'Economist' report on Thaksin encouraging
Some international news media are starting to report events in Thailand in a more realistic and balanced way. In fact, the Economist has done just that.
The Economist in its latest report “Whatever happened to Thaksin?” covered the Pheu Thai Party’s decision not to go on with its “legislative attempt” to revoke the charges against Thaksin one more time – on the same day as the Thai media, December 8.
Having followed the Economist’s reporting and analyses of Thailand for quite some time, I noticed some changes for the better in the newspaper’s reporting.
Possibly this was because House Speaker Somsak Kiatsuranont, also an ardent Thaksin supporter, allegedly and unexpectedly led a group of Pheu Thai MPs and reporters to visit the Economist Group late last month.
However, the analysis from this newspaper seemed to be more balanced and more critical of Thaksin.
It looks like House Speaker Somsak’s “appreciative visit” to the newspaper has backfired.
The report can be viewed here at www.economist.com/news/asia/21568000-former-prime-ministers-allies-concede-there-no-easy-way-get-him-home-whatever-happened.
Vint Chavala
Lamphun
