Thaksin Should Be Released: Editorial

[webfact]

In the complex tapestry of Thai politics, the case of Thaksin Shinawatra stands out not just for its high drama but for its implications on the principles of justice and democracy. The recent news of his potential parole brings us to a critical juncture, compelling us to examine not only his individual case but the broader context of political justice in Thailand.

 

Thaksin’s journey from prime minister to a political exile, and now a prisoner, is a saga marked by controversy. His ousting in the 2006 military coup was the culmination of a power struggle that many argue was less about addressing corruption and more about a calculated move by the establishment to usurp democracy and subvert the will of the people. His subsequent sentence in absentia in 2008 for abuse of power has been widely viewed as an extension of this plot, a means to ensure his permanent exclusion from Thai politics.

 

This interpretation of Thaksin’s sentencing is critical in understanding why his release on parole is not just a matter of legal procedure but a significant moment. 

 

by Thai Enquirer

 

Full story: THAI ENQUIRER 2024-01-18

 

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[mfd101]

Yes, I entirely agree with this article.

 

You can disagree with all or some of his politics and his actions when in power but that doesn't mean he should be sentenced as a criminal. If you continue down that path, there's a very long list of politicians and former politicians and generals and former generals who should all be in prison. Selective raking over the coals doesn't help the country move forward.

 

Grow up, Thailand, move on!

[retarius]

Yes, yes, yes, release him, please.

 

Who makes the decision? Is it a court, the department of corrections or someone else?

Yesterday all the yellow shirts were absolved of the crimes associated with shutting down the airport in 2008. What a place Thailand is. 

[lordgrinz]

There, fixed it for you.

 

  Quote

Thaksin the criminal should spend his full 8 year sentence in an actual jail cell

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[Denim]

 

Regardless. The haters will hate. They have invested too much time in their hatred to change spots now. 

 

Volumes have already been spoken and written about his criminal sentance and nothing new can be expected. The fact that many other politicians have commited offences and gotten away with them time and again is never seen as relevant. 

 

 ' It would imply that our legal system can be manipulated by those in power to serve political ends, thereby undermining the very foundation of our democracy.'

 

What exactly is the ' foundation of Thai democracy '  is a subject that could be debated ad nauseum.  But from the outside looking in, it doesn't look that clean.

[sammieuk1]

Was Thaksin ever incarcerated is another question 🤔

[Gottfrid]

Of course he should be released. Don´t forget to give him back his properties and money seized as well.

[Geoffggi]

Obviously with his heart condition he will be sitting at home with his grandchildren away from the hassle & stress of his former political life ..............LOL

[TroubleandGrumpy]

I agree - let him out on parole - conditional.  It seems to me he is not after 'revenge' and that is a good thing and will help the country move forward after all the military coups this century. Same for his sister - it was all political. Let the people decide who is in charge. 

[Gottfrid]

  On 1/18/2024 at 2:36 AM, TroubleandGrumpy said:

Let the people decide who is in charge.

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But, now you are talking about reform. That has never worked over here.

[Artisi]

"Complex tapestry"  please spare me the nonsense - the word was from the top, end of discussion. 

[scorecard]

  On 1/18/2024 at 2:04 AM, mfd101 said:

Yes, I entirely agree with this article.

 

You can disagree with all or some of his politics and his actions when in power but that doesn't mean he should be sentenced as a criminal. If you continue down that path, there's a very long list of politicians and former politicians and generals and former generals who should all be in prison. Selective raking over the coals doesn't help the country move forward.

 

Grow up, Thailand, move on!

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And "Move on" means clean up the judicial mess and get all offenders through proper fair judicial process and start their punishments if found guilty. 

[herfiehandbag]

  On 1/18/2024 at 2:36 AM, TroubleandGrumpy said:

I agree - let him out on parole - conditional.  It seems to me he is not after 'revenge' and that is a good thing and will help the country move forward after all the military coups this century. Same for his sister - it was all political. Let the people decide who is in charge. 

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If the people had been allowed to decide who is in charge, then various election results would not have been overturned, and this whole farce would never have happened.

[Tropicalevo]

  On 1/18/2024 at 2:36 AM, TroubleandGrumpy said:

Let the people decide who is in charge. 

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The people did decide.

Thaksin was voted in by the people.

The military decided that they knew better than the people and Thailand has gone downhill ever since.

[hotandsticky]

  On 1/18/2024 at 4:03 AM, Tropicalevo said:

 

The military decided that they knew better, Thailand has gone downhill ever since.

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Is that since 1932 ......................or one of the other 13 successful coups?

[Artisi]

  On 1/18/2024 at 4:15 AM, hotandsticky said:

 

 

Is that since 1932 ......................or one of the other 13 successful coups?

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Not forgetting, all sanctioned - so any problems with that? 

[kinyara]

What a bizarre take on the situation couldn't disgree more. Everything about his return and procedure to release just reinforces the fact that the contitutional/legal/justice system is being used/manipulated more than ever for political expediency by the establishment elite.  

[Burma Bill]

  On 1/18/2024 at 2:10 AM, lordgrinz said:

There, fixed it for you.

 

 

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And pigs might fly!!

[Mr Meeseeks]

  On 1/18/2024 at 4:38 AM, kinyara said:

What a bizarre take on the situation couldn't disgree more. Everything about his return and procedure to release just reinforces the fact that the contitutional/legal/justice system is being used/manipulated more than ever for political expediency by the establishment elite.  

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Indeed. The entire farce is a total embarrassment for Thailand.

 

A Thailand which is pretending to be modern and developed, but is still mired in corruption, double standards and cronyism. 

[n00dle]

  On 1/18/2024 at 2:12 AM, sammieuk1 said:

Was Thaksin ever incarcerated is another question 🤔

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I think this speaks more to the point. 

[bamnutsak]

Nonsensical editorial with a flawed premise, which seems to excuse all previous machinations by the establishment as if that influence has disappeared.

 

 

Key passage from the linked article...

 

His ousting in the 2006 military coup was the culmination of a power struggle that many argue was less about addressing corruption and more about a calculated move by the establishment to usurp democracy and subvert the will of the people. His subsequent sentence in absentia in 2008 for abuse of power has been widely viewed as an extension of this plot, a means to ensure his permanent exclusion from Thai politics.

 

 

This has a familiar ring, thinking FutureForward and MoveForward, to it.

 

 

Thaksin has already been "released" either to his home or a suite in a hospital depending on your gullibility, and as of February 22 he will be free.

 

 

Not sure what the point is except to say that the Establishment has the power to do anything it wants to maintain its grip on the Kingdom.

 

 

[TroubleandGrumpy]

  On 1/18/2024 at 2:52 AM, Gottfrid said:

But, now you are talking about reform. That has never worked over here.

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Yes - but it will happen one day - so why not start now.

[hotandsticky]

  On 1/18/2024 at 4:20 AM, Artisi said:

Not forgetting, all sanctioned - so any problems with that? 

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Nope.

 

No problem here

[TroubleandGrumpy]

  On 1/18/2024 at 3:11 AM, herfiehandbag said:

If the people had been allowed to decide who is in charge, then various election results would not have been overturned, and this whole farce would never have happened.

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Yes - but they got close last time and with the Senate being 'removed' in May, it is likely the next election will be closer to what the people want (which IMO is no more Juntas).

[TroubleandGrumpy]

  On 1/18/2024 at 4:03 AM, Tropicalevo said:

The people did decide.

Thaksin was voted in by the people.

The military decided that they knew better than the people and Thailand has gone downhill ever since.

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Agree - what Thailand wants and needs is no more Juntas - ever.  It will take a while, but reform will come one day.  Letting Thaksin out is a move towards that reform - keeping him locked up serves no real purpose.  Dont let him run for office again, but let him influence - and let the people decide. 

[GarryP]

  On 1/18/2024 at 5:42 AM, TroubleandGrumpy said:

Agree - what Thailand wants and needs is no more Juntas - ever.  It will take a while, but reform will come one day.  Letting Thaksin out is a move towards that reform - keeping him locked up serves no real purpose.  Dont let him run for office again, but let him influence - and let the people decide. 

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I'd rather not have him influence anything. He never has worked for the interests of the people and never will. Yes, there were some good changes under his rule, particularly letting the upcountry folks know that their voices mattered, but I believe that was done out of self-interest. Like the digital 10k scheme PT is touting, which is pretty much a "legal" vote buying scheme.

 

I am not saying that he was definitely guilty of the charges brought against him, but if they let him free, they should let all those political prisoners free too, people for the most part who just stated their opinion. It is clearly a two tier justice system and this needs to stop. The same treatment for all is needed.      

[jonclark]

Oh, this is an absolute cracker: 

" However, opposing someone’s politics does not justify using the legal system as a tool for political retribution." 

 

If the Thai Enquirer believes that to be true, let's now apply that to all of those currently in prison under 112. You have after all made the statement. 

Go ahead Thai Enquirer get a new editorial done using that as your lead to discuss those hundreds of people jailed under 112. I mean if its a good enough argument for one convict, its good enough for others, or is that tapestry just too complex for such a grotty newspaper to handle???

[renaissanc]

  On 1/18/2024 at 2:10 AM, lordgrinz said:

There, fixed it for you.

 

 

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You're right, of course. But he has bought his freedom fairly and squarely. In Thailand, this trumps what is right or wrong, just or unjust. 

[herfiehandbag]

  On 1/18/2024 at 5:40 AM, TroubleandGrumpy said:

Yes - but they got close last time and with the Senate being 'removed' in May, it is likely the next election will be closer to what the people want (which IMO is no more Juntas).

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I share your aspirations - but would not bank on some sort of "Senate" still being around. Far too useful.

[SABloke]

"It would imply that our legal system can be manipulated by those in power to serve political ends, thereby undermining the very foundation of our democracy."

 

Nothing needs to be implied, the system is and always has been manipulate by those in power and continues to undermine democracy.

 

Has this journalist been living under a rock??