Support raises from Thai ex Prime Minster
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has demonstrated that he is still a force to reckon with in national politics. With two consecutive victories in local elections by allies, his followers have raised their hopes for his resurrection of their disgraced leader who continues to exercise his influence over Thai politics while remaining in self imposed exile to avoid a jail term back home.
Thaksin who was ousted from power in 2006 military coup after being accused of abuse of power had been written off by his foes and rivals after his supporters rioted in April and seemed to discredit his movement.
On 27th June, he addressed more than 25,000 of his supporters via a telephone link and said that he was really lonely living overseas and sang a song about the discomfort of life in Dubai, where he had been living on and off since the 2006 coup.
The recent election triggered by the resignation of an incumbent member of parliament, is widely viewed as a barometer of how Mr.Thaksin and his followers are faring in the vote-rich rural areas of north and north east Thailand.