Thaksin unlikely |to loosen his grip
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Re: "It's time to get past Thaksin and focus on things that matter", Tell It As It Is, June 18.
Even though I agree with Pornpimol Kanchanalak that Thailand should move past Thaksin Shinawatra at this juncture, I doubt that Thaksin would agree to the idea and leave Thailand alone.
My take is that Thaksin will continue his crusade to make Thailand pay for removing him from power via the coup in 2006. He will do so simply by squandering the country’s tax money on the rural poor – in exchange for their votes – as he has done before.
The doubling of household debt among the rural poor (to more than 80 per cent of GDP) during the past decade has shown the poor have become completely addicted to Thaksin’s handouts.
Hence, the way out for our country is not that easy, unless Thaksin gives up. Otherwise, it seems the only way is the long way: We must educate the taxpayers and make them realise what will happen to their children and grandchildren if corrupt politicians are still allowed to rule the country.
And that, of course, will take some time to achieve.
Vint Chavala
