File photo for reference only

 

Thaksin Shinawatra's political influence in Thailand is expected to persist despite his one-year jail sentence, according to Rangsit University’s College of Social Innovation dean, Suriyasai Katasila. Thaksin, founder of the Pheu Thai party, returned to jail after a stint in a police hospital. His political principles, known as "Thaksinism," are believed to maintain influence even after his potential early release.

 

The Supreme Court's order to return Thaksin to jail follows his evasion of imprisonment upon returning from self-exile. This marks a significant moment for Thai politics as his absence may lead to a decline in Pheu Thai's popularity. Many members may shift allegiances, driven partly by last June's leaked conversation between Thaksin's daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, and Cambodian leader Hun Sen.

 

Suriyasai predicts that Thaksin anticipates a political comeback after serving his term, potentially shortened due to age and good behavior. As Thailand looks to future elections, Thaksin is expected to leverage his resources and influence to maintain political power for his party. Financial resources remain crucial in Thai politics, with money being a key element in securing votes.

 

Thaksin's goals include facilitating the return of his sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, from self-exile and navigating his daughter's legal troubles, post her dismissal as prime minister. Former National Security Council secretary-general Paradorn Patanathabut emphasizes that Thaksin's influence is unlikely to wane, as he remains entrenched in the political landscape.

 

Key Takeaways

• Thaksin Shinawatra is likely to retain political influence despite imprisonment.
• Thaksin's party, Pheu Thai, may face challenges with declining popularity.
• Financial influence remains a significant factor in Thai politics.

 

Related Stories:

Why the Court Ordered Thaksin Back to Prison

Thaksin Faces Stark Reality in Thai Maximum Security Jail

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai Newsroom 2025-09-11

 

 

there are more charges brewing, people have long memory's the   Pheu Thai   have made too many broken promises 

pretending to be terminally ill to fool 80 million thais ... i wouldn’t believe a single word from this con man anymore …

 

but teflon toni still pretends to be the hero and savior of the poor / country … in reality, he is nothing more than a ruthless,

selfish, arrogant, and deceitful liar who has caused a lot of harm to the country ...

 

13 minutes ago, motdaeng said:

pretending to be terminally ill to fool 80 million thais ... i wouldn’t believe a single word from this con man anymore …

 

but teflon toni still pretends to be the hero and savior of the poor / country … in reality, he is nothing more than a ruthless,

selfish, arrogant, and deceitful liar who has caused a lot of harm to the country ...

 

Agree 100%     and i think more and more people are waking up to whats going on   there is 1 thing i can not understand the 

Pheu Thai  are keeping her for leader  they must have a  narcissist view     people will not vote for her 

 

 

 

Like Nowel Caward in the Italian Job 

1 minute ago, Hardcastle P said:

Like Nowel Caward in the Italian Job 

 

 

Or Harry Grout in Porridge

On 9/11/2025 at 6:50 PM, motdaeng said:

but teflon toni still pretends to be the hero and savior of the poor / country … in reality, he is nothing more than a ruthless,

selfish, arrogant, and deceitful liar who has caused a lot of harm to the country ...

 

As opposed to ?

On 9/11/2025 at 6:11 PM, snoop1130 said:

His political principles, known as "Thaksinism,"

Anyone know what those are? It would be nice to see them set out in elegant prose.

Does anybody actually believe that this POS Taksin is still in prison he walked through the front door and straight out of the back door onto his jet and of to Dubai for the next 12 months,,,, drum roll..... Taksin is released from prison..... 

hmmmm...   Priority #1  Put him in a SKIF

What is not allowed in a SCIF?

Prohibiting personal electronic devices within SCIFs – including but not limited to cell phones, smartwatches, and cameras 

and ad to that PT members

"Beware of thinking it is punishment to imprison the man who owns the jail" or something along those lines...

19 hours ago, mfd101 said:

Anyone know what those are? It would be nice to see them set out in elegant prose.

 

During his 2001–2006 premiership, Thaksin Shinawatra's populist policies, known as "Thaksinomics," delivered significant benefits for Thailand, primarily for rural and low-income populations. 

 

Benefits of Thaksinomics

 

Poverty reduction

Thaksinomics helped reduce poverty across Thailand.

• Reduced poverty nationwide: Poverty rates fell by half in just four years, from 21.3% in 2001 to 11.3% in 2006.
• Increased rural income: In the impoverished northeast, income grew by 46% during the same period. 

 

Economic stimulus and recovery

Thaksin's administration successfully steered Thailand's recovery from the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis.

• Repaid IMF debt: Thailand paid off its debt to the International Monetary Fund two years ahead of schedule.
• Spurred economic growth: The country's GDP increased from 4.9 trillion baht in 2001 to 7.1 trillion baht in 2006. 

 

Social and rural development initiatives

Thaksin's government launched several populist programs to support rural communities and low-income citizens.

• Universal healthcare: The 30-baht healthcare scheme increased access to medical care, which had been previously limited for many, and boosted overall coverage from 76% to 96% of the population.
• Village funds: The government injected 1 million baht (about $25,000) into every village across the country for microcredit and development projects.
• One Tambon One Product (OTOP): This program fostered the development of locally made products and entrepreneurship in rural areas.
• Farm debt moratorium: A three-year debt freeze was implemented for farmers struggling with debt. 

 

 

"Thaksin's goals include facilitating the return of his sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, from self-exile and navigating his daughter's legal troubles, post her dismissal as prime minister."

 

Yeah, to hell with the country. Look after your own brood.

1 hour ago, Hunz Kittisak said:

 

 

During his 2001–2006 premiership, Thaksin Shinawatra's populist policies, known as "Thaksinomics," delivered significant benefits for Thailand, primarily for rural and low-income populations. 

 

Benefits of Thaksinomics

 

Poverty reduction

Thaksinomics helped reduce poverty across Thailand.

• Reduced poverty nationwide: Poverty rates fell by half in just four years, from 21.3% in 2001 to 11.3% in 2006.
• Increased rural income: In the impoverished northeast, income grew by 46% during the same period. 

 

Economic stimulus and recovery

Thaksin's administration successfully steered Thailand's recovery from the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis.

• Repaid IMF debt: Thailand paid off its debt to the International Monetary Fund two years ahead of schedule.
• Spurred economic growth: The country's GDP increased from 4.9 trillion baht in 2001 to 7.1 trillion baht in 2006. 

 

Social and rural development initiatives

Thaksin's government launched several populist programs to support rural communities and low-income citizens.

• Universal healthcare: The 30-baht healthcare scheme increased access to medical care, which had been previously limited for many, and boosted overall coverage from 76% to 96% of the population.
• Village funds: The government injected 1 million baht (about $25,000) into every village across the country for microcredit and development projects.
• One Tambon One Product (OTOP): This program fostered the development of locally made products and entrepreneurship in rural areas.
• Farm debt moratorium: A three-year debt freeze was implemented for farmers struggling with debt. 

 

 

Thank you. I've never seen before a reasonable summary of the actual achievements (as opposed to promises) of the Thaksin government. It would be interesting to compare those with a similar list of actual achievements for all the subsequent governments. I suspect that overall Thaksin's government  would be out in front (but I may be wrong).

 

Certainly it gives me better understanding of why (until very recently) the villagers in my Khmer village in Phanom Dong Rak were all rarara for Thaksin. 

 

Still it's not quite a list of his "political principles". So it will be interesting - as the next dissolution of Parliament approaches - to see what PT offers and how the poor people of Isaan and elsewhere respond.

 

And then contrasting of course with the PP whose current up-front leadership looks a bit mediocre (certainly not the sparkle of its previous 2 founding leaders).

He was last PM a quarter of a century ago

He was forced into exile and away for 15 years 

And yet he is still loved and revered until today. 
 

Hero of Thailand 

 

 

 

 

55 minutes ago, Hunz Kittisak said:

He was last PM a quarter of a century ago

He was forced into exile and away for 15 years 

And yet he is still loved and revered until today. 
 

Hero of Thailand 

 

 

 

 

laughable comment 

1 hour ago, MikeandDow said:

laughable comment 

He is hated by the establishment but loved by the common folks especially the poor folks from the north and northeast. 
 

7 minutes ago, Hunz Kittisak said:

He is hated by the establishment but loved by the common folks especially the poor folks from the north and northeast. 
 

again laughable