Should Thaksin Stay?

Thailand's Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, once appeared unassailable. Just over a year ago, his Thai Rak Thai political party was re-elected in a landslide victory that gave it 375 out of 500 parliamentary seats. Many Thais love Thaksin for his decisive, can-do style, his toughness on crime and his open-handed policies to boost the economy. But in recent weeks a chorus of critics has put the Prime Minister on the defensive, questioning with mounting intensity whether he's good for Thailand. To reaffirm his popularity, Thaksin has called a snap general election for April 2—a vote that the main opposition parties say they will boycott. When the Prime Minister kicked off his campaign at a rally in Bangkok on March 3, he looked uncharacteristically tentative, at one point even pleading with the opposition to take part in the election. "I don't want to be a troublemaker," he said, his voice scratchy and dark circles under his eyes. "People can have different ideas, but please don't split the nation."

Thailand is indeed divided. While the hinterland, where 70% of the country's 65 million people live, still seems squarely behind Thaksin, Bangkok's urban élite accuses him of everything from abuse of power to mismanagement of the ethnic violence in the impoverished, Muslim-dominated south. The tipping point was the announcement in January that Thaksin's family had sold its 49.6% stake in the telecommunications giant Shin Corp. for $1.87 billion to a group led by Temasek Holdings, the Singapore government's investment arm. The sale has infuriated many Thais. It means that one of Thailand's corporate crown jewels is now controlled by a foreign entity. And the sale has sparked furious resentment because Thaksin's family did not have to pay any tax on its windfall. (Transactions by individuals on the Thai stock exchange are exempted from capital-gains tax.)

Last Friday the Securities and Exchange Commission fined Thaksin's son Panthongtae $150,000 for not disclosing changes in his Shin holdings dating back to 2001. The authorities say the Prime Minister has broken no law, but the controversy over the Shin deal refuses to die, and Bangkok has been rocked by street protests drawing tens of thousands clamoring for him to step down. By calling an election, Thaksin is turning to the people to pass judgment on him, and their verdict would likely be to return him and his party to power, albeit with a smaller majority. But the boycott by the opposition—which first wants the constitution changed to strengthen the checks and balances on the Prime Minister—threatens to undermine the election result.

In past conflicts, Thais have often turned to their revered monarch, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, for guidance. The King has yet to directly address the standoff between Thaksin and his opponents. But Thailand's army chief General Sondhi Boonyaratkalin, who is close to the palace, told reporters last week that "His Majesty must have been saddened" by the nation's recent political problems. Added another senior officer, Lieutenant-General Palangoon Klaharn: "His Majesty will be very happy if his subjects are unified and use peaceful means to resolve the problem." For the sake of the country, many Thais pray that the King will be heeded.

CHAMLONG SRIMUANG
Former governor of Bangkok and leader of a "Dharma Army" of barefoot Buddhists opposed to Thaksin
The people hoped Thaksin would lead our country in the right way and solve our problems. And in his first three years as Prime Minister he did very well. But in the last two years, he hasn't been the same. I have decided that it's no good for him to be in this position [of Prime Minister]. It's not only I, but the educated people around the country. Thaksin has been cleared of any legal wrongdoing regarding the sale of his family's Shin Corp. But that's not enough for the man who is Prime Minister. We have to abide by ethics. That's much more important than law and regulations. If Thaksin were a normal man and not the Prime Minister, that's okay, but he's the leader of this country. Thaksin has to resign.

CHANGTHANA POSAYANUKUL
Hotel employee, Bangkok
Thaksin has a good leadership style. He's active. He thinks fast and gets things done. He has a good vision for Thailand. I like his policies, like fighting against drugs and cracking down on criminal gangs. I appreciate what he's done for Thailand. When he wants to do something, he takes responsibility and says, "This is my work." The economy is doing well under Thaksin. People have benefited from his policies. There's less unemployment. My sister runs an import-export business and she says it's getting better. At my hotel, there's a woman whose husband is a taxi driver. Thanks to Thaksin, who made it possible for ordinary people to borrow, he finally has the chance to own his own taxi. For years, he paid 500 baht ($13) a day to rent a taxi. Now he is paying off a loan and after four or five years he will own the taxi. My friend says her husband is very happy. It's like a dream for them.

We have a democracy. We're having elections in April, and everyone will have the chance to vote and decide if they like Thaksin or not. I don't like these street protests. The people who protest claim to represent the Thai people. They want Thaksin out because of his policies. They accuse him of things because they don't like him. You have to prove allegations before a judge. If it's true and you have the evidence, then it can be proven. But they just make accusations, and they don't want to vote. It's not fair.

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