Analysis Thaksin’s 7 Political Mistakes: From Mastermind to Trapped Player

[webfact]

 

Picture courtesy of Siam Rath

 

ANALYSIS

 

Thaksin Shinawatra's recent political manoeuvres have drawn scrutiny, highlighting seven key missteps in his approach to leadership and strategy.

 

1. Using Family as a Political Tool:
Pushing Paetongtarn Shinawatra forward as Prime Minister amidst unresolved legal issues and public dissent might seem like a short-term victory for the family. However, this risks dragging his daughter into a political storm, where her every move is perceived as under Thaksin's influence, affecting her ability to establish her leadership image.

 

2. Failing to Maintain Political Distance:
Instead of stepping back to manage his reputation and legal challenges wisely, Thaksin chose an active role, engaging with major issues, liaising with power holders, and sending signals through close politicians. This approach positioned him as a target for frequent attacks from both opponents and neutral groups that once offered support.

 

3. Underestimating Global Dynamics:
Critics point to Thaksin's reliance on outdated strategies amidst regional changes, including Thai-Cambodian relations, the US stance towards Southeast Asia, and China's new role. His negotiations with Hun Sen, while seemingly rekindling old ties, are viewed as opening avenues for foreign intervention in Thai interests, leading to international security scrutiny.

 

4. Overconfidence in Political Return:
Returning to the political scene with the confidence of someone who once controlled the system, Thaksin neglected how swiftly the world had evolved.

 

5. Misjudging Rapid Political Changes:
There was a failure to assess the rapid evolution of the political landscape in Thailand accurately.

 

6. Ignoring Modern Influences:
He overlooked the power of public sentiment, social media, judiciary influence, and international relations in shaping today’s politics.

 

7. Risk of Leading Network to a Dead End:
By not adjusting strategies to current realities, Thaksin risks endangering not just himself but his entire political network.

 

Conclusion: Familiarity Becoming a Trap
Thaksin's oversight wasn't simply strategic misjudgement but a failure to assess the new political landscape adequately. Without adapting strategies to contemporary contexts, he risks more than personal failure, potentially leading his political network into a challenging dead end.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Siam Rath 2025-07-07

 

 

[Artisi]

That'll learn him, won't it 😊

[blaze master]

His ego is his problem. 

[motdaeng]

1 hour ago, Artisi said:

That'll learn him, won't it 😊

i don't think so ... otherwise he would be quiet after his cleverly arranged return and just enjoy the time with his grandchildren ... 

[Geoffggi]

He is a self centered egotistical manipulator who considers himself above all others, the whole Shinawatra family are to a degree the same & has been dragging Thaiand down the wrong path, as has been said by many, it is time for a change in thinking & the end to Shinawatra dynasty.

[mfd101]

Certainly the post-return Thaksin has proven less clever (more obvious) than we expected.

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Thaksin Shinawatra's recent political manoeuvres have drawn scrutiny, highlighting seven key missteps in his approach to leadership and strategy.

No strategy just the old school authoritarianism approach... 

his days in politics are almost over, along with the Shinawatra clan.

[dddave]

He clearly underestimated the behind the scenes (Judiciary) power of the opposition.  He thought he could push Anutin off center stage.  He was wrong. He got pushed off instead.

[spidermike007]

All those years in exile seem to have rotted his brain. Whatever relevance he once had is long gone. Let us hope this is the end of that toxic family's influence. See ya! You are not needed, nor wanted, you are now despised, and disrespected. 

[realfunster]

3 hours ago, Geoffggi said:

He is a self centered egotistical manipulator who considers himself above all others, the whole Shinawatra family are to a degree the same & has been dragging Thaiand down the wrong path, as has been said by many, it is time for a change in thinking & the end to Shinawatra dynasty.

Whatever one’s thoughts on Taksin, it would seem that the family is slowly but surely running out of “untainted” options for any future political opportunities.

 

Throwing your young(ish) and clearly unqualified daughter into the political arena and under the bus to get power does reek of egomaniacal tendencies. 
 

Time will tell but just maybe Taksin has been outmaneuvered on this one, being offered an insincere olive branch which his ego wouldn’t allow him to refuse and may have led to the ultimate downfall of his political clan. 

[damian]

8. Mastermining the removal of a democratically elected party while preaching democracy and following the  rule of law. 

[mfd101]

5 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

Let us hope this is the end of that toxic family's influence. See ya! You are not needed, nor wanted, you are now despised, and disrespected. 

Yes, though we need to be careful about what we wish for ... What eventually rises to the scum-covered surface may not be better.

[The Alien]

Put simply, he cannot resist his greed for money and power.

[Artisi]

8 minutes ago, dddave said:

He clearly underestimated the behind the scenes (Judiciary) power of the opposition.  He thought he could push Anutin off center stage.  He was wrong. He got pushed off instead.

Seems he has underestimated a number of things lately - what a shame. 

[newbee2022]

3 hours ago, Geoffggi said:

He is a self centered egotistical manipulator who considers himself above all others, the whole Shinawatra family are to a degree the same & has been dragging Thaiand down the wrong path, as has been said by many, it is time for a change in thinking & the end to Shinawatra dynasty.

Well, this character is en vogue at present: Donnie, Elon, Vladi, Bibi.....😨

[crazykopite]

I’m Leaving on a Jet plane is ringing in my ears constantly let’s hope it’s sooner rather than later and he takes the whole Shin Clan with him !

[ChipButty]

When are Thai people going to wake up? The whole Shin clan are a disgrace is there an honest one in there? 

[Expat Tom]

His actions can only take place in a woefully corrupt state. I saddens me to see my home country ranked as 28th on the World Corruption Perception Index; meaning that there are 27 countries LESS corrupt.

If I were a Thai citizen, I would be mortified that Thailand ranks 107th on the world corruption index; meaning that there are 106 countries ranked as less corrupt.

 

What Taskin has done is the result of systemic corruption throughout the government and the body politic.  Taskin is the product of his environment. 

[expat_4_life]

4 hours ago, motdaeng said:

i don't think so ... otherwise he would be quiet after his cleverly arranged return and just enjoy the time with his grandchildren ... 

 

I said something similar on a thread about his return and the subsequent turmoil some months ago and agree.  He had a win, he was able to return to his country of origin and should have retired from politics with his fortune. 

Instead he leveraged his political power to subvert the will of the Thai people and take control of a coalition in which the Move Forward party was the clear victor and put his family in charge.

Oh, well. we shall see how this evolves but not looking good for the Shin family!

[connda]

7 hours ago, webfact said:

Pushing Paetongtarn Shinawatra forward as Prime Minister amidst unresolved legal issues and public dissent might seem like a short-term victory for the family. However, this risks dragging his daughter into a political storm, where her every move is perceived as under Thaksin's influence, affecting her ability to establish her leadership image.

The kid was just a proxy for Tony.  In and of herself she has little if any political power.  If her name wasn't "Shinawatra" she'd be managing hotels, or giving farangs massages with a happy ending. 

[harryviking]

I look forward to the Shinawatra Gang is silenced and out of politics. Thailand deserve it!😎

[paul1804]

Just remember who granted his return to Thailand arrangement!!

[mfd101]

But of course - in all of this - the one thing the calculating pollies will be thinking is that we mustn't at any cost hold another 'free' election by The People. Cos those silly ignorants would just vote for the young revolutionaries again, in even greater numbers, and that's a disaster we must not face again.

[NemoH]

Over confidence from getting away with so many things in Thailand. He must be thinking he is invincible after mocking the judicial system, mocking the medical profession, and winning an election by political maneuvering ... he was Mr Invincible. 🤣🤣😊

[ujayujay]

Thaksin "you can fix everything with money" Shinawatra

[johnc925]

Nice propaganda piece... looks like using media to drive their agenda 🙄

[fgmr]

6 hours ago, Artisi said:

That'll learn him, won't it 😊

DJT should leave Washington and join him.

[1duckyboy]

Can anyone tell me who the last democratically chosen Thai prime minister was to complete his/her full term in office? TIA

[sammieuk1]

8) No one bought the 24hr magical cure all baloney elixir he peddled... eventually 🤔

[Hunz Kittisak]

The report akin to a political obituary but in fact Thaksin is just beginning to write his and Thailand’s next chapter.

He one wily old fox he will emerge victorious as always