“Thaksin can play a strategic role in engaging with the rebel groups, keeping the Malaysian government at a distance,” he told CNA, adding that there is little appetite among the Malaysian leaders to interfere in the affairs of another ASEAN state like Myanmar.
Lin – the senior fellow at the ASEAN Studies Centre – believes that Thailand’s clear support for Malaysia’s role as ASEAN chair could further enhance the potential for deeper collaboration in addressing this complex issue.
Thaksin is known to be one of Thailand’s most influential and divisive politicians over the past two decades.
He served as the prime minister of Thailand from 2001 to 2006, when he was overthrown in a military coup. After which, he lived in self-imposed exile for 15 years before returning to Thailand in August 2023.
After his return, he was sentenced to eight years in prison for abuse of power and conflicts of interest during his time in office from 2001 to 2006. His sentence, however, was commuted to one year by King Maha Vajiralongkorn last September.
He was released on parole on Feb 18, after six months in detention.
Oh thus noted that at a personal level, the Malaysian prime minister, having been a political prisoner himself due to his sodomy convictions, understands Thaksin’s plight.
“There seems to be some form of empathy in Thaksin’s legitimisation process,” Oh added.
Malaysia last assumed the role of ASEAN chairman almost a decade ago in 2015.
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