Thaksin upon his arrival in Thailand in August 2023 (Editorial credit: Chaiwat Subprasom / Shutterstock.com)
Thailand's former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been released on parole after spending six months in a Bangkok hospital. He was there because of convictions for corruption. Upon leaving the hospital, Thaksin wore a neck brace, an arm sling and a face mask, and was accompanied by his two daughters to his home in Bangkok.
Thaksin, who served as prime minister between 2001 and 2006 before being ousted in a coup, remains a divisive figure in Thai politics. His release is seen as an attempt at reconciliation with his political opponents within Thailand's conservative elite. Despite this, his political influence, especially through the ruling Pheu Thai Party led by his daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra, remains significant, although the extent of his current political power is uncertain.
His original eight-year sentence was reduced to one year by King Maha Vajiralongkorn, shortly after Thaksin's return from more than a decade of exile. The parole was approved due to Thaksin's age (74 years) and his state of health. Thaksin still has to report monthly to the probation service and is subject to travel restrictions, but does not have to wear an ankle bracelet due to his health.
However, legal challenges remain. Thai authorities have announced they are investigating allegations against Thaksin made nearly nine years ago in connection with defamation of the monarchy. This could lead to him being detained again if the Public Prosecution Service decides to charge him.
Thaksin's return and subsequent political developments, including the formation of a new government by the Pheu Thai Party with support from military-linked parties, indicate an ongoing shift within Thailand's political landscape. Despite voters' hopes for real change, the current government led by Pheu Thai appears to represent conservative forces and maintain the status quo. This has led to loss of support and damage to Pheu Thai's image, although this is not expected to affect the stability of the government as long as it does not challenge existing power structures and the interests of big capitalists.
Source: Khaosod English
About this blogger
-
Known as Khun Peter (62), lives alternately in Apeldoorn and Pattaya. In a relationship with Kanchana for 14 years. Not yet retired, have my own company, something with insurance. Crazy about animals, especially dogs and music.
Enough hobbies, but unfortunately little time: writing for Thailandblog, fitness, health and nutrition, shooting sports, chatting with friends and some other oddities.
Read the latest articles here
HealthJanuary 21 2025AI brings breakthrough in snakebite treatment
Food and drinkJanuary 21 2025Kaeng som or Gaeng som (sour and spicy fish curry soup)
SightsJanuary 21 2025A must for art lovers: Museum of Contemporary Art in Bangkok
CalendarJanuary 19 2025Agenda: Celebrate Chinese New Year 2025 in Thailand
The play we see is also funny. For example, he wears a neck brace when he is discharged from the hospital, but he has nothing on his neck at all. It looks like a 'Thai soap'.
The exaggerated and therefore completely unbelievable acting is indeed on the same level as Thai soaps. Add the well-known standard sound effects and you immediately have a miniseries to enjoy.
Oh Rob, I hope that enjoyment is meant sarcastically and I am not the only one who finds Thai TV incredibly infantile
Obviously, many (not all) series are faker than fake. For example, I recently saw a series in which a few people broke into a safe. While still in the getaway car, the male protagonist declares his love for the woman he is sitting with in the back and proposes. It is obvious that something serious will have to happen. And sure enough, in the next scene they are ambushed. Lots of fuss poof poof with pistols where people shoot each other at a distance of less than 10-15 meters with hardly any shelter, neatly and at a leisurely pace. The great hero is hit, and of course the shooting stops so that the woman can run to him in panic and take the dying man into his arms. They talk for a minute full of drama, still no shooting, then she is taken to safety in a car a few meters away and the shooting continues so that the great hero can go down in a big way. And then they have to add sounds to let the viewer know what to think...
No, if I were to advise Thaksin, I would have had him show fake transparency: make yourself look frail, sick, weak, nauseous with some make-up. Lie in bed, invite the press for a photo opportunity a few times from the doorway of the spacious room. This way you show that you have really been in the hospital for a long time and can barely get out of bed... Be the sad little bird, be subtle. That's what a good director would do.
Or does Thaksin think "my fans don't give a damn and whoever hates me never believe me"? Then you don't have to put on a good play, but not such a fake play either. That can only be a kind of self-protection if someone files a complaint: "look, isn't it very, very clear that there was something wrong with me?" It's enough to cry about, but you can better laugh about it.
It could be that during one of the many times that he has been outside the hospital and slept in his house, he had an accident with the van or car and that he suffered a neck injury as a result... ………….or not?
It's that time again, you can't turn on the television without it ringing out, there aren't other more important things to do, for example the smog in Bangkok.
Or the yaba problem
Then there are also groups and you can guess which corner they come from that are stirring things up again, perhaps resulting in a deranged lunatic committing an attack, the man has been sentenced or you agree with it. are or not.