Don’t Attack Thaksin

The former prime minister is the victim of a smear campaign.

Joshua E. Keating's article "Bad Exes" was one of the shoddiest and glib pieces of journalism we have seen for some years.

Joshua E. Keating’s article "Bad Exes" was one of the shoddiest and glib pieces of journalism we have seen for some years.

In its original uncorrected form it contained a number of inaccuracies, including that Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister of Thailand, had "lived under a false name in Germany" and had used "illegally received passports from a number of other countries". This is categorically untrue. An award of $1 Million will be given to Keating or anyone else for that matter that can provide genuine evidence to back up such ridiculous claims.

Shinawatra was the only prime minister in Thailand’s history to serve a full parliamentary term and be re-elected. His government was also the first that was not a coalition. His reforms to the improve the economy of the country and  eradicate poverty, improve the education system, introduce affordable healthcare for all Thai citizens, along with his pioneering microfinance scheme radically changed Thailand for the better, which  hardly makes Shinawatra a "bad" person, and to attack someone without carrying out proper research should not be afforded column inches.

Shinawatra is the victim of great injustice — including being the subject of trumped up and vindictive politically-motivated charges. We do hope in future this reputedly respected publication will not accept such poorly researched articles.

Jane Foley is a partner at KJF Legal Associates in Dubai and represents Thaksin Shinawatra. 

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