Thaksin under fire for corruption

[opebo]

Large public demonstrations have  been taking place in Bangkok for the last several weekends, led by Sondhi Limthongkul, a very popular political talk show host, protesting Thaksin Shinawat's government.  The protestors charge the PM with rampant corruption, and several of his ministers have been forced to resign in scandals recently, the largest of which was the privatization sale of a State telecoms company under suspicious circumstances which may have further enriched Thaksin - a billionaire in the telecom industry (mostly mobile phones and satellite/cable TV. 
Thaksin Shinawatra


The weekend of Feb. 4th saw the biggest demonstrations yet, on the anniversary of the historic pro-democracy demonstrations of Feb. 4th 1973 which turned into a slaughter by the army.  Thaksin has left for his hometown of Chiang Mai.

Limthongkul planned for the demonstrations to culminate with the presentation of the Opposition's request for 'Royal intervention' at the residence of General Prem Tinsulanonda, the highly respected retired PM (more accurately dictator) of Thailand (1980-1988).  The opposition's decision not to attempt to present their petition directly to the King was both a mark of respect and an attempt to enlist the elder statesman Prem into their cuase. 
Sondi Limthongkul


Prem had publicly expressed neutrality between Thaksin and the opposition, and was not at home when the delegation arrived - an obviously calculated move.  However, his underlings warmly welcomed Sondhi and invited him into the official residence to present his request, and Sondhi was taken to meet with army chief Gen Sonthi Boonyaratglin at army headquarters where the general listened to his complaints and promised to 'stand by the people'.   At this point it is unclear if these actions of Prem and other important generals were simply intended to preserve the neutrality of the army or to send a message to Thaksin by showing respect and consideration for Sondhi.  It is thought that no move by Prem or Gen. Sonthi could come without the King's direction.  As always there is no direct comment on politics by the King (historical exceptions are very rare, and have occurred only in times of emergency such as the 1973 and 1992 crisis).

The demonstrators, and the opposition in general are almost exclusively middle class people.  On a personal note, I'm very friendly with a lovely lady pharmacist here, who attended Silpakorn U. in Bangkok, and is perhaps the epitomy of a prosperous middle class liberal.  She has a second pharmacy, which she closed so that her assistant pharmacist - a young and politically active man - could go and attend the rallies.  She was a bit to fearful of potential violence to go herself but happily gave him the day off even though there was no one to replace him.

There are further demonstrations scheduled for next weekend, and many people actually seem to think this could bring down the government - bizarre considering they have something like 70% of the seats in parliament.  Naturally I'm rooting for the Democrats, but mainly because Thaksin has been an anti sex-tourist, pro 'family values' social conservative.
Source:
http://www.bangkokpost.net/

[they don't love you like i love you]

Hopefully this causes his downfall like the Liberals in Canada.

[opebo]

There is actually a very slight chance of a coup, if the king gives the nod.  Though it would be a curious kind of anti-authoritarian coup if the generals get rid of Thaksin and put the Democrats in power.

One awkward thing is that though the Democrats are the 'middle class party', because they get like 50% of the vote in the South and only about 30% everywhere else, they are now perceived as a regional party, so installing them could anger other parts of the country. 

This shows how last years election resulted in a huge Thai Rak Thai majority.  In fact the majority is so huge that even if there was wholesale fraud, as most people believe, TRT and Thaksin still probably got a majority of the real votes:

[minionofmidas]

Yeah, I read the Democrats are most popular among the Bangkok middle classes and among the Muslims in the far South, while Thaksin's most popular out north and northeast.

[opebo]

Yeah, I read the Democrats are most popular among the Bangkok middle classes and among the Muslims in the far South, while Thaksin's most popular out north and northeast.

Yes, though the Democrats are popular throughout the South - most of which is non-Muslim.  Only the southernmost three provinces are Muslim.

Even though a right wing billionarie, Thaksin is also a kind of populist, well liked by the Bangkok poor and the rural poors in the North and Norheast.  Most Democrats and liberals in general argue that these people know nothing about politics, and their votes are being bought by an authoritarian for some petty benefits.

[they don't love you like i love you]

Sounds kind of like Bush, although he keeps them pacified with some cheap token handouts rather than pandering to hatred of gays.

[opebo]

Sounds kind of like Bush, although he keeps them pacified with some cheap token handouts rather than pandering to hatred of gays.

Oh yes, many expats, both Americans and Europeans call him 'the Thai Bush'.  I think he is considered the biggest Bush suckup in Asia by other regional leaders and the asian press - they are definitely very similar politically.