Thaksin Shinawatra, the charismatic former prime minister, was surrounded by his ardent supporters as he made his entrance at the Pheu Thai headquarters last March. The scene was electric with enthusiasm, as captured vividly by Varuth Hirunyatheb.
As the calendar flips to another critical date, supporters of the red-shirt movement are once again rallying in full force. They are expected to converge at the Criminal Court on Tuesday morning to throw their unwavering support behind Thaksin. The reason? The former prime minister is slated to hear the Office of the Attorney-General’s decision regarding a lese majeste case against him. Yet, despite all the fervor, it appears Thaksin will be notably absent—reports suggest he has been admitted to the hospital once again.
The rally was organized despite these swirling rumors, with Worachai Hema, a former Pheu Thai MP for Samut Prakan and a leader of the red-shirt movement, declaring the case against Thaksin a “miscarriage of justice.” Worachai attributes the charges to the coup led by the now-defunct National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).
According to Worachai, the red-shirt supporters plan to gather at the Criminal Court on Ratchadaphisek Road as early as 7 a.m. on Tuesday. Their mission: to show respect and support for Thaksin while calling for the dismissal of cases filed by the NCPO. He contends that the NCPO’s powers did not stem from democratic processes, adding another layer of controversy to the proceedings.
Conversely, Thai Pakdee Party leader Warong Dechgitvigrom predicts Thaksin will be a no-show at the court. A credible source has informed him that Thaksin has been admitted to a hospital. Dr. Warong is uncertain about how long Thaksin will remain hospitalized but is convinced the timing is strategic.
“The last time, on May 29, he didn’t turn up. This time, the Attorney-General set an appointment for June 18, but I’ve been told he has been admitted to a hospital recently. It seems he’s trying to buy time,” Dr. Warong remarked.
Former red-shirt leader Jatuporn Prompan echoed Dr. Warong’s sentiments, suggesting that Thaksin might either claim illness or flee the country altogether. Jatuporn urged Thaksin to face the OAG, reminding him of the sacrifices made by his supporters over the years.
“I want Thaksin to remember the protests in the past, where many people sacrificed their freedom and lives for him. Now that he’s back, he’s exploiting everyone who’s been fighting for him for a long time,” Jatuporn stated, adding a poignant reminder of the deep emotional investment that has defined this saga.
While the atmosphere is charged with anticipation and uncertainty, one thing remains clear: the fervor surrounding Thaksin Shinawatra and the causes he embodies will not wane anytime soon. Whether he appears at the OAG or not, the resonance of his movement and the passion of his supporters will continue to shape the political landscape in Thailand.
Thaksin being hospitalized just seems too convenient. It’s obvious he’s just trying to avoid facing the charges.
You can’t just jump to conclusions. He has had real health issues before.
Health issues or not, it looks like a strategic move to me. Too many coincidences.
Agreed, Linda. The timing is very suspicious. How many times can someone get conveniently sick?
It’s easy to blame him, but what about the unjust actions of the NCPO? They’ve fabricated charges before.
Why do people still support Thaksin? He’s a corrupt politician who never puts the country first.
You say corrupt, we say visionary. He did more for the rural poor than any other PM.
Visionary? He funneled money to his own businesses. That’s visionary alright—for his bank account.
He did help the poor. Look at the health care initiatives. No one is perfect but some actions were good.
Every politician has their faults. Thaksin at least tried to make changes.
The lese majeste law in Thailand is ridiculous. It’s just used to suppress political opponents.
You can argue that, but the monarchy is a crucial part of Thai culture. We need some protection.
Protection is one thing, but being arrested for criticism is another. It’s a tool for political repression.
Culture evolves, and laws should too. The world is watching how we handle free speech.
Agree with Chai. It’s outdated and only serves to silence voices of dissent.
I’ve met Thaksin in person, and he’s genuinely passionate about helping people. The charges against him are bogus.
Using health issues to delay legal proceedings is classic Thaksin. Just another way to manipulate the system.
All these years, and people are still rallying behind Thaksin. It speaks volumes about his influence.
Why should we care about one man’s trial? Our system is broken and nobody is fixing it.
We care because he’s a symbol. His trial represents bigger issues in our political system.
True. But focusing so much on him distracts us from addressing broader problems.
Both of you make valid points. We need to fix the system but also look at Thaksin’s impact.
YoungThai, it’s about justice and accountability. Everyone’s actions need scrutiny.
Thaksin’s supporters are so loyal, it’s almost cult-like. They should open their eyes to his flaws.
Just watch, Thaksin will flee the country. His supporters are wasting their energy.
He’s already been exiled before. If he flees, it only proves his guilt.
Or maybe he flees because he can’t get a fair trial here. Ever considered that?
I have, but skipping trial repeatedly doesn’t inspire confidence in his innocence.
How much longer will Thailand be divided by this? We need unity, not more rallies.
A divided Thailand serves the ruling elite. As long as we fight each other, they stay in power.
Thaksin has done some bad things, but charging him with lese majeste feels like overkill.
I don’t get why anyone would support Thaksin after all his controversies.
It’s because he’s seen as a champion for the underprivileged, despite his controversies.
Champion or not, shouldn’t we hold leaders to higher standards?
People who say Thaksin is playing the system don’t understand the depth of political manipulation in this country.
Don’t forget, it’s not just about Thaksin. The red-shirt movement is larger than one man.
I’m tired of all the drama. Can’t we just focus on building a better future for Thailand?