Thaksin gives up?

Mere hours after an audience with the King of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra has announced he will not accept the position of premier in the next parliament.

People Power triumphs in Thailand? Not quite yet, it seems. Thaksin remains acting Prime Minister. With over thirty seats still unfilled because of the boycott, it’s not clear when Parliament can convene. So until it does, Thaksin remains PM.

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Manuel L. Quezon III.

46 thoughts on “Thaksin gives up?

  1. Ah, there’s one honorable leader.

    The one we have is so despicable and so dishonorable that one begins to wonder whether she’s enveloped in crocodile if not rhinoceros skin…

  2. kudos to the Thais, looks like they have managed to improve upon our people power today in the same way that they have improved upon our rice production back in the 70’s.

  3. I wish Gloria will also realize that her resignation will do our country some good. Sure, it’s not going to solve all our problems but at least we can get rid of the current divisive atmosphere.

    I can hear whoever replaces her saying “Let’s help each other!”.

  4. “I want all Filipinos to reunite! All who oppose me are enemy of the state.”
    Pres. Gloria Arroyo

  5. cvj,

    you are right. in the late 60s and even during the early martial law period under FM, universities in the Philippines counter the thais, the indonesians, the malaysians, the Iranians and a host of others learning agriculture and technology devevelopment. Today, they have gone several notches higher than the Philippines which not only failed to progress, but miserably retrogressed.

    I remember the time when neigbouring airlines sent their pilots to be trained and to practice with PAL aircraft simulator and even had their aircraft caibrated and checked by our technicians. Now our airline pilots are sent for simulation training in Bangkok.

    The worst thing is their leaders are getting civilized while our leaders insist on remaining primitive.

    Gloria is the worst example of a leader that has no pride, no honor and definitely no morals. She will stop at nothing till she’s satisfied that the country is as morally and legally bankrupt as she is…

    This 2-foot nothing rhinoceros skinned human waste must be kicked out before the country drops to her size.

  6. I often laugh in derision when people admire whoever is the enemy of their enemy. Thaksin if you look at his face when he announced his resignation did not seem to be sad. My God he is laughing on his way to the bank. Please please jon..ana and sleeping spare us this kind of comparison

  7. Gloria is a puzzle.
    She’s pin-sized but she’s head-strong.
    She’s short but she has very tall ambitions.
    She’s pretty but her aura is ugly.
    She has a nice smile but she turns people off when she uses it.
    She’s smart but she makes dumb decisions.
    She’s an economist but just can’t seem to get the economy going.
    She recruits and hires competent men and women to help her but they eventually abandon her.
    When she tells the truth, people don’t believe her.

  8. It’s so weird how any issue can just take a turn and come back to being about GMA again. It’s just become tiring to hear already.

    If you can’t think of better ways to benefit the nation other than just toppling her, then start being more creative with the analogies.

    The reactions are a wee bit tunnel vision-ey and predictable na. Really.

    And here I go signing my name again. I really I wish I knew who some of you really are out there behind the aliases.

    It’s so easy to say ANYTHING about ANYONE under the cloak of anonymity.

  9. Emilie, what’s wrong with that? If it’s his money why not? Besides, the man has the HONOR to step down when he knows he’s no longer wanted!

    While your favorite Gloria wades in dishonor and outright filth?

    Are you proud that Gloria steals YOUR money, steals taxpayers’ money that’s meant to feed the poorest of the poor in the Philippines, and not content with stealing the money that’s not hers, she also steals the money from the returned Marcos loot to cheat her way to Malacanang while her husband, her son and her cabal of thieves in Malacanang steal along with her to get fat like the dirty swines that they are? You happy with that? By golly… how low can one go???

    Wow! Where has your sense of values gone, Emilie?

  10. carlos, you can’t begrudge a certain amount of wistful hopefulness when things like this happen, for those on a particular side it’s similar to how people felt when the shah of iran and baby doc duvalier were toppled prior to Marcos’s fall.

  11. Yeah I guess youre right. Sorry about that.

    But as of 1:03 am +8GMT, Midgie is still snoozing away at the palace dreaming little midget dreams. Any chance of her falling won’t happen till after holy week.

    Unless….

    But anyhoo, I really do wonder what is in store for Thailand now. (which is what the issue of this post was about, no?) Frankly, Thailand did benefit quite a bit from his rule. I wonder where the next leader will take them from here…

    I wonder if they are kinda like us. Only runs as good as the driver at the wheel. Hallmark of an ex feudal or feudal state.

  12. Because of what happened to Thaksin Thailand will shift to a presidential tri-partite form of government.

    Thais say it’s the fault of the system and simply replacing Thaksin won’t eliminate corruption so they invited a retired university president, an expat lawyer, an unemployable local lawyer, a few journalists, a chinese businessman, and a dozen or so people to draft a new charter for a presidential form of government.

    They argue that the least developed countries in the world are parliamentary.
    One of their floppy eared political leaders delivered a rapid-fire enuleration of all the sub Saharan countries with a parliamentary form of government.

    Thais are now gathering signatures for a people’s initiative.
    They hope to have their new constitution in place by July at the latest.

    There will be no elections until they sort everything out but the King will remain King and everyone in parliament will automatically become members of Congress. They will draw lots to determine who will become senators.

    Their battle cry is – “Those who are not on the presidential elephant will be trampled”

  13. carlos, you’re even more optimistic than i am. i’m thinking she finally reaches the end of her rope around 2016, just in time for the centennial (and restoration) of the senate.

    then again a big part of me is hoping to telescope the fall to july of this year.

    thaksin is down but not out. he’s still an MP, his party is still the dominant majority. he can make a come back. the oppo there says they now have to sit at the table and work things out, not to mention 30 plus mp’s have to be elected in the empty seats before parliament can convene.

    and thaksin has pending cases, i think, so he can fight those out, too.

  14. MLQ3,

    Re a mr carloscedran’s “It’s so easy to say ANYTHING about ANYONE under the cloak of anonymity.”

    But who is carloscedran in the first place? To me he is just one anonymous soul.

  15. Carlos, you find the reactions weird? If it really does bother you, probably a trip to a nose doctor would help. The stench is already too unbearable and you still find it strange that people want to express their disgust.

    You find the discussions here to be “tiring”, let me suggest something that might suit you better. Go to http://www.gov.ph/forum/

    Have a nice day!

  16. a de brux, all that I am saying is that carlos celdran is the name on my birth certificate and passport. I feel no need to hide behind some vague alias. I just believe that opinions that are given under an alias is just as valid as graffiti written on a public rest room wall.

    My apologies. I didn’t realize a de brux was your real name.

    And as for the nose doctor, you are probably right. I’ll go to one for a checkup. Now na.

  17. Thais force Thaksin to resign, sana tayo rin.
    French hold daily rallies, sana tayo rin.
    Belarus mass up against cheating, sana tayo rin.
    That’s what we’re capable of, sana tayo rin.

  18. Just the act of letting go of power is already admirable. It’s the same admiration I have for Sonia Gandhi.

    Another admirable thing about Thaksin is his way of working within the bounds of their law. Sure, he avoided paying taxes on the Shin Corp-Temasek deal, but that is again within their law.

    But of course of you don’t like Thaksin, things that you feel is wrong will be magnified. It’s the same with Gloria. For people who don’t like her, the mistakes that she does will be magnified too. Look at CPR, EO464, PP1017, the alleged cheating, etc.

  19. Carlos Celdran,

    “… I feel no need to hide behind some vague alias. I just believe that opinions that are given under an alias is just as valid as graffiti written on a public rest room wall.”

    Those are very good points on a very bloggingly significant issue!!! Can any body please pitch-in a couple of points to balance two sides of this issue? Upcoming is iBlog2 Summit at UP. To be or not to be an anonymous blogger, is a mind-blogging question for millions of live-birth-certified flesh and bone,beautiful, beautifully minded, human beings…people … persons.

  20. That will help the Filipino economy more now that they will not have Thaksin.

    It is a sad day for the Thai’s..

    Once again their system allows for this to occur they have a no vote on the ballot paper and he could not have created a government which no one said here.

    Because each person must obtain 20% min vote and each spot must be filled. and with out some of the opposition positions filled from Bangkok he was unable to start the government.

    It was exactly the way their constitution is written that made this possible.

    Ours will not allow for these thing and causes a failure.

  21. Let’s greet the Mrs. Arroyo a Happy Birthday
    and let us light a candle for divine intervention
    to, what Keanna Reeve’s wanted “an open heart to
    understand others” and what we wanted: somewhere in
    this political darkness, let there be light, miracle
    for a new leader and above all, a big birthday surprise
    to give up all politically charged emotion and vested interest.

  22. On the case of being an anonymous blogger..

    I am here one, why because of two reasons i hate spam mail, and second i am one of two,or three here opposing others here.

    Sometimes the conversations get very personal and it is better left here and not taken home.

    After seeing all the threats and other items here it is wise to be anonymous at times.

    I live in this country and are trying to make it better, to be living in another country like many bloggers here, it is nice and safe.

    How much would it cost to have me hurt on the way home 2000 Peso Max.. How much in Hong Kong, France, Australia?

  23. haha . . . cvj, you are funny as you are incisive. I still think though . . .notwithstanding . . . despite . . . Pinoys retain the copyright on People Power. You’ll see.

  24. Sleeping said,
    “Sometimes the conversations get very personal and it is better left here and not taken home.”

    Perhaps only ‘virtually’ personal because anoni-bloggers do not know each other personally or atleast their real names.

    But ur right it do get that way, picking up street fights on the blog. Good point.

    Check out a classic literary ‘match’ ala blogwrestlemania blogbrawl. http://www.rickycarandang.com/?p=69

    Sorry, off-topic, I just wonder if its worth a blogspot. Just for the anonimty or not question.

    Back,

    to Thaksin’s bravery to somehow face the issues with the brave Thais, and with himself. His resignation was unexpected, his vote 16M is significant. It could be a successful personal coup for Thaksin if he faces all the issues squarely.

  25. carlosceldran,

    you said: “I feel no need to hide behind some vague alias. I just believe that opinions that are given under an alias is just as valid as graffiti written on a public rest room wall.”

    — Since I also use an alias, let me take up the cudgels for those who also aliases in their comments or on their blogs.

    That statement is quite unfair. We must learn to dissociate the message from the messenger. The validity or importance of one’s message does not depend on the name/alias the author wants others to identify that message with. Non sequitur.

    Sometimes it’s just a matter of choice, whether the reason be trivial or otherwise. As long as you do not use the alias for illegal and unlawful purposes, like Jose Pidal or Jose Velarde for example, it is perfectly okay to use the same. You say you use Carlos Celdran because it is the name that appears in your birth certificate? So what? What matters to me is your message. I would rather prefer Bystander discuss about the important issues of the day than Atty. Erwin James B. Fabriga, a fledgling lawyer from Cebu City, talk about “Angelica Jones” crying on the loss of her cellphone which she says contains her darkest secrets.

    Well, it is your opinion and you’re entitled to that. But I don’t think you hold the majority view.

  26. Just a little correction to my comment #30. The statement should have read: Since I also use an alias, let me take up the cudgels for those who also use aliases in their comments or on their blogs.

  27. Leopoldo San Juan Salud

    Have to agree that is one blog fest over there..

    I am not into posting on others sites because i trust that MLQ3 will not use his site to get back as his detractors.

    Whereas other sites i am not sure of i have see too many in media back stab and hurt others for their own fame and fortune.So many people are so lucky that they have been talking always about government, or they would have to train their sights on some innocents again, like in the past.

    This also come back to being anon we really are not as with the right connections everyone who blogs can be traced back to a exact location, even terminal..

    MLQ3 has my respect and trust, not only that I have emailed Karl in the past not concerned that he would use that against me. As this is a place for the exchange of ideas and views on the topics MLQ has an interest in..

  28. MLQ3,

    You can lift portions of the Q&A. I’m not sure though if they are “fit” for public distribution. I may have misunderstood the SC decision.

  29. Abe, in the long run, i’m also optimistic on that matter as well, but i’m hoping we Filipinos learn back a thing or two from the Thais. A couple of weeks ago when i was still clueless about the events in Thailand, the topic was brought up over dinner with some officemates. My Thai colleague explained that the PM sold his telecoms firm to Temasek, a Singaporean conglomerate. I asked what was wrong with that. She explained that it was wrong to sell a Thai company to a foreign firm. I replied that i didn’t see anything wrong with such a transaction. She then added that the company was sold without the right taxes being paid. You can really see the fire in her eyes. I can see then that the Thai are really a proud and nationalistic people. When it comes to these matters, there is none of the moral ambiguity that is all too common over here.

  30. Thaksin used his position brazenly in order to increase his wealth legally and there is an undisputed amount attached to it which He and only he benefits USD 1.9 billion.His money? not even His Royal Highness can stomach what he did. But changing the law for his benefit–tax free? ( Is it not so close to the HAcienda Luisita example??–we middle class with only less than 20 has. have to undergo land reform while the top dog in power uses share swap??–what kind of a leader is that? but they all flaunt what they did was legal) The greed is so appalling is it not? What about GMA? Fertilizer …where did it go after merry go round and circus you can not even trace to anyone except that big joke bolante…maybe She took but you cant prove it ended in her bank account.and maybe it ended in the pocket of the voters after all nobody knows.

    don’t forget jose pidal accounts (arroyo’s imelda), juetengate 2, and the cover up attempts done by this admin and it’s allies to protect big mike, emilie. 😉

    and, oh yeah, there’s the lualhati foundation too.

  31. okay. so why don’t you support charter change and institutionalize people power. Insert a provision where a minimum of 100,000 people – marching side by side and chanting one oust slogan simulataneously at least in 1 given time – is enough to kick a sitting President. Should GMA really heed your shouts (god forbid), there would be three People Powers to anchor a framework from.

    Jeez.

    And oh, Jose Pidal, jueteng gate, and all mike As alleged crimes. Where did all these came from? From the privilege speeches of grandstanding senators. Why wasn’t there any case filed in a court where there is a proper judge and not a TV camera and the saliva of Ping Lacson which of course where you are basing your opinions from.

    about the Thaksin thing:
    I am amazed how people could glorify someone just because he/she serves their end.

  32. Chris, I for one did not glorify Thaksin as a person. I admire his ability to give up his power as PM, and his way of working within their laws. But same with ADB, I don’t know much about him.

    Admiring something a person did is the same as hating what someone did but not hating the person, and it’s not equivalent to glorifying the person.

  33. And oh, Jose Pidal, jueteng gate, and all mike As alleged crimes. Where did all these came from? From the privilege speeches of grandstanding senators. Why wasn’t there any case filed in a court where there is a proper judge and not a TV camera and the saliva of Ping Lacson which of course where you are basing your opinions from.

    Victor Corpus did the same thing (go to the senate instead of filing a case in court) vs lacson and none of the pro-arroyo’s complained back then about this either.

    At kung kasinungalingan ang Jose Pidal scandal, why would the administration abduct the key witness to the jose pidal case and then make silly claims na lacson “kidnapped” mahusay raw?

    aba, kung kinidnap ni lacson si mahusay, EH DAPAT KASUHAN si PING no? LOL.

  34. cvj,

    I’m not sure if the Thais have more unambiguous moral yardstick for vetting their leaders. At least by fairly recent corruption perception indices, Filipinos have been as much in the same league as the Thais and the Indonesians (the 2005 index shows all three countries are below the borderline and hence have serious corruption problems).

    Thus, just as the Filipinos would have overlooked election cheating in general, so would have the Thais passed up corruption in high places; certainly, this sordid societal dysfunction has not run out in Thailand.

    What appears to have broken the proverbial camel’s back is when Thaksin was given a huge tax break for the sale of his family’s stake in Shin Corp. even as the tax collectors have been poised to squeeze from the small entrepreneurs and the middle class the needed revenues to underwrite Thaksin’s populist agenda.

    The flagrancy is comparable to the juetengate. If you recall, the Filipino middle class did not notice much the impact on the Philippine economy of the BW stock scandal during President Estrada’s watch (in the Philippines the middle class’ equity ownership is miniscule at best) but the morality play of the juetengate was graspable enough for them to see Estrada’s betrayal of “Erap para sa mahihirap” – all against the backdrop of those other excesses such as the mansions of the presidential mistresses the media played up all-too copiously.

    The thesis I’m prone to pursue is that while Gloriagate (the “Garci tapes” and related scandals) is as fragrant as Estrada’s juetengate (or for that matter Thaksin’s Shingate), the severity of the infraction of certain conceptual rights (i.e., “one man one vote” and “the majority principle”) in the case of Arroyo’s betrayal of public trust could not be as easy to process as the plain-as-vanilla jueteng payoff or the effect of the added tax burden on the pocketbook the smalltime businessmen in Thailand in the face of the enormity of tax holidays given to the superrich Thaksin family.

  35. Abe, thanks for the explanation. I agree with your thesis that Gloriagate is a harder story for the public to process than Juetengate or Shingate. If the Filipino middle class cannot form a clear story in their heads as to where all this is leading, this would mean then that it is currently suffering from a failure of imagination. In 1983, it took Ninoy’s assasination for the people to form a clear story. I wonder what will do it for us this time around.

  36. carlosceldran

    “I just believe that opinions that are given under an alias is just as valid as graffiti written on a public rest room wall.”

    if i write a graffiti on a rest room wall and sign my name under it, would it make the graffiti more valid?

    btw, BIG fan of your blog! 🙂

  37. Ummm… that post above just shouts “use an alias!”. You’ll never know. One day while being interviewed for a highly positioned job, some HR newbie might google your name and come up with an entry you posted on the RABBIT-VIBRATOR site or even at the GRANNIES site.

  38. Thaksin has not resigned. He is still prime minister and leader of the Thai Rak Thai Party. He just said that he will not take up the post of PM in the next government. There is no sacrifice involved here, since the protests would have definitely continued, if he hadn’t backed down in some way, and he might have been ousted with resultant corruption investigations and asset seizures. He cleverly made it look like the King was involved in the decision, although there is no evidence that this topic was even discussed in his audience with the King just before his announcement. Actually he plans to install a puppet prime minister and rail road through constitutional reforms to the benefit of his party and then stage a come back. He is probably the most corrupt and amoral prime minister has ever had and that is saying a lot.

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