Politics Thaksin's Drug Speech Stirs Storm Over Infamous 2003 Killings

[webfact]

File photo courtesy courtesy of Facebook sorrayuth9115

 

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is set to deliver a lecture on drug suppression at the Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) on Tuesday.

 

The invitation for Thaksin, who is speaking as an adviser to the ASEAN chair, has ignited controversy due to his notorious "war on drugs" in 2003. The former leader's campaign, which led to over 2,500 alleged extrajudicial killings, is still fresh in the minds of many.

 

Justice Minister Pol Col Tawee Sodsong announced on Monday that Thaksin would participate in the event titled "Narcotics and Transnational Crime: Perspectives and Challenges."

 

However, this decision has been met with stern disapproval from various quarters, questioning the appropriateness given Thaksin's contested past in drug policy.

 

Political activist Nitithorn Lumlua expressed strong reservations, questioning the ethics of this government move. He cited potential constitutional breaches, specifically Section 160, along with current controversies surrounding Thaksin's extended stay at the Police General Hospital during his prison sentence.

 

Nitithorn dismissed speculations that the engagement was a ploy to counter rumours of Thaksin's escape from Thailand, suggesting the public has moved beyond that issue.

 

Former Democrat MP Thepthai Senpong also voiced his concerns through social media, doubting any change in Thaksin's stance on drug suppression since his tenure as Prime Minister.

 

Thepthai emphasised that the government errs by adopting Thaksin's approach as a model, warning it could heighten disputes with human rights organisations domestically and internationally.

 

The implications of Thaksin's speech reach beyond his participation, raising significant questions about the direction of Thailand's current drug policy.

 

Critics fear a return to draconian measures, potentially straining international relations and internal affairs. The government stands at a crossroad, balancing its agenda against a backdrop of contentious historical actions.

 

The event, occurring at a pivotal moment, will indeed be watched closely by both supporters and detractors. The outcome could influence the nation's ongoing battle with narcotics and the reputation of current drug suppression strategies.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-05-27

 

 

[Pouatchee]

and his opening line at the venue will be, "Shoot first, ask questions later!"

[Artisi]

4 minutes ago, Pouatchee said:

and his opening line at the venue will be, "Shoot first, ask questions later!"

"Shoot first, deny all later" Sorted that for you. 

[gargamon]

Du30 (Duterte) from the Philippines is currently locked up in the Hague awaiting trial in the ICC for similar extrajudicial killings for purported drug offenders.

 

Just saying...

[kingstonkid]

will this be live or will technical difficulties getting from his home to the venue mean he has to do it on Zoom'

 

I just wish they would hurry up with the court decisions and end all these farces 

 

It is going to be an interesting month in June university students come back to the universities.  The freshman are all ready to be indoctrinated. 

 

Yeah things could be interesting.

[harryviking]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

File photo courtesy courtesy of Facebook sorrayuth9115

 

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is set to deliver a lecture on drug suppression at the Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) on Tuesday.

 

The invitation for Thaksin, who is speaking as an adviser to the ASEAN chair, has ignited controversy due to his notorious "war on drugs" in 2003. The former leader's campaign, which led to over 2,500 alleged extrajudicial killings, is still fresh in the minds of many.

 

Justice Minister Pol Col Tawee Sodsong announced on Monday that Thaksin would participate in the event titled "Narcotics and Transnational Crime: Perspectives and Challenges."

 

However, this decision has been met with stern disapproval from various quarters, questioning the appropriateness given Thaksin's contested past in drug policy.

 

Political activist Nitithorn Lumlua expressed strong reservations, questioning the ethics of this government move. He cited potential constitutional breaches, specifically Section 160, along with current controversies surrounding Thaksin's extended stay at the Police General Hospital during his prison sentence.

 

Nitithorn dismissed speculations that the engagement was a ploy to counter rumours of Thaksin's escape from Thailand, suggesting the public has moved beyond that issue.

 

Former Democrat MP Thepthai Senpong also voiced his concerns through social media, doubting any change in Thaksin's stance on drug suppression since his tenure as Prime Minister.

 

Thepthai emphasised that the government errs by adopting Thaksin's approach as a model, warning it could heighten disputes with human rights organisations domestically and internationally.

 

The implications of Thaksin's speech reach beyond his participation, raising significant questions about the direction of Thailand's current drug policy.

 

Critics fear a return to draconian measures, potentially straining international relations and internal affairs. The government stands at a crossroad, balancing its agenda against a backdrop of contentious historical actions.

 

The event, occurring at a pivotal moment, will indeed be watched closely by both supporters and detractors. The outcome could influence the nation's ongoing battle with narcotics and the reputation of current drug suppression strategies.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-05-27

 

 

Mr. Thaksin should be in jail for life because of what he was responsible for in 2003!! This is the same crimes as was done in the Philippines  years ago! Many innocent people died. "Convenient" for some you might say....falsly accused...🙄

[madone]

They invited Duterte, but he was busy

[madone]

7 minutes ago, harryviking said:

This is the same crimes as was done in the Philippines  years ago!

Du30 was more recent than Thako and good ole Purachai

[Guderian]

9 hours ago, webfact said:

The former leader's campaign, which led to over 2,500 alleged extrajudicial killings, is still fresh in the minds of many.

 

What amazes me is that this guy isn't in the next cell in The Hague to Duterte.

[mfd101]

The obvious question for a practical & sensible person (as opposed to the holier-than-everyone kind of person) is:

 

Were the 'wars on drugs' - here or in the Philippines and however measured - successful or not?

[hotchilli]

10 hours ago, webfact said:

Nitithorn dismissed speculations that the engagement was a ploy to counter rumours of Thaksin's escape from Thailand, suggesting the public has moved beyond that issue

I don't think so..

[parallelman]

An adviser to the ASEAN Chair?? Why is this man even lecturing to an offiicial ONCB?? He is not even doing things behind the scenes anymore. If someone doesn't stop him they'll be another coup...maybe that's what 'they' want.

[Hunz Kittisak]

12 hours ago, gargamon said:

Du30 (Duterte) from the Philippines is currently locked up in the Hague awaiting trial in the ICC for similar extrajudicial killings for purported drug offenders.

 

Just saying...

Good of you to use this example. 
The entire world see Duterte case as political persecution 

[ujayujay]

ICC Den Haag is calling🤫

[MikeandDow]

22 minutes ago, Hunz Kittisak said:

Good of you to use this example. 
The entire world see Duterte case as political persecution 

What a load pf crap !!  Duterte and Thaksin should be lock away for life for the extrajudicial killings

[ronnie50]

So - did he show up for this talk (today, Tuesday, right?)

[SanSaiExPat]

15 hours ago, webfact said:

File photo courtesy courtesy of Facebook sorrayuth9115

 

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is set to deliver a lecture on drug suppression at the Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) on Tuesday.

 

The invitation for Thaksin, who is speaking as an adviser to the ASEAN chair, has ignited controversy due to his notorious "war on drugs" in 2003. The former leader's campaign, which led to over 2,500 alleged extrajudicial killings, is still fresh in the minds of many.

 

Justice Minister Pol Col Tawee Sodsong announced on Monday that Thaksin would participate in the event titled "Narcotics and Transnational Crime: Perspectives and Challenges."

 

However, this decision has been met with stern disapproval from various quarters, questioning the appropriateness given Thaksin's contested past in drug policy.

 

Political activist Nitithorn Lumlua expressed strong reservations, questioning the ethics of this government move. He cited potential constitutional breaches, specifically Section 160, along with current controversies surrounding Thaksin's extended stay at the Police General Hospital during his prison sentence.

 

Nitithorn dismissed speculations that the engagement was a ploy to counter rumours of Thaksin's escape from Thailand, suggesting the public has moved beyond that issue.

 

Former Democrat MP Thepthai Senpong also voiced his concerns through social media, doubting any change in Thaksin's stance on drug suppression since his tenure as Prime Minister.

 

Thepthai emphasised that the government errs by adopting Thaksin's approach as a model, warning it could heighten disputes with human rights organisations domestically and internationally.

 

The implications of Thaksin's speech reach beyond his participation, raising significant questions about the direction of Thailand's current drug policy.

 

Critics fear a return to draconian measures, potentially straining international relations and internal affairs. The government stands at a crossroad, balancing its agenda against a backdrop of contentious historical actions.

 

The event, occurring at a pivotal moment, will indeed be watched closely by both supporters and detractors. The outcome could influence the nation's ongoing battle with narcotics and the reputation of current drug suppression strategies.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-05-27

 

 

Think of how many lives his actions saved by keeping the scourge of Ya Ba off the street.

[hotchilli]

18 hours ago, kingstonkid said:

will this be live or will technical difficulties getting from his home to the venue mean he has to do it on Zoom'

Which home would that be ?

[MikeandDow]

12 hours ago, SanSaiExPat said:

Think of how many lives his actions saved by keeping the scourge of Ya Ba off the street.

Utter Rubbish     You are trying to justify  killing  people who it has been proven had no dealing in the drug trade  ok !!      go read what this guy did before you post rubbish 

[crazykopite]

convicted criminal giving a lecture  Amazing Thailand

[harryviking]

On 5/27/2025 at 12:12 AM, gargamon said:

Du30 (Duterte) from the Philippines is currently locked up in the Hague awaiting trial in the ICC for similar extrajudicial killings for purported drug offenders.

 

Just saying...

Why isnt Thaksin on that same trial! He killed thousands by his actions!!

[madone]

19 hours ago, Hunz Kittisak said:

The entire world see Duterte case as political persecution 

Bless you,  you sweet summer child

translation : bull<deleted> 

[harryviking]

On 5/27/2025 at 9:32 AM, mfd101 said:

The obvious question for a practical & sensible person (as opposed to the holier-than-everyone kind of person) is:

 

Were the 'wars on drugs' - here or in the Philippines and however measured - successful or not?

Of course not! The war on drugs has been going on everywhere for many decades! These days there are more drugs around than ever before! Humans are not an intelligent being! The need for self-destruction is deep planted in us I guess.....