Today, news that “caretaker” Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is off to watch the World Cup final. Some of his quotes are getting lots of column inches and air time.

According to The Nation,

“Products like sports shirts and balls made in Thailand, as well as Thai referees, have gone to the World Cup, so I want to see Thai prime ministers go to the World Cup as well,” Thaksin told the staterun Thai News Agency (TNA).

Throughout this World Cup I have wondered about the lack of a Thai media presence on the ground in Germany. Given the event’s incredible popularity, why haven’t there been any Thai commentators or analysts walking the streets and hanging out in beer gardens? Will a savvy TV producer get Thaksin on the air to provide his own insights from the stadium and the street? I bet it would be a vote winner!