Exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has asked the Thai people about their livelihoods today, 14 years since his government was overthrown in a coup d’état, staged by then Army Commander-in-Chief General Sonthi Boonyaglin.

In his Facebook post, addressed to Thai citizens today, to commemorate the 14th anniversary of the putsch, which took place while he was attending the UN General Assembly in New York, Thaksin said that Thai people, now aged between 20 and 30, might have heard their parents talking about their expectations of a better life 14 years ago, with a job, a house, a car and thriving business.

Today, however, they are hearing their parents complaining about losing their jobs, cars and houses and business failures, as well as the lack of a future, despite their good education, because Thais have been taken advantage of by global capitalism, because Thailand is lagging in several areas, said the former Prime Minister.

He urged the Thai people, including those in the Government, to adopt new thinking and new policies so that the people will not be taken advantage of, especially in the post-COVID-19 world, where every country fights for itself and true allies are difficult to find.

“Even though I no longer hold a Thai passport, I always realize that I am a Thai, love Thai people and Thailand. I never change,” said Thaksin.