Thai ex-premier says ruling junta is pushing for 'backward democracy'

New York: Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who was ousted by a military coup in 2006, has accused the ruling junta of trying to push through a new constitution designed to limit democracy. [caption id=“attachment_2666982” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. Reuters[/caption] In an interview with The Associated Press on Wednesday after an event at the World Policy Institute, Thaksin also wished a long life to Thailand’s ailing King Bhumibol Adulyadej. The current junta took over in 2014 and removed Thaksin’s sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, as prime minister. Coup leader Prime Minister Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha has promised to hold elections next year. Thaksin says any elections held under the new constitution will deny the will of the majority of the people. He calls it “backward democracy.” Thaksin has lived abroad since being convicted of corruption in absentia in 2008. AP