Thaksin to phone in reclaiming populism

Nattawut Saikua, a leader of the pro-Thaksin Democratic Alliance Against Dictatorship (DAAD) and a host of the DTV channel, said the rebuttal would be centred on allegations that Abhisit had copied so-called populist policies from Thaksin.

Thaksin's phone-in address will be aired on satellite-based DTV right after Abhisit is off the air with his weekly programme "Confidence in Thailand with PM Abhisit" on the state-run NBT channel, according to Nattawut.

"The main issue that Thaksin will address is the policy of this government, which has copied populist policies from Thaksin, their original promoter. [He] will also propose measures to tackle the economic crisis. Abhisit may like to sit and listen to the lecture as Thaksin is knowledgeable and can solve the country's problems."

Nattawut said he expected no signal difficulties but added that if there were any it would be due to interference by the government.

Thaksin, said Nattawut, will also talk about his life and financial situation. The ousted and convicted former premier will also offer advice to ordinary Thais on how to deal with the current economic crisis.

In a related development, Kwanchai Praipana, leader of the Lovers of Udon group, continued to attack Nattawut and Jatuporn Promphan, an MP of the opposition Pheu Thai Party, after the politicians belittled him recently.

Kwanchai said red-shirts from 30 provinces would hold a separate rally on January 31 independently of the DAAD.

He also warned Thaksin not to be fooled by people around him like Nattawut and urged the former premier to learn from his past betrayal by people close to him. Kwanchai also said Thaksin should not phone in too often as he would end up having nothing left to say and people in his group would lose interest.

The more Thaksin speaks, the closer the scrutiny he will receive from his enemies, Kwanchai warned.

Ahmed Bualong, a peace-studies expert based in Pattani, said Thakin's phone-in was a desperate attempt to revive his flagging popularity. He added that many red-shirt pro-Thaksin groups were moving in a way not expected by Thaksin and the former premier must feel there was a need to re-establish some form of rapport.

Ahmed warned, however, that missteps by Thaksin would lead to further rejection of the former premier.