A few comments from a newcomer.
1) Is it possible for someone in official position to present
himself as a private citizen for his activities? For example can
the Japanese PM visit the Yasukuni Shrine as a private citizen
while holding the office? If yes, then the Chinese and Koreans have
no ground to condemn any Japanese PM from visiting their shrine as
a private citizen. If no, then the Chinese had grounds when they
protested against LHL private visit to Taiwan. Similarly, the Thais
have ground to be unhappy for a 'dissident' to visit our DPM
privately.
2) Can we stop someone holding a legal passport and not formally
restricted by his country in anyway to be interviewed by a foreign
press legally stationed in Singapore? No, if there is no legal
grounds. Unless subversive (against Singapore) speech was given,
then there is again nothing wrong.
3) The Singapore government's is to provide and protect the best of
interests to Singapore. There are no eternal friends, only
everlasting benefits. We may never know if Thaksin will ever become
a PM again since he has a strong support base in the north and he
still wants to be a member of the TRT party.
4) The Singaporean officials should have already calculated and
weighted the benefits and fallouts of this particular event before
hand. I would say, as per SOP since this is not the first time and
will not be the last. LHL's private visit to Taiwan created some
issues. I would say, everything is within 'tolerance' and
control.
5) The current Thai king is only next to Budhha in the heart of the
Thais. No one can survive in the kingdom if he speaks ill of the
royal family, especially the king. He exerts crucial influence in
politics through his privy counsellors who are mostly former PMs
and top military commanders. He has done many things for his
people, if not they would not have revered him so much. He is a
strong supporter of democracy and constitution monarchy. He just
wants what he thinks are good for his people, and being more
wealthy without is not necessary a good thing.
