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Published on April 23, 2008

Kornchanok Raksaseri, Budsarakham Sinlapalavan

The Nation

More than 16 months in exile has failed to make him disappear from the headlines, and since his return to the country in February, when he again announced he was quitting politics, the question remains whether he's being honest.

Thaksin said during the Songkran festival that he intended to make merit at 99 temples, instead of the usual nine, because he has more bad karma than other people.  He said he would be visiting temples in the Central and Northeast regions, which have a strong Thai Rak Thai voter-base.

His spokesman Pongthep Thepkanchana said Thaksin wanted a peaceful and private life, but when the media asked him questions, he had the right to comment as a Thai citizen.

Pongthep said the House No 111 Foundation his group was planning to establish, was not intended as a platform for Thaksin's politics. This was unnecessary, as Thaksin already has many opportunities to be in the spotlight.

Thaksin and his followers can say whatever they want, but his activities always grab attention: defending himself in cases of alleged corruption and malfeasance related to his administration; his role as the owner of Manchester City Football Club; as chairman of ThaiCom Foundation; and president of the Professional Golf Association of Thailand.

A People Power Party MP, who follows Thaksin and asked not to be named, said Thaksin's temple tour of the provinces to make merit was all part of an advanced election campaign. Whether or not it was Thaksin's intention, the governors of the provinces in the Northeast turned out to greet him everywhere.

During Thaksin's merit-making trip to Khon Kaen on Monday, Deputy Agriculture Minister Theerachai Saenkaew, and banned former Thai Rak Thai Party executives Newin Chidchob, Pongthep Thepkanchana, Adisorn Piengket, Chamlong Krutkhuntod, Sermsak Pongpanit and his wife. former senator Rabiabrat, and dozens of other followers joined his entourage.

The governor of the province, along with 100 high-ranking police officers and government officials, greeted him at the temple. Deputy Education Minister Pongsakorn Annopporn also made merit at the temple with Thaksin. His programme, described as official work, was the same as Thaksin's - as were their flight schedules.

Khon Kaen University humanities and social sciences lecturer Somphant Techa-atik, said Thaksin visited temples to wipe away bad karma, as he often did in the past. However, the pilgrimage could also be an opportunity to check on his popularity.

"In a way, he wants to check the support in each part of the country so he can plan strategies for the future. I don't believe Thaksin will quit politics. He still seems to play a big part in determining the direction of Thai politics," Somphant said.

Chulalongkorn University political science lecturer Trakul Meechai said government officials would not do such things if they were not told to. It was possible that Thaksin was preparing for another election after the five-year ban is over, he said.

Coordinator of the Khon Kaen People's Network for Democracy, Sompop Bunnag said if it is true that Thaksin has no more political ambitions, he must have had terrible bad luck. Instead of making merit to remove any bad karma, he should contemplate his past and prepare to clear himself in the courts. He should not try to interfere with the justice system either, he said.