Thaksin Shinawatra

Residents of Thailand's capital have historically come down on the side of conservatism and reaction. They now loom as a force for reform.

It is widely believed that Thaksin returned out of hope that a new government friendly to him would reduce his sentence, and that he may have made a deal with authorities.

The former leader returned to Thailand in a blaze of publicity last week after more than 15 years in self-exile.

The vote came shortly after former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, the spiritual leader of Srettha's Pheu Thai Party, returned to Thailand after 15 years in self-exile.

The fugitive leader's return reflects the dramatic realignment that has taken place in Thai politics since the general election in May.

The pact between the two parties, which came in second and third in May's general election, could spell an end to Thailand's protracted post-election deadlock.

There are several reasons to think that the fugitive former PM might actually be becoming home.

The self-exiled leader has praised the progressive party's dynamic campaign, but could still end up exercising a strong influence over Thailand's next government.

It's not a question of whether the establishment will play spoiler, but of when and how.

Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is the darling of millions of Thai voters, but his human rights record legacy in the Deep South is as bleak and dismal as his military rivals'.

The ex-leader's announcement that he wants to return to Thailand after the May 14 polls is political risky and potentially destabilizing.

With two opposition parties leading in pre-election polls, the country's conservative establishment is reportedly considering drastic measures to keep them out of power.