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May 12, 2004

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I took a taxi today to avoid talking to that guy who's name I still do not know. Does that make me a bad person? I just want a few minutes to myself on my way to and from work - is that too much to ask?

Anyway, the story of the purchase of a stake in Liverpool FC by the Thai PM gets more interesting. Forget about the second bidder. There's much more to look at.

Thaksin Shinawatra, who founded the vast Thai telecommunications empire Shin Corp before entering politics, said he was leading a consortium of Thai investors which aimed to invest "more than" Bt4bn (£60m) in the Premiership club.

The consortium is believed to include Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, Thailand's reclusive but influential liquor baron, whose Chang Beverages - a local beer brewer - is locked in a bitter legal battle with Carlsberg, sponsor of the Liverpool team shirts.

The telecoms mogul turned politician also suggested some taxpayer funds could help finance the purchase, which he said was "an investment in the future" that would boost Thai football players so they could compete in the World Cup.
(My emphasis)

We'd better thank our stars all Tung Che-hwa could waste our tax dollars on was a bunch of aging rock-stars and a little-watched video. Thai tax money on a football club? What about the Thai taxpayers that support other clubs? Will it become compulsary to swear allegiance to the King of Thailand and Liverpool FC? Will it be treason if you support Fulham or (perish the thought) Man U? If you're going to do something with tax dollars, why not try something like this?

 posted by Simon on 05.12.04 at 09:40 AM in the




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Comments:

and then we'd see cringeworthy deification of the likes of owen and heskey in the likeness of buddha. just like what they did to beckham. and then the obligation of the entire liverpool squad to tour bangkok during the summer break to entertain the millions of 'pool fans - both lifelong and bandwagon. i suspect more of the latter.

and think about the dosh they can generate from the tourists who'd spend their hard-earned penny's to go to bangkok to see the players. and at the same time boosting the whore trade. it doesnt take a rocket scientist to see through that scheme.

 posted by: breanagh on 05.12.04 at 11:39 AM [permalink]

Ummm... didn't Tung go to school in Liverpool? Isn't this part of the reason that Hong Kong did in fact throw government money to Liverpool last summer to play in Hong Kong?

posted by: Tom -Daai Tou Laam on 05.12.04 at 01:35 PM [permalink]

Tom - I went to the Liverpool game last year. That's why the whole "beer" element of this adds an even funnier dimension to the whole thing.

 posted by: Simon on 05.12.04 at 04:42 PM [permalink]




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