When former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra made an appearance at the Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) on a bustling Tuesday afternoon, it seemed as if the winds of rumor had nothing on his lingering presence. Dressed to the nines in a sharp black suit, white shirt, and dashing pink tie, Thaksin waved off speculation with a charming, boyish smile. “I’m old now, over 70 years old. Take it easy,” he casually quipped, the words rolling off his tongue like a seasoned raconteur.
While whispers had been swirling that Thaksin was ready to pull a disappearing act to dodge a potential legal fiasco linked to his infamous and rather plush hospital stay during his nominal prison term, his arrival at the ONCB was decidedly firm-footed and notably public. Riding in with a motorcade that wouldn’t be out of place in a Bond film, Thaksin came on the official invitation to deliver what was touted as a “special lecture” on the thrilling subject matter of drug suppression.
The media melee was a sight to behold as throngs of buzzing reporters and a paparazzi cavalry circled him like hawks eyeing their prey. Unfazed, Thaksin, the epitome of a cool cat, assured them, “I’m still living well, not fleeing anywhere.” This public declaration served as both a testament to his resilience and a signal to the court of public opinion, where speculation had been rampant about his alleged escape plans as the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions set the stage for a date with destiny over his hospital stay on June 13. Both he and his daughter, Paetongtarn, now at the helm as prime minister, were summoned to testify.
Thaksin’s journey back to Thai soil in August 2023 ended a self-imposed 15-year hiatus. Upon touchdown, he was promptly whisked to court, culminating in an eight-year sentence for past transgressions involving abuse of power and conflicts of interest—naughty deeds from his reign as PM from 2001 to 2006. Thanks to royal clemency, his time behind bars was generously curtailed to just one year.
Yet, no sooner had the ink dried on the sentence that health-related drama ensued. Thaksin swapped the stark realities of prison for the comfort of Police General Hospital, courtesy of what the Department of Corrections cited as serious medical conditions—conditions that had cynics in a tizzy wondering about preferential treament. After months of cozy hospital living, February marked his shiny golden parachute—a parole that was as controversial as a soap opera love triangle.
Now, with the Medical Council of Thailand at the helm of an investigation, three doctors are under fire for allegedly embellishing the severity of Thaksin’s health woes. Public Health Minister Tawee Sodsong is currently scrutinizing the findings with laser focus.
Thaksin’s appearance at the ONCB, however, was a seasoned pot stirring its way through the political stew, as the legacy of his 2003 ‘war on drugs’ campaign remained a topic of intense debate. If there were a dictionary entry for “controversial”, his drug crackdown saga could rightfully take center stage. The campaign’s notoriety largely stemmed from its iron-fist tactics, with an estimated 2,800 extrajudicial killings in the campaign’s initial three months—a grim statistic with damning investigations later revealing that over half of the deceased had been unrelated to drugs altogether, according to Human Rights Watch.
Casting a different light on the day’s proceedings, Justice Minister Pol Col Tawee Sodsong clarified that Thaksin was invited in his capacity as an esteemed adviser to the Asean chair. His mandate? To expound on “Narcotics, Transnational Crime: Perspectives and Challenges for Sustainable Solutions.” Quite the mouthful, but in true Thaksin fashion, he was ready to dazzle the audience with his oratorical flair.
Pol Col Tawee presided over the assembly, attended by dignitaries like Prommin Lertsuridej, PM’s Office secretary-general; Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai; Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, alongside a coterie of senior ONCB officials and stakeholders. The gathering delved into one of the burning issues on the docket: tackling drug dilemmas in the deep South, which included ongoing misuse of the kratom plant in the restive region—a topic as thorny as a rose bush in a drought.
As Thaksin dictated narratives of drug suppression, punctuated by his flamboyant charisma, the world watched in rapt anticipation. What happens next in the saga of this larger-than-life figure is anyone’s guess; yet, as it unfolds, it promises to be the kind of compelling drama that hooks an audience until the final curtain call.
Thaksin always knew how to command attention. Despite his age, he’s still right in the thick of it!
It’s all an act. He’s trying to manipulate public opinion and dodge responsibility for his past actions.
You may be right, but politically, he’s got this charm that seems to attract people no matter what he does.
I still can’t believe he got away with so much! An eight-year sentence reduced to just one? Absurd!
That seems to be the norm for politicians. They are all above law if you ask me.
One has to wonder why Thailand continues to showcase Thaksin. Is this really a democracy?
Perhaps he’s still influential behind the scenes. Power does strange things to people and systems.
I can’t get over the unnecessary violence in his war on drugs. It was a national disgrace.
Exactly! And yet there are people who still think he’s a hero. It blows my mind.
Sometimes ‘doing something’ is mistaken for ‘doing the right thing.’
I’m shocked at how oblivious everyone is to the fact that this man is a criminal! Why does he still have a platform?
It’s called influence, Tony. Money and connections can keep anyone relevant.
I’m surprised Paetongtarn is involved in this. Do you think she’s following in her father’s footsteps?
Looks like the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, huh? But who knows, she might want a different path.
Why don’t they just leave this old man in peace already? Let the past be in the past.
That’s easy to say if you weren’t affected by his policies. His past actions still haunt many families.
Thaksin being an ‘advisor’ to the ASEAN chair sounds like a joke. This guy had a track record of violating human rights!
Positions in politics are rarely about qualifications; they’re about connections. Sadly!
Maybe it’s time for a new start for Thaksin. He messed up but he could now do some good.
Once bitten, twice shy. People rarely change overnight, especially in politics.
This whole spectacle with Thaksin just highlights the corruption embedded in political systems worldwide. Frustrating!
Every system has its flaws. It’s important to recognize them and work for change instead of losing hope.
Does anyone else think this is all a distraction strategy? Keep the focus on Thaksin while other things go unnoticed.
Classic move, right? Keep the spotlight on him and let other politicians keep screwing us over.
I remember his ‘war on drugs’. It was brutal. I’m not sure why people want to rewrite history as if he was a saint.
Some people just love strongmen leaders. They ignore all the flaws and only see the bravado.
I find his story fascinating! Love him or hate him, Thaksin knows how to play the game.
Maybe too well though? It’s like reading a novel with no ends to its twists and turns.
The media circus around him is unfair, I think. Let the man speak, then judge.
Regardless, his environmental policies were still better than most leaders. Food for thought!
This back and forth is just tiring. Isn’t there anything ‘new’ happening, seriously?
What about the kratom plant issue mentioned? That sounds like an important topic that got overshadowed here.