Imagine stepping off a plane and into a swarm of media, the air crackling with the anticipation of your arrival. This was the scene that unfolded as the former Thai prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, landed back on his home turf at Don Mueang airport, offering a wai—a traditional Thai gesture of respect—with a familial smile. It was a sort of homecoming for Thaksin, as he ended his 15-year self-imposed exile on August 22 this year, to scenes that seemed to belong in a blockbuster movie. The buzz was undeniable, the curiosity fever-pitched, with every cameraman trying to capture the perfect shot of the prodigal son returning. (Photo reference: Bloomberg)
But beneath the spectacle and the smiles, there’s an unfolding narrative that’s gripped the nation: Thaksin’s potential new abode could very well be outside the confines of traditional prison walls. Deputy Prime Minister Somsak Thepsutin has confirmed this possibility under a fresh regulation that could place inmates elsewhere, given they tick certain boxes. Now, isn’t that a juicy nugget of news?
So let’s dive in. How does Thaksin fit the criteria? Somsak explains that the rule—new, shiny, and effective as of this very month—stipulates conditions under which prisoners could swap their cell bars for potentially homelier settings. This isn’t ‘Monopoly’, but Thaksin could be poised to collect a ‘Get Out of Jail’ card himself.
Here’s the recipe for such an alternative arrangement: The convict’s sentence must be on the shorter side, and they shouldn’t pose as a boogeyman to public safety. Thaksin checks these boxes, with a jail sentence now whittled down to less than four years. This development has tongues wagging, not because it’s a regulation for the one, but simply because Thaksin is not just anybody—he’s a former prime minister, and that’s a headline in itself.
Somsak is quick to quash any whispers that this regulation might’ve been tailored to Thaksin’s measurements. He stands firm, this wasn’t about one man, but about adhering to international standards and easing some prison overcrowding too. Nonetheless, he admits, Thaksin being Thaksin, his scenario can’t help but draw a spotlight.
Need a reminder of why Thaksin is more than a footnote in history? The man fled Thailand post-1006, with a stack of legal woes chasing his departure. Finally back to face the music, he’s serving time for some not-so-above-board actions during his reign. Then comes a twist: A royal pardon slices down his sentence, and now health concerns have him switching his cell for a hospital bed.
Speculations abound as to whether Thaksin’s sudden health issues, which coincided with his return, are as dramatic as they appear. Somsak doesn’t beat around the bush—stress and jail are no holiday on the beach. His suggestion? Maybe the skeptics should give prison a whirl and self-assess. Meanwhile, a panel scrambles to dot the i’s on guidelines, navigating the tall task of deciding who stays where—a house, a hospital or a cell block?
Faced with over 10,000 potential candidates ready to swap prison walls for something else under these new definitions, the Department of Corrections is at a captivating crossroads. As for Thaksin, some see him as possibly scoring first dibs, while others vehemently disagree. Privacy laws draw a veil over his current medical needs, even as student movements and senators demand transparency—what’s brewing behind the closed doors of the Police General Hospital?
Through all of the commotion, heated debates, and endless speculation, one thing is abundantly clear: Thaksin’s case is a litmus test, challenging the trust in the justice system, tempting the country to question fairness and inviting a whirlwind of opinions. As eyes remain fixed on the unfolding story, Thaksin’s saga is far from over and continues to captivate, incite, and divide the Land of Smiles.
Editorial: Thaksin case tests faith
Be First to Comment