Why should Thaksin Shinawatra make the sacrifice? It is because the amnesty that would whitewash his corruption convictions could very well lead to social upheaval. It could possibly lead to chaos and bloodshed. This is a road Thailand can ill afford to go down.
The Senate is expected to reject the blanket amnesty bill, but that could simply delay the process. The parliament may still at a later date pass the bill into law. Or, the Pheu Thai government may back down and shelve the bill. Regardless of what happens to the current blanket amnesty bill, Thaksin needs to make the decision - to take himself out of the amnesty question for good. This means, suffer the corruption convictions stigma and stay out of Thailand for good.
Protesters in Silom Road, Nov 6, 2013. Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra should drop his insistence on getting amnesty and accept he can never return to Thailand, for the good of the country, says Voranai. Reuters photo.
Is it fair that he should have to do this? Some will say yes, some will say no. Is it just? Again, some will say yes, some will say no. Is it necessary in order to save the country from falling apart? Just take a look at the reality in the streets.
Could we instead ask the tens of thousands of protesters in the streets to stand down and go home, in order to save Thailand? Sure we could. But realistically, which is more likely – for one person to make the sacrifice, or for tens of thousands to make the sacrifice?
At this stage, Thaksin isn’t going to change the perception that people have of him, whether good or bad or somewhere in between. In addition, he's apparently turning the perceptions of many of his own supporters against him, as many see blanket amnesty as a betrayal by him.
On the other hand, for the past two-plus years of Thailand’s politics, anti-government groups have been able to tolerate the Pheu Thai government and his sister, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
This toleration means peace in the streets, allowing the system to move forward, albeit at a snail’s pace for the time being.
Toleration is not ideal, but toleration is what has kept the country together for the past two-plus years, and that toleration is threatening to fall apart. If toleration falls apart, then chaos threatens to grip the streets. We must make do with the best that we have at the moment.
Is it fair that Thailand’s political crisis is viewed as all about Thaksin? Some will say yes, some will say no. Is it just? Again, some will say yes, some will say no. But what is fair and just doesn’t necessarily paint the picture of reality.
The reality is that whenever the name Thaksin comes up, Thailand goes nuts. So Thaksin needs to make the sacrifice.
All Thaksin has to do is to just chill and enjoy life. Staying in mansions and six-star hotels around the world. Globetrotting first-class or in a private jet anywhere he pleases, except for Thailand. Enjoying red carpet welcomes at many Thai embassies, but possibly not all, it depends on the courage and conviction of each ambassador.
It’s a lifestyle most people in this world would gladly have. Enjoy his riches; the riches that if many others have they may put to good use by donating to charities. Meanwhile, his sister runs the country on his behalf and at his behest.
The parliament and government departments and agencies answer to him. Politicians and officials travel abroad to pay him homage and seek favours. Business allies receive useful insights and wonderful deals.
His son is currently the darling of his supporters, ready to be groomed for future leadership. It’s not a terrible position to be in. In fact, life is quite grand for Thaksin.
But all this could come to naught and Thailand itself could crumble, if he doesn’t make the sacrifice. So do everyone a favour, including your own family and supporters, and put the blanket amnesty bill to rest.
The situation could be resolved as simply as one person getting over his ego and feelings of self-entitlement. Here’s the brutal truth, Thailand will be just fine without Thaksin.