In a twist of events that feels more like a gripping political drama than real life, the saga of former Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is taking the spotlight once again. In the bustling streets of London, Yingluck posed gracefully for a photo in front of a quaint restaurant, a moment captured on her Facebook page that sent whispers around the globe on the eve of October 21 this year.
The catalyst for this renewed interest in Yingluck is, intriguingly, the release of Boonsong Teriyapirom, a former commerce minister embroiled in the infamous rice-pledging scheme scandal. After languishing behind bars for over six years, the 64-year-old Boonsong was granted parole by the Department of Corrections (DoC), following a significant reduction in his hefty 48-year sentence down to a mere decade, set to conclude in April 2028. His newfound freedom, albeit accompanied by an electronic tag, has fueled speculation about Yingluck’s potential homecoming.
Wanwichit Boonprong, a seasoned political science lecturer at Rangsit University, is closely monitoring the unfolding drama. He observes that Boonsong’s release could very well set the stage for Yingluck’s return to Thailand — a possibility he sees as increasingly plausible given the orchestrated media dialogue led by former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Thaksin, Yingluck’s effervescent brother, had hinted in a recent interview that his sister might grace Thai shores yet again, perhaps as soon as next April, around the jubilant time of the Songkran festival.
Behind the allure of Yingluck’s return lies her rather dramatic exit. Back in August 2017, she became a fugitive overnight after skipping a crucial Supreme Court session where a verdict was expected on her alleged dereliction of duty in the rice-pledging programme. This programme, mired in controversy, purportedly squandered a staggering 500 billion baht. In an almost Shakespearian twist, Boonsong’s verdict came mere hours after Yingluck’s elusive disappearance and sealed her fate with a five-year prison sentence — in absentia, of course.
As political pundits paint vivid pictures of Yingluck’s possible return, Olarn Thinbangtieo, another political sage from Burapha University, surmises that the timing couldn’t be more fortuitous for Yingluck and her powerful kin. He muses that plans are likely underway to ensure that Yingluck, much akin to Thaksin, won’t serve a single day behind bars.
Earlier speculation about her return had already gained momentum in March when the Supreme Court dismissed charges against her government’s 2-trillion-baht infrastructure initiative. The National Anti-Corruption Commission’s (NACC) decision not to appeal, coupled with the termination of other probes related to her tenure, have only fanned the flames of her potential return further.
As attention intensifies on this intriguing political landscape, Boonsong’s son, Dejnatwit, expressed bewilderment over the media frenzy surrounding his father’s release, arguing that other inmates had also received similar clemency. Nonetheless, Boonsong’s release, now spotlighted, could not be just another page turned. The elder Teriyapirom, visibly leaner after shedding 10 kilograms, hopes to undergo surgery to alleviate cervical pain.
Sahakarn Phetnarin, the dignified director-general of DoC, clarified that Boonsong’s probation was contingent on a rigorous ticking-off of requirements — a mystery itself, as he didn’t possess the entire pie of information, being a cake layered intricately in the prison’s care.
Suriya Singhakamol, steering the helm at the Department of Probation (DoP), added that the decision to fit parolees with electronic monitoring devices isn’t a blanket approach. Only a discerning committee, armed with judgments not entirely unlike those in the classic courtroom, makes the call.
In the coming months, under the gaze of both a curious public and wary analysts, Yingluck’s purported return might metamorphose from political chatter into reality, leaving an indelible mark on Thailand’s political tapestry. Meanwhile, the world waits, eager to see if this tale of political intrigue will resolve or merely take another intriguing turn.
Yingluck coming back would just highlight how the powerful escape justice in Thailand. Boonsong’s parole is proof of that. It’s a mockery of the justice system!
But isn’t it possible that the justice system is just correcting historical over-punishment? Other inmates have had their sentences reduced too.
Those other cases aren’t as high-profile, though. It’s the symbolism of offering leniency to political figures that bothers me.
The political climate allows this. Thailand has a history of treating politicians differently when it comes to legal repercussions.
Honestly, Thailand’s political scene feels like a soap opera. Will Yingluck’s return really change anything substantive?
It might not change policy immediately, but her presence alone could galvanize her supporters and shift the political landscape.
I think the real impact is just on public perception. Whether positive or negative, people will talk about it.
True, it’s always about optics. The drama never ends, that’s for sure!
I’ve heard that Thaksin is really the one calling the shots. Yingluck’s return could just be part of his grand strategy.
How do skeptics not see the trend of these controversial figures suddenly getting pardons or reduced sentences? It’s all choreographed!
Politics is always about timing. If Yingluck returns during Songkran, it’ll be a PR spectacle. Maybe it was arranged to feel like fate.
Or maybe they really just want to distract people from bigger issues like the economy. Who cares about an old political scandal?
This obsession with Yingluck should focus more on the real problems of the country. Are we so easily distracted by past figures?
It’s a double standard. Imagine if average citizens had the same leniency as these former leaders.
I hope her return highlights the need for reform. The political drama should spark real conversations about justice.
I’m skeptical. Do the masses really care about this as much as we think, or is it mainly media hype?
When Thaksin speaks, there’s always more to the story. He knows how to manipulate the narrative.
Yingluck’s story is a soap opera that overshadows actual governance issues.
Thai politics is notorious for being cyclical. It feels like we’re just going around in circles.
At the end of the day, it’s about power. Yingluck’s return might embolden her party, but nothing might change for the average citizen.
Scandals like these just make Thai politics fascinating. No wonder the world is watching.
Think about it. If they rattle the cage enough, maybe the system finally gets fixed. But I’m not holding my breath.
If only political drama led directly to reform. Sadly, it doesn’t seem to work that way in reality.