Thaksin Outmanoeuvred in Brother-in-Law’s Senate Bid: Analyst

[webfact]

Picture courtesy: Thai Rath

 

Thaksin Shinawatra, the influential figure behind the Pheu Thai party, was unexpectedly sidelined in a senatorial election, leaving his brother-in-law and former prime minister Somchai Wongsawat outvoted. This surprising turn of events has raised suspicions of internal betrayal within the Pheu Thai ranks.

 

According to Thanaporn Sriyakul of Mahanakorn University of Technology, several senatorial candidates linked to Pheu Thai voted against Somchai in the final stages of the election. These candidates were expected to support Somchai but opted for others at the last moment in a move that appears to be a calculated double-cross.

 

Thaksin had reportedly relied on a network of supposedly loyal wheeler-dealers to secure Somchai’s position in the Senate. The plan was for Somchai to be elected and potentially named Senate speaker. However, this strategy fell apart in the final stretch of the election, which involved complex rounds of voting among candidates rather than direct constituent votes.

 

The election’s final tier consisted of a first round with same-category votes followed by a cross-category voting round. It was in this latter stage that Somchai faced defeat. “It’s hard to imagine a former prime minister close to Thaksin losing without some behind-the-scenes betrayal,” Thanaporn stated, noting that many Pheu Thai-associated candidates seemed to have abandoned their expected alignment.

 

Somchai, who had navigated the district and provincial tiers of the triple-tiered election process with ease, found himself unexpectedly outvoted in the national stage. This loss revealed fractures within the Pheu Thai network and highlighted the influence of covert actors.

 

Thanaporn also pointed out that many of the 200 new senators are believed to be affiliated with the Bhumjaithai Party, led by Newin Chidchob. This clandestine influence from Bhumjaithai has further complicated the political landscape, suggesting that Thaksin’s control over the Pheu Thai-led coalition government may be waning.

 

The academic warned that this outcome could pose significant challenges for Thaksin’s behind-the-scenes manoeuvring, especially in navigating interactions with “independent” agencies like the Constitutional Court and Election Commission, whose members will be appointed by the new senators.

 

As Bhumjaithai secures a dominant position in the Senate, Thaksin may face increasing difficulties in exerting his influence, potentially opening doors for ultra-conservative factions to leverage power in Thailand’s political arena.

 

-- 2024-06-29

 

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[Artisi]

Brilliant move, now the powers need to side-line the recently resurrected from the dead convicted criminal Thaksin from the scene and get on with sorting out the country for the countries benefit and not that of a few individuals. 

[JoePai]

Excellent news   

[Emdog]

dang! getting so you'e never quite sure who to stab in the back!

[Guderian]

A pit of vipers comes to mind.

[topt]

4 hours ago, Artisi said:

Brilliant move, now the powers need to side-line the recently resurrected from the dead convicted criminal Thaksin from the scene and get on with sorting out the country for the countries benefit and not that of a few individuals. 

You think these guys will do that......?

5 hours ago, webfact said:

potentially opening doors for ultra-conservative factions to leverage power in Thailand’s political arena.

 

[Stocky]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Thanaporn also pointed out that many of the 200 new senators are believed to be affiliated with the Bhumjaithai Party, led by Newin Chidchob. This clandestine influence from Bhumjaithai has further complicated the political landscape, suggesting that Thaksin’s control over the Pheu Thai-led coalition government may be waning.

That's Anutin Charnvirakul mob - not sure that's any better

[mokwit]

Obviously spent too much time playing with his grandchildren and took his eye off the ball.

[jippytum]

wonderful to see the old fox Thaksin's game plan outmaneuvered on this occasion. 

[Grumpy one]

Soon new sticky fingers will be busy in the piggy bank 

[kuzmabruk]

I think you people hate Thaksin because he is a billionaire, not because he built AIS, which you all probably use, ran a successful anti-drug campaign during his time as PM, torn down many, but not all, monopolies, and yes of course probably did a few things that weren’t great.   You all sound like you actually understand the Thai political landscape. But I think you all have uneducated opinions of Thaksin and the other things you spout about.  
 

You should be focusing more on the only thing important right now, and that is your 2024 Thai tax return, due in March 2025.  Thailand joins the USA and Eritrea as the only 3 countries in the world to tax you on your global income.  And by the way, if you do not disclose everything, and sign the return, that is perjury.   Jail time.  Lucky for me my Canadian taxes are higher than Thailand’s rates, so I don’t pay Thailand anything from what is left after Canada takes 56% of my income.  But you better get ready because this is real and it effects a lot of you.    

[JBChiangRai]

3 minutes ago, kuzmabruk said:

You should be focusing more on the only thing important right now, and that is your 2024 Thai tax return, due in March 2025.  Thailand joins the USA and Eritrea as the only 3 countries in the world to tax you on your global income.  And by the way, if you do not disclose everything, and sign the return, that is perjury.   Jail time.  Lucky for me my Canadian taxes are higher than Thailand’s rates, so I don’t pay Thailand anything from what is left after Canada takes 56% of my income.  But you better get ready because this is real and it effects a lot of you.    

The one thing you shouldn’t be doing is filling in a tax return.  Nothing has changed for us foreigners, it’s business as usual.

[hotchilli]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

These candidates were expected to support Somchai but opted for others at the last moment in a move that appears to be a calculated double-cross.

What goes around comes around.

[hotchilli]

3 hours ago, Emdog said:

dang! getting so you'e never quite sure who to stab in the back!

Always been the same... the guy in front of you.

[hotchilli]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

The academic warned that this outcome could pose significant challenges for Thaksin’s behind-the-scenes manoeuvring, especially in navigating interactions with “independent” agencies like the Constitutional Court and Election Commission, whose members will be appointed by the new senators.

 

As Bhumjaithai secures a dominant position in the Senate, Thaksin may face increasing difficulties in exerting his influence, potentially opening doors for ultra-conservative factions to leverage power in Thailand’s political arena

Those in power want the power, not bee told what to do by Thaksin...

Watch Anutin rise.

[outsidetrader]

1 hour ago, Stocky said:

That's Anutin Charnvirakul mob - not sure that's any better

Taksin shxi on his brother in law (Newin CC) big style when he left him mopping up all the mess after the 2nd to last coup ..Newins got a very long memory ,so a case of Som Nam Nar ;)

[crazykopite]

That’s music to my ears sometimes no amount of wealth can buy you a position on the senate 

[mfd101]

1 hour ago, Stocky said:

That's Anutin Charnvirakul mob - not sure that's any better

The obvious question (but it may be a silly one in the Thai context) is: Where does Anutin sit on the political spectrum of Left to Right? reform to dinosaur?

 

Or does he belong only on the spectrum of self-interest?

[kuzmabruk]

1 hour ago, JBChiangRai said:

The one thing you shouldn’t be doing is filling in a tax return.  Nothing has changed for us foreigners, it’s business as usual.

listening to ill informed people can cause you tremendous pain

 

Hi Mark

 

Here is a link to an article we wrote about the new changes starting from 1 Jan 2024. https://www.hlbthai.com/new-rule-for-taxation-of-foreign-income/

 

When you file your first Thai tax return in April next year, you are allowed to deduct income taxes paid in Canada on income that is taxable in Thailand, pursuant to the provisions of the Double Tax Agreement between Thailand and Canada.

 

Kind regards

Paul

 

<Commercial contact details removed per forum rules>

 

 

Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110 Thailand 

[john donson]

don't worry, they are recounting the votes, or something

 

[JBChiangRai]

23 minutes ago, kuzmabruk said:

listening to ill informed people can cause you tremendous pain

 

Hi Mark

 

Here is a link to an article we wrote about the new changes starting from 1 Jan 2024. https://www.hlbthai.com/new-rule-for-taxation-of-foreign-income/

 

When you file your first Thai tax return in April next year, you are allowed to deduct income taxes paid in Canada on income that is taxable in Thailand, pursuant to the provisions of the Double Tax Agreement between Thailand and Canada.

 

Kind regards

Paul

 

<Commercial contact details removed per forum rules>

 

 

Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110 Thailand 

 

I am probably more up on the recent changes than you are, I predicted them years ago.

 

It is NOT about us, not yet anyway.

 

Nobody is stopping you being a lemming and registering for a TIN/filling out a tax return, and the RD will love you for it.

 

The changes are there for Thai nationals, yes they do theoretically apply to foreigners, but until they come out and say so, ignore the experts who want to make a dime out of filling in your returns or consultancy fees.

 

The RD are between a rock and a hard place, they can't come out and say it's not farang's we're after because their own citizens will accuse them of favouritism.  The best advice, is wait and see what happens, and don't advise others to do it, even if you must.

 

Further, my accountant who does both our company and my tax returns, said do thing, wait and see.

[advancebooking]

2 hours ago, kuzmabruk said:

I think you people hate Thaksin because he is a billionaire, not because he built AIS, which you all probably use, ran a successful anti-drug campaign during his time as PM, torn down many, but not all, monopolies, and yes of course probably did a few things that weren’t great.   You all sound like you actually understand the Thai political landscape. But I think you all have uneducated opinions of Thaksin and the other things you spout about.  
 

You should be focusing more on the only thing important right now, and that is your 2024 Thai tax return, due in March 2025.  Thailand joins the USA and Eritrea as the only 3 countries in the world to tax you on your global income.  And by the way, if you do not disclose everything, and sign the return, that is perjury.   Jail time.  Lucky for me my Canadian taxes are higher than Thailand’s rates, so I don’t pay Thailand anything from what is left after Canada takes 56% of my income.  But you better get ready because this is real and it effects a lot of you.    

I think the thai revenue department are incompetent and cannot even tax their own citizens let alone next years rules.  Personally I will ignore the hype and not report it.  

[ElwoodP]

Post that was just links removed.

You must summarise/explain any links you provide. 

[John Drake]

2 hours ago, kuzmabruk said:

I think you people hate Thaksin because he is a billionaire, not because he built AIS, which you all probably use, ran a successful anti-drug campaign during his time as PM,

 

Ah, yes, the anti-drug campaign and all of its manifestations. I don't think this is something I  would be proud of.

[connda]

Amazing how Khun Tony has stepped back from Death's Door and now has the energy and vitality to conduct business and politics like a man 10 years younger.  Praise Buddha!  🙏🙏🙏  It's a miracle! 

[Thingamabob]

2 hours ago, kuzmabruk said:

I think you people hate Thaksin because he is a billionaire, not because he built AIS, which you all probably use, ran a successful anti-drug campaign during his time as PM, torn down many, but not all, monopolies, and yes of course probably did a few things that weren’t great.   You all sound like you actually understand the Thai political landscape. But I think you all have uneducated opinions of Thaksin and the other things you spout about.  
 

You should be focusing more on the only thing important right now, and that is your 2024 Thai tax return, due in March 2025.  Thailand joins the USA and Eritrea as the only 3 countries in the world to tax you on your global income.  And by the way, if you do not disclose everything, and sign the return, that is perjury.   Jail time.  Lucky for me my Canadian taxes are higher than Thailand’s rates, so I don’t pay Thailand anything from what is left after Canada takes 56% of my income.  But you better get ready because this is real and it effects a lot of you.    

Must be a candidate for dumbest post of the year to date.

Thaksin had countless innocents shot during the so-called war on drugs, and ran away to escape a jail sentence. The word 'creep' comes to mind.

Revisions to the tax regime remain stuck at the proposal stage, and may yet never happen.

 

 

[shunter]

_{Reminds me of a ''shark feeding frenzy. Oh what a web we weave when we practice to deceive.''}   

 

The quote  describes the destructive consequences of lies and the impact on peoples lives.

[Thingamabob]

5 hours ago, Stocky said:

That's Anutin Charnvirakul mob - not sure that's any better

Way better..

[Sig]

13 hours ago, mokwit said:

Obviously spent too much time playing with his grandchildren and took his eye off the ball.

And of course his deathly serious illnesses obviously precluded him from being able to keep up well enough... poor guy!
 

[ericthai]

11 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

Must be a candidate for dumbest post of the year to date.

Thaksin had countless innocents shot during the so-called war on drugs, and ran away to escape a jail sentence. The word 'creep' comes to mind.

Revisions to the tax regime remain stuck at the proposal stage, and may yet never happen.

 

 

Let me make a correction. Thaksin didn't run away he was in New York for a UN meeting when the coup took place.  When the coup happened there was no jail sentence waiting for him.  Also, I wouldn't say "so-called war on drugs",  it was a war on drugs, a reckless war with allot of innocent people being killed in a very short time period.