Rural people see him as a hero. But when he was ousted by the military in 2006 bloodless coup, the middle-class was delighted because they were fed up with allegedly wide-spread corruption, absence of check and balance of power and press restriction under his administration.
"Former Prime Minister Thaksin is good at manipulating globalization for benefit of most people in the country", said Surichai Wankaew, a political science lecturer from Chulalongkorn University.
In fact, no one person is capable of healing the wounds of the nation when economic and social inequality persists and waits to be addressed.
The secretary-general of ASEAN Surin Pitsuwan said Thursday during ASEAN-EU meeting in Spain that Thailand badly needed political reform and social restructuring and the government had to introduce reforms that will bridge the gap in the social strata and bring justice to one and all.
"It is a lesson for all developing countries, not just Thailand, to learn how to manage social inequality," said Surin. "It is not about being democratic or undemocratic, but about effectiveness of social-management agencies."
"If the government can effectively solve people problems, they will eventually forget Thaksin. But the government's failure will only intensify their desire of his return. The government is tasked with responsibility to prove it is better than Thaksin's government," said Suriyasai Katasila acting secretary general of New Politics Party.
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva vowed on May 21 to continue the reconciliation plan announced earlier this month that includes addressing economic disparity and constitutional amendment in an attempt to "rebuild the house".
The conflict has cost dearly for Thailand so far, but unless social disparity is narrowed, social conflict remains a demon waiting for its right time to come back.
