End of a corrupt politician?
Photo: AFP
Recently visa of former Thailand prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been revoked by the British government. He is reportedly heading towards the Philippines which announced that they will refuse him entry to Philippines. It seems that Thaksin is looking for a safe place to live. Warrant has been issued by the Thai government for his arrest. I lived in Bangkok for quite some time. A Bangladeshi businessman living in Thailand for more than fifteen years narrated to me the interesting story of the rise of Thaksin, the thug. Thailand is divided into four parts- north, north-east, central and south. The north and north-eastern parts are more populated, poorer, less educated and more mountainous than central and south. In the north opium is grown and smuggled to the western countries. It constitutes a part of the 'infamous' golden triangle for opium cultivation and smuggling Thaksin was a police officer from a modest background. He reportedly amassed huge wealth through dubious means like drug, gun smuggling along with a few friends. He then started his own business, trading, industries etc and thus multiplied his ill-gotten capital. He also started to harbour political ambitions. He along with his old cronies founded 'Thai rak thai' party. He found that north and north-eastern regions have more seats in parliament than the rest of the country. He concentrated on getting more deputies elected from above mentioned two regions which would give him majority in parliament. 'Thai rak thai party' aimed at securing all the rural seats of north and north-east regions .His party was not popular among the educated urban population of Thailand, Bangkok and other big cities. During election time his party, its candidates resorted to some unique ways of buying vote. They would transfer money to voters' bank accounts, lend them credit cards to buy goods etc. The poor rural less educated voters were kept happy as they looked for short-term benefits. Thaksin got elected, his party secured majority in parliament and eventually plundered the country. Many financial irregularities were committed by him. Political and financial power made Thaksin more ambitious. He challenged the power and authority of the president of the privy council of the King, Prem Trisulananda. Prem is reputed to be a very honest person in Thailand. He chairs the advisory council of the King. In Thailand the King is revered as next to God for his benevolent nature and public welfare activities. At any given situation King's decisions and gestures are final and binding. King usually does not involve himself or interfere in politics unless in cases of utmost necessity. Thaksin committed the fatal error of challenging king's inner council. It prompted his decline. We know the rest of the story. A very corrupt, ambitious and greedy politician named Thaksin Shinawatra along with his family is now running from pillar to post for asylum. All his ill-gotten wealth is unable to help him or bail him out from this situation. His case along with that of Marcos should serve as an example for our politicians and other politicians of the world as to the ultimate fate of the corrupt ones.
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