Thaksin To Return To Thailand If Pheu Thai Wins

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RUNAWAY EX-PM

Thaksin to return if Pheu Thai wins

By The Nation

Fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will return to Thailand if the opposition Pheu Thai Party wins a landslide election victory and forms a one-party government, according to a satellite-based television station run by his family.

If Pheu Thai forms a government, legislation to grant amnesty to people banned from politics will be "urgently tabled and reconciliatory bids will be streamlined", Voice TV quoted a party source as saying.

Thaksin, whose government was overthrown in the 2006 military coup, is on the run from a prison sentence for conflict of interest. He said the Supreme Court ruling against him was "politically motivated" and backed a signature campaign by his supporters seeking a royal pardon.

In a video-link address to a meeting of Pheu Thai MPs on Wednesday, the former leader offered to spearhead the party's election strategies from overseas and introduce fresh populist campaigns to win decisive votes so that the country is ruled by a one-party government, Voice TV quoted the source as saying.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Thaksin told Pheu Thai MPs to maintain the party's "close and constant relations" with the red shirts, as they were the party's major supporters.

Thaksin also suggested that the Pheu Thai leadership field some red-shirt activists as its election candidates in constituencies where the party cannot find one of its own, according to the source.

Meanwhile, in his latest Twitter posts, Thaksin called for a sincere commitment by the government to bring about reconciliation, urging Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to look after the people instead of playing political games.

In his tweets posted on the Thaksinlive website, the ex-prime minister drew on the effort of the Chilean government to rescue 33 miners, saying it was a lesson Abhisit should emulate.

"I congratulate the Chilean government for its successful rescue of mine workers; its care for people's lives reflects the true spirit of democracy and has won respect from around the world," he said.

He said what happened in Chile - which he saw as a truly democratic country - was in sharp contrast to Thailand, which was mired in dictatorial rule and plagued by an uncaring attitude towards the plight of the people.

He said he brought up the Chilean experience to remind Thai leaders that they were obligated to take care of their citizens.

"The Chilean leader acted and saved his people's lives without any political intent," he said.

He urged Abhisit to lead with his heart to bring about national unity and reconciliation instead of viewing everything as a game.

But he said he sympathised with Abhisit for being a target of assassination because he too had been such a target when he was in power.

He denounced all forms of violence regardless of who was involved.

-- The Nation 2010-10-15

Related topic:

Fugitive Thaksin To Increase Activities Ahead Of Thai Polls

[katasyd]

What is it with Thaksin and the word democracy?

Does the guy even understand the meaning?

[dru2]

This is such nonsense:

"If Pheu Thai forms a government, legislation to grant amnesty to people banned from politics will be urgently tabled and reconciliatory bids will be streamlined".

Thaksin has been convicted of a criminal offense and is a felon on the run, not simply a banned politician who can be granted amnesty.

Edited October 14, 2010 by dru2

[geriatrickid]

This is such nonsense:

"If Pheu Thai forms a government, legislation to grant amnesty to people banned from politics will be urgently tabled and reconciliatory bids will be streamlined".

Thaksin has been convicted of a criminal offense and is a felon on the run, not simply a banned politician who can be granted amnesty.

People can be pardoned.

I wouldn't be surprised if it happened one day.

This is a country where being wrong today is ok tomorrow and right next year.

[zaphodbeeblebrox]

This is such nonsense:

Agreed. But this in particular is the nonsense.

Thaksin Shinawatra will return to Thailand if the opposition Pheu Thai Party wins a landslide election victory and forms a one-party government . . .

Thailand's politics are so fragmented that no faction will ever win a landslide or be able to form a one-party government. At best, PTP is capable of getting 40% of the MPs, and that estimate was before the red-shirts managed to permanently taint PTP's image with all their nonsense, disruption and violence. The best PTP can hope to achieve in the future is about 30% of the seats, and they will be hard-pressed to ever participate in a ruling coalition, given their self-inflicted ostracization in Thailand's political environment.

[siampolee]

Now the scene become clear.The return of the Dictator and his band of robbers is on the cards. All set to return and feast upon the carcass of the Thai people and Thailand, stripping the last piece of democratic and financial flesh as may remain to yet further inflate their ill gotten obscene fortunes and to consolidate their black hands on absolute despotic power.

Thaksin Shinawatra, patriarch of the Pheu Thai Party, told opposition MPs yesterday to wait until the House of Representatives is dissolved before unveiling its candidate for the next prime minister.

The former premier, who fled abroad to avoid jail after being convicted of a conflict of interest, told a meeting of Pheu Thai MPs via a video link from an unspecified location overseas that he felt the party had six candidates who would make a suitable PM.

"In the current situation, we should not introduce our candidate to become prime minister in order to prevent that person from becoming the target of [political] attacks. We should wait until the House is dissolved," Thaksin was quoted by a source as saying.

Thaksin gave his video-link talk to more than 30 Pheu Thai MPs late yesterday afternoon. The session lasted almost an hour.

During the session, some MPs asked about rumours he had health problems. He reportedly said the rumours were groundless and insisted he was still healthy. "Now I want to return to Thailand because I miss home a lot," he was quoted as saying.

He told the MPs they could phone him if they had any problems.

Thaksin said he was devising a policy platform for Pheu Thai to be used during its campaign ahead of the next general election. He said the focus would be on creating income for people and solving economic problems.

He expressed hope Pheu Thai would win the election and make its return to government - and urged party MPs to be patient.

"Don't believe the rumour that I will allow 50 [Pheu Thai] MPs to join the government. I definitely won't do that," he was reported saying.

Earlier, Pheu Thai MPs from different regions held meetings separately to discuss the political situation. They believed that if the ruling Democrat Party was dissolved by a court order next month, an early general election would be inevitable.

It was agreed that Pheu Thai would come up with candidates to be PM and Thaksin would choose who would be the party candidate.

[dru2]

This is such nonsense:

"If Pheu Thai forms a government, legislation to grant amnesty to people banned from politics will be urgently tabled and reconciliatory bids will be streamlined".

Thaksin has been convicted of a criminal offense and is a felon on the run, not simply a banned politician who can be granted amnesty.

People can be pardoned.

I wouldn't be surprised if it happened one day.

This is a country where being wrong today is ok tomorrow and right next year.

This is indeed true. But we all know who can pardon people, and it isn't Pheu Thai or Thaksin's offspring.

[brahmburgers]

He tried paving the way for his come-back by orchestrating riots in Spring '09 and Spring '10, but that didn't work. He had the chance to accept Abhisit's generous offer to hold elections early - but he 'hung tough' and lost that one also. He stood back smiling while downtown Bangkok burned, but that too didn't enable him to come back in triumph, as much as he wished it would.

Now we hear T will come back if his Party Of Puppets win the election. Does Santa have a beard? Of course T will come back in triumph if there's any possible way he can manipulate that to happen. We've known that all along for seven years.

[TheyCallmeScooter]

This is such nonsense:

"If Pheu Thai forms a government, legislation to grant amnesty to people banned from politics will be urgently tabled and reconciliatory bids will be streamlined".

Thaksin has been convicted of a criminal offense and is a felon on the run, not simply a banned politician who can be granted amnesty.

People can be pardoned.

I wouldn't be surprised if it happened one day.

This is a country where being wrong today is ok tomorrow and right next year.

Not only should it not be surprising, it's the most likely result (I'd probably set a line and take wagers if gambling wasn't frowned upon in Thailand).

But this has been what it's all been about from the start.

Thaksin freaking LOVES Thaksin.

And he'll sacrifice Thailand for the one he loves.

The slippery slope of amnesty for crimes of politicians is a nasty one. Anyone who's lived in the Philippines will understand who that catch-22 mess goes down. Once you start, you're pretty much trapped into shipping out amnesties purely to protect yourself (if you don't ship the amnesty, someone else will - and the amnestied party will remember your failure to "do the right thing" by them).

Very rapidly, all politicians are above the law. Their fiercest enemies will give them amnesty. They're forced to. It's really quite cute when you see it in practice. Lieutenant Trillianes leads a coup to overthrow the government, fails, lives a life of luxury in his 'prison' where he runs for the Senate, wins! - and becomes a Senator whilst in prison for a failed coup.

He's treated with such deference (after all, he could be President in a decade), that he escapes his 'guards' during his trial, and a bunch of soldiers meet up with him and he has another crack at that coup (Peninsula Hotel, 2 blocks from my apartment, fun and games). He fails, the kid gloves come in the form of the wardens to lead him back to his luxury Senator's Office / Prison Cell.

It's glorious stuff. Enjoy, Thailand. Nothing like reversing into the Dark Ages when everyone else is pushing into the 21st century.

[draftvader]

The big question is whether he will make a promise to never return or dabble in Thai politics/paramilitary activities if they lose in a landslide election....that would be nice

[TheyCallmeScooter]

The big question is whether he will make a promise to never return or dabble in Thai politics/paramilitary activities if they lose in a landslide election....that would be nice

Yes, I mean you can say what you like about the man, but his word is his bond.

[Jingthing]

It is possible that his puppet party may form a government, but a landslide isn't in the cards or a one party government. His pronouncement may fire up his base, but his goal seems impossible.

Edited October 15, 2010 by Jingthing

[craigt3365]

The big question is whether he will make a promise to never return or dabble in Thai politics/paramilitary activities if they lose in a landslide election....that would be nice

If I am not mistaken, he has already made a promise to stay out of politics...and then broke it...and then said it...and then broke it....his words are like Jatuporn's....meaningless rants.

[whybother]

A VOTE FOR THE PTP IS A VOTE FOR THAKSIN

Campaign posters are being printed as we speak.

[Thai at Heart]

If PTP wins, we can thus expect a coup.

There is no way the army is going to let this guy back into the country and be pardoned.

[ianbaggie]

The utter blatant CHEEK to assume that he is wanted when he should be ashamed of his own actions. There is no end to this cheap underserving mans actions. He is a thief, a liar, a coward, a murderer and an incompetent - it makes the hair on my neck stand up that these red shirts wear his picture on their shirt. For me the best thing would befor him to get the same as "Katiya Sawasdipol". I hear so many rumours about what he will do when he comes back, so many stories about those in VERY high places whos drinking and gambling debts hes paid off.........people who T's money has placed firmly in his pocket - and most of all.....i remember seeing the red stickers posted through Silom at the time of the red shirt riots in May - proclaiming "President Thaksin". Welcome to the new state of Thailand and be very afraid. .........its the only thing that would make me leave my wife, son and Thailand the country I love but would lose allrespect for. ......the worst thing about his return ........ i dont know......its just so wrong in every way.

Edited October 15, 2010 by ianbaggie

[Jingthing]

ian brings up a good point. While his latest "promise" will fire up his base, the fear of that happening will also fire up his opposition. How can a landslide of Thais possibly vote for the crew behind Bangkok Burning and Black Songkran?

[ianbaggie]

Good post - but are the posters pro PTP or anti?

A VOTE FOR THE PTP IS A VOTE FOR THAKSIN

Campaign posters are being printed as we speak.

[ianbaggie]

i fear that many will be attracted by it - there is one reason why Thaksin will win!! He knows that his supporters and many others in this part of the world are cheap to buy and he has money - just like Berlesconi money will turn his fortunes around. Ive just taught French Revolution to a class of 14 yr old s - the similarities with the resd shirt riots are strikin in so many ways. Thaksin will BUY Thailand very cheaply. The price is the respect they lose in the eyes of many......personally i promise that i would not put one baht into Thaksins Thailand.

ian brings up a good point. While his latest "promise" will fire up his base, the fear of that happening will also fire up his opposition. How can a landslide of Thais possibly vote for the crew behind Bangkok Burning and Black Songkran?

[Thai at Heart]

ian brings up a good point. While his latest "promise" will fire up his base, the fear of that happening will also fire up his opposition. How can a landslide of Thais possibly vote for the crew behind Bangkok Burning and Black Songkran?

I think you would be surprised. PTP still has a lot of traction with an awful lot of people. Whether that makes a landslide, who knows? This is effectively his last throw of the dice to get back through elections. Expect a lot of cash to be flying around.

[Jingthing]

A landslide? You're dreaming. Look at the last election for an indicator.

[rixalex]

I think you would be surprised. PTP still has a lot of traction with an awful lot of people. Whether that makes a landslide, who knows?

As JT says, just look at the last election results. Do you really think any more hearts and minds have been won by Khun T. in the last year or two? I would say it's been the reverse.

[whybother]

A landslide? You're dreaming. Look at the last election for an indicator.

There is no way they would get a majority on there own ... but bring Newin into the mix and anything could happen.

[Thai at Heart]

A landslide? You're dreaming. Look at the last election for an indicator.

Should have made it clearer. A landslide, I doubt.

I am amazed however, having spent quite a bit of time around Eastern seaboard working in the last few months, how willingly "middle managers" want to canvass and give an opinion on Thaksin and how cr*p the Dems are. The reds are not some homogeneous lower class ill educated bunch.

There are thousands of middle aged Isaan people working down around the Eastern seaboard for MNC's or have their own companies, and I have been quite shocked about how vocal they are over a beer or on the golf course.

However, a lot of the view that they have is that the rich of Bangkok have hoodwinked the country economically for decades and something needs to change. I can't argue with that, but the problem is if I tell them that Thaksin probably isn't the saviour they expect him to be, they take the view that he is the least worst option for the long term of the country outside Bangkok.

[Insight]

If PTP wins, we can thus expect a coup.

There is no way the army is going to let this guy back into the country and be pardoned.

Don't stop at just "the army" - go either way up and down.

[Thai at Heart]

If PTP wins, we can thus expect a coup.

There is no way the army is going to let this guy back into the country and be pardoned.

Don't stop at just "the army" - go either way up and down.

Well, we can expect a flock of yellows to sit in Bangkok if he comes back.

However, 4 or 5 years after the coup which was held essentially to get rid of Thaksin, to have him back and a possibility for him to be pardoned through the parliament, the only answer is to get rid of the parliament. Thus a coup.

[Buchholz]

A landslide? You're dreaming. Look at the last election for an indicator.

and the latest poll for another.

[rixalex]

If PTP wins, we can thus expect a coup.

That's what some people were predicting before the 2007 election, on the possibility of PPP winning.

[Thai at Heart]

If PTP wins, we can thus expect a coup.

That's what some people were predicting before the 2007 election, on the possibility of PPP winning.

I think after the raft of reds messing up central Bangkok in the last 6 months, the stakes are considerably higher. The army eventually commandeered a crafty way around the 2007 problem by eventually paying off Newin's bunch. Lovely how the coup is held to fight corruption, but the plan proffered up by the army to get the dems into power is riddled with it like a swiss cheese. And don't doubt that Thaksin will be offering as much as he can afford to any MP to switch to a coalition with him.

Could you imagine Thaksin coming back, and the yellows inevitably taking up position in Bangkok again? It would likely end up in civil war. A sitting "red" government faced with PAD protesting, and an army that won't step in? Bloodshed would be an understatement. Bear in mind, if the PAD hadn't protested, Thaksin would probably have been back long ago, so Sondhi would probably be ready to pop a blood vessel if Thaksin got pardoned.

So either the yellows sit down again for months which will make the whole of Thailand look stupid, or the army step in, and only the army looks stupid.

Thus my bet is on the army to "take one" for the country, if that isn't the most politically repungnant idea, but then this is Thai politics. Then the fun would start. How to re-write the re-written constitution, but this time, I suggest they get it right and clean up the shit in the Thai political legal/justice system. If it means they ask another stable democratic country to start translating their constitution word for word and the Thai's tell the world that it is their own original work so be it. It is this endless desire to Thai"ify" black into grey when it comes to the law and justice that has put this country in this mess.

Deja vu all over again.

Edited October 15, 2010 by Thai at Heart

[gregb]

If PTP wins, we can thus expect a coup.

There is no way the army is going to let this guy back into the country and be pardoned.

Not a chance.

The coup was only needed when Thaksin had his ironclad grip on the court system. Now they will use the tried and true method of dissolving the party for electoral violations. Much more civilized process and no bad press. Has the virtue of being true as well. We all know there is no way for either party to run a completely clean campaign in Thailand, but it is taken to an art form in Issan, where the PT power base is. There will never be a lack of evidence. Whatever the case, Thaksin will never be allowed to return and terrorize the country again. That is for sure. But he can still continue to create mayhem from overseas.

But truthfully this is all irrelevant. Poll after poll shows the same thing. Thailand is roughly split at 1/3 Democrat, 1/3 PT, and 1/3 everyone else, most notably BJT. Nobody will control the country without the support of Newin. And Newin can always be bought. And as rich as Thaksin is, he isn't rich enough to outbid all of those arrayed against him.

All this talk by T is just his pitiful efforts to keep himself relevant. He is slowly dying, literally and politically. Another decade and I suspect we will finally be rid of the menace. That will be the day Thailand can finally start the process of reconciliation.