Following almost six months of self-exile, Khunying Pojaman Shinawatra has flown in from the cold with several crucial tasks to accomplish during this time of highly volatile politics.
Published on January 9, 2008
Her first order of business, according to one political observer, is to discourage Samak Sundaravej, the leader of the People Power Party, from taking over as prime minister because a Samak premiership would further deepen political divisions.
Ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra has already talked it over with Chart Thai leader Banharn Silapa-archa over the phone. It appears there is a possibility of People Power agreeing to take a step backwards to let Banharn assume the premiership in order to cool the political temperature.
Second, now that People Power, which is a reincarnation of the defunct Thai Rak Thai Party, has won the election and stands a good chance of forming the next coalition government, Thaksin thought it would be good timing for Pojaman to return to Thailand. Between 2001 and 2006, while Thaksin was holding power, Pojaman played a key behind-the-scenes role in all major political decisions of her husband. She had the final screening of the Cabinet list and most other major appointments.
"The negotiations between the People Power Party and other political allies has been completed. Pojaman will play a major role in deciding the Cabinet line-up," one political source said.
Third, the return of Pojaman signals that the power struggle has entered into the final phase in the Judicial Branch when all the cases against her and Thaksin will be decided. When the courts issue their verdicts, they will determine the outcome of Thaksin's political future.
Thaksin had earlier said he would like to return to Thailand during Songkran in April in order to celebrate New Year's Day of the old Thai calendar in Chiang Mai. Pojaman's return is seen as an overture to pave the way for Thaksin to make a comeback - and to defend his cases in the courts. Would he really dare to return to Thailand?
"Thaksin would like to know the reactions of society over a possibility of his return to the country. He will follow Pojaman's footsteps," the source said.
Fourth, the return of Pojaman could also help boost People Power's popularity in by-elections after the Election Commission recently disqualified several candidates.
Pibhop Dhongchai, an adviser to the Campaign for Popular Democracy, said Pojaman wanted to float a balloon to test the wind as to whether the justice system would be accepted by the people.
He said if a People Power-led coalition abused power to help Thaksin and his wife in the cases, or issued an amnesty for the 111 banned Thai Rak Thai executives, it would definitely face public resistance.
"Thaksin should review himself. As the person who caused the prolonged chaos, he should make a sacrifice by staying in exile forever. If he returns and places the country in turmoil again, society should instead review why it allowed back the one man to destroy the country," he said.
A high-ranking source from the Democrats said Pojaman's return had been well planned.
She has come back in order to boost the confidence of People Power members and those still hesitant over whether to join the government so that everybody gets the message that there is nothing to stop People Power from forming the government, said the source.
It's as if she said, "Here I come", the source said.
Moreover, Thaksin would also like to test the water over the judicial process, which will start its due process against him. Thaksin would be able to have little influence over the courts and investigators, the source said.
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Published on January 9, 2008
Her first order of business, according to one political observer, is to discourage Samak Sundaravej, the leader of the People Power Party, from taking over as prime minister because a Samak premiership would further deepen political divisions.
Ousted PM Thaksin Shinawatra has already talked it over with Chart Thai leader Banharn Silapa-archa over the phone. It appears there is a possibility of People Power agreeing to take a step backwards to let Banharn assume the premiership in order to cool the political temperature.
Second, now that People Power, which is a reincarnation of the defunct Thai Rak Thai Party, has won the election and stands a good chance of forming the next coalition government, Thaksin thought it would be good timing for Pojaman to return to Thailand. Between 2001 and 2006, while Thaksin was holding power, Pojaman played a key behind-the-scenes role in all major political decisions of her husband. She had the final screening of the Cabinet list and most other major appointments.
"The negotiations between the People Power Party and other political allies has been completed. Pojaman will play a major role in deciding the Cabinet line-up," one political source said.
Third, the return of Pojaman signals that the power struggle has entered into the final phase in the Judicial Branch when all the cases against her and Thaksin will be decided. When the courts issue their verdicts, they will determine the outcome of Thaksin's political future.
Thaksin had earlier said he would like to return to Thailand during Songkran in April in order to celebrate New Year's Day of the old Thai calendar in Chiang Mai. Pojaman's return is seen as an overture to pave the way for Thaksin to make a comeback - and to defend his cases in the courts. Would he really dare to return to Thailand?
"Thaksin would like to know the reactions of society over a possibility of his return to the country. He will follow Pojaman's footsteps," the source said.
Fourth, the return of Pojaman could also help boost People Power's popularity in by-elections after the Election Commission recently disqualified several candidates.
Pibhop Dhongchai, an adviser to the Campaign for Popular Democracy, said Pojaman wanted to float a balloon to test the wind as to whether the justice system would be accepted by the people.
He said if a People Power-led coalition abused power to help Thaksin and his wife in the cases, or issued an amnesty for the 111 banned Thai Rak Thai executives, it would definitely face public resistance.
"Thaksin should review himself. As the person who caused the prolonged chaos, he should make a sacrifice by staying in exile forever. If he returns and places the country in turmoil again, society should instead review why it allowed back the one man to destroy the country," he said.
A high-ranking source from the Democrats said Pojaman's return had been well planned.
She has come back in order to boost the confidence of People Power members and those still hesitant over whether to join the government so that everybody gets the message that there is nothing to stop People Power from forming the government, said the source.
It's as if she said, "Here I come", the source said.
Moreover, Thaksin would also like to test the water over the judicial process, which will start its due process against him. Thaksin would be able to have little influence over the courts and investigators, the source said.
The Political Desk
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