Yingluck Survives Noodlegate

[pdogg]

BANGKOK | Thu Jul 14, 2011 3:08am EDT

BANGKOK (Reuters) - Call it "noodlegate." As cameras clicked, Prime Minister-elect Yingluck Shinawatra, sleeves rolled up, stirred a dish of spicy noodles at a market, surrounded by hungry voters ahead of a crucial election.

The event, designed to burnish the 44-year-old businesswoman's folksy appeal, landed her in trouble. After her party won Thailand's July 3 election by a landslide, her rivals cried foul, accusing her of breaking laws that forbid the handing out of gifts or, in her case, noodles.

Two weeks after leading her Puea Thai Party to victory, the political honeymoon is over for Thailand's first female prime minister-elect.

The political novice is under pressure to come good on a trove of big-spending campaign promises and appease supporters of her controversial brother, self-exiled former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, without damaging the economy or giving her brother's enemies a pretext to challenge her.

"Pressure is set to build for Yingluck in the short term," said Brittany Damora, a Singapore-based risk consultant at security firm AKE Ltd.

She survived "noodlegate" -- the case was thrown out after Thailand's election watchdog ruled on Tuesday she only cooked the noodles and didn't serve them. But she faces a bigger challenge over a potentially destabilizing probe into whether her party broke election laws.

Thailand's election watchdog has yet to certify Yingluck's victory and a battery of legal threats has raised the question of whether the election results will be reversed -- a scenario that could draw thousands of her supporters onto the streets in a new wave of unrest.

As she fights fires on multiple fronts, she is also struggling to shed the widely held belief that she is a proxy for Thaksin, a billionaire at the center of Thailand's intractable political crisis -- loved by millions of rural and urban poor but loathed by many middle-class Thais, powerful generals and royalist conservatives.

Yingluck's Puea Thai Party campaigned heavily on the twice-elected Thaksin's name and his populist policies. While these helped to win over the rural masses, they could also undo her.

The governing Democrat Party, which lost the election and is allied with the elite in Bangkok and the military, has lodged a legal complaint calling for Puea Thai's dissolution for allegedly allowing banned politicians to direct its campaign, including Thaksin.

As evidence, they cite one of Puea Thai's campaign slogans, "Thaksin thinks, Puea Thai acts."

The staunchly anti-Thaksin People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) has filed a separate complaint, seeking to void the election on grounds that two million Thais were not able to vote. The Supreme Court will rule on that case on Wednesday.

A PAD-linked group has also pressed state investigators to probe Yingluck for alleged perjury in testimony she gave during an assets concealment case involving Thaksin three years ago. Yingluck last week told Reuters she stood by her testimony.

Andrew Walker, a Thailand specialist at the Australia National University, said she must tread carefully but attempts to topple her would put the country on a "dangerous path."

"The forces aligned against her face an uphill battle," he said. "There is no way that they can credibly claim that this election result does not reelect the will of Thai voters.

BIG MANDATE

The clear-cut win for Puea Thai -- 265 of the 500 house seats or 300 when including its five coalition partners -- allayed fears of instability after the election.

The Thai stock market raced to a seven-week high on July 5. But the enthusiasm has been difficult to sustain. Stocks have lost a percent since then on a combination of weakness on Wall Street and uncertainty surrounding Yingluck.

If her fate is left to Thailand's courts, history is not on her side: courts have dissolved two pro-Thaksin ruling parties.

Thailand's Constitution, drafted by a committee hand-picked by the military after Thaksin was toppled in a 2006 coup, includes provisions that make political parties vulnerable to legal charges. Thaksin's supporters, particularly a red-shirt political movement, claim the courts are politically biased.

The Election Commission approved 358 of the 500 winning candidates during a marathon meeting on Tuesday but held back on endorsing the rest, including Yingluck and outgoing Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva over complaints of vote-buying.

The EC traditionally does not immediately endorse those with complaints against them, but it has never suspended top party-list candidates such as Yingluck.

If Yingluck remains unendorsed by next week, her supporters may start to voice accusations of a "judicial coup" against her, renewing uncertainties over Thailand's political outlook and the prospect of renewed unrest, although the EC could simply defer endorsement for another week.

POPULIST CHALLENGES

Yingluck is also under pressure to explain plans for a raft of populist policies critics say could accelerate inflation and increase debt. She told Reuters on July 8 she would not stubbornly pursue those that don't work, but questions linger.

UBS economist Edward Teather in Singapore said Puea Thai would probably take a cautious approach to avoid any fallout that would provide ammunition to her opponents.

"Those wanting to take Puea Thai down will realize the risks of moving too early, so they're more likely to wait until mistakes are made," he said.

"If they push too hard at the start and upset the capitalists to much, that could present a problem, so they're likely to take more of a middle path."

Reporters have also bombarded her with questions about a mooted amnesty that would clear Thaksin of conflict of interest charges he says were politically motivated. Thaksin fled Thailand in 2008 days before he was sentenced to two years in jail. His rivals say he must serve time if he wants to return.

She insists she will operate independently, but that notion, too, is being undermined by her brother.

Thai media recently reported on a meeting in Brunei between Thaksin and Banharn Silpa-archa, another banned politician who is the de facto leader of Chart Thai Pattana, a party in Yingluck's coalition. The two were widely assumed to have discussed cabinet portfolios, although this was denied.

To keep her brother's enemies at bay, she is expected to steer clear of the amnesty issue for some time, possibly a year.

Moving any faster risks re-igniting protests that helped to bring down pro-Thaksin ruling parties in 2006 and 2008. The royalist military did little to stop those rallies.

Yingluck could decide to strike first and purge the top brass of the military, but that risks a coup against her government. Any putsch would likely trigger a backlash by Thaksin's red-shirt supporters, who battles in Bangkok with the army last year resulting in 91 deaths.

[schalke04]

Ludicrous that such trivial issues are brought up. Says it all about the tiny minds that abound in Thai politics.

[deepthroat]

Ludicrous that such trivial issues are brought up. Says it all about the tiny minds that abound in Thai politics.

Seriously?

Look, I don't have a dog in this fight (or an axe to grind) either way. But to say that the claims are ludicrous makes me suspect that you didn't actually read the article and only scanned the headline and opening paragraph. These are serious claims and I'm curious to see how it's all resolved.

[rxpharm]

Contrary to many opinions out there, the Election Commission does take its job seriously - they have already dismissed the frivolous claims - but they must take the time to look into them if a complaint is submitted.

The serious claims against Yingluck - that she has been advised by banned politicians, including her brother, could indeed jeopardize her candidacy. What is telling is that the banned Pheu Thai/Thai Rak Thai politicians KNOW these rules and were still rather blatant in their involvement. Makes me feel that a. they are very arrogant or b. they have a fix in to win regardless or c. both of the previous.

There have been some interesting letters to the editor in both Bangkok Post and The Nation claiming that "bullying" was occurring in Isaan and Northern Thailand so any Democrat supporter/voter was intimidated not to vote for the Democrats. Unfortunately I doubt if any investigations will be made.

[pdogg]

Here's my take.

Yes, the Reds broke the "rules".

However these rules were promulgated by a government that was created as a result of a miltary coup.

The will of the people is clear. The people want the Reds.

But the Bangkok old guard think they know better what's good for the people.

Maybe. But me thinks the old guard is more concerned about what's good for the old guard. That's human nature.

What the people are saying is that income inequality is unfair.

Generally the "haves" believe they have what they have because of their own hard work or the hard work of their families or ancestors. IMHO this is a myth, and the "haves" have what they have due to exploitation of the common man.

I think it's natural for farangs to sympathize with Yellows because we farang most certainly are "haves" and don't want change.

It's easy to be outraged by the burning down of malls and civil disorder. But I don't think the disorder could have reached that magnitude due only to demonstrators being paid 500 baht per day. They needed the support of a sizeable chunk of the populace.

In the election the majority spoke. They don't give a rat's ass about the old rules.

No, the people are saying, I want a bigger piece of the pie.

[rxpharm]

Have to disagree with you on a couple of points - the EC rules were not only from the junta and the Democrats - remember the PPP were in power as well - and a number of the EC rules were put in place by them as well (formerly TRT).

All in all, I am afraid that Thaksin will revert to his old ways and cause more chaos - his only real intent was not to help the poor people of Thailand but to recoup his frozen assets and to build up his empire again.

Time will tell if the "elite" and the poor people will see through his agenda.

[Luung]

Great posting PDogg!.. But the +1 goes to Rxpharm. Anyway, just my own take on some of the comments?

@ PDogg, The 'haves' have because their families have exploited for generations & generations & generations, it was only the first generation that did the hard work.

They all break the rules & everybody wants power, nobody around here gives a shit about equality.

It doesn't matter how any party gets in here, because none of them have ever got in fairly, not ever! Unless you want to call 'hood winking' the populous & vote buying fair?.. There's a million & one ways to buy a vote. We've all got to wake up & realise that treachery can be ingrained into large enough proportions of many South East Asian societies, I think it's awful & twisted, but that's the way many have been indoctrinated for centuries & centuries now, we've got to live with it & 'deal with it'!

I think that in the main part the good people of Thailand don't know WTF they want very much other than money & a perceived version of what the Westernised model of wealth is! You could be giving them a bit too much credit PDogg (JMHO). A small percentage of the educated poor would however like some respect, but they won't ever get that from the elite classes under any circumstances or outcomes.

I don't think it's 'human nature' to work purely in your own interests, I believe that there is something innate within us that knows our society needs to succeed before we can do (JMHO). Anything else is a bastardisation brought on by fear, the same as treachery is.

I personally only know of a couple of Falang Yellow shirt supporters, but I see a hell of a lot of miss guided support for Khun Taskin out there right now??

As much as I hate the idea of violence on a large scale, I believe a civil war may be all that could bring about change, I just hope I'm wrong?.. Otherwise wait a couple of generations for the values of modernity to catch up with them?

@RXpharm, Don't hold your breath mate!

TASKIN WANTS POWER, WEALTH & REVENGE... And as one of the saying goes around these parts, 'ME, MY FAMILY FOR THE NEXT TEN THOUSAND YEARS'... In other words, fuck the rest!

I just feel so sorry for all the people he's using & the damage he's liable to cause!

Edited by Lung 20-7-11

[pdogg]

Yingluck was officially endorsed by Parliament as the new PM today.

One political pundit posited that her greatesty challenge will be avoiding a coup as there have been 18 coup or coup attempts since Thailand became a contitutional monarchy in 1932.

And onlt one pM has served an entire four year term........in almost 80 years!

Who?

Mr T.

[TTChang]

It's easy to be outraged by the burning down of malls and civil disorder. But I don't think the disorder could have reached that magnitude due only to demonstrators being paid 500 baht per day.

I agree, criminal intent is useful too! If you don't get your own way, put some stick about (or close an airport). I blame the govt for not stopping the red shirt protest MUCH earlier (ie when they were on the move to Ratchaprasong, not 6 weeks after they had a firm base .... basic military tactics? IMO)

The next few days could be interesting, when Yingluck's cabinet is announced. Not enough jobs to go around, and a couple of outsiders adding to the mix maybe. The reds want payback for their support. Voters want their 300 baht min wage payback NOW (not next year) The Army want their new helicopters (I suggest the ageing TTChang version, retro fitted!)

[Jimslim]

Generally the "haves" believe they have what they have because of their own hard work or the hard work of their families or ancestors. IMHO this is a myth, and the "haves" have what they have due to exploitation of the common man.

Music to my heart brother PD

[Luung]

Snapped this on a bit of waste ground just around the corner from my place yesterday.

The boy's back in town!

Pojaman (Taskin's ex wife)??? Told Yingluck who she's going to have in her cabinet over the weekend, so it looks like 'Bonny & Clyde' are back in business... Lock your doors folks!

"Som nom fuckin' nah"! (lose translation = 'Serves you fucking well right), as they say in these parts... You get the government you deserve... And in this case that statement has never been more true.

Nothing positive or good can come of Yingluck Shinawatra's instalment. She's a completely inexperienced business woman who just wants to help keep the family's cash. A puppet for her brother, convicted criminal Thaksin Shinawatra. She will grant him a return to Thailand. And then once back he will unleash a reign of revenge & terror, cutting down anything that stands in his way or for any ethical, non neolistic or democratic principles.

All the time Thais want to think taking bribe money & letting corruption run rampant is OK, then I can no longer have any sympathy for them anymore.

Here's one scarcely veiled comment from Yingluck, "I have the strongest intention to work towards solving the problems of 'our brothers and sisters', and not towards revenge", She said... Ho, ho, fuckin' ho! They're even laughing in everyone's faces & playing on words!.. Nearly every fuckin' sentence that comes out of her fuckin' mouth has the phrase, "Brothers & sisters" in it! Now I've mentioned it hopefully some of you will start noticing it?

Just right now I really do think this country well & truely deserves to go down the shit pan!

'A big welcome back 'The good ole' Boys'!

[rxpharm]

Interesting analysis from today's Bangkok Post

Top choices spurn Thaksin

ANALYSIS: Yingluck's elder brother missed out on some of the best people for the cabinet as they rejected his apparent terms and conditions.

Published: 11/08/2011 at 12:00 AM

Newspaper section: News

A number of surprise appointments in Yingluck Shinawatra's debut cabinet indicate that deposed prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra was unable to convince viable candidates to accept his political terms and conditions.

The biggest surprise is at the Foreign Ministry where Pheu Thai MP Surapong Towijakchaikul has edged out former and current career diplomats.

Mr Surapong himself has admitted that he was not interested in foreign affairs in the first place.

Mr Surapong's appointment has underscored speculation by political observers that Thaksin has an agenda even as he strives to form a cabinet with people who have a good image.

But Mr Surapong seems to be keen on diplomacy with Cambodia which was in regular confrontation with Thailand during Democrat-led government, according to the Phnom Penh Post.

Cambodian Foreign Minister Hor Namhong has sent him an invitation letter to meet. "As the start of our good collaboration, I would be very pleased if you could accept my invitation to pay an official visit to Cambodia at a convenient date in the near future," Hor Namhong wrote.

Other seasoned individuals declined to take on important ministry portfolios, forcing Thaksin to turn to others who would agree to his agenda and conditions, sources said.

Among those who bailed out is Vichit Surapongchai, executive chairman of Siam Commercial Bank, because he reportedly was told he would not have free rein to choose his deputy.

Also, several SCB board members reportedly objected to Mr Vichit joining the Yingluck cabinet.

"That's why the cabinet list kept changing," said Somjai Phagaphasvivat, a Thammasat University political scientist. "Eventually he went for those who will do what he wants them to."

Mr Somjai said the appointees had been even assigned a "mission" to fulfil Thaksin's demands.

The deposed prime minister may have drawn up a set of measures to determine if they were up to the task, he said.

"He might have set KPIs [key performance indicators] for the cabinet. That's probably why his sister laid down a six-month time frame for evaluation. It will be used to stimulate them to get to work," he said.

According to Mr Somjai, one of the top missions is likely to bring Thaksin back to Thailand without having to face punishment.

The burdens will fall on the Foreign Ministry and the Justice Ministry which is overseen by former police chief Gen Pracha Promnok.

Mr Somjai said it was possible that an amnesty would be issued to allow Thaksin to return home free of guilt.

The proposed amnesty would cover other groups of people to water down criticism and it would be put up for a referendum to seek justification.

Mr Somjai said some arrangements have been made to compensate those who missed out on seats in the Yingluck cabinet, especially MPs who are closely affiliated with the red shirts. "He is a strategist with charisma and he can make red-shirt leaders toe the line even though they are not given a post."

A close look at the Yingluck's cabinet reveals that political connections, not qualifications, helped a number of appointees land vitally important jobs. Several have been appointed based on their allegiance to the Shinawatra clan.

The double appointment of Yongyuth Wichaidit as deputy prime minister and interior minister speaks volumes of how his services are appreciated.

He has gone through a lot as Pheu Thai leader. He was seen as a nominal leader without real power and suffering disrespect and criticism from party members. Mr Yongyuth resigned as Pheu Thai's leader only to be reinstated later - reportedly because no one wanted the job and Thaksin asked him to take the job again.

Deputy prime minister and commerce minister Kittirat Na-Ranong served as president of the Stock Exchange of Thailand during the Thai Rak Thai government.

He guaranteed the sale of shares from Ample Rich to Thaksin's son and daughter, Panthongtae and Pinthongtha was legitimate.

But when it was revealed the shares were actually sold outside the market he said that both of them had "ticked the wrong box" in their filing and the mistake was corrected.

Will be interesting to see how long it takes before the old ways of Thaksin's previous government starts showing up - from this article it sounds like it won't be long.

[pdogg]

Interesting analysis from today's Bangkok Post

Interesting that the Bangkok Post refers to Thaksin's conditions, not Yingluck's conditions.

[rxpharm]

A couple of more articles this time from The Nation that are beginning to show who the true "boss" is.

Japan gets Thaksin visit plea

By The Nation

Published on August 13, 2011

Thai govt to be consulted; ex-PM might be issued a new passport

Convicted former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is planning his first high-profile visit. He hopes to go to Japan, perhaps with a newly issued Thai passport after his younger sister Yingluck Shinawatra took office as prime minister.

Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yukio Edano said yesterday that his government had received a request for the issuance of special permission for Thaksin's visit, according to the Kyodo news agency.

Japanese immigration-control law does not allow the entry of a person who has been found guilty of a crime and given a jail term of more than one year.

The law can make an exception, saying the justice minister can issue a special permit for a person if circumstances requiring his or her entry into Japan are recognised.

Thaksin was sentenced to two years of imprisonment for misconduct as he acknowledged purchasing land through his then-wife Pojaman na Pombejra.

The request for approval of Thaksin's visit was made by newly appointed Foreign Minister Surapong Towichukchaikul when he met with Japanese Ambassador Seiji Kojima on Thursday.

Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Thani Thongpakdi said his ministry was not aware of the meeting between the new minister and the Japanese ambassador as well as Thaksin's plan to visit Japan.

Surapong did not issue any instruction on the matter because he has not yet entered the ministry to give policy and direction to officials of the foreign service, Thani said.

The new minister was scheduled officially to begin his work at the ministry on Wednesday. Surapong declined to make any comment on the matter.

Edano said the Japanese government would consult with the new Thai government on Thaksin's visit. An official at the Thai Foreign Ministry said there would be no problem about Thaksin's visit.

To the contrary, the visit would be a good gesture for relations between the two governments, the official said.

Thaksin wants to visit Japan from August 22 to 28, during which time he intends to visit areas in Miyagi prefecture of northern Japan that were devastated by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami, Kyodo quoted Thaksin's Japanese supporters as saying. The former prime minister also hopes to hold a news conference and deliver a lecture.

Thaksin visited Japan previously in January 2007 for a special lecture on economics amid dissatisfaction among his enemies in Thailand, who then ruled the country after a military coup to oust him in September 2006.

Thaksin faced a lot of travelling difficulty during Abhisit Vejjajiva's administration, as he was banned from entering many countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany and Japan. His Thai passports - both a diplomatic one and an ordinary one - were revoked by Abhisit's government. Germany was the first country to lift Thaksin's ban shortly after the Pheu Thai Party won victory in last month's election.

Surapong is reportedly prepared to return his passports, allowing him to travel on his Thai name and with other Thai documents again.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Thani said he was not aware of the news report that his ministry was preparing to issue new Thai passports to the former prime minister.

The ministry's 2005 regulation on travel documents would not authorise officials to issue a passport to a person who is serving punishment for criminal charges or is freed on bail if the court, governing officials or police do not allow the person to have a passport.

In Tokyo meanwhile, the government said yesterday that it would discuss Thaksin's request for to visit Japan, according to the German news agency Deutsche Presse-Agentur.

On Thursday, Surapong asked Ambassador Kojima to facilitate Thaksin's trip to Japan, Kyodo News reported, citing unnamed sources.

And again - notice the discrepancy of who gave the order for the cabinet ministers to resign the posts as MPs.

Pheu Thai likely to tell its ministers to quit as MPs

By The Nation

Published on August 13, 2011

The Pheu Thai Party has an outstanding resolution for Cabinet members to resign their legislative positions as party-list MPs to pave the way for runner-up candidates to fill their seats, Deputy Transport Minister Chatt Kuldiloke said yesterday.

"Ministers should devote their attention to their jobs in the government, hence they won't be in a position to handle legislative duties properly at the same time," he said.

Chatt said he believed in the principle that Cabinet members should quit their party-list seats. He expects his party's executive board to convene soon and issue a diktat on how and when ministers should vacate their House seats.

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said her party was in the process of checking how many Cabinet members would have to resign from party-list seats.

Pheu Thai spokesman Prompong Nopparit dismissed speculation that former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra had instructed against the concurrent holding of ministerial portfolios and party-list seats.

He said there was no truth to allegations of Thaksin's involvement.

He did not explain how and why his statement seemed to contradict remarks by PM's Office Minister Surawit Khonsomboon.

On Thursday, Surawit said Thaksin had ordered ministers who are concurrently party-list MPs to resign their legislative positions.

Surawit said an exception would be granted to certain Cabinet members for strategic reasons, referring to Yingluck and Deputy Prime Minister Yongyuth Wichaidit.

Under the Constitution, the prime minister must be an MP. Yongyuth is expected to retain his House seat as a precaution in case of any "political accident" to Yingluck.

Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung refused to comment on the issue, saying his ruling party's executive board should meet and set guidelines. Chalerm is one of the party-list MPs.

It looks like Thaksin is angling to return to Thailand in around a year, possibly sooner.

So the previous article about Thaksin's conditions for cabinet ministers appears to be accurate.

[Vee]

Also usually some interesting articles in the Asian Sentinel.

http://www.asiasenti...3376&Itemid=185

Is it only me that thinks Yingluck is only missing a schlong to make her perfect. :rolleyes:

[Luung]

Yingluck should show her leadership qualities and lead by example by being the first to resign!

@Vee, Welcome to the forum.. Faces of angels, minds of gangsters... Anyway, how do you know she ain't got one?.. And by the way, are you sure you didn't have anything to do with those riots in London?

@Rxpharm, Why don't you stop pussy footing around with that commentary accompanying your 'cut n' pastes'... "Well maybes"? "It looks likes"? And other 'what if'ing'.. He's back, he's surrounding himself with 'Yes Men' & 'Cronies' & that's that!

And they're going to have a nice big carve up at the trough!

[Vee]

@Vee, Welcome to the forum.. Faces of angels, minds of gangsters... Anyway, how do you know she ain't got one?.. And by the way, are you sure you didn't have anything to do with those riots in London?

Thank you for the welcome Lung. I had nothing to do with those riots gov'ner , being far away form her majesty's jurisdiction at the present time.

[pdogg]

Yingluck and noodles are back in the news.

 

 

BANGKOK: Thailand’s junta chief said the military is keeping such a close eye on ousted prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra (pic) that she would be unable to eat a bowl of noodles without their permission.

 

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, a former army general, was justifying the decision to have soldiers search a convoy taking Yingluck to a ceremony for her ancestors in her northern hometown of Chiangmai earlier in the week.

 

The following day she was pictured eating noodles in the town, a political stronghold of her wealthy but wildly divisive family.

 

“If she wants to go to eat noodles then she can go but if we prohibit her then she cannot go,” Prayuth told reporters yesterday, indicating the military would continue to monitor her movements.

 

He said the military’s decision to halt Yingluck’s convoy was part of providing security.

http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Regional/2015/02/13/Prayuth-No-noodles-for-Yongluck/

[ArchieBunker]

Listened to one of my fav political podcasts and they mentioned Yingluck and Thailand.  The hose talked to a correspondent from Voice Of america based here in Thailand.  evidently there is s another court case involving Yingluck and rice-the big rice scheme case.  There was a report that she would seek asylum in the USA.  Dont think so.  Her side denies that but he made a very good point in that perhaps the regime doesnt wish to jail Yingluck as it would inflame the Red Shirts.  You know all that stuff is bubbling right under the surface.  Its not going away anytime soon.

 

I said from day one the Prayuth would not go away anytime soon.  he put his feet under the desk and he likes it.  Goodness knows how much richer he will be years from now.  Hell, the guy is even on Royal News with regularity.  He went to Japan and they gave him a tour of a high speed train depot and he took a ride on one of the bullet trains.  You could just see the gears spinning in his head about how much graft he and his cronies can gobble up while "building" some boondoggle of a high speed train from Bangers to Chang Mai.  Better yet they can build a line up to the Chinese border.  that would come in handy, wouldnt it????

 

The more time I spend in Thailand the goofier it seems to me...............Its a total shame as I do believe the country does have a lot of potential.............

[pdogg]

He went to Japan and they gave him a tour of a high speed train depot and he took a ride on one of the bullet trains.  You could just see the gears spinning in his head about how much graft he and his cronies can gobble up while "building" some boondoggle of a high speed train from Bangers to Chang Mai.

 

 

He is planning on a high speed line to Pattaya.

 

I like trains.   But if the drop off points are in inconvenient locations then it is worthless.

 

But if you could take a non-stop high speed train from Darkside in Bangers to the LaBamba/House/Soi 13/1 stop in Patts it would be great.

 

Have a club car with pole dancers.

 

 

BANGKOK, 12 February 2015 (NNT) - Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered the construction of high-speed trains connecting Bangkok with famous tourist sites and invited the private sector to participate in the project.

The Prime Minister on Thursday said the high-speed train project from Bangkok to Pattaya or Hua Hin might be a joint venture in a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). Thai and foreign investors were both welcomed, said the premier.

Tracks of the high speed trains are expected to be constructed in parallel with the one-meter or 1.453-meter tracks.

As for the U.S., the PM said it was still necessary for the Thai government to trade and invest with all countries despite the U.S.’ misunderstanding of Thailand’s internal affairs. Thailand and the U.S. needed to continue their trade relations as politics was politics, said the premier.

Gen. Prayuth also instructed all ministries to integrate information on their investment strategies so that he could use it for his official trips to foreign countries. - See more at: http://thainews.prd.go.th/centerweb/newsen/NewsDetail?NT01_NewsID=WNECO5802120010023#sthash.AwwJ5fHg.dpuf

BANGKOK, 12 February 2015 (NNT) - Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered the construction of high-speed trains connecting Bangkok with famous tourist sites and invited the private sector to participate in the project.

The Prime Minister on Thursday said the high-speed train project from Bangkok to Pattaya or Hua Hin might be a joint venture in a Public-Private Partnership (PPP). Thai and foreign investors were both welcomed, said the premier.

Tracks of the high speed trains are expected to be constructed in parallel with the one-meter or 1.453-meter tracks.

As for the U.S., the PM said it was still necessary for the Thai government to trade and invest with all countries despite the U.S.’ misunderstanding of Thailand’s internal affairs. Thailand and the U.S. needed to continue their trade relations as politics was politics, said the premier.

Gen. Prayuth also instructed all ministries to integrate information on their investment strategies so that he could use it for his official trips to foreign countries.

http://thainews.prd.go.th/

[rxpharm]

Listened to one of my fav political podcasts and they mentioned Yingluck and Thailand.  The hose talked to a correspondent from Voice Of america based here in Thailand.  evidently there is s another court case involving Yingluck and rice-the big rice scheme case.  There was a report that she would seek asylum in the USA.  Dont think so.  Her side denies that but he made a very good point in that perhaps the regime doesnt wish to jail Yingluck as it would inflame the Red Shirts.  You know all that stuff is bubbling right under the surface.  Its not going away anytime soon.

 

I said from day one the Prayuth would not go away anytime soon.  he put his feet under the desk and he likes it.  Goodness knows how much richer he will be years from now.  Hell, the guy is even on Royal News with regularity.  He went to Japan and they gave him a tour of a high speed train depot and he took a ride on one of the bullet trains.  You could just see the gears spinning in his head about how much graft he and his cronies can gobble up while "building" some boondoggle of a high speed train from Bangers to Chang Mai.  Better yet they can build a line up to the Chinese border.  that would come in handy, wouldnt it????

 

The more time I spend in Thailand the goofier it seems to me...............Its a total shame as I do believe the country does have a lot of potential.............

 

This plan was also one that the Pheu Thai were going ahead with before they were so rudely interrupted during their own money grabbing corrupt government run. 

 

Of course since the last gov't was elected - what the current gov't is doing must be even more corrupt since it came into power via military coup.