Thailand's fugitive ex-leader Thaksin Shinawatra Saturday urged the military not to meddle in politics and pledged allegiance to the throne as he outlined the opposition's election platform. The former billionaire telecoms tycoon was ousted in a 2006 military coup and lives overseas to avoid a jail term imposed in absentia for corruption, but is widely seen as the de facto leader of the opposition Puea Thai party.
He called for a free and fair election in an address by video link to a Puea Thai party meeting. "The military must not intervene to set up a government like last time when it formed a government in the barracks," added Thaksin, who said he was speaking from Dubai.
Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who came to power in a 2008 parliamentary vote with the backing of the military, has said he expects a general election to be held by early July. Thai society remains bitterly divided almost a year after more than 90 people died in street clashes between "Red Shirt" opposition protesters - many of whom seek the return of Thaksin - and armed troops in central Bangkok.
In remarks which appeared to be aimed mainly at the Red Shirt leaders, Thailand's army chief General Prayut Chan-O-Cha recently warned political figures to keep the revered monarchy out of the election debate. He said that the military "will do its duty to protect the monarchy".
Prayut has pledged to abide by the results of the election and has brushed aside rumours of a military coup. But that has not dampened speculation about possible military intervention in a country that has seen 18 actual or attempted coups since 1932.
Thaksin stressed his support for the Thai royal family, which has no official political role but is seen as a stabilising force in the kingdom. "I want to reassure you that I am loyal to the monarchy, no matter what allegations they have tried to make against me," he said, adding that he agreed that the royal family should not be dragged into the election debate.
Thaksin said he was confident that Puea Thai would win the upcoming election, saying it would eradicate drug problems within a year and eradicate poverty in the next four years if elected. Thaksin is hailed by many rural and working class Thais for his populist policies for the masses but loathed by the Bangkok-based elite, which sees him as corrupt, authoritarian and a threat to the revered monarchy. Yingluck Shinawatra, a sister of the ousted ex-premier, has emerged as a possible opposition candidate for prime minister, but Thaksin did not reveal who he would be putting forward for the leadership.