Udom Fuangfung, a former member of the Assets Examination Committee, said he accepted the Supreme Court's verdict even though it confiscated only 60 per cent of the assets of Thaksin Shinawatra and his family, rather than all of them as proposed by his panel.
The ruling could not bring peace to the country, as Thaksin had loftier goals than merely getting his money back, he said.
"He does not simply want the money back, but seeks a return to the prime minister's position. Thai people therefore have to be careful and should not be used by their politicians," Udom told reporters after the verdict.
Academic Sombat Thamrongthanyawong, rector of the National Institute of Development Administration, said pro-Thaksin protesters should respect the verdict.
"But I believe they will not stop, as Thaksin has announced he will fight all out against the powers that be. He will manipulate the red-shirt group to create chaos for political change," he said.
Thaksin might want an early election, as he is confident his Pheu Thai Party would win and then find a way to grant an amnesty for him, he added.
"That could happen, and it would make the situation much more difficult as the rival yellow shirts would come out to fight against the pro-Thaksin government again," Sombat said.
Witthayakorn Chiangkul from Rangsit University said he expected Thaksin's supporters to continue their fight, but he hoped the red-shirt movement and the majority of the population would understand the court verdict.
The government should explain to the public that the confiscation of the assets is a legal consequence of abuse of power, he said.
Komsan Phokong from Sukhothaithammathirat University said the political fighting was unlikely to end following the verdict, as Thaksin's supporters remained in large numbers.
Some of the red-shirt movement might accept the verdict, but the majority might not and would intensify their fight, he said.
"Money is a key factor for their struggle, since the leaders of the red-shirt movement rely on financial support from Thaksin," he added.
