Thaksin quickly forgets his past

Thaksin quickly forgets his past.

How dare he? That was the question asked by news anchor Kanok Ratwongsakul during his morning news programme on Friday as he reacted to a remark by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra that the blackout on news about him ordered by the Council for National Security (CNS) would harm the country's image and he would like to see press freedom being restored. Mr Thaksin was quoted by his lawyer and personal spokesman Noppadon Pattama as saying that interfering with news presentations would deprive the public of direct access to information and slow down the process of national reconciliation. Expressing concern about the CNS blackout on news about him, the ex-premier appealed for quick restoration of press freedom.

I couldn't agree more with Kanok. How laughable is it that a man who once held the media in deep contempt and who did everything within his power to silence his critics is now advocating freedom of the press?

As a matter of fact, he should be the last person in this Land of Smiles to speak out in support of press freedom. The well-documented record of his treatment of the media during his five years in office speaks volumes about his deep disdain for either free expression or press freedom.

Like an opportunist lurking in the dark waiting for the right opportunity to strike, Mr Thaksin, apparently without second thought, quickly seized the opportunity to lecture the CNS on press freedom to score political points when he realised the top brass had blundered when they sought to muzzle the broadcast media. His move might also stem from the fact that he would be directly affected by the news blackout which would deprive his supporters of access to information about him.

Apparently in a rush to score political points, the former dear leader of the Thai Rak Thai seems to have forgotten that he is totally unqualified to speak on the subject of press freedom. Or, perhaps, he just didn't recall his record of press intimidation. Either way, his expressed advocacy for press freedom makes him look like a clown.

I have no idea how much Mr Thaksin is paying Mr Noppadon for the legal service or for acting as his mouthpiece. But judging from this episode in relaying Mr Thaksin's ''believe-it-or-not'' message to the public, it would perhaps be in the ex-premier's own best interests if Mr Noppadon just stuck to his legal skills for which he is well trained.

Mr Thaksin's reaction to the CNS news blackout order also made a mockery of the recent statement, from Mr Noppadon's mouth, that the ex-premier wants to wash his hands of politics and for political stability to be restored.

With the undercurrent problem still persisting, it requires more than mere words from Mr Thaksin's mouth that he no longer has any political ambitions and only wants to live the peaceful life of an ordinary man.

A well-known fortune teller recently predicted that Mr Thaksin's ordeal would continue throughout the year unless he turned over a new leaf, being more discreet, less stubborn, less talkative and quit politics. But none of these have happened yet.

The CNS, meanwhile, is tightening the screws on Mr Thaksin, his family and his cronies.

Apparently on CNS instructions, the Foreign Ministry has already revoked the diplomatic passports of Mr Thaksin and his wife, Khunying Potjaman. As well, the probes into corruption allegations against the former premier and his cronies is speeding up with two cases already completed.

Although the CNS has backed away from its news blackout order following protests by the Broadcast Journalists Association and civic groups, Mr Thaksin's supporters will see him less often and hear less of him over the airwaves. So Mr Noppadon may have to curtail his weekly press conferences and concentrate on his legal profession.

Would this be the right time for Mr Thaksin to do some soul searching?

Veera Prateepchaikul is Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Post Publishing Co Ltd.

Bangkok Post
Monday January 15, 2007