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Jealousy Is A Terrible Thing!

30 October, 2007

Thaksin Chinawat is a man that divides people, no more so than in Thailand where he was Prime Minister. That was until he went to the United Nations just over 2 years ago and the thai military staged a 'bloodless' coupe. They stated that they were acting in the interests of normal thai people, but many people would argue with this point.

The pro-Taksin people would say that any military coupe was unneccessary, as everything was going fine. So why was there a coupe? Well, simply put, it is my contention that the 'green-eyed-monster' [envy] played a large part in peoples motivation, even if they never admit it in public. Thaksin comes from a rich family and his personal business dealing made him (quite possibly) the richest man in Thailand.

The only thing I know of that he did whilst Prime Minster, that might be seen as 'wrong' was carrying on doing business while holding high office. Some might believe you couldn't give your business asperations full attention for political problems encroaching and vice versa. I do not believe that it has ever said that you can't be a businessman at the same time as being Prime minister.

Mr Chinawat owned a mobile telephone company before he was Prime Minister and whilst he was holding the office he sold the company to the government of Singapore. If there was anything illegal about the sale, then I am sure charges would have been levelled against him, the fact they have not just proves my contention that he did nothing wrong.

Thaksin was voted into power with most of his support coming from the 'country' of thailand, he didn't have great support in places like Bangkok, but country folk loved him and his policies.

Since his exile, we have seen a new 'civilian' government 'installed' by the military and now a general election has been set for 23rd December 2007. It is interesting to note several things at this point.

1. Military law/rule has not been withdrawn completely.

2. A special committee put together to try to find a reason to get Thaksin returned to thailand to face criminal charges has failed to find serious enough reasons (that would not get laughed out of a British Court) for extradition.

3. The 'civilian' government put into power by the military is peppered with military leaders (the ones that led the coupe).

The reason military rule has not been completely removed is because of the 'problems down south' with the thai muslims. Truth be told, I don't know too much about this particular aspect of thai life, so I will leave it there.

Further to point 2 above, the civilian government, in my opinion have been so obsessed with trying to get Thaksin back and preferably in a court of law, that they look like a dog chasing its own tail. I never ever believed (following this story with interest as I have) that they would ever succeed and couldn't really see the point - if there is one - other than a collective 'madness'.

I found it deliciously ironic that the army chief, the main man behind the coupe, was found to have been far from 'clean' himself. Only a short while after the coupe, it turned out that he bought land inside a National Park (Khoa Yai). Oh, but he didn't say so, it was only found out about 9 monthes after he bought it, and he gave it to his son. This done whilst he was in charge of the government... and he wanted to get Thaksin? How hypercritical is that?

It will be interesting to see whether the relavent government committee (NCCC) will charge him any time soon with wrong-doing...

Many people will be watching the result of the Thai General Election on the 23rd December 2007. Wonder how many ex-military will be in the government then?

This page uploaded 15th November 2007

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