The media spotlight has been fixed on Thaksin Shinawatra ever since he returned to Thailand last August after 15 years in exile. That scrutiny intensified on Thursday as the former prime minister began a three-day trip to Chiang Mai less than a month after being released on parole.

 

Thaksin’s first visit to his home province since being ousted in a coup 17 years ago will reportedly include a merit-making ceremony at a Buddhist temple for his deceased parents and ancestors. He stepped down from his private jet in Chiang Mai on Thursday morning to be welcomed by a group of red-shirt supporters and provincial officials.

 

Analysts say Thaksin will use the trip to boost support in the city for his proxy party Pheu Thai after its disappointing performance in last year’s general election. The current ruling party won only two of 10 MP seats up for grabs in Chiang Mai, which had been a key stronghold of Thaksin-controlled parties since Thai Rak Thai came to power over two decades ago.

 

Move Forward grabbed seven of the MP seats in Chiang Mai, while Palang Pracharath won one.

 

Thaksin’s sights are also set on the next provincial administrative organization (PAO) elections, due early next year, analysts said.

 

Displaying political clout

 

Olarn Thinbangtieo, a lecturer at Burapha University’s Faculty of Political Science and Law, said Thaksin’s visit underlines the ex-premier’s strong political influence and behind-the-scenes power.

 

According to Olarn, Thaksin has displayed his political clout on three levels since returning to his family mansion on February 18: the regional level by meeting Cambodia’s former prime minister Hun Sen on Feb 21, the national level by meeting Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin a few days later, and the local level with his ongoing Chiang Mai trip to meet political allies.

 

By Thai PBS World’s Political Desk

 

 

Full story: Thai PBS 2024-03-15

 

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31 minutes ago, webfact said:

Olarn Thinbangtieo, a lecturer at Burapha University’s Faculty of Political Science and Law, said Thaksin’s visit underlines the ex-premier’s strong political influence and behind-the-scenes power.

Fairly sure us not Political Science and Law lecturers on here have been saying this for rather some time now. Everyone knows he has never stopped being the puppeteer. 

11 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Fairly sure us not Political Science and Law lecturers on here have been saying this for rather some time now. Everyone knows he has never stopped being the puppeteer. 

he was certainly stating the bleeding obvious.

"Analysts say Thaksin will use the trip to boost support in the city for his proxy party Pheu Thai after its disappointing performance in last year’s general election. The current ruling party won only two of 10 MP seats up for grabs in Chiang Mai, which had been a key stronghold of Thaksin-controlled parties since Thai Rak Thai came to power over two decades ago.

Move Forward grabbed seven of the MP seats in Chiang Mai, while Palang Pracharath won one."

 

For the sake of the country's future let's hope this time around it's zero seats for thaksin's clowns.  

Just now, Artisi said:

"Analysts say Thaksin will use the trip to boost support in the city for his proxy party Pheu Thai after its disappointing performance in last year’s general election. The current ruling party won only two of 10 MP seats up for grabs in Chiang Mai, which had been a key stronghold of Thaksin-controlled parties since Thai Rak Thai came to power over two decades ago.

Move Forward grabbed seven of the MP seats in Chiang Mai, while Palang Pracharath won one."

 

For the sake of the country's future let's hope this time around it's zero seats for thaksin's clowns.  

Sadly next time round MFP will not exist and Pita will be barred from politics for 10 yrs. The military has already decided this and the judges have been handed their verdicts and substantial brown paper bags.

Just now, dinsdale said:

Sadly next time round MFP will not exist and Pita will be barred from politics for 10 yrs. The military has already decided this and the judges have been handed their verdicts and substantial brown paper bags.

Resurrection comes to mind, simple relabel it Forward Thailand Party and run it from behind just as the criminal T S has been running PT. 

Not good timing for anyone to come to Chiang Mai. Especially an older man with heart issues.

3 hours ago, webfact said:

The media spotlight has been fixed on Thaksin Shinawatra ever since he returned to Thailand last August after 15 years in exile. That scrutiny intensified on Thursday as the former prime minister began a three-day trip to Chiang Mai less than a month after being released on parole.

Amazing recovery, last week his arm was in a sling... now look at him in the Op photo.

No surprise in the meeting with the Prime Minister. No surprise that he’s in Chiang Mai for a few days. TIT.

Here we go again, the more things change the more things stay the same.

Let's wind up the clock ...... Tik Tok Tik Tok Tik Tok ......... 

Not much of a travel restriction on his parole then.

47 minutes ago, AhFarangJa said:

Not much of a travel restriction on his parole then.

I think you'll find there were no domestic travel restrictions attached to conditions of Mr T's parole.

1 hour ago, reefsurfah said:

Here we go again, the more things change the more things stay the same.

You mean the usual comments on this forum? Yeah, a broken record indeed.

Thaksin is doing everything he can to prepare PT to win the next election, which will be after the new Senate is appointed and in place, and their views/requirements found out (2025?).  MFP will be the PT's junior partner in a coalition if they dont win enough seats by themselves. PT will by then have Thaksin's Sister/Daughter as their leader and next PM. 

Is it coincidental that pollution has hit the year's highest since he arrived and was followed around by a rent a crowd movb of grannies!

1 hour ago, arithai12 said:

You mean the usual comments on this forum? Yeah, a broken record indeed.

The usual suspects 

Well he does look like a ghost doesn't he, so I'd guess "resurrection" is a real possibility. 

On 3/15/2024 at 1:19 PM, Wrwest said:

Not good timing for anyone to come to Chiang Mai. Especially an older man with heart issues.

If he really sick be lucky to get out CM alive.