Every dog has its day, but Thaksin has had too many

The powers-that-be, to him, are not the ruling government members who serve as his nominees and cronies, trying to free him from legal troubles. What he means is the "invisible hands" manipulating his downfall and trying to drag him into prison. 

Declaring a bitter grudge against his adversaries in a handwritten statement, Thaksin urged his followers and cronies to wait for his return. He will have his day, and that should mean sweet revenge.

The statement debased the country's judicial process. Thaksin told the world that Thailand was no longer fair to him and he prefers to reside in England, the true democratic society.

People in the UK, following his moves, must have been surprised to some extent by the vehemence of a man expected to seek political asylum. How can a man who betrays his motherland be expected to show loyalty and respect for the country he chooses as a refuge from criminal proceedings?

Surely, there must be some reservations among the people there about this man and his wife, who has been convicted of tax dodging. They must show a keen interest in how Thaksin brought his wealth to their land and whether there was a trace of money laundering in his purchase of Manchester City Football Club.

Wherever he goes, Thaksin can be either a darling or a villain, depending upon circumstances and the role he plays. London might once have been a city offering a warm reception. Now there is growing doubt and increasing negative publicity. Is the sense of distrust getting thicker?

Back here, our authorities are exploring ways to seek the extradition of Thaksin to stand trial for criminal wrongdoing. There are more than 20 cases pending and the large number alone tells the world that the man cannot have been as clean and innocent as he claims to be.

Credibility is what he needs to seek political asylum. Even if he gets it from the British authorities, that might not be what he truly needs. That comes with conditions and he cannot badmouth the country of his birth.

As repeated here time and again, Thaksin doesn't need justice as he claims. He badly needs to be free from all criminal proceedings. His attorneys have been caught red-handed while attempting to bribe court officials, even judges. Bought justice would have served his purpose far better than a fair trial. 

What can he do from now on to harm his motherland?

Thaksin still commands vast financial resources, seized or otherwise. If he lives up to his promise of revenge, we can expect more propaganda from the PR firm and lobbyists he hires.

Will that be a serious problem for the country? Surely it will, as long as the government under Samak Sundaravej, a self-confessed nominee of Thaksin, refuses to protect the honour and dignity of the nation from the man's malicious intent and actions. 

When the arrest warrants for Thaksin and his wife were issued by the police last week, lawmakers of the People Power Party began hollering that the government refused to protect their boss from disgrace. They even wanted to take Samak to task for his aloofness over Thaksin's predicament.

Samak was, in fact, far from being aloof. He has been in a good mood, crooning five songs in a row during the Queen's birthday celebration at Sanam Luang. Thaksin's departure, probably for good, means Samak's total independence. No more the nominee.

That should make it a bit more difficult for Thaksin to extract revenge on his adversaries here. First of all, not many people among his admirers want him back, especially if he cannot show what financial resources he still has left.

Samak is the last person in the world who wants him here, looking over his shoulder, or showing the people who is the real boss. What's more, he has his own problems to resolve, including the possibility that his tenure might end due to court proceedings.

Can Thaksin eventually settle his scores? It is highly unlikely as the situation stands. Things are not in his favour. A change of government through a coup staged by his friends in the armed forces is impossible without a real bloodbath.

Thaksin should realise by now that he has had his day - many, to be precise, including the years he was prime minister, fomenting hardship and hatred.

He should be content with what he still has, even the limited freedom of movement in self-imposed exile. Further struggle could leave him with nothing. That includes the chance to come back and die in the motherland as he lamented in his letter.