Thaksin Shinawatra, a divisive and compelling figure even in his years of exile, was once hailed as a champion of the common people. His recent moves have disillusioned followers.
Prabowo Subianto has had many identities over the years: a commander under sanctions for rights abuses, a violent nationalist and, now, the candidate of continuity.
Although he dons different personas, the strongman bona fides of Prabowo Subianto date back to when Indonesia was a dictatorship ruled by his former father-in-law.