Welcome to a twist in the tale of Thai politics, where the ebbs and flows of power are as vibrant as the streets of Bangkok itself. It’s a saga with all the trappings of a dramatic screenplay, and at the center of this narrative is a former Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra—whose recent whereabouts have stirred the pot of controversy once again.
The story unfolds as Thaksin, a figure as polarizing as he is charismatic, emerges from the arrivals gate at Don Mueang airport, greeted by a sea of supporters, all eager to catch a glimpse of the man who has remained a spectre over Thai politics despite his years away. Amidst the throng, his daughter Paetongtarn stands firm, now steering the mighty ship of the ruling Pheu Thai Party.
Meanwhile, in a brisk move echoing the resolve of a seasoned chess player, a protest group has embarked on a mission to compile a mighty ledger of signatures. Their goal? To usher the Supreme Court into probing the state of affairs over the seemingly leisurely pace at which the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) has been investigating Thaksin’s prolonged sojourn at a hospital, rather than a more austere prison infirmary.
Our intrepid orchestrator of this signature quest is none other than Phichit Chaimongkol, leader of the Network of Students and People for Reform of Thailand. This network of proactive citizens aims to assemble an army of 20,000 signatures that will see their petition soar towards the president of the Supreme Court.
As Tuesday beckons, it brings with it the group’s anticipation of a report from the NACC. The group is also targeting the Department of Corrections and the illustrious Police General Hospital, believing there’s a whiff of malfeasance in the air regarding Thaksin’s extended hospital stay.
Now, dial back the clock, and we find the Department of Corrections—loath to make a peep until now—proclaiming that they’re merely heeding the wise words of the medical mavens who insist upon round-the-clock monitoring for Thaksin, a care that couldn’t possibly be confined within the stern stone walls of a prison hospital.
But Phichit and his group? They’re not sold. They’re poised on the edge of their seats, skeptical of Thaksin’s reported ailments, and they’ve made it clear: without satisfactory clarifications, they’re prepared to amplify their rallying cry.
Fast-forward to Friday, and we see a tableau of demonstrators outside Government House. They’ve pitched their dissenting voices against Thaksin’s hospital stay, with plans to encamp until the sun dips behind the horizon on Saturday.
Stepping into the ring is Watchara Phetthong, a veteran of the political stage and former Democrat Party MP, wielding his own request for the NACC to examine the corrections director-general’s actions—or lack thereof—in complying with department regulations.
Thaksin, after fifteen years in self-imposed exile, found himself whisked from Bangkok Remand Prison to Police General Hospital barely a day after his return to Thai soil. His sentences for conflict of interest and abuse of power have since been distilled to a single year behind bars thanks to a royal pardon. But even as he serves his time, the man remains an enigma, with hospital officials keeping him out of sight from curious onlookers, including a House committee on police affairs.
The final chapter in this installment looms as February 22 approaches. It marks the moment Thaksin could stride freely once again, with parole in reach after serving half his sentence. But as with all things in the theater of politics, we must wait for the curtain to rise on the next act. Stay tuned!
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