Thaksin’s Racist Remarks Ignite Controversy in Thailand

Thaksin’s Racist Remarks Ignite Controversy in Thailand

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra faced backlash over remarks made during an election campaign in Chiang Rai, where he controversially compared African women’s features to Thai women, suggesting the former earn substantial incomes despite "bad features." The comments, deemed racist by many, sparked widespread condemnation, including from Senator Angkhana Neelapaijit, who urged Thaksin to apologize for violating human rights principles. The controversy has not only tarnished Thaksin’s reputation but also risks undermining the electoral prospects of the Pheu Thai-backed candidate he supported. The incident reignites scrutiny of Thaksin’s lingering influence in Thai politics.