Comments on: Introduction

By: Frank

Frank — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 10:40:06 +0000

Anyone paying attention to the latest PAD activities and effects?

By: teedee

teedee — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 11:25:24 +0000

i am a uk citizen i have retirement pensions from government and private companies total together are over 60000 baht per month before tax is that enough to qualify for retirement visa in thailand. what do the uk embassy on thailand need to prove my pension income

By: frankganderson

frankganderson — Thu, 29 May 2008 22:50:31 +0000

Closed. There was a lobby against it but lost. Operating costs were likely the issue.

By: teedee

teedee — Thu, 29 May 2008 16:02:43 +0000

can anyone update me on the situation regarding the closure of the immigration office in korat

By: Rick Shaw

Rick Shaw — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 01:44:17 +0000

BTW: Here is Section 309. Any act that its legality and constitutionality has been recognised by the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand (Interim), B.E. 2549, including all acts related therewith committed whether before or after the date of promulgation of this Constitution shall be deemed constitutionally under this Constitution.

This means the last and the NEXT coup are legal. Smart move by the “invisable hand”. Along with Section 291.

By: Rick Shaw

Rick Shaw — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 01:38:54 +0000

I think it was C’s idea in the first place. Since the murder it’s been masterful damage control and now the “clown” pic. Worst part is that it works on Thai people. If Wan will act a clown in public then he is off the hook, partly. Then a few more “C” inspired PR moves and Wan will be accepted and forgiven. Amazing. It’s all a question of “face”. I’m sure C must have paid the police widow a life-time support assurance. Question is, where did C, a mere Capt., get billions of baht? And no one EVER asks about him. It’s like “black-mail gridlock” - Thai style. Although some of them HAVE to lose face, like now Chart Thai and Mahachimathipataya parties. Eventually Samak himself will be indicted and, if necessary, erased. Going to war with Pa Prem is suicide. The 2nd worst idea in the country. Tut tut!!

By: frankganderson

frankganderson — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 00:01:15 +0000

I just wonder if the father, Chalerm, even considers the irony involved in this photo opportunity of a lifetime.

By: Rick Shaw

Rick Shaw — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 16:20:50 +0000

That picture of Wan seated on a “happy toilet” reminded me of the “Punch-back of Notre Dame”. A stroke of fatherly PR smarts. Part of the “repair plan”. Now he’s IN the government (instead of Death Row).

By: Rick Shaw

Rick Shaw — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 15:54:08 +0000

BANGKOK, DEC 22 – Following a US Justice Department report alleging bribery payments made to “a senior TAT official” in the investigation of Gerald and Patricia Green, Former Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor Juthamas Siriwan has threatened to sue anyone who refers to her tenure as Tourism Authority of Thailand Governor at all.

The Greens were arrested earlier this week by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation under suspicions of violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act which prohibits US citizens from making bribes as part of their business dealings abroad. They are suspected of having paid US$1.7 million dollars (Bt52 million) in bribes to a Thai government official in return for the $10 million contract to manage the 2004 Bangkok International Film Festival. Although not named by the Justice Department report, Juthamas Siriwan has come under suspicion because she was the TAT governor at the time, a charge which she denies.

“I was never employed by the TAT, not in 2004 or at any other time” she said at a press conference. “Anyone who says I was TAT governor is a liar and will be sued for libel and slander.” She referred to the approximately 350 articles written about her or referring to her as TAT governor between 2001 -2006 as “a concerted press smear campaign.” She furthermore insisted that the over 1000 photographs and video clips of her presiding over TAT events, cutting ribbons at the opening ceremonies of TAT-sponsored galas, and conducting official meetings with other TAT officials are “fakes” and likely the work of “politically motivated influential people.” When asked what she was doing from 2001 to 2006, Juthamas replied she was at home with her family.

A spokesperson for the Puea Pandin Party, with which Juthamas was a candidate for a Bangkok seat prior to her withdrawal, confirmed her story. “She was never part of the TAT,” said Suwin Khunkiti. “Never mind what it says on our party website, or our posters, or on our election campaign flyers referring to her as former TAT governor. Those are typos.”

An attorney for Ms. Siriwan has threatened to sue any person or company which displays, disseminates, references, or acknowledges the existence of any of the slanderous material suggesting that she was TAT governor, including the TAT itself, which has a large painting of Juthamas in its lobby bearing an engraved brass plaque with her name. Phone calls to the TAT requesting comment were not answered. However, the TAT released a statement earlier today denying it had ever been involved in, or had ever heard of, the “so-called Bangkok International Film Festival.”

Truth in jest!!!

By: frankganderson

frankganderson — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 13:24:56 +0000

Good point!
It’s not the first time the Democrats or others have done something they later regretted. We note today as well that a 4-1 vote in favor of disbanding two Thai political parties - See 11 April item, next, from TNA:
BANGKOK, April 11, 2008 (TNA) – Thailand’s Election Commission by majority vote on Friday resolved to ask the Constitution Court to dissolve two coalition political party partners — the Chart Thai and Mahachimathipataya parties– charging that they had committed electoral fraud in relation to the December 23, 2007 general election.