March 8, 200917 yr There's a long piece about Thaksin's problems in today's South China Morning Post in Hong Kong. Bascially it suggests that whilst Thaksin seems to have enjoyed his many visits to Hong Kong throughout his exile, spending his time meeting "Thai political cronies by the dozen, plotting strategy and funding the parties acting as his post-coup proxies and trying to keep friendly coalitions together" and in "meetings with Washington-based lobbyists and publicity strategists," these days may now be coming to an end. The article says that Thaksin may have invited trouble by his actions, particularly his aborted plan to give a speech at the HK Foreign Correspondents' Club last week. This has raised the prospect of Thailand talking to China about extradition procedures. Whilst Thailand does have a treaty with mainland China, it does not have one with Hong Kong - a hangover from the territory's colonial past. At least, not yet! "Respected Thai political scientist Dr. Thitinan Pongsudhirak said Thaksin, a cunning player himself, appeared increasingly desperate and may have overreached himself this time . . . Beijing operates in far too nuanced a way to issue a public warning - and they don't have to - Thaksin will understand the risks. It does help feed the perception that Mr. Thaksin is running out of options and running out of time."
March 8, 200917 yr Taxin does not have to worry too much about being brought back to Thailand. They don't want a Martyr on their hands. If they were serious would they, after arresting him, give him back his passport to go to China for the Olympic games? Or if they really wanted him, when he went to the Thai Consulate to be divorced in Hong Kong being a Thai territory, could have arrested him at any time. No, I don't think they really want him back in Thailand unless it is to shut him up.
March 8, 200917 yr A marriage of convenience as opposed to a love affair. Hes probably promising the Chinese/HK government loads of juicy contracts etc when he gets back into power.
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