Thailand’s Most Influential Mastermind, or Troubled Captive of His Own Complicated Fate?
THAILAND STUDIES PROGRAMME
About the Webinar
A recent survey has identified former 2-time Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who has returned to Thailand after 17 years of overseas exile, as the most influential person in Thai politics.
The Thai King has commuted to only one year Thaksin’s eight years of jail term from three corruption convictions. Thaksin spent the first 180 days of his one-year jail term in the Police Hospital, undergoing some treatments and surgeries under mysterious circumstances. Upon completing this period, he was released into home detention on parole on February 18.
Merely three days after his release under parole, Thaksin welcomed former Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen for a private lunch. Two weeks later, he got permission to visit his hometown in Chiang Mai. On 26 March, he visited the H.Q. of Pheu Thai Party, where his youngest daughter Paetongtarn is the party leader. At the Pheu Thai party congress on 6 April, Thaksin reassured Pheu Thai members, via a video message, that Paetongtarn has his political DNA as well as the DNA of toughness and decisiveness of her mother to succeed and to lead Pheu Thai to greater glory.
In this webinar, two speakers will delve into the mysteries and implications of Thaksin’s recent activities.
About the Speakers
Professor Ukrist Pathmanand has been teaching political science at Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok. He is director of the Mekong Studies Center of Excellence, Institute of Asian Studies of Chulalongkorn University. He has done research on Thaksin’s power network. He received a B.A. degree in international relations from Ramkhamhaeng University in 1978, and a M.A. degree in international relations from Chulalongkorn University in 1983.
Assistant Professor Dr Weera Wongsatjachok is a lecturer in political science and public administration at Naresuan University, Phitsanulok. He is a former editor-in-chief of the Journal of Naresuan Social Science. He received a B.A. degree in political science (first class honours) in 2010 from Chulalongkorn University; a M.A. degree in politics from University of Sheffield, the UK; and a Ph.D. degree in comparative politics from Chulalongkorn University in 2015.
Registration
This webinar will be delivered online entirely. You can join the webinar at the specified date and time using devices (computer, phone, or tablet) with internet connection.
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If you have questions for the speaker, please key in your questions via the Q&A, stating your name and affiliation. The moderator will field them to the speakers during the Q&A session.