Political tensions in Thailand reached a fever pitch on Thursday night when former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra delivered his first public address since returning from 17 years of self-imposed exile. The event did not go unnoticed, and his sharpest critics did not hold back.
One of the most vocal detractors was Jatuporn Prompan, a former leader of the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) and now a key political ally of the ruling Pheu Thai Party. Jatuporn took Thaksin to task, claiming the ex-premier acted as if the entire country had been handed over to him on a silver platter.
Thaksin’s return last August was a dramatic moment, colored by his admission of corruption and subsequent petition for a royal pardon. According to Jatuporn, Thaksin has done little to prove his claims of wanting to come back solely to care for his grandchildren. “The first day he returned, he asked for a chance to come home to take care of his grandchildren. Has he done so? He hasn’t even spent a full day in prison since,” Jatuporn remarked with evident frustration.
According to Jatuporn, security camera footage exists that shows Thaksin has neglected the responsibilities imposed upon him when he received his pardon, which whittled down his eight-year sentence to a mere one year. “Should we really allow a person convicted of corruption to gain power over the state?” Jatuporn asked pointedly.
The criticism didn’t stop there. Jatuporn accused Thaksin of misleading the public post-parole, attempting to whitewash his tainted past by claiming many charges were falsely brought against him. “That was an attempt to whitewash himself. How could we stand it? Is it morally right?” Jatuporn’s exasperation was palpable.
Moreover, Jatuporn expressed concerns about Thaksin’s influence on his daughter, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. He suggested that Thaksin’s arrogance and history could spell further trouble for Thai society. “In a society where right and wrong are obscured by feelings and cronyism, people are always misguided, and this will continue, which is the worst form of evil,” he said ominously.
Jatuporn also took aim at the governing Pheu Thai Party, asserting it had failed to honor its promises to its 10 million voters in the last general election. “Thaksin exemplifies irresponsible politics, where politicians can always find excuses not to honor their promises,” he said.
Former Democrat Party MP Thepthai Senpong echoed similar sentiments. He dismissed Thaksin’s Thursday night speech as nothing more than an abridged version of the policy statement that the Paetongtarn government is poised to present in parliament. Thepthai was unimpressed. “Listening to Thaksin’s speech from beginning to end, I found nothing new… the Thai Kitchen to the World and the entertainment complex have been discussed for over 20 years,” he noted scoffingly.
One contentious issue was the government’s plan to hand out 10,000 baht in digital money to vulnerable groups, a key component of the so-called digital wallet scheme. Thepthai pointed out Thaksin’s blatant contradiction, noting his previous strong opposition to handout schemes of the former government.
Thepthai concluded that, based on Thaksin’s remarks, it was clear that the former prime minister remains the real power behind the current government. “He’s still the same old Thaksin with his excessive self-confidence and tendency to boast,” Thepthai asserted.
Seri Wongmontha, another prominent critic, expressed his frustration over Thailand’s inability to learn from past mistakes when electing representatives. Wongmontha questioned whether Thaksin was truly the only person capable of leading the country, given his controversial legal history.
Adding to the chorus of skepticism, Senator Nantana Nantavaropas called for an investigation into Thaksin’s alleged influence over the government. It seems the saga of Thaksin Shinawatra is far from over, and his latest foray into public life has only intensified the debate over his complex legacy.
Thaksin’s return is a joke. It’s clear he’s just using his influence to manipulate the government again. Does anyone actually believe he came back for his grandchildren?
I agree. He’s always been about power and money. This is just another ploy to regain control.
It’s too simplistic to think he’s only after power. The man is complex. Thailand’s problems won’t go away even without Thaksin.
Regardless of his motives, the cronyism and corruption he symbolizes are detrimental to the country.
Come on, give him a chance. Maybe he’s changed. Everyone deserves a second chance, right?
Second chance? He’s had countless chances and he’s blown them. People don’t change that easily.
The fact that Thaksin’s sentence was reduced is an insult to the justice system. Corruption like his shouldn’t be pardoned so easily.
Too many powerful people get away with light sentences. It’s a global issue, not just in Thailand.
True, but that doesn’t mean we should accept it. We need to hold our leaders accountable.
You think reducing his sentence was bad? Wait till he starts influencing major policy decisions again.
Jatuporn Prompan has a point. Thaksin’s influence on his daughter could spell disaster for Thai politics. We can’t let one family control everything.
Exactly. It’s like a political dynasty. We need fresh faces and ideas, not recycled leaders.
It’s frustrating. People keep falling for the same empty promises.
What’s wrong with a family legacy if they prove they can lead well?
Thaksin’s speech was just empty rhetoric. How can anyone support these recycled promises?
The government’s digital wallet scheme sounds great on paper, but let’s see if it actually helps anyone. Thaksin opposed handouts before; now he’s promoting them?
That’s politics for you. Convenient flip-flopping to suit their needs.
Sure, but if it helps people, should we really criticize it?
The digital money thing sounds more like a bribe for votes. It’s unsustainable in the long run.
Why are we surprised that Thaksin is still pulling strings? His ego won’t let him stay out of politics.
Seri Wongmontha asks a valid question: Are we ever going to learn from past mistakes? Keeping Thaksin around only drags us back.
Senator Nantavaropas is right—there should definitely be an investigation into Thaksin’s influence over the government.
Thailand deserves better. Putting faith in the same tainted leaders will never move us forward.
True, but who’s the better option? Every candidate has skeletons in their closet.
Thaksin’s charm offensive might work in the short term, but let’s not forget his past. We need to think of the long-term consequences.
It’s tiresome how old politicians keep coming back. We need a new generation of leaders.
Reducing Thaksin’s sentence from eight years to one year is laughable. It shows corruption at the highest levels.
Absolutely, it makes a mockery of our justice system.
Thepthai Senpong’s points against Thaksin’s digital wallet scheme are spot on. Thaksin’s hypocrisy is glaring.
It’s disheartening to see influential figures like Thaksin get away with so much. It sends the wrong message to the public.
True, but what can we do about it? The system is broken.
I’m not convinced Thaksin is the only one to blame. The entire political framework encourages this behavior.