Jakrapob Penkair, a former Prime Minister’s Office minister and a pivotal figure in the red shirt movement, made headlines upon his return to Thailand on March 28, ending his 15-year self-imposed exile. (Photo: Jakrapob Penkair Facebook)
One of the hot-button issues Jakrapob addressed upon his return was the contentious topic of rewriting Thailand’s constitution. According to him, this should not be an immediate priority for the Paetongtarn Shinawatra government. Rather, it should be a deliberate, inclusive process that involves all political factions and the general public. “I believe that rewriting the entire constitution will take time. It is a long-term process, but allowing all parties and the public to participate in the process can begin immediately. Discussing it won’t hurt,” he emphasized.
Jakrapob suggested that state-owned media could serve as a vital tool for informing the public about the strengths and weaknesses of the current constitution. He stressed the importance of collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure that the revision process is consensual, thereby aligning public sentiment and facilitating a unified decision. Privately-owned media, in his view, should also be engaged to help disseminate information widely.
His comments come in the wake of the Pheu Thai-led government’s recent attempt to amend sections of the constitution focused on ethical standards for political officeholders. This initiative faced resistance from coalition parties like Bhumjaithai and Ruam Thai Sang Chart, leading Pheu Thai to withdraw its proposal. Consequently, the opposition People’s Party also put its push to amend ethics-related sections on hold, not wanting to jeopardize momentum for other significant constitutional changes.
Turning his attention to the future, Jakrapob expressed confidence that the Paetongtarn government could complete its term if it garners public approval. He advised the administration to focus on short-, medium-, and long-term goals while maintaining consistent communication with the public about its progress. “For example, if the government is developing a flood warning system, they need to inform the public when it will be completed. People need to know the timelines for each project the government is undertaking,” he noted.
He opined that addressing public issues effectively could secure the party a win in the 2027 elections. However, the outcome will hinge on how well the party articulates its visions and policies, making them tangible for the electorate. Jakrapob also expressed his readiness to assist the government in international relations and cooperation, leveraging his previous experience in these areas.
Jakrapob’s return on March 28 after a decade and a half abroad is noteworthy. He is known for his close ties to Thaksin Shinawatra, Pheu Thai’s de facto leader and father of Prime Minister Paetongtarn. Jakrapob previously served as a government spokesman during the Thaksin administration between 2003 and 2005. He was later appointed minister attached to the Prime Minister’s Office during the Samak Sundaravej administration in 2008.
His fall from grace came in 2009 when he went into self-imposed exile after being charged with violating Section 112 of the Criminal Code, known as the lese-majeste law, for a speech delivered at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand (FCCT) on Aug 29, 2007. Although public prosecutors dropped the lese-majeste charge in September 2011, the 2014 coup led by Prayut Chan-o-cha forced Jakrapob to stay abroad. The National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) summoned him, but he remained in exile.
Before his political career, Jakrapob was a well-known political talk show host, gaining popularity for his insightful commentary. Analysts believe that his return could signal the beginning of a new political era, potentially paving the way for the return of hundreds of Thai political refugees who sought asylum following the 2014 military coup. Jakrapob’s re-emergence has certainly added a new layer of intrigue to Thailand’s political landscape.
Jakrapob’s idea of inclusive constitutional reform sounds great in theory, but will it actually happen in Thailand’s political climate?
Realistically, involving all factions will just lead to endless debates with no real progress. Thai politics are too fractured.
That’s a fair point, but isn’t any progress better than none at all? Dialogue has to start somewhere.
How about we give it a chance? He seems to genuinely want to involve everyone in the process.
I think it’s about time someone took a collaborative approach. Historically, forcing changes has only led to more unrest.
Only if people are actually willing to collaborate and not just push their own agendas.
It’s a hard sell, but maybe Jakrapob’s return could change things. He has the experience and the connections.
State-owned media to inform the public? Sounds like propaganda to me.
Why not use both state-owned and private media? More perspectives can only help.
But do you really think state-owned media will be unbiased? It’s risky.
True, but that’s why involving private media is crucial too. They’ll keep each other in check.
The challenge is that even private media can have its biases, often reflecting the views of their owners. We need some sort of balanced oversight.
The Pheu Thai government backing down on the amendment to ethical standards shows they’re afraid of stepping on toes.
Backing down was the only choice; they’d lose even more support from coalition parties if they pushed it through.
So basically they’re just politicians playing politics, not real leaders taking bold actions.
True leadership is about picking battles. Maybe this wasn’t the right hill to die on.
Jakrapob is back just in time to campaign for Pheu Thai in the next elections. Coincidence?
His return could definitely sway voters. His connection with Thaksin will boost their profile.
Exactly. It’s all strategic. They need his charisma and following.
It’s not just charisma, it’s also his expertise. He knows how to navigate international relations and that’s invaluable.
Experience is crucial, but will people look past his controversial past? PR is going to be key.
Does anyone really believe Jakrapob will be able to change things? He was exiled for a reason.
Sometimes being away gives you a clearer perspective. He might be more effective now.
Or more out of touch with the current realities. Both are possible.
Which public issues should the government prioritize to ensure re-election?
Focus on economic stability and social welfare. Everyday people care more about their immediate lives than abstract political reforms.
Also, transparency and anti-corruption measures should be a priority. People are tired of shady deals.
Good point. Combining both approaches could be their best bet.
I’m curious if Jakrapob’s return will inspire other political refugees to come back to Thailand.
That could complicate things. More voices might mean more chaos rather than constructive dialogue.
True, but it could also mean a richer, more inclusive debate. We need fresh perspectives.
As long as ‘fresh perspectives’ don’t turn into a shouting match. Balance is key.
The real question is: Can the Paetongtarn government actually achieve long-term goals without getting sidetracked by opposition?
They need strong PR and consistent communication really bad. Informing people builds trust.
Absolutely. Visibility on progress could deter opposition from spreading misinformation.
Jakrapob’s role in international relations could be very beneficial for Thailand. We need to improve our global standing.
Or it could drag us into new international issues. Careful what you wish for.