Thaksin Addresses Bangkok Rally
In Bangkok last night, red shirted anti-government protesters put on their biggest show of strength in over two months. Police estimate that 25,000 protesters gathered at Sanam Luang in Bangkok to listen to a telephone address from former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra. The gathering was peaceful and finally dispersed around dawn this morning. Heavy rain failed to dampen the spirits of the red shirts who continue to put pressure on the current government who they believe have no mandate for power. Another mass anti-government rally is planned for Bangkok next month.
Thaksin faces jail on corruption charges if he returns to Thailand and is currently reported to be in Dubai. Speaking to the crowd via satellite link, Thaksin talked about his desire to return to Thailand: ‘I want to go back . . . Why do you have to leave me dying in the desert when I can work for our country?’ The former Thai leader criticized the current prime minister, Abhisit Vejjajiva, for his handling of the country. Thaksin also again lambasted senior royal adviser, Prem Tinsulanonda. Thaksin has previously accused Prem of being the man behind the September 2006 military coup which removed Thaksin from power.
A nationwide Abac poll surveyed over 1,000 households in Thailand and 53% said they would support the red shirt rallies if held peacefully. Interestingly, 51% said they would tolerate a corrupted government if it meant that they as an individual are better off and the country as a whole benefits too. An overwhelming majority, 84%, viewed corruption in business as ‘not unusual’. The survey indicates partly why so many Thai people are prepared to forgive previous wrong-doings of Thaksin. Given the results of the survey, then as a former businessman and politician it would be surprising if Thaksin hadn’t been involved in some corruption along the way. However, a lot of working class and rural Thais still remember Thaksin as the only politician to have ever listened to their voice and enacted policies aimed at helping them directly.
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