Khaosod English reported this morning that the private jet of former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, which left Dubai, arrived in Singapore early this morning instead of Bangkok. According to Thai media reports, at 11:45 PM (local time 8:45 PM) on Sunday, Thaksin Shinawatra’s Bombardier Global 7500 aircraft was found to have departed from Dubai. It was originally expected that Thaksin was travelling back to Thailand to attend the Supreme Court’s verdict reading for his appeal case on September 9, or tomorrow.
My take:
Thaksin is wavering again. Instead of flying directly from Dubai to Bangkok, his plane went to Singapore this morning. It’s not easy for a super-rich and elderly person like Thaksin to risk spending years in prison.
However, if he doesn’t return, it would be like a magnitude 8 earthquake hitting the Pheu Thai Party. Still, his supporters will likely be sympathetic because they believe this court case was political from the start.
What does the future hold for the Pheu Thai Party? Will it simply be Thaksin’s party, destined to disappear along with his demise? Or can it successfully transition into a right-to-centre party without Thaksin in the future? Who will take over the party from him in the next 5 to 10 years, now that his daughter, PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra, was removed from office just over a week ago by the Constitutional Court?
These are the questions that need answers. Thaksin is now 76, and even if he doesn’t retire anytime soon, his health and age will probably only allow him to be active in politics from home—or Bangkok, Dubai, Singapore or London—for another 10 to 15 years.
The thing is, Thaksin already has everything: wealth, fame, and a still considerable political clout. He could have just retired happily in Dubai. But he would be just another Asian billionaire in Dubai, where 99 per cent of the population do not recognise him, and sees him as just another super-rich elderly Asian walking in Dubai Mall or past Dubai Creek. Apparenty, this is not enough for Thaksin.
On the contrary, in Thailand, 99 per cent, if not 100 per cent, of adults recognise him. He craves adoration and power, and probably revenge too. All of these could only be properly done if he is in Bangkok.
That is why the decision whether to fly back to face the music or not is excruciating for the 76-year-old Thaksin.
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