Thaksin’s campaign disrupted by ex-red-shirt in Maha Sarakham

Former PM Thaksin Shinawatra’s political speech in Maha Sarakham province was briefly interrupted on Monday when a plastic bag was thrown onto the stage.

The projectile, thrown by a woman who described herself as a former red-shirt supporter, landed without hitting anyone and the woman was escorted out of the venue.

A video clip shows Thaksin and others on the stage looking at the bag, with some raising their hands to protect themselves.

“Be calm, everybody. Sometimes we have problems like debts, family issues and even mental health struggles. It’s normal. We are all Thais and we should forgive one another and take care of each other,” Thaksin said after the incident.

Police only identified the woman as “Oun,” a resident of Wapi Pathum district and a former supporter of the pro-Pheu Thai red-shirt movement.

She claimed her business had failed because it was boycotted by non-red-shirt supporters.

When asked why she threw the bag onto the stage, she told police that she acted out of anger after listening to Thaksin’s speech, adding “I had no intention of causing harm, but what Thaksin said was untrue.”

The former prime minister was in Maha Sarakham to campaign for Phonpat Jarassathien, who is running for Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) president under the banner of the ruling Pheu Thai Party.