Thaksin's still the man, say rural Thais

Nakhon Pathom (Thailand), Sept 21: Deposed by the army and languishing in London, populist Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra may still have a political future thanks to rural voters who continue to see him as the answer to their prayers.

In the rice fields and coconut groves of Nakon Pathom, 50 km west of Bangkok, there was almost unanimous backing for Tuesday's military coup from Thais desperate for the return of social harmony after months of political strife and protests.

A popular uprising in Thaksin's defence is out of the question, but support remains undiminished for the billionaire tycoon who built election landslides in 2001 and 2005 on the back of cheap public health care and credit for farmers.

''The coup doesn't really matter because if there's another election Thaksin will win again,'' 65-year-old farmer Dao Khempanya said on Thursday. ''Please come back Mr. Thaksin and we'll re-elect you,'' he added, with a toothy grin.

Army chief and coup leader Sonthi Boonyaratglin has promised to appoint an interim prime minister within two weeks, but admitted it will take a year to hold full elections under a reformed constitution.

He also said Thaksin was welcome to return to his homeland.

Walaiyuth Sawatbun, a burly fish farmer, went so far as to suggest the coup was wrong, despite it being legitimised by association with King Bhumibol Adulyadej, the world's longest-reigning monarch whom Thais hold in semi-divine awe.

''It still looks like a big mess,'' the 29-year-old said.

''Thaksin has the right to come back and run the country again.

As next prime minister, I just want somebody who does what Thaksin did. He was in touch with the people.'' In the capital, Thaksin incurred the wrath of the middle classes and establishment elite who accused him of subverting a 74-year-old democracy for the benefit of his friends and family in big business.

In the countryside, however, the former policeman was seen as a mould-breaking leader who was the first to pay attention to the needs and aspirations of those living beyond the bright lights of Bangkok.

Rural Thais feared the end of Thaksin might mean the end of benefits such as his ''30 baht scheme'' health plan under which the country's 63 million people can get hospital treatment for 0.75 dollar a visit.

A ''village fund'' cheap credit system, the propping up of rice and sugarcane prices and a 2003 crackdown on the narcotics trade were also sources of his rural popularity.

''I'm really scared that with Thaksin gone, there will be no 30 baht scheme,'' said 49-year-old Prathin Absornsee as she sprayed weedkiller around her banana plantation.

''I've just had typhoid and my mother has heart disease. Without the 30 baht scheme, we would be destitute.'' Analysts believe the ''Political Reform Council'', as the coup leaders call themselves, will try to head off any Thaksin comeback by going through his business and political past with a toothcomb to expose possible dodgy dealings.

But most Thais are under few illusions about graft in high office, and whatever mud does come out may well not stick.

''Personally, I don't think he was corrupt,'' said Wantana Kiosawaeng, a 25-year-old farmer. ''He was too rich already.''

REUTERS

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