, a diplomat in the United States Embassy in Bangkok, said he was “disappointed and mystified” by the decision. “We think the facts of the case, our extradition treaty and the relevant Thai law all clearly support extraditing Viktor Bout to the United States to stand trial on serious terrorism charges.”
Mr. Bout has denied any links to arms trafficking and told the judge during the proceedings earlier this year that he was being held in “extremely inhumane” conditions. He has argued that the undercover agents violated Thai law by apprehending him before calling the Thai police and carrying firearms in violation of Thai law.
After the ruling was read, Mr. Bout, 42, hugged his wife, and shook hands with his two lawyers. But he said little to reporters in the courtroom. “I’m not allowed to say anything,” he said.
Wearing a soiled prison uniform and leg irons that clanked across the courtroom floor, Mr. Bout hardly fit his accuser’s portrayal of him as one of the world’s most notorious weapons traffickers — or the Nicolas Cage character he supposedly inspired in the 2005 film “Lord of War.”
According to legal papers, Mr. Bout told undercover agents for the Drug Enforcement Administration that he could deliver 700 to 800 surface-to-air missiles, 5,000 AK-47 assault weapons, millions of rounds of ammunition, land mines, C-4 explosives and unmanned aerial vehicles, and that the weapons would be airdropped into the jungles of Colombia “with great accuracy.”
Thai officials say they have come under pressure from Russia, which has asked for custody of Mr. Bout, and the United States over the case. Judge Jitakorn prefaced the reading of the decision with what sounded like an apology: “Today there must be someone happy and someone sad.” The reading took so long — more than an hour — that Judge Jitakorn gestured to Mr. Bout to sit down halfway through.
2:07 PM
Anonymous Anonymous said...
2:07 PM
Thank you for your posting.
2:49 PM
Anonymous Anonymous said...
See! This is the reason why HUN SEN wouldn't respect Thai's court!!!!!!!!!!
8:15 PM
I dont support thaksin but in politically correct perspective, mr thaksin is still a legitimated MP of Thailand elected by people. Abhisti cant prove that thaksin is quilt of things himself and his clan accused thaksin beside getting after thaksin with military threat. Contrary of Cambodian case, it is abhisist clan (as opposition party) that own power, royal and military absolute power which thaksin is victim of. Specially abhisit cant prove to the world that he is credit leader of Thailand by beginning war with Cambodia for their own murderous foolishness and hated toward Cambodian people as the whole, not only to hun sen alone.
Thailand of thaksin is quite much better than Thailand of abhisit in economical perspective and foreign policy. Abhissit just show to the world that thais are a bunch of ill people full of absurd hated and foolishness
Just to call abhisit to reconsider his policy and position if he wants his political career to survive or may be he’s a dead horse whose heart full of hated and foolishness toward other people.
or perhaps usa and co can chose someone better to fight communism and yuon terrors in SEA
Even USA has doubt on Thai's court!
You all follow these event from day one since Abullshit administration took office?
Here in order.
1-Abullshit object Hun Sen government to join ASEAN in 1997 or 98. And Abullshit lost.
2-Kasit want HUN SEN's blood to wash his feet. Then Kasit sorry.
This is a serious insulting matter toward HUN SEN. Now HUN SEN will make Abullshit feel more humiliate and sorry and ashame.
Abullshit will be removed from office soon. My prediction will be soon. And Monkey king Ahdulyadet will die soon too.
Cambodia Town
Long Beach, Ca
If we were analysing all political, justice, millitary event; we shall conclude that, Thai Justice, Government were running by group of Elites, Privy Royal Council.
New Phally
correct, new phally; good analysis!
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