Thai people react to Thaksin's return

Pornpun Wunna says Thaksin is immensely popular in rural areas

I have very mixed feelings about Thaksin Shinawatra and his return.

His good side is that he is very proactive, he has a lot of new ideas and he moves very fast. His dynamism was good for the country and the economy.

But the conflict of interest with his own business and personal ambitions was too much for us to tolerate. And I cannot say that everything he does is done for the good of Thailand. It seems to me that he strives to better himself, his business and his family.

The majority of people in Thailand don't really believe this kind of talk. A lot of people - especially poor people like my parents - live in villages, and the villagers in my area say Thaksin is great. They say we have never had a prime minister who cared so much.

I would be able to overlook small problems but the allegations are huge and he doesn't seem trustworthy to me. I supported his first term but by the second term, he just seemed greedy to me.

I hope justice takes its course.

Udom Pathumthao is rejoicing at Thaksin Shinawatra's return

Thaksin Shinawatra is the best prime minister we have ever had. My entire family support him and we are all happy that he has returned.

In fact most Thai people support Thaksin Shinawatra because he really served the people.

He is a down-to-earth man and he changed Thailand's economy and the life of our people.

He really supported the grassroots, people in every walk of life. People could earn a living, even those in the countryside like farmers.

I believe that the allegations against him are simply political ploys to keep him out of power.

All politicians - even in the Western world - are not entirely clean. The same goes for Thailand.

You can see our true feelings in the reaction of the Thai people. Thousands of people have flocked to Bangkok to witness his return.

Bow wants to suspend judgement of Thaksin until a court verdict

It is Thaksin Shinawatra's right to return. Indeed, he should do this because there are charges and a court case outstanding. He should return to go through a legal process.

I have a balanced view of him. Obviously he instituted many projects that created serious change and many people benefited. In fact I voted for his party the first time he ran.

Here in Bangkok he is very unpopular because of all the corruption allegations.

My view is different because I also think about the people in our country. We have to remember that he is very popular in rural areas.

Even though the majority are not very educated, they know what they want. I am happy to go along with that.

In a way he has changed the political culture of Thailand. His presence has made the opposition parties more politically active. They have had to become more creative in their opposition and that can only be good.

Thaksin created change and change is important for our country.

I do not believe that Thaksin Shinawatra is a sincere man. He has the nature of a businessman, not a man who cares for his country. He is aggressive and he doesn't give up easily.

He will be pulling the strings behind the scene - that is my fear.

Thaksin has only returned because the situation favours him now. The cabinet, the prime minister - they all belong to him. He may even get a chance to take revenge on the people opposed to him.

He should face a trial but I do not trust the process will be fair.

He is a good planner, a smart man. He has power and he has money. He is also popular because he knows how to be at the right place at the right time.

Even though he has said he won't take part in politics any more, I don't believe him. He will be pulling the strings behind the scene. That is my feeling, that is my fear.

Ekasit Paosila would like to see Thaksin answer his charges

There is a warrant outstanding for the arrest of Thaksin Shinawatra. I hope that those with the relevant authority act on it.

I am surprised at the timing of his return, but not that he returned. He says he is coming back to face the charges but I wouldn't be surprised if justice did not prevail.

The current ruling party is very much under the influence of Thaksin. I thoroughly dislike him and I do not trust him.

In the past he has been accused of using state policy for his personal benefit - the sale of shares in Thailand's biggest telecoms group for the benefit of his family was not good.

But he remains popular in this country. Democracy in Thailand is not like it is in the UK. Votes can be influenced by handouts.

Sectors of the population who have received financial benefits from his government may be influenced into thinking this is worth a vote. They may still expect to receive benefits.

Many in Thailand are not educated and cannot see beyond these tactics.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version