Deja vu: that certain feeling

Thaksin Shinawatra avows the above statement. When he does that, you can be certain.

In 1996, as deputy PM responsible for Bangkok traffic, he promised the traffic problem would be solved in Bangkok in the next year. In 1997 the very expensive automatic traffic-control system was introduced for a few hours and was switched off, to return after a few years to its current misused status.  There is one thing you can be certain of.

In 1997 when the baht was going down the drain, he held out against devaluation. In 2006, when he deserted his post as acting prime minister and went walkabout, he turned out to have enormous wealth abroad. Can we be certain why that was?

In the 2001 government he gave out some baubles to the poor. You can be certain why that was. In the 2004 government he managed to enhance the shares of his satellite company and sell it abroad.

Can we be certain that the rice scheme is good for Thailand? When Thaksin backs it, there is one thing you can be certain of. 

Richard Bowler

Bangkok