Thaksin Says He's Too Old to Run for PM Again at 75

[webfact]

 

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has declared he is too old to return to Thailand’s top political post. Despite his retirement from active politics, Thaksin hinted he might still guide his daughter, Pheu Thai Party leader Paetongtarn, but only in a private and advisory capacity.

 

Today, Thaksin marked his 75th birthday at his Ban Chan Song La residence surrounded by family, close friends, and prominent Pheu Thai party members. Among those present were Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, Transport Minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit,

 

Pheu Thai Secretary-General Sorawong Thienthong, deputy party leader Chusak Sirinil, and Deputy Interior Minister Kriang Kaltinan. Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, however, was absent, engaged on official business in Nakhon Phanom province.

 

Thaksin, set to complete his parole by August 22, mentioned that he does not anticipate holding any political office post-parole. He openly shared that he will continue to depend on the government's monthly elderly subsidy of 700 baht, reported Thai PBS

 

The former PM indicated no concern about Prime Minister Srettha potentially losing his position due to a Constitutional Court ruling set for August 14. The court will decide on the legitimacy of Srettha's appointment of Pichit Chuenban as PM Office Minister.

 

Thaksin expressed confidence that the prime minister acted in good faith and would be able to defend his decision adequately.

 

Amid these political uncertainties, the focus of today was clearly personal and celebratory. Yesterday, a pre-birthday event for Thaksin hosted at a hotel in Bangkok’s Phaya Thai district saw only close friends and colleagues come together to honour the political veteran.

 

Despite his proclaimed political retirement, Thaksin’s influence on Thai politics remains significant, particularly through his daughter and the Pheu Thai party, ensuring his legacy endures.

 

Thaksin Says He's Too Old to Run for PM Again at 75

Picture courtesy: Thai PBS

 

-- 2024-07-27

 

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[sirineou]

I am sure this thread will deteriorate into a food fight between those pro Thaksin and those against. Personally I don't know enough about Thai politics to have an opinion one way or another, 

But being from the Us and having gone through this age  issue with biden. I find it refreshing  to see a politician with a pragmatic view on the age issue,  .   

[watchcat]

10 minutes ago, webfact said:

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has declared he is too old to return to Thailand’s top political post.

 

Didn't he also declared some 10-15 years ago while he ws a fugitive that he should never come back to poliics, still he tried to hold  his puppet sister by the lines (in vaine though) perhaps wrong material?  And now he'll try with his daughter.

[stoner]

13 minutes ago, sirineou said:

Personally I don't know enough about Thai politics to have an opinion one way or another, 

 

no doubt.

[2baht]

15 minutes ago, sirineou said:

Personally I don't know enough about Thai politics to have an opinion one way or another,

Your opinion would be perfect if you have no idea about Thai Politics! Are you sure you're not really already a politician???

[sirineou]

Just now, 2baht said:

Your opinion would be perfect if you have no idea about Thai Politics! Are you sure you're not really already a politician???

aren't we all 

[OneMoreFarang]

31 minutes ago, sirineou said:

I am sure this thread will deteriorate into a food fight between those pro Thaksin and those against. Personally I don't know enough about Thai politics to have an opinion one way or another, 

But being from the Us and having gone through this age  issue with biden. I find it refreshing  to see a politician with a pragmatic view on the age issue,  .   

You are joking, right?

 

Thaksin would love to be PM until 90 if people would let him do that.

Finally he seem to have understood that the majority of Thais don't want him anymore and don't want his party anymore.

So instead of losing an election he doesn't even participate in it. This way he can at least dream about he would have won it if he would have participated.

 

Thaksin does nothing for any noble reason. He did lots of things to benefit himself and his family and he was often smart enough to convince the masses that he is their savior, and he only does it for them. Good that by now more Thais woke up and don't accept his BS anymore.

 

And for the record: I was here since before Thaksin started in politics. And when he started about the first thing that happened was his so called "honest mistake". They should have, and could have, legally stopped him at that time.

[OneMoreFarang]

He should play in that pool 24/7.

 

 

[sirineou]

9 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Thaksin would love to be PM until 90 if people would let him do that.

Don't know what he would love or not love, all i know id what he said, I am sure those of you who know more about these things would prosecute the issue affectively in the coming pages of this thread. . 

[nobodysfriend]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Thaksin, set to complete his parole by August 22, mentioned that he does not anticipate holding any political office post-parole.

 

Who does still believe a word he says ...?

He normally does the opposite from what he promised ...

[ezzra]

Go form a has been club with Joe Biden, you'll have a lot to talk about and reminisce about the

"good old day"...

Edited July 27 by ezzra

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has declared he is too old to return to Thailand’s top political post.

But he wants to continue as a back seat driver... 

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

Thaksin hinted he might still guide his daughter, Pheu Thai Party leader Paetongtarn, but only in a private and advisory capacity.

What Daddy says you do?

[hotchilli]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

He openly shared that he will continue to depend on the government's monthly elderly subsidy of 700 baht,

What????

[OneMoreFarang]

12 minutes ago, sirineou said:

Don't know what he would love or not love, all i know id what he said, I am sure those of you who know more about these things would prosecute the issue affectively in the coming pages of this thread. . 

 

With Thaksin we can be sure that at least 90% of what he says is made up to what he thinks people want to hear.

Unfortunately for many years many Thais believed him.

[OneMoreFarang]

1 minute ago, hotchilli said:

What????

Obviously he has to pretend that he never made lots of money with all that corruption. You know he is an honest man. 555 

[spidermike007]

He is ancient. When he was a child, Moses was parting the Red Sea. 

 

Very few want him anymore. Everyone I know who liked him and his party, have moved on after he sold his soul and the party to the army, in exchange for a return without jail time and toxic army control, yet again. Whatever credibility he may have had before, is long gone now. 

[newbee2022]

Oh dear, he got a lot of proxies. No need anymore to do the grabbing it by himself.🙏

[Zack61]

1 hour ago, webfact said:

He openly shared that he will continue to depend on the government's monthly elderly subsidy of 700 baht, reported Thai PBS

55555555555555555555555555

[Stargeezr]

Good on Mr Thaksin, maybe Mr Trump should also take this hint. What say America, do you really want a dinosaur to

be your President? 

[wombat]

 art directing from the wings wouldn't be stressful as the memoirs are written?

[renaissanc]

Thaksin, I think you have more income than the 700 Baht allowance.

[jippytum]

not to mention as a convicted criminal he would not be eligible

[Sydebolle]

Samak got fired from his prime minister assignment over a cooking show on TV, when he was given a ridiculous small amount for the taxi fare (standard procedure with that TV station apparently). As PM he was not allowed to work anything else against payment. 
So 14 August does not come as a surprise, me thinks. 

What I really appreciated though is Dr T's statement of "him openly sharing, that he will continue to depend on the government's monthly elderly subsidy of 700 baht) as so reported by Thai PBS. 

[jippytum]

After his spell in the dessert he prefers to have puppets like the current PM To do his bidding

[jvs]

3 hours ago, sirineou said:

I am sure this thread will deteriorate into a food fight between those pro Thaksin and those against. Personally I don't know enough about Thai politics to have an opinion one way or another, 

But being from the Us and having gone through this age  issue with biden. I find it refreshing  to see a politician with a pragmatic view on the age issue,  .   

So what is a good age to retire from politics?

I hope you did not suffer too much because of this age thing with President Joe Biden.

(can you read between the lines)?

[soalbundy]

He doesn't care who's PM as long as he is in charge

[Hunz Kittisak]

I thought Yingluck was supposed to return to offer birthday wishes?

 

Never say never Khun Thaksin. Donald Trump is even older and he’ll be the next POTUS

[john donson]

he yes, yinglick 2.0 no

[ikke1959]

Sure he better is in directing orders and have no responsibility and can not be blamed....Much better than doing the job.. Behind the screen is safer