Why here? Why now?
November 16, 2007
Sven-Goran
Eriksson, left, manager of English Premiership football club Manchester
City, and club director Panthongtae Shinawatra arrive at Suvarnabhumi
airport yesterday. SAROT MEKSOPHAWANNAKUL.
I'm sure that when many people saw the pictures of Sven-Goran Eriksson arriving in Bangkok yesterday together with the former prime minister's son, the first thing they thought was "this is political". That was certainly my reaction. But this is also a sports story and if that is where your interest lies, check out this story from the Bangkok Post's sports pages this morning.
Now, back to politics. The story below will give you the details of why there is very likely an ulterior motive in the Manchester City manager's visit. That is also the subject of today's editorial – a very hard-hitting editorial entitled "Don't play games with football."While the editoral praised the efforts to bring Thai football player Suree Sukha into the Premiership and the efforts to raise the standards of Thai football in general, it also warned people to "be alert to the possibility that he (former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra) is manipulating the moment for personal, political gain."
"It is much too early to start pouring effusive thanks on the former premier just yet," the editorial stated.
"Mr Thaksin rightly became known as Thailand’s most devious political leader after he took power in 2001. Like many populist leaders around the world, he burst on the scene and burned up like a shooting star. But while he may be in self-exile, Mr Thaksin clearly hopes to return to power. During his time in power, he proved he was one of the most cynical politicians ever."
Ouch!
ulterior motive – a reason for doing something that someone keeps hidden and does not admit เจตนาแอบแฝง
alert – to be aware of; to realise ตระหนังถึง
manipulating – controlling or influencing, often in a dishonest way ควบคุม บงการ
effusive – showing much or too much emotion ล้นหลาม เต็มเปี่ยม
devious – behaving in a dishonest or indirect way คดโกง
populist – claiming to give the highest importance to the opinions and needs of ordinary people ได้รับความนิยม
burst – came suddenly ปรากฏขึ้นทันที
self-exile – deliberately living outside your own country เนรเทศตนเอง
cynical – not caring that something might hurt other people, if there is some advantage for you; believing that people only do things to help themselves rather than for good or honest reasons เห็นแก่ตัวและชอบถากถาง เยาะเย้ยคนอื่น
Sven arrives to sign three Thai players
WANCHAI RUJAWONGSANTIKULTIDA SAMABUDDHI
Manchester City coach Sven-Goran Eriksson arrived in Bangkok yesterday to sign three Thai players today – a move that raised questions about the motivation of club chairman Thaksin Shinawatra.
The club says Eriksson's trip to Asia is aimed at raising the English Premiership side's profile in the region as part of deposed prime minister Thaksin's plan to turn the Blues into ''one of the world's biggest global football brands''.
But with the Dec 23 general election just over one month away, diplomats, activists and journalists believed the timing of Eriksson's arrival was linked to politics.
Diplomats suspected political motives behind the signing of Thailand internationals Suree Sukha, Kiatprawut Saiwaew and Teerasil Dangda.
''There is no need for the club to sign the players now when the transfer window will not be re-opened until January,'' said one European diplomat.
Sports journalists shared the view, although they believed the move would also benefit the country's football development.
''It certainly has something to do with politics,'' said writer Apisit Apisuksiri, who is better known by his pen name Nostradamus.
''The players will not be able to play for the club now. So why do they have to sign the players now? The answer is apparent.''
Apisit said the signing of the players was unlikely to help boost the popularity of the People Power party (PPP), which supports Thaksin. However, it would boost his exposure.
Wootinon Boonwanit, a football writer at Siam Rath newspaper, said Man City could have signed the players a long time ago if they really wanted them. ''I think everybody knows the motives,'' he said.
However, Wootinon said although he believed the signing was politically motivated, it would help Thai football.
motivation – the reasons for doing something แรงจูงใจ
raising the profile – to make a person, organisation, country, etc. better known สร้างภาพ ทำให้เป็นที่รู้จัก
deposed – forced to leave a position of power หลุดจากตำแหน่ง
global – throughout the whole world ทั่วโลก
diplomat – a person whose job is to represent his or her country in another country นักการทูต
journalist – a person whose job is to collect and write news stories for newspaper, magazines, radio or television สื่อมวลชน
linked – connected with ถูกเชื่อมโยงกับ
transfer window – the time of the season when football clubs are allowed to take players in or out of their teams การแลกเปลี่ยนตัวผู้เล่น
apparent – easy to see or understand เห็นได้ชัด
boost – to increase; to strengthen เพิ่ม กระตุ้น
exposure – discussed or mentioned on television, in newspapers, etc. การเปิดโปง การตีแผ่
''Thaksin has resorted to all means to achieve his political goal. Football is one of them,'' he said, adding that once Man City helps him get what he wants, Thaksin will not hesitate to abandon the football club.
The arrival of City's manager would help promote the People Power party, which has announced that it represents the old power clique.
The PPP will hold a public meeting at Sanam Luang today.
Suriyasai also warned the public not to fall into Thaksin's trap.
''The club's support of Thai footballers is laudable, but that cannot undo the damage the Thaksin regime has caused,'' he said.
Thaksin's son, Panthongthae, who is fighting tax fraud charges, flew into Bangkok from Shanghai with Eriksson. They arrived to hundreds of awaiting reporters and supporters who wore T-shirts bearing Thaksin's photo and the slogan ''We love Thaksin, await his return''.
Eriksson declined to comment to journalists
revive – to become or to make strong again ฟื้นฟู ทำให้กลับมาแข็งแรงอย่างแต่ก่อน
popularity – the state of being liked, supported or enjoyed by a large number of people ความนิยม
resorted to – used something, especially something bad or unpleasant, because nothing else is available ยืมมือ
means – a way of achieving or doing something วิธีทาง
hesitate – to be slow to act because you feel uncertain or nervous ลังเล
abandon – to leave, especially when you have no intention of returning ทิ้ง สละ
old power clique – (negative) the small group of people who held power under the former government กลุ่มอำนาจเก่า
laudable – deserving to be praised or admired น่าชื่นชม
undo – to cancel the effect of แก้ไข
regime – a method or system of government, especially one that has not been elected in a fair way ระบอบ
fraud – the crime of cheating in order to get money or goods illegally การฉ้อโกง
bearing – carrying พิมพ์ภาพ
declined – refused politely ปฏิเสธ บอกปัด