Thaksin on the tips of Thailand’s tongues

Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra walks from a private jet at the Phnom Penh military air base on Tuesday.

Nobody living in Thailand has been able to avoid the nation’s top story these days: Thaksin Shinawatra.

Whether the fugitive former prime minister is landing in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh to start his controversial new job as economic advisor or getting in hot water for comments he did or did not make to a foreign newspaper, he remains the man of the hour on Thai blogs, comment boards and Twitter. 

Here’s a quick look at what some people based in Thailand are saying about the ongoing saga.

“Seems to me its game, set and match to [Cambodian Prime Minister] Hun Sen. He has put the Thai government in an impossible situation with the appointment of Thaksin. What can they do? Ignore him as some have suggested? Well they can try but there is no way he is going away anytime soon.”
-- Reader Paul on the Bangkok Post comment board

“Evil [Prime Minister] Abhisit made all the problems and always blamed Thaksin. Thailand cannot get better if we let [evil rule] the country."
-- Twitter user Kengkaj_S

“I’m not accusing either Thai color or side of dirty means, but scrolling through newspapers, blogs and websites, moderate voices calling for restraint can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Pumped up, hyped up nationalists keep the upper hand -- Machiavelli sends his regards.”
-- Blog Absolutely Bangkok

“I have no time for Thaksin but Abhisit is getting everything that he deserves. He is a Usurper and that always means you’re walking on thin ice. If an election is held, Thaksin and his crew will do what they always do to Abhisit. Thrash him to the point of humiliation.”
-- Thaivisa.com user Jalansanitwong

“All Thaksin wants to do is create and maintain divisiveness within the Kingdom to eventuate his rehabilitation and whitewash his crimes.”
-- Twitter user Seubpong

“Thailand and Cambodia are not going to have a war for any reason, much less Thaksin's presence in Cambodia. Neither side is looking to fight a war, especially one Thailand would win in a week or maybe two weeks.”
-- Thaivisa.com user Publicus