Thailand’s former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has called a draft constitution presented by junta leaders a charade that will keep generals in power indefinitely.
The ousted populist politician and business tycoon called for talks with the coup leaders, warning that Thailand’s military rule will isolate the country as it moves towards becoming a pariah state.
“It’s a charade to show the world that Thailand is returning to democracy,” Thaksin told the Wall Street Journal. “But in reality it would be like Myanmar before its political reforms. There would be a prime minister, but the real power would be in some politburo above him and the economy would suffer. No other government would want to touch Thailand.”
The military says it took power to prevent a political crisis and insists elections will be held in 2017 after a new constitution is approved. However, the lengthy timeframe has raised scepticism over its intentions – a draft constitution presented last year was rejected by an army-backed council, adding months to the process.
The latest draft adds further delays and, more worryingly for the military’s critics, allows the generals abolute power in the name of national security.
In a separate interview with the Financial Times, Thaksin called the constitution “crazy”. “I can’t imagine that this kind of constitution can be written in this manner in the 21st century. It’s as if we are in the 18th century,” he said.
“Any regime that [does] not respect the people will not last long. No one respects North Korea, namely.”
Thaksin was ousted in a 2006 coup and his sister, Yingluck, was also removed by the military in 2014 after three years as prime minister. The army-led constitution drafting process is largely seen as an attempt to prevent the powerful Shinawatra family from returning to power.
While Thaksin, 66, has spoken infrequently since the coup, his combative comments will unnerve the generals in Bangkok. After he called for mass protests in 2010 to allow elections more than 90 people were killed in the capital.
Thai leaders are further concerned over the ill health of the 88-year-old king, Bhumibol Adulyadej, who is regarded as a stabilising force overarching battling political and military leaders.
Thaksin has been in self-imposed exile since 2008 to avoid being jailed for corruption on charges he denies. Yingluck is also facing charges that she ignored corruption surrounding a multibillion-dollar rice farming subsidy, although she too denies any wrongdoing.
But the Shinawatras are increasing their presence in the spotlight, possibly to rally their rural support base after months of keeping a low profile. Yingluck has held several public events recently, including welcoming reporters to her Bangkok home to see her vegetable garden.
In his comments, Thaksin criticised the military’s economic policies, a key complaint among Thais after foreign direct investment dropped by nearly 80% last year despite junta efforts to stimulate growth.
But he also urged the prime minister, Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha, to talk.
“Please don’t be paranoid. Please don’t fear that I’ll come looking for revenge,” he said. “I’m not looking for any conditions to help myself. But if you have a real intention to move the country forward, if you intend to return dignity to the Thai people, then please come to talk.”
The Guardian was not immediately able to reach the prime minister’s office for comment.
