There is little appetite among the Malaysian leaders to veer into the politics of another ASEAN state like Myanmar, he said, adding that” Thaksin can play a strategic role in engaging with the rebel groups and keeping the Malaysian government at a distance.”  ,
Lin, a senior colleague at the ASEAN Studies Centre, thinks that Thailand’s unwavering support for Malaysia’s appointment as chair may increase the potential for closer collaboration in addressing this complex topic.  ,
Over the past 20 years, Thaksin is regarded as one of Thailand’s most powerful and controversial officials.  ,
He was Thailand’s premier secretary from 2001 to 2006 until he was overthrown in a military coup. He then spent 15 years in self-imposed captivity before making his way back to Thailand in August 2023.  ,
He was released from prison after serving eight years in prison for conflicts of interest and abuse of power during his term in office, from 2001 to 2006. His statement, however, was commuted to one year by King Maha Vajiralongkorn next September.  ,
He was released on parole on Feb 18, after six weeks in confinement.  ,
Oh so noted that at a private degree, the Malay prime minister, having been a political detainee himself according to his prostitution views, understands Thaksin’s situation.
” There seems to be some kind of emotion in Thaksin’s legitimisation procedure”, Oh added.  ,
Malaysia last took over as ASEAN chair nearly ten years ago, in 2015.