BANGKOK — Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra cast his ballot in the Bangkok gubernatorial election on Sunday, marking his first time voting in 20 years since the 2006 military coup that ousted his government.
Speaking to reporters after voting at around 10:10 at a polling station in Soi Charansanitwong 69, Thaksin said he was both excited and happy to be able to exercise his voting rights again.
“At least I’m proud to be Thai,” he said, urging Bangkok residents to turn out to vote.
“Voting is the duty of every citizen. If we don’t exercise our rights to choose our representatives, we have no one to blame but ourselves if they don’t perform well. If you’re not satisfied, you can choose again when their term ends,” he said.
Asked what qualities he wanted to see in Bangkok’s next governor, Thaksin said the capital needed a leader capable of managing infrastructure, cleanliness and traffic congestion.
“Bangkok is a large city with a huge population, but its budget is too limited. The new governor must know how to work. If someone isn’t capable or dedicated, they can’t just drift along,” he said.
Thaksin joked that he was nervous because it had been so long since he last voted.
“I was afraid I’d do it wrong. I didn’t know whether I should turn this way or that way, worried I’d violate election rules,” he said with a laugh.
He said the last election in which he voted was while serving as prime minister before the 2006 coup.
Asked about the current political climate, Thaksin called for national unity.
“Our country needs unity. We face difficult problems and external challenges. Everyone should support and encourage one another,” he said.
When asked whether he planned to become politically active again, amid speculation that he was stepping back from politics, Thaksin replied, “I’m not making political moves. I’m here as a citizen, not as a politician.”
He added that he would continue following political and economic developments because he remained concerned about rising household debt and the country’s financial challenges.
“I sympathise with the government. Helping people is not easy, and I want to encourage everyone,” he said.
Thaksin said he would spend the rest of the day with his family before leaving for an overseas trip next week to visit friends who had supported him after his release from prison.
Asked whether he had any advice for the Pheu Thai Party, Thaksin did not respond. He instead stopped to greet supporters before leaving the polling station.
