Siam’s Exiles

As with any nation and society facing struggles and changes, Thailand produces exiles. The currently most prominent ones are former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and redder-than-red Giles Ji Ungpakorn, both of whom don’t look like returning to their homeland any time soon, while their ferocious voices may tame down.

How history will judge them we’ll only know in the future. Inflammatory rhetoric won’t help either, but it’s nevertheless telling that other famous exiles of Thailand never made it back home again, such as disgraced statesman Pridi Banomyong, who today though, as the “father of Thai democracy,” even has Sukhumvit 71 named after him.

First there was Prince Pritsadang, who went to Europe in 1870, proposed a “displeasing” constitution in 1885 and further lived in exile, mainly in Ceylon. Prince Boworadet and his whole clique of more than twenty officers went into exile to French Indochina in late 1933. Prince Damrong from 1934 onwards, Pridi Banomyong fled two times, and Thanom, Praphat and various other, often unsavory characters after coup d’états that failed …

Now, with Giles fleeing, Facthai commented that “Thailand seems intent on sending its best and brightest into exile just as in 1976.” Well, Thailand’s best and brightest may prefer to endure judicial repression and even martyrdom back home, as even the world’s most famous exile, the Dalai Lama, seems isolated and helpless despite his soft approach.

Thailand’s current prominent exiles furthermore lack international recognition. East Timor’s former most famous exile and current president José Ramos-Horta was a figurehead of the Timorese and enjoyed the broad support of the international community. Thailand’s trials and errors are so much more minor in comparison.

Some day maybe a unique Thai compromise will be found. But today most Thai people happily ignore the issues that preoccupy a few. Call it pragmatic. Call it clever. Call it normal. You live here and know the laws. Respect them.

Long live HM the King!