Not many years ago, Thai was still living in harmony among many ethic groups of northeast E-san, northern Thai-lek, southern Malay, and the central Thai. Even the minority Chinese and Indian were so well assimilated with Thai.

There was no conflict too for the minority Muslim living with the major Buddhist faith of the land.

This had been so until Prime-Minister Taksin Shinawatana with his single handed ruthless governing style that ended the peaceful co-existence among Thai. Dr. Taksin is a born genius in many respects. He is a self made multi- billionaire. He first hit it right with his mobile phone operation through government concession. But in 1998, he hit it again when the Bath devalued from 26 to 52 to a US$.

His success came with accusation that he got his phone concession through corruption. He was also being accused of insider trading when he hoarded up unbelievable amount of illegal US$ just before his finance minister closed friend announced the managed float of the Thai currency from the old fixed rate. The Bath eased down from 26 to 52 to a US$. He made an unbelievable gain through the exchange rate.

Taksin set up Thai Rak Thai party and won the election landslide. But again it came with the biggest vote buying afforded through his new made wealth. He ruled the land during 2001-2006 before he was ousted by the coup. During his reign, he was so successful in dividing up Thailand into many fractions. Doubt comes into my mind whether this is again his genius planning of divide to rule or it came by chance.   

There was no secret that he had 60 % of the senates in his monthly payroll while he was Prime Minister. Many NGO’s was sabotaged to virtually functionless. Media was bought to perform publicity rather than a reporting task. There was simply no check and balance mechanism in the ruling system. His iron hand to step out drug trade was lawless ending up by killing thousands of people many were found innocent after.

Before he was ousted, the country was at the brink of bloodshed among various groups. Taksin was and still is worshipped by the grass root and poor in the north and northeast. The Muslim south had gone into insurgent warfare against central government. The intellect and technocrat central were on a head on conflict  with Taksin. Taxi drivers in Bangkok are for Taksin and you risk being chased out of your seat if you are not careful with your political conversation.

Ironically, after one year of self imposed-exile in England, he is again back in power. The army returned the power to the people and election was held in December 2007.  Taksin paid and gained control over a tiny political party named People Power Party after his old Thai Rak Thai party was ordered to close by the Court for gravely violated the election law. Again Taksin proofed his ingenious talent by remote controlling his party to win the election and hand picked his cabinet.  

But again, his election campaign was accused of vote buying and many other frauds.  Election commission evoked some ten or so of his elected PPP members for vote buying. Many more are still under investigation and it is possible that one of them who are now the Lower House Chairman could face the same fate.

What has happened one week after the formation of the cabinet as of today February 18, 2008 is the rolling out one after one of his avenging policies. First among the list was a transfer of two Police closed associates of Taksin from the remote south back to Bangkok to protect Taksin’s family. Then, the Interior Minister announced bluntly that he will personally go to the airport to red carpet Taksin whenever he returns to Thailand. 

Talks are rife that the government will pass a decree to pardon all 100 over Taksin’s former cliques being suspended of playing politics for a period of 5 years by Law. Prime Minister Samak admitted that this is true and will certainly be carried out when the time is right. It is also clear now that Taksin nominated government will either take back a confiscated TV station or set up a new station with tax payer’s money.

Meantime, Thailand stays in division as never seen before in history. Taksin, who is now in England, is still remote controlling his PPP with his “divide and rule” political tactic. NGOs and in particular the People democratic watch group has again regrouped and threaten for a same old street rally if Taksin inflicts back his old corrupted economic policies. Such policy was coined Taksinomic in passing law to the advantages of his family and friends at the expenses of the taxpayer.

He has also been shrewd to buy up the majority poor by giving them lollypop village grant, housing grant, air-conditioning grant, taxi grant and many others. But it is again accusation that he is only misappropriating public fund to buy the heart of the poor for his own gain. Taksin is yet to return to Thailand to face his corruption charge and tax evasion to an amount of billions of US Dollars.     

Samak Soontorawet, as known in Thailand as Taksin’ puppet Prime Minister, has answered to a reporter’s query that he does not rule out another coup. Now that Taksin is again in power, it is in his mercy if he still wants to pursue his “divide and rule” strategy and continue on to soliciting grass root support for his personal gain. He once or twice said he would give priority and channel government fund to areas that voted for him. The opposition and the intellects are watching and they vow to put up a fight if things turn fishy.

Meantime, there is killing in the south daily. And you should keep your mouth zipped riding in Bangkok taxi if you are not pro-Taksin and you still want to get to your destination intact. Please be careful in conversing with co-workers, friends or even family members. Make sure they are on your side before you voice your opinion. There have been too many incidents of body injury for opposing Taksin even in the presence of police officers. By the way, Taksin graduated from the police cadet school and ranked as police colonel when he left his post to help his wife in the business.

Personally, I do not see a broken vase or heart to be mended back in whole again easily. This will take a tremendously up hill task and a certain long period of time to do the magic. What I do not see is the effort of the government to lead the nation into that direction. I, therefore, fear that the nation may stay in division for as long as I live.