Is Thaksin doomed to be a follower of his movement?

His remarks were considered unacceptable by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) and moves against him ensued. The Foreign Ministry revoked Thaksin’s passports and the Royal Thai Police are revoking his police rank of lieutenant-colonel.

People close to Thaksin are feeling the heat, particularly his sister, former prime minister Yingluck Shinawatra, who is facing a number of court cases.

It seems Thaksin is now attempting to ease the situation. He posted on social media photos of him doing meditation. In his message, he said he had returned to Dubai after holding his new-born twin grandchildren in Singapore.

“I meditated as usual. But this time I also extended loving kindness to all the powers-that-be, in the hope that they are free from greed, anger and delusion. I wish they had the intelligence to solve the country’s problems and bring about genuine reconciliation. They should not just use power, which will only lead to more conflict,” Thaksin said in his message.

“I believe in Lord Buddha’s teaching that everything is impermanent. Things are born and then they are gone. So are the passports. I don’t want this issue to get bigger. I am the same person until I leave this world. I want Thai people to have mutual loving kindness. Law and gun can’t solve problems - but loving kindness can,” he said.

Yingluck said in her Facebook message that her current hobby was to grow vegetables and mushrooms at home. “Living a simple life brings inner happiness. It’s better than outer happiness, which is not sustainable,” she said.

Both Thaksin and Yingluck seemed to send a message that they merely wanted a simple life free from political conflict - while the powers-that-be and their supporters were moving against them.

Surprisingly, there have been no reactions from young people who disagree with the powers-that-be. No movements from the red shirts either. 

And only a handful of red-shirt politicians close to Thaksin showed their discontent with the moves against their “big boss”.

However, the authorities have been on the lookout for possible unrest by Thaksin’s supporters, following the moves to revoke his passports and police rank. The national police chief ordered police units all over the country to remain vigilant.

Certainly, a reason that the red shirts have remained calm despite the moves against Thaksin is that the NCPO has managed to control the situation. The powers-that-be have effectively restricted dissent, or even the slightest move by dissidents.

However, another reason is that Thaksin’s recent moves are pushing his supporters away from him. In the past, the ex-PM was considered a symbol of democracy for his supporters. 

But he has failed to show his potential as a “democracy leader”, amid rumours that a “super deal” was reached between both sides.

The bill for blanket amnesty, which was fully backed by Yingluck’s government, made it clear for many of Thaksin’s disillusioned supporters that he in fact thought mainly for himself. 

As the bill was later rejected by the Senate after strong opposition, ordinary protesters who deserved amnesty more than he did, ended up missing the opportunity.

Even after the coup in May last year, Thaksin showed no attempt to fight against the illegal power seizure. He told his supporters to wait for “the right time”. And his political cohorts showed no regret in losing the mandate given to them by the people either.

The way he thinks and acts is increasingly drawing Thaksin away from his supporters. 

It is believed that in the next fight for democracy, he will no longer be the mainstay or champion as was the case in the past. He will just be a follower of this people’s movement.