DOOR STAYS SHUT ON THAKSIN’S RETURN

Thailand’s political future is cloudier than ever, but one thing is certain — self-exiled former premier Thaksin Shinawatra won’t be coming home soon.

The chances of another round of political conflict seemed slim a few months ago as the government of Thaksin’s sister, Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, entered its third year in office after a fairly smooth ride.

This had much to do with outwardly cordial ties with her brother’s enemies, among them generals, royal advisers and opposition politicians.

Having fled into exile to avoid a jail sentence for graft in 2008, Thaksin had hoped the climate was ripe for him to try to return. But now that seems less likely than ever.

Protesters have marched for weeks in Bangkok streets, clashing

“Today is a day that Thai people nationwide believe is an auspicious day,” Suthep said after watching the king’s speech. “Tomorrow, the people’s with riot police and vowing to overthrow the “Thaksin regime” and replace it with “good people”, effectively suspending Thailand’s democratic system.

Yingluck’s honeymoon period is over and her government is clinging on.

The mistake for her, it seems, was her Puea Thai party’s attempts to ram through the legislature a political amnesty bill that outraged opponents, who called it a blatant move to whitewash Thaksin of his crimes.

The Senate rejected the bill and Yingluck shelved it, but the damage was already done. Thaksin’s opponents among the royalist, military-backed establishment and the parliamentary opposition had the pretext they needed to launch the latest salvo. movement will continue to eradicate the Thaksin regime from Thailand.’’