22-8-2023 (BANGKOK) Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who recently made a dramatic return to his homeland after 15 years in self-imposed exile, has been handed an eight-year prison sentence by Thailand’s Supreme Court. The court delivered this verdict in connection to three convictions, which include charges of abuse of power and malfeasance. Thaksin was brought before the Supreme Court to face these legal proceedings.
Upon his arrival at Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport, Thaksin was greeted by an enthusiastic crowd of supporters numbering in the hundreds. Accompanied by his youngest daughter, Paetongtarn, an active member of the family’s political party, Pheu Thai, Thaksin briefly acknowledged the gathered crowd before making his way inside the airport terminal.
While Thaksin’s legal woes understandably dominated headlines, his choice of wristwear during his journey also drew considerable attention. A former colleague from Khaosod shared photographs of Thaksin sporting a Patek Philippe grand complication watch as he departed from Singapore. However, upon his arrival in Bangkok, he was spotted with a Swatch X Omega MoonSwatch, crafted from bioceramic. The latter timepiece is seemingly more suited for a prison environment.
In the realm of horology, collaborations have taken center stage this year, with noteworthy partnerships like TAG Heuer x Porsche, Timex x Adsum, and Hodinkee x Bamford x Snoopy. Among these collaborations, the Omega x Swatch MoonSwatch generated significant buzz, as it represented a unique union between two renowned watch brands. The collection featured 11 vibrant variants of Swatch’s interpretation of the NASA-approved Omega Speedmaster, each paying homage to a celestial body.
With a price tag of just US$260, a significant departure from Omega’s famed “Moonwatch,” and exclusive availability at select Swatch boutiques, this collaboration drew the attention of thousands of watch enthusiasts and collectors. Such overwhelming demand led to store-related challenges, including incidents where riot police had to intervene and even a reported mugging in the quest to secure a spot in line.
Despite not being marketed as a limited edition release, eager buyers resorted to reselling the MoonSwatch for as much as US$1,000 each. This unexpected turn of events, where a watch intended to offer an Omega experience at a Swatch price became a target for profiteering, elicited mixed reactions from the watch-collecting community. While the MoonSwatch’s design received widespread acclaim, Swatch’s decision to release it in limited quantities, followed by opportunistic reselling, left many enthusiasts dissatisfied.
Thaksin’s return to Thailand and the ensuing watch controversy have coincided with a period of political turmoil in the country. Thailand has been grappling with significant political unrest since the 2006 coup that ousted Thaksin’s government. His comeback unfolds amidst a fresh political crisis, with the ruling party facing challenges, and the opposition exploring alternative routes to power.
