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Published on January 13, 2008

Unofficially she has long been recognised as a fixer behind the scenes with considerable power and clout.

Cynically, she has been regarded highly for her womanhood, and especially her motherhood, compared with the manhood of her husband Thaksin, who remains in self-imposed exile abroad, as he prefers to keep a proper distance from danger.

Pojaman is here on an undeclared mission - to fix a lot of unsettling political equations and make deals for her husband's nominees to eventually grab power and pave the way for his return.

She has to test the public's reaction, measure the atmosphere of animosity and use her charms to bring about reconciliation with the powers that be. All these goals can be achieved with the help of big money, to the tune of billions of baht if need be.

Thaksin has had to swallow his pride after sending his wife to face adversity, which, surprisingly, was hardly present. At the airport and at the court, she was warmly received by her admirers. The environment was not hostile.

For most of his business and political career, Thaksin has used his wife, children, housemaids, security guard and cronies as either fronts or nominees for the ownership of stockholdings and other assets.

This has put him in trouble with the law frequently and these shenanigans were the prime cause for the public resentment that led to his being ousted from the premiership.

Thaksin may have cared about the public's perception after sending his wife back home, but the visit would not have happened if his wife were not confident in her ability to exercise her charms effectively. In fact, the homecoming show could have been her initiative.

Of course, the public may have found some elements surprising, but Pojaman would not have boarded the flight without ensuring that things would go well and no ugly scenes would await.

Even the Criminal Court granted bail for her after brief proceedings, seemingly an unusual treatment for a person who had evaded an arrest warrant for months. Shortly afterwards, she got off on bail from the Department of Special Investigation, even more highly unprecedented. Her assets against the bails totalled just Bt6 million - chicken feed by the standard of her immense wealth.

Her presence partly confirmed earlier talk about her strong influence over her husband and his political decisions. Her shrewdness and calculating mind were formidable if not fearsome among political and business cronies.

In fact, it was also her decision to choose Samak Sundaravej to head the People Power Party (PPP) in the first place to take on the kamikaze and bulldozing role. And it was Pojaman again who managed to make Samak become less confrontational and abrasive these days.

Regardless of the legends and myths about her exceptional craftiness in fixing complex problems, as well as wheeling and dealing behind the scenes, all was put to the test right from when she disembarked from the plane.

If Pojaman loves public-relations stunt shows like her husband, she is subtle but gaining far more effective results. The day after her arrival, she was walking around a plush shopping centre, making sure that she was not lost in media reports, despite the fact that there are other events surrounding the national sorrow.

For a person facing serious criminal charges, Pojaman does not look like a woman who could be discouraged from public scenes due to disgrace or shame. She knows that the media will not be hounding her with unpleasant questions. Instead, they are more than courteous, if not aiming to please her.

Her presence might have worked in assuring medium and small political parties that their willingness to become coalition partners of the PPP would be amply rewarded before and after, not to mention other benefits to be mutually gained during their days in government.

Yet, there is still tough work ahead in trying to strike compromises with people in high places before dealing with the legal proceedings. The public will not know these negotiations and arrangements. Only the end results will tell what she might have achieved or failed to achieve.

Will these efforts enable the PPP to take power? Will the generals involved in deposing her husband do nothing, sitting on their hands while they wait for their fate and careers to be decided by her political nominees and cronies? These questions depend on other factors for all pieces of the jigsaw puzzle to fall into place.

After all, it all boils down to whether Thaksin can eventually set foot on this land ever again, with or without political vendettas. There are still unseen hands, which can put a stop to her schemes, hopes and expectations.

This can begin with the hand bringing down the gavel on matters involving the call for the dissolution of the PPP, and afterward in several legal battles her family members and all the cronies have to fight, regardless of whether her beloved husband is here or not.

After all, don't cry for Thailand. Our equivalent to Eva Peron will be around for some time yet.

Sopon Onkgara

The Nation