Hate

One of the striking things about the mass of news reports regarding an alleged plot to assassinate Thaksin Shinawatra has been how adamant the mainstream media has been that these rumors must have been manufactured by Thaksin for political gain. This seems reminiscent of the line run when Thaksin was premier and there were several alleged assassination plots against him.

Kultida Samabuddhi is Deputy News Editor at the Bangkok Post and while she joins the throng of doubters, she has a different take, suggesting reasons why Thaksin should be worried. Oddly, she doesn’t mention the earlier assassination plots against Thaksin, but she does mention the assassination of Khattiya Sawasdipol by a sniper’s bullet to the head. These “lessons” aside, she comments:

After news about Thaksin’s planned visit to Tachilek broke, a People’s Alliance for Democracy (PAD) commentator said he wished minority groups in Myanmar would do “a favour to Thailand” by killing the former premier.

When Mr Panthongtae said he and his two sisters would reunite with Thaksin at the border town, a female host of ASTV’s news talk programme said: “Good. Let them go, so they will [die] together there.”

The desire to see Thaksin die has dominated ASTV satellite television broadcasts over the past several days.

This rejection of extreme hate is lodged in a story where Kultida, a PAD supporter, still feels the need to justify PAD’s politics. Yet so much of that politics is built on hatred and maintaining it.

Updated: Targeting Thaksin III

There was a time when PPT considered the elite’s Bangkok Post to be somewhat better than The Nation. After all, the unprofessional “journalism” at The Nation even spawned a spoof known as Not The Nation. As a lapdog for the conservative elite the paper behaved like a lap dancer for the Abhisit Vejjajiva regime. Even today, The Nation sinks to new lows, seeming more like a family blog than a newspaper, publishing a “story” on the U.S. election by a “licensed acupuncturist” that gets published because the scribbler is boss Suthichai Yoon’s daughter.

As bad as that rag is, in recent days, the Bangkok Post has spiraled down into something that seems only fit for composting. We have mentioned some of these dives in recent posts (here and here). Essentially, these articles were in anti-Thaksin Shinawatra and anti-red shirt campaign mode with barely a fact in sight.

Misleading and concocted “stories” are suddenly grist for the Post’s campaigns. A few days ago we pointed to such a headline. However, the Post’s latest story on the alleged Thaksin assassination plot takes the cake for concoction. Here’s the line taken:

The alleged assassination plot against ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is likely to have been manufactured to give the ex-premier a credible excuse not to visit Tachilek, intelligence analysts said yesterday…. According to a military intelligence source, Thaksin had no intention of visiting Tachilek, a border town opposite Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district.

Readers may recall that the assassination plots against Thaksin when he was premier were also dismissed by his opponents as “manufactured.” Nothing much has changed.

PPT has no idea whether this assassination plot was real. But what evidence is there for this newspaper’s claim that this supposed plot was faked?

First, the “source” is,as usual, an anonymous military source. That is the same military that threw Thaksin out and were allegedly involved in earlier assassination plots. So how much credibility is there in this? Zero.

Second, the motivation for “faking” a plot is that Thaksin is “a fugitive with an arrest warrant out on him, [and] his presence [in Burma] would increase pressure on the Yingluck administration.” It was only in April that an “estimated 50,000 of Mr Thaksin’s fans alighted in Siem Reap, in the north of Cambodia, during the weekend’s Thai New Year holiday to catch a glimpse of the one-time premier.” What has changed since then? In opinion polls, the current government is doing better now than back then. So how much credibility is there in this? Zero.

Third, the claim is that by “fabricating the death threat, Thaksin has a plausible excuse to ‘cancel’ his plan without upsetting thousands of red-shirt supporters who were preparing to meet him, the source said.” This fluff depends on the first and second items above being true and guess work. How much credibility is there in this? Zero.

The mystery “military source” adds that “the assassination story can also be used to incriminate the ammart, or elite, who oppose Thaksin.” Well, yes, it would, if that was the claim from the Thaksin camp. So far though this hasn’t been claimed and “drug barons” are blamed. Still no credibility.

Finally, in a related story, the yellow-hued senator Somchai Sawaengkarn proved less than sharp when his doubts about the plot are expressed as: “If someone [actually] wanted to kill Thaksin, the plot would not have been leaked…”. Yes, no plot is ever “leaked” and is a security operation, if there was one, a “leak”? We’re thinking Homer Simpson.

Update: It is difficult to see how The Nation could get any worse, but it has. In “commenting” on the Forbes interview with Thaksin, op-ed “writer” Tulsathit Taptim strikes a new low. He gets frothy about Thaksin’s criticism of his fish wrap and the Bangkok Post and says there are other “questions” that he proposes “in response to his criticism of The Nation and the Bangkok Post and some other things he said in the last interview. It’s entirely up to Forbes whether to ask him these questions which, no need to be said, can be used by other international media free of charge…”. We aren’t sure what to make of the latter comments, but let’s look at the “questions.” Just two examples that are about substance rather than the list of childish retorts.

First, question 2: “Do you have proof that The Nation or the Bangkok Post tricked you and your spouse into buying the Ratchadapisek land while you were in office?” In Tulsathit’s world, somehow this must seem relevant to the notion of bias his rag. In fact, if a conviction was a reason for bias, we’d expect to see the newspaper exhibiting bias against a range of politicians and business people. Yet, this isn’t the case as the paper’s political bias is endlessly directed against red shirts and Thaksin.

Second, the last mangled question: “25. Last but not least, we are a bit confused. Thailand’s English media are against you but you said you are free to go anywhere and everyone treats you well. On the other hand, you can’t return to your country, where the market for The Nation and Bangkok Post is relatively small. Which exactly is your “unlucky” situation – you being able to go wherever people read “biased” reports about you, or you being unable to return to Thailand where fewer than 1 per cent of the population reads the English press?” So, Tulsathit thinks his paper is irrelevant?

Tulsathit’s “column” suggests to us that having a “licensed acupuncturist” write political reports for The Nation might actually improve it.

 

Targeting Thaksin II

In an earlier post, PPT mentioned the rumors swirling regarding an assassination plot allegedly targeting former premier Thaksin Shinawatra as he visited Burma. The Bangkok Post now reports that the rumors and warnings from his son and  Deputy Prime Minister Chalerm Yubamrung have caused Thaksin to cancel his visit to Tachilek.

While earlier reports were of an arrest in Burma, “Chalerm said a Myanmar man who was arrested on Sunday in Tak province by Thai authorities for transporting heavy firearms from the Thai border confessed that there was a plot to kill Thaksin during merit-making in Tachilek on Saturday.” Apparently, the arrested man later withdrew this claim, but Chalerm added that: “The suspect has revealed the name of the mastermind behind the assassination attempt but I won’t say whether the person is an army general as reports speculated.” Interestingly Chalerm also commented that the supposed “mastermind was not involved with ‘plans to topple the government’ but the person had a plan to directly harm Thaksin.”

Meanwhile, Thaksin’s son, Panthongthae posted on his Facebook page that he was worried about threats from “local crime lords and gangs.”

Whatever the source of the supposed threat, Thaksin appears to have been sufficiently spooked to call off the long-planned visit.

In what is very much a footnote to this story, the opposition Democrat Party engaged with the rumors with Ong-Art Klampaibul dismissing them saying: “It was quite normal for Thai authorities to search for, and seize, weapons along the border.”

Aged soldier and self-styled government opponent General Boonlert Kaewprasit, contradicted Ong-Art by stating: “How can Thai people transport the weapons because security along the Myanmar border is very tight…”.

Another Bangkok Post article, the Army contradicted Boonlert, saying that: “We have to admit that there are a large number of war weapons in the border area and they are frequently seized. Recently a big lot of war weapons were captured in Chiang Rai because the area serves as a base for minority groups and drugs may also be involved.” In this report, when referring to weapons, the Army is speaking of weapons earlier said to have been seized in Burma.

So as in many stories that involve the military, security, borders and contraband, the trail of reporting is murky and befuddling, and probably deliberately so as there are many “business” interests involved.

 

Targeting Thaksin I

PPT notes the Bangkok Post story regarding the rumors that assassins will target former premier Thaksin Shinawatra when he visits Burma’s Tachilek near the border with Thailand. Apparently Burmese authorities have arrested a man with ammunition, but this is an area where weapons and ammunition are easily available.

We won’t detail all the rumors – the Post does that – but note that while this is a rumor, Thaksin was a target for assassination when he was prime minister.

Yellow shirt art

Back then, opponents were seeking ways to eliminate the popular politician because … well, they were out of ideas, had no adequate opposition parties and couldn’t win an election. To the idea-less, assassination must have seemed like a solution to their “problems.”

The situation today must seem much the same for those who harbor a deep hatred of Thaksin. Hence, “getting rid” of him probably sounds like a brilliant idea when the other “best” options seem to involve another coup or having to spend more treasure in “mobilizing” street demonstrations.

The yellow lot and their backers probably think that an event in Burma, close to the border and with thousands of red shirts heading off to welcome Thaksin, will be an opportunity for them to solve the “Thaksin problem.”

A real plot or not, the publicity probably ends plot and rumor.

Assassination threat

Earlier today PPT posted on an op-ed by academic W. Scott Thompson, who appears to have spoken with several members of the royalist elite in Thailand. In that op-ed, Thompson stated:

Of course, it would be convenient were he [Thaksin Shinawatra] to disappear from the scene, and there are some who hope they can accomplish just that. It’s wishful thinking; he’s well-guarded and not stupid.

PPT stated that we could only wonder who he’s been talking with. Yet more assassination plots against Thaksin? Who might be thinking this way?

Interestingly, the talk of assassination of Thaksin has now escalated. The Nation reports that Thaksin’s visit to Laos has seen increased security “amid rumour of assassination bid.”

Red-shirt leader Kwanchai Praiphana refers to “rumours of an assassination threat may have worried the Laotian government so they provided special security measures…”.

 

Where is PAD going?

Prachatai has a fantastic story on People’s Alliance for Democracy leader Sondhi Limthongkul and his increasingly bizarre ideas. The story speaks for itself, but a couple of points can be highlighted here.

Chamlong Srimuang (L) and Sondhi Limthongkul (Reuters photo)

Speaking to the PAD rally, Sondhi claimed that the current system of government is “destructive to the country.” PPT can agree with that if it is applied to the manipulated government that has the Democrat Party leading a military-backed regime.

Sondhi, however, means more than this. He means that the whole political system is rotten. His solution is for Thailand “to take a vacation so that dirty stuff could be cleansed.” He specifically points to the support the Democrat Party government ministers received in the recent censure debate. In other words, the “system” is rotten.

This is cynical and dangerous stuff. Is Sondhi prepared for a cleansing such as Pol Pot’s Cambodia? He reckons politicians are all bought and that an “appointed” – i.e. a king’s government, certainly undemocratic -  government should rid the country of “this evil parliamentarian system.”

More Pol Potism or just ultra-nationalist xenophobia when Sondhi says: “Thailand needed to be closed off for 3-5 years, so that an appointed government can reorganize the country and wipe away dirty things, as everything had been ruined, be it the police, military, judiciary, or religion.”

This sounds scary indeed.

Who is good and unspoiled? Well, as one would expect, PAD. Sondhi is quoted: “Without the yellow shirts, he had no idea where Thailand would be right now.” They are “patriotic, must follow the dharma and fight to pay back for the country.” They have great merit….

Sprouting his increasingly vile position, Sondhi states: “Ousting Thaksin, Samak, Somchai and Abhisit is still something petty, incomparable to fighting for the country, because they are worth even less than dog shit…”.

Of course, Sondhi has powerful military supporters and backers: “The following night, retired high ranking officers, including Gen Preecha Iamsuphan, Air Chief Marshal Therdsak Sajjarak, Vice Admiral Pratheep Chuen-arom and Pol Lt Gen Somkiart Phuangsap, who, it was claimed, represented the four armed forces, went on the same stage to discuss the issue of loss of territory. According to ASTV-Manager, they agreed with Sondhi’s idea to ‘close the term for the old generation of politicians for 3-5 years to recover democracy and rescue the country which has been ruined’.”

Who else is supporting PAD and keeping it on the streets?

ACM Therdsak raised the Sondhi assassination bid to claim the Democrat Party was behind it: “… the truth cannot be concealed from the PAD, because we know for sure that it was people in the Abhisit government who ordered the shooting. But the PM is a coward, and conceals the truth to help his cronies to protect his own power…”.

We don’t think Sondhi is plain mad. We think he is steering a course to the extreme right. Where can all of this lead as the far right becomes even more extreme?

Privy council assassination bid

A couple of weeks ago PPT raised the question of whatever happened to the alleged plot to assassinate privy councilor and former justice minister Charnchai Likitjitta. The Bangkok Post now gives its readers something of an answer. It reports that 4 men charged with the “plot” have been found guilty of “masterminding” a plot to assassinate the privy councilor  last year.

Privy Councilor Charnchai

PPT invites readers to look at the story as it appears in the Post and tell us if they understand what happened. Yes, the Samut Prakan provincial court “sentenced Khamik Sukkanchanakat, Thienchai Muangjanthuek, Suchart Sapmanee and Sukree Khaopong to 16 years and eight months each in prison.” And, yes, the prosecutors tell us that there was a failed attempt, twice, to get to Charnchai’s house and shoot him.

But who were these “masterminds,” what was their reason for wanting Charnchai dead, and why were they so hopeless at arranging it? As is usual in these cases, there is a statement that: “Interrogation uncovered the assassination plot and led to the arrest of the masterminds.” PPT is left to wonder about it all.

If any readers have further information, send it along.

Updated: The Cambodians and red shirts

The highly politicized Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has decided to push ahead on the very unlikely story related to the 11 men arrested/detained/protected or something else in Chiang Mai, who were at one time accused of undergoing weapons training (but weren’t) at a resort in the north. PPT posted on this “case” of alleged red shirt “freedom fighters” or “terrorists-in-training” earlier. Our skepticism (and that of others) was expressed there.

DSI now claims that an “investigation” had discovered that “39 Thai men” – we presume DSI checked their passports and IDs – “have been trained for arms use in Cambodia for a mission to assassinate this country’s key public figures including Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva.”DSI claims this was a second round of alleged training in Cambodia.

Given that DSI is very much a flunky agency for the Abhisit regime, continually making political cases and rapid-fire allegations, all this is a bit hard to believe, but the report is carried by MCOT, so is going to get attention.

Pol-Lt Col Payao Thongsen, chief of DSI investigators probing the terrorism charge-related activities, told a news conference that the 11 (arrested/detained/protected or something else) men were “suspected of involvement in a movement to destabilise national security and plan to kill the country’s very important persons as well as overthrow the monarchy…”. This mirrors statements made by Chiang Mai police a few days ago. He claims that “police … have … solid evidence such as phone call details between these people and Red Shirt DJs group in Cambodia…”.

Apparently the men were “well-trained in using firearms” after a full one week of training (see below). Interestingly, trained assassins sent to kill king and prime minister, are now “under witness protection scheme in exchange for useful information which could lead to an arrest of other accomplices.” The colonel also said that these nasties had “confessed to being members of the anti-government movement, the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), and … were recruited and taken by Red Shirt leaders to Cambodia for arms training.” After that shock announcement, the DSI “investigator” linked this group to “men-in-black.” As he mentions the April and May events, we might assume that these men-in-black are not the one’s who took over an airport car park recently, apparently supporting a “business arrangement” for government-aligned politicians. In any case, these men had not undergone the alleged training until after 19 May.

Payao claimed that it was “Red Shirt leaders in northern region, mainly Red Shirt disc jockeys at community radio stations” who organised the training in Cambodia. Red shirt leader Arisman Pongruangrong is also said to have been involved. The colonel says one “group convened in Bangkok, leaving Thailand by way of the Chong Jom border crossing in Surin province, the second group gathered at Nakhon Ratchasima and left Thailand via Chong Jom, and the last group met at Sa Kaeo and crossed to Cambodia…”. Linking this story to the Privy Council-linked alarmist claims released over the weekend, Payao said the 39 were “in a Cambodian army camp and they were trained by Cambodian soldiers.”

Payao claims that the first week of the alleged training “focused on political education but inciting anger and hatred on the monarchy while the second week was how to use military weapons and the third week was field operations training…”. He says that DSI found a “map of routes leading to [the] home of former deputy prime minister Suthep Thaugsuban who oversees national security had been used for the training of how to carry out the assassination plot and how to deal with his security guards…”. The targets for assassination also included Abhisit, Newin Chidchob and acting Police Inspector-General Pol Lt-Gen Somkid Boonthanom.

Colonel Payao said the “35 armed men arrived Thailand August 16 and then went separate ways before reuniting again in Phufa Resort in Chiang Mai in September to be standby for the operation as asked by UDD leaders in the northern region.” There is no indication where the other 24 associated with this alleged plot are now located, although the DSI G-men are on their trail, including in Cambodia.

PPT awaits the evidence that will no doubt be made available in the (presumably open) court cases. We are also keen to hear the Cambodian response.

Update: The Nation now has a brief story on this Payao press conference. Meanwhile, the Cambodian government has denied the claims. Cambodian government spokesman Phay Siphan stated: “It’s made up. Our constitution does not allow anyone to do that sort of thing [on Cambodian soil]…. Nobody is allowed to do any such stupid thing in Cambodia.” As might be expected, he also referred to “recent meetings between Prime Minister Hun Sen and Abhisit in the United States and Brussels were evidence of Cambodia’s good intentions to improve relations.” Phay added: “So I think this accusation is a made-up story to blame Cambodia, and is also [part of the] campaign against the red shirts, using Cambodia as a springboard for Thai local politics…”.

Updated: Anti-monarchy plots alleged

Yesterday, at the end of this post, PPT had mention of 11 men arrested in the north initially said to be “red shirt” assassins-in-training. We also mentioned the related claim by Newin Chidchob that that there was an assassination contract on him by a “former boss.”

The Nation now reports further claims by a senior police officer that 11 apprehended men are part of a plot against the monarchy.

The arrested men are stated to have “received weapons training for purposes targeting national security…”. “National security” is now Abhisit Vejjajiva regime code for the monarchy.  They are said to have immediately agreed – “vowed” is the term in the report – to “disclose useful information to authorities…”.

According to the police, mirroring claims earlier made by certain government officials and reported in several national and international news outlets, the men say they are part of “a movement was set up to subvert the country through acts of terror…”.The police officer speaking to the media added: “We have information about the weapons training they received, and their involvement in various activities including bomb-related incidents, the anti-monarchy movement, assassination plots and other incidents which caused disruption to public order in Bangkok and elsewhere…”.

So the claim is that the assassins in training morphs into a claim that they have already been bombing and so on, all around the country.

Then the police officer makes the unbelievable claim that the “police were treating the matter purely as a criminal case without seeking political motives. He refused to indicate whether the men were red fighters, or linked to the infamous ‘men in black’, who are believed to be behind incidents of violence during the red-shirt protests in May.” But he can still be quoted as saying: “If all details [coming from the 11 suspects] are linked together, and coupled with information achieved through investigations by the Department of Special Investigation into more than 200 incidents, they will be very useful for the country…”.

No names or other details have been released and the men have not been charged. The gleeful policeman alleged that there “are other groups receiving similar weapons’ training and scheming to carry out similar activities…” and then added: “but I can’t tell you where they are based now. It’s a sensitive issue and may affect investor confidence if details are revealed…”. That sounds very odd to us.

PPT noted yesterday that claims of assassination plots are legion and that “investigations almost always lead nowhere. Readers might recall that the last claimed assassination plot involving the monarchy was said to be against a privy councilor.

This case was the subject of several posts at PPT (here, here, here and here) and involved Privy Councilor Charnchai Likhitjitta. Suspects were quickly arrested, but all were soon released and that was all that was ever heard of the case. At the time we speculated that the “alleged plot may well turn out to be a political conspiracy rather than a real plot.” We might speculate again about this police claim.

Related because it involves the monarchy and in the same report, it is stated that an alleged bomb hoax against the king at his Siriraj Hospital retreat has been arrested. The man in custody is said to be a “cobbler for allegedly making a prank bomb threat against the Siriraj Hospital last week.” Police stated that he “is a supporter of the red-shirt movement and said he selected the target because it was an important place, and did the prank out of his dislike for a coalition party.”

Again, we can’t help wondering if there are real plots involved or whether the plot is simply to (again) make links between red shirts – as they regroup and get active – and anti-monarchy conspiracies.

Update: And just for good measure, another story of alleged red shirts (maybe) in training as, in this story, “freedom fighters”:

The military is conducting an investigation into activities of the red freedom fighters nabbed by the authorities for weapon training along the Thai-Burmese border in Tak Province.

Mae-sod Chief-of-staff staff of special unit region 4 , Colonel Prasan Saengsirirak said that he had sent officers to inspect the area said to have been a training site, but found no suspicious movements. He, however, ordered troops to set up check points in front of Mae-sod district in order to step up security measures.

Burma has also set up check points in the area.

It is interesting, given Kasit Piromya’s recent comments, to see support for the Thai regime from the Burmese military thugs.

Red shirt resentment and action

There’s a useful report on red shirts outside Bangkok in a U.N.-based newsletter that warrants consideration. It does considerable summarizing of already well-known information, and continues the theme of lack of reconciliation by the government as it hunts and arrests red shirts. As the report states, “though many of its leaders have been detained, the Red movement is, in fact, far from over, as community grassroots groups … continue to collect money for the cause and as Reds convene more rallies…”. See some clips of recent events below.

It cites Jim Della-Giacoma, South East Asia project director for the International Crisis Group: “Genuine reconciliation can only happen when the government stops suppressing the Red Shirts and allows them to voice their aspirations and grievances through peaceful political channels.” The report continues: “That means restoring electoral democracy and respecting the vote, even if those in power lose.”

One of the surprising aspects of the report is the claim by [m]any Reds” that there was “a utopia completely void of corruption during the Thaksin [Shinawatra] years…”. That may be a rural villager’s perspective on the changes that have taken place post-Thaksin as the military and civil bureaucracies have reinforced their control, and this allows for increased demands on the public for “support.”

As PPT has also pointed out, “there is little awareness on the part of the ruling elites as to how deep-seated change needs to be.” Michael Montesano is quoted: “There are people who get it and are virulently opposed to change, and there are even more people who don’t get it…. I don’t think there’s an understanding in the top rungs of the government that the old tricks just won’t work any more.”

The report also comments on “Red Sundays” partly organized by Sombat Boonngamanong. Some of these are seen in the clips below. Sombat says: “The government can now see that the Red Shirts will not be defeated…”.

PPT is pretty sure that Thai E-News remains pretty much blocked in Thailand. Our recent scan of their posts revealed some recent video gems, which we wish to post here for those interested in current red shirt activism:

The site also includes links to Picassa pages of photos.

On the government’s part, repression and startling claims regarding “terrorism” remain the order of the day. The government’s leading supporter, banned politician and former Thaksin supporter Newin Chidchob has claimed that a former “boss” has put out an assassination contract on him. Newin says the”former boss” – PPT and everyone else assumes he means Thaksin – has put up 20 million baht for the assassination. The claim seems odd given that Newin is often in highly public situations, not least at football games, so he would be a relatively easy target if a professional assassin had really been hired. Maybe he’s been watching Bangkok Dangerous.

PPT notes that claims of assassination plots are legion in recent years, but that the only ones that had any basis appear to be that against Thaksin when he was premier, and another against yellow-shirt leader Sondhi Limthongkul. Neither seems to have seen any effort to get the masterminds brought to justice.

This claim by Newin follows hard on the heels of a government report that it has busted a ring of 11 “red shirt” assassins-in-training “at a resort in Chiang Mai in preparation to launch violent acts and political assassinations.” That is convenient given Newin’s accusation. The Post states that the police “acknowledged the arrest but refused to provide details.”

Red shirt leader and parliamentarian Jatuporn Promphan, in the story on Newin, called the the arrest “a birthday gift for Mr Newin.” He added that the arrests and confessions “seemed to be scripted.” He denied all knowledge of the men and suggested that they weren’t red shirts.

At the very least, the claims of terrorists need to be substantiated and more information supplied; usually, it is at this stage that the claims seem to melt into history…. Let’s see if anything happens this time.