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BKKPost:Feb3 It is not ended yet.
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Kamol Hengkietisak
Feb 3, 1995, 11:27:14 AM2/3/95
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THE BANGKOK POST: PAGE 01
It's the end of chapter one, but don't stop reading, says Thaksin
by Banyat Tasaneeyavej
THAKSIN Shinawatra yesterday insisted that his political life does not end
here, dismissing the suggestion that his departure represents a surrender
to a no-win situation.
His brief three months at the Foreign Ministry? "That was just the first
chapter," he said.
The tycoon-turned-politician considers himself lucky to have had the
opportunity to gain experience in national administration. What he has
seen and done, since joining the Government under Palang Dharma's quota
last October, has been completely differe nt from what he has faced in
business.
"Business was about benefits and interests, and it was clear those could
be achieved only through competition and correct strategies. Politics,
however, has never had a clear direction," he said.
Mr Thaksin, who still has eight days left in office after tendering his
resignation this week, decided to resign before the Constitution Tribunal
ruled whether or not his qualifications accord with Article 114 of the
amended Constitution.
The article prohibits MPs, senators and ministers from holding monopoly
concessions with the state, either directly or indirectly. His
telecommunications group has had major concessions with the state.
Mr Thaksin will make his qualifications accord with the stipulations of
the Constitution before returning to politics to contest a general
election. But he argued that most Thai laws have still been subject to
interpretation and that the given results c annot be deemed final.
The owner of Shinawatra Computers and Communications Group said he will
remain in political circles, but that does not mean he must join a
political party or set up his own political entity. He still has a lot of
time to think about whether he should be come a member of a party. Reports
that he is about to form the "Lanna Party" are groundless, he said.
He denied that he has discussed his political future with Palang Dharma
leader Chamlong Srimuang. "He did me the honour of saying there were no
conditions for me. He has never asked anything of me. He's a real
gentleman."
With Maj-Gen Chamlong he only discussed the tasks left for him at the
Foreign Ministry, and those individuals who might be suitable to succeed
him.
He will use his political experience to generate benefits for society,
although he does not as yet have specific plans. "I may become an academic
first," he said.
He has received great moral support and advice about his political
future.
"Some told me not to join this or that party. Some said I should set up
one of my own. Some even prepared a party for me."
He considers himself to be in "transition", in a position where he can
understand the old and new generations, both in business and politics.
Whatever organisation he works with, he will look at its
macro-operational structure, then lay a foundation. At the Foreign
Ministry, "it was like building a house. We needed a plan first. I drew up
a plan and laid a foundation. If I were still there, I
would continue with that work. Now the newcomer can carry forward what I
have done.
"I was an architect and had the owner of the house work with me.
Although the contractor has changed, the owner will keep the old plan he
has helped draw up."
Mr Thaksin was asked to comment on a report by the Thailand Development
Research Institute which says that Thailand is ranked sixth in the world
in terms of the income gap between rich and poor.
He said he believes the gap will get wider in the future as a result of
the imbalance in national development and the centralisation of
prosperity. He said the Government should sacrifice more for the poor by
giving them the chance to stand on their own
feet.
He recalled his plight when he first entered business.
"I had to try to break the barrier put up by large-scale businesses. I
had to think about doing things which had never been done before, such as
telecommunications. At that time, none of the big businesses here had any
ideas about telecommunications, an d that was why I had some advantages."
At that time, new businesses could be blocked if banks refused to
provide credit.
Mr Thaksin said he is now trying to help those who are disadvantaged by
setting up the Thaicom Foundation to extend educational opportunities to
people in remote rural areas.
It's the end of chapter one, but don't stop reading, says Thaksin
by Banyat Tasaneeyavej
THAKSIN Shinawatra yesterday insisted that his political life does not end
here, dismissing the suggestion that his departure represents a surrender
to a no-win situation.
His brief three months at the Foreign Ministry? "That was just the first
chapter," he said.
The tycoon-turned-politician considers himself lucky to have had the
opportunity to gain experience in national administration. What he has
seen and done, since joining the Government under Palang Dharma's quota
last October, has been completely differe nt from what he has faced in
business.
"Business was about benefits and interests, and it was clear those could
be achieved only through competition and correct strategies. Politics,
however, has never had a clear direction," he said.
Mr Thaksin, who still has eight days left in office after tendering his
resignation this week, decided to resign before the Constitution Tribunal
ruled whether or not his qualifications accord with Article 114 of the
amended Constitution.
The article prohibits MPs, senators and ministers from holding monopoly
concessions with the state, either directly or indirectly. His
telecommunications group has had major concessions with the state.
Mr Thaksin will make his qualifications accord with the stipulations of
the Constitution before returning to politics to contest a general
election. But he argued that most Thai laws have still been subject to
interpretation and that the given results c annot be deemed final.
The owner of Shinawatra Computers and Communications Group said he will
remain in political circles, but that does not mean he must join a
political party or set up his own political entity. He still has a lot of
time to think about whether he should be come a member of a party. Reports
that he is about to form the "Lanna Party" are groundless, he said.
He denied that he has discussed his political future with Palang Dharma
leader Chamlong Srimuang. "He did me the honour of saying there were no
conditions for me. He has never asked anything of me. He's a real
gentleman."
With Maj-Gen Chamlong he only discussed the tasks left for him at the
Foreign Ministry, and those individuals who might be suitable to succeed
him.
He will use his political experience to generate benefits for society,
although he does not as yet have specific plans. "I may become an academic
first," he said.
He has received great moral support and advice about his political
future.
"Some told me not to join this or that party. Some said I should set up
one of my own. Some even prepared a party for me."
He considers himself to be in "transition", in a position where he can
understand the old and new generations, both in business and politics.
Whatever organisation he works with, he will look at its
macro-operational structure, then lay a foundation. At the Foreign
Ministry, "it was like building a house. We needed a plan first. I drew up
a plan and laid a foundation. If I were still there, I
would continue with that work. Now the newcomer can carry forward what I
have done.
"I was an architect and had the owner of the house work with me.
Although the contractor has changed, the owner will keep the old plan he
has helped draw up."
Mr Thaksin was asked to comment on a report by the Thailand Development
Research Institute which says that Thailand is ranked sixth in the world
in terms of the income gap between rich and poor.
He said he believes the gap will get wider in the future as a result of
the imbalance in national development and the centralisation of
prosperity. He said the Government should sacrifice more for the poor by
giving them the chance to stand on their own
feet.
He recalled his plight when he first entered business.
"I had to try to break the barrier put up by large-scale businesses. I
had to think about doing things which had never been done before, such as
telecommunications. At that time, none of the big businesses here had any
ideas about telecommunications, an d that was why I had some advantages."
At that time, new businesses could be blocked if banks refused to
provide credit.
Mr Thaksin said he is now trying to help those who are disadvantaged by
setting up the Thaicom Foundation to extend educational opportunities to
people in remote rural areas.
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