From Exile to Power: Thaksin Reshapes Thai Politics

[webfact]

 

Picture courtesy: Thai PBS

 

Thaksin Shinawatra, once Thailand's most controversial leader, is navigating fresh waters after returning from a 17-year self-imposed exile. Living in a lavish Bangkok residence, Thaksin has managed to find his footing despite past legal challenges, notably receiving a royal pardon that reduced his sentence from eight years to just one.

 

At 75, Thaksin holds no official political titles. Yet, his influence in Thai politics remains undeniable, particularly within the Pheu Thai Party, where his daughter, Paetongtarn, has risen as Thailand's youngest Prime Minister at 38. Observers speculate Thaksin still exerts significant sway over government decisions.

 

Beyond borders, Thaksin’s influence extends to regional affairs in Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos. He critiques the illegal operations along the Thai-Myanmar border, implicating them in funding Myanmar's ongoing civil conflicts. Recent moves by his daughter, Paetongtarn—such as cutting utility services to scam-affected areas—illustrate a strategic approach to these issues, aimed at disrupting criminal activities linked to global online frauds.

 

Thaksin’s involvement in regional diplomacy is noteworthy. He has engaged with leaders of Myanmar resistance groups, fostering dialogues aimed at peace. His efforts align with ASEAN initiatives led by Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, whom Thaksin praises for his incisive leadership.

Amid geopolitical tensions between the US and China, Thaksin advocates for ASEAN’s neutrality. Emphasizing ASEAN's strategic demographic and economic potential, he underscores the need for balanced relations, urging greater US engagement without alienating China.

 

On a forward-looking note, Thaksin is considering recommendations to ASEAN for embracing cryptocurrency. With global leaders like Donald Trump showing interest in digital currencies, Thaksin believes ASEAN should explore this domain to stay globally competitive.

 

As Thaksin Shinawatra redefines his role, his blend of political acumen and regional diplomacy continues to shape the landscape in Southeast Asia. His efforts reflect a commitment to fostering stability and growth, underscoring his enduring influence both at home and across the region, reported The Nation.

 

-- 2025-02-21

 

 

[ExpatOilWorker]

Funny, I just met Thaksin the other day.

[Geoffggi]

This whole debacle sends a wrong message to the Thai people while also showing the weakness of the government as a whole.

[JoePai]

Odious little man

[Pouatchee]

a criminal banned from politics... more going on here than the US of A. I'll stick to the thai dramas... rather than the american soap operas... 

[JimHuaHin]

Reshaping Thai politics, or destroying Thailand through his greed?

[MikeandDow]

A unelected  buffoon !!!   should be representing thailand in a jail cell

[quake]

Tony is back on top of the sand castle again.

Who would have thought. 

[Gottfrid]

2 hours ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

Funny, I just met Thaksin the other day.

That´s like Monty Python and the shoe box story. That´s nothing. I took him to lunch 2 days ago. 😂

[ExpatOilWorker]

23 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

That´s like Monty Python and the shoe box story. That´s nothing. I took him to lunch 2 days ago. 😂

Do you also have a video of ur lunch?

Because I do.

[Gottfrid]

2 hours ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

Do you also have a video of ur lunch?

Because I do.

Made by: Japanese Deep Fake Studios

 

😂😂😂

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Thaksin has managed to find his footing despite past legal challenges, notably receiving a royal pardon that reduced his sentence from eight years to just one.

Which he never served.

[billd766]

7 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Which he never served.

And what punishment was meted out to ALL the generals  who held illegal military coups over the decades. If a coup is illegal, then any punishments meted our under a coup government must also be illegal.

[ExpatOilWorker]

21 minutes ago, Gottfrid said:

Made by: Japanese Deep Fake Studios

 

😂😂😂

Nah. I also met his grandchildren a while back.

Having a little cute 3 years old girl in Bangkok open some strange doors 🚪. 

[thecyclist]

4 hours ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

Do you also have a video of ur lunch?

Because I do.

He gave me a 100k Baht. I have a video of the money. 

[ExpatOilWorker]

9 minutes ago, thecyclist said:

He gave me a 100k Baht. I have a video of the money. 

Lucky you, I only got a polite wai.

[Thingamabob]

He has bought his way back into Thailand. Be prepared for some odious developments, both for locals and for foreigners.

[Red Forever]

5 hours ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

Do you also have a video of ur lunch?

Because I do.

You have a video of Gottfrid’s lunch?

Please show.

[billd766]

32 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

He has bought his way back into Thailand. Be prepared for some odious developments, both for locals and for foreigners.

As odious as yet another military coup?

 

AFAIR going back as far as 1993. NO military coup has done any good for the Thai people or for foreigners.

[digger70]

9 hours ago, ExpatOilWorker said:

Funny, I just met Thaksin the other day.

So, What of it?

[Thingamabob]

5 minutes ago, billd766 said:

As odious as yet another military coup?

 

AFAIR going back as far as 1993. NO military coup has done any good for the Thai people or for foreigners.

The government under General Prem was the best I have experienced in Thailand in over 60 years.

[MikeandDow]

9 minutes ago, Thingamabob said:

The government under General Prem was the best I have experienced in Thailand in over 60 years.

Tend to agree !  only problem at that time was the Communist insurgents in Thailand, Also he new what Thaskin was like, there was no love lost between them

[Purdey]

It just shows that the military coup was a complete waste of time. No change at all.

[Hunz Kittisak]

Thaksin is back and Thailand will only get better under his leadership.

[Luuk Chaai]

1 hour ago, Hunz Kittisak said:

Thaksin is back and Thailand will only get better under his leadership.

poor diluted soul

[MikeandDow]

1 hour ago, Hunz Kittisak said:

Thaksin is back and Thailand will only get better under his leadership.

Never Happen He is the Worst person for Thailand,  he is a Convicted felon, corrupt person and has been acused of Crimes against Humanity and you think things will get better, Thaskin is only for himself, not for Thailand,  you seemed to have your head in the sand !!

[lordgrinz]

He's as big a fake as that mop of hair on his head.

[BayArea]

So, it's finally official, Thaksin is running the show! it took several months and multiple articles to confirmed it. 🙄

[BayArea]

9 hours ago, Purdey said:

It just shows that the military coup was a complete waste of time. No change at all.

all the coup did was put Thailand back 10 years. 

[NoshowJones]

18 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

The government under General Prem was the best I have experienced in Thailand in over 60 years.

Who is General Prem? If you mean the soldier (I forget his name) who led the 2014 illegal coup, then your post just nonsense. This "Premier" had an IQ probably similar to the Somchai in the street.