Thaksin Shinawatra and the Rise of Political Nihilism in Thailand
thediplomat.comMay 20
Thailand: Former PM Indicted on Royal Defamation Charges
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The Facts
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra on Tuesday was granted 500K baht ($13.6K) bail by the Criminal Court of Thailand following his indictment on lese majeste charges.
Thaksin is charged with defaming the monarchy during an interview he gave to a South Korean newspaper nine years ago when he accused the king's advisory council of helping conduct a coup the year before.
The Spin
Narrative A
Thaksin must be held accountable for his corruption. Despite his indictments and previous parole status, he decided to act as a de facto diplomat by meeting with foreign governments. Instead of allowing the MFP to take charge and make real change, Thaksin's Pheu Thai Party is also proposing economic policies that would benefit his corporate friends over working-class people.
Narrative B
Thaksin's wealth doesn't mean he's an elitist. Consider how he garnered a voter base of working-class Thais, and how his anti-monarchy platform inspired regular people to speak out. If the military establishment didn't crack down on him and his supporters through coups and lawfare, he wouldn't be facing these charges.