Thailand’s political landscape has long been dominated by the saga of Thaksin Shinawatra, a figure who polarizes opinion like few others in the nation’s recent history. With his recent release on parole and return to his mansion in Bangkok, after serving a commuted one-year sentence for corruption and abuse of power, a chapter that has captivated, divided, and at times, paralyzed Thai politics, might finally be drawing to a close.

 

Thaksin’s journey from a telecoms magnate to Thailand’s most successful elected leader, and then to a convict in self-imposed exile, encapsulates the struggles of a nation caught between the old guard and the push for a more inclusive, democratic system. His populist policies endeared him to the rural poor, even as they alarmed the conservative elites and royalists, leading to his ousting by a military coup in 2006 and subsequent legal battles.

 

The circumstances of Thaksin’s incarceration and release—his avoidance of jail time due to health issues and the commutation of his sentence —have sparked debate. Critics argue that it exemplifies the double standards in Thai justice, where the wealthy and powerful receive leniency not afforded to ordinary citizens. This perception of privilege has reignited calls for a more equitable legal system, a sentiment echoed by the Move Forward Party, which has criticized the entrenched disparities.

 

By Arun Saronchai

 

Full story: THAI ENQUIRER 2024-02-19

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

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"Thaksin is free, can we finally move on?"

Are you kidding?

This is the new beginning....

 

Basically, if he goes home and stays there, and keep out of the limelight and politics, yes. But is that likely?

Now Thaksin is free can we stop having articles about him. 

4 minutes ago, retarius said:

Now Thaksin is free can we stop having articles about him. 

Agree 100%

But no one mentions the Red Bull heir ("Boss") who killed a policeman.  He is free, never been to gaol, never been tried in 'absentia'.

He jets around the world (including Thailand I'll bet) and no one says anything.

This has been going on since 2012.

18 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

But no one mentions the Red Bull heir ("Boss") who killed a policeman.  He is free, never been to gaol, never been tried in 'absentia'.

 

What about Ferrari Joe or Joe Ferrari? He has entered the black hole of Thai news follow up. No clue what he is really doing. I would like to think he is in jail ... doing time. Still once the news curtain descends ... who knows.  

29 minutes ago, Tropicalevo said:

Agree 100%

But no one mentions the Red Bull heir ("Boss") who killed a policeman.  He is free, never been to gaol, never been tried in 'absentia'.

He jets around the world (including Thailand I'll bet) and no one says anything.

This has been going on since 2012.

How about we move on to something fresh? Something  worthy will certainly be along soon.

Edited February 19, 20242 yr by jacko45k

3 minutes ago, jacko45k said:

How about we move in to something fresh? Something  worthy will certainly be along soon.

Worthy things or people are generally not newsworthy....perhaps this says something about the news consuming human race?

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Thaksin is free, can we finally move on? 

Strange headline. 

 

I very rarely comment on political issues in Thailand but this guy gives me the creeps. 

 

I'd say BUCKLE UP, it's going to be a roller coaster ride. 

 

Edited February 19, 20242 yr by SAFETY FIRST

100 percent agree

 

Time to get past this man...and move forward

 

See how I did that.

1 hour ago, webfact said:

a chapter that has captivated, divided, and at times, paralyzed Thai politics, might finally be drawing to a close

Yes, that chapter is closed, and a new chapter begins: The miraculous recovery of the sick man. 

Surely moving on would mean the winners of the last election being allowed to form a Government.

5 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Basically, if he goes home and stays there, and keep out of the limelight and politics, yes. But is that likely?

No.

4 hours ago, retarius said:

Now Thaksin is free can we stop having articles about him. 

No.

Quote

Thaksin is free, can we finally move on?

asks Arun Saronchai

Answer: Obviously not, since you just published an article about him. Duh.

6 hours ago, jacko45k said:

Basically, if he goes home and stays there, and keep out of the limelight and politics, yes. But is that likely?

The chances of that are the same as the military not wanting control.

 

The interesting quote or joke is

 

 The Pheu Thai party, associated with Thaksin, currently holds power, presenting an opportunity to shift the focus from past conflicts to future progress.

 

 The  PTP holds almost no power as they are owned and responsible to the military elite parties to stay in control.

 

The PTP is only in power as long as either the MFP is a threat to the military or they (the PTP) upset the military.

 

The military/elite control a great deal, consider that the power positions in eh government are controlled by the Elite proxies.

 

 

 

 

5 hours ago, retarius said:

Now Thaksin is free can we stop having articles about him. 

Agree 100% I haven't clicked on any of his stories for at least a week and some appear on AN twice if not more a day 🥱🥱

Joe Ferrari and the Red Bull kid I don’t think anything’s gonna happen with them. TIT.

2 hours ago, brianthainess said:

Agree 100% I haven't clicked on any of his stories for at least a week and some appear on AN twice if not more a day 🥱🥱

Would I be wrong in thinking he's a poster boy of AN. 

3 hours ago, kingstonkid said:

The chances of that are the same as the military not wanting control.

 

The interesting quote or joke is

 

 The Pheu Thai party, associated with Thaksin, currently holds power, presenting an opportunity to shift the focus from past conflicts to future progress.

 

 The  PTP holds almost no power as they are owned and responsible to the military elite parties to stay in control.

 

The PTP is only in power as long as either the MFP is a threat to the military or they (the PTP) upset the military.

 

The military/elite control a great deal, consider that the power positions in eh government are controlled by the Elite proxies.

 

 

 

 

The yellow/green elite is far from having the same power as before. For both an upward reason (no comment) and a downward reason (they don't have much popular support any more).

 

They still control appointed bodies such as government agencies, the judiciary, or the army. However, like PT, they are 'subjects'.

Tony takes a backseat. Next, and, soon to be a major motion picture, 'The Return of Yingluk'....😀

PT have bargaining power in that they could threaten to bring the government down by switching sides to join MF. 

But that would see their paymaster facing legal woes so that's never going to happen as long as Thaksin is around.

4 minutes ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

Tony takes a backseat. Next, and, soon to be a major motion picture, 'The Return of Yingluk'....😀

Yes, undoubtedly she still appeals to rural folk of a certain age. Perhaps her charges could be dropped if she agreed to hit the campaign trail but she might not want to play that game anymore having been once bitten, twice shy.

9 minutes ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

Tony takes a backseat. Next, and, soon to be a major motion picture, 'The Return of Yingluk'....😀

Thinking about it, she surely is part of the package deal enabling Tony to return.

I mean, Tony couldn't be that cruel to leave her out in the Dubai desert counting the stars at night.

He couldn't be that mean? Surely? 555

It's far from over.

 

I would still like to know what was discussed in Hong Kong between him and Thanathorn. 

I wish we could also move on from Trump. we know he is mucking fental. Day after day just give it a rest.

Yes, surely we need to move onto the plethora of forthcoming articles about his miraculous health recovery, his return to the premiership, his new war on drugs, the re-stirring of the pot in the south, the retribution to come against his adversaries, or maybe his next bit of new legislation to make life far more challenging for expats. 

Awaiting the next election [if there is one]. 

Should be fun. 

 

 

Move on? Not a chance.

 

Next they'll be screaming to get his sister, Yingluck back here, which has probably been underway for some time, after which, he'll be meddling in politics again after making a stunning recovery from his' prison ordeal '.....🤣

 

I wonder how many more airheads, Thaksin has in his family ,to hide behind and throw up as puppet prime ministers?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 19, 20242 yr by Scouse123

The whole thing makes no sense; UNLESS Toadie is blackmailing the chap higher up the totem pole. When they were both resident in Europe the Toad must have got inside the enemies camp and got enough dirt for a rainy day; which has now come. There is no other possible explanation.