Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was arrested and taken into custody, as he arrived in Bangkok via a private jet on Aug. 22, ending his over 15-year exile.
The news came the same day when Thailand’s parliament voted for real estate tycoon Srettha Thavisin to be the country’s next prime minister, bringing an end to three months of political deadlock. Srettha, 60, was the sole candidate put forward by the populist Pheu Thai Party.
Former PM’s return
Thaksin Shinawatra, an influential figure, who led the populist Pheu Thai party, landed at Don Muang airport, where exultant supporters in red, bearing welcoming signs, gathered to greet him.
Stepping out momentarily from the terminal, Thaksin paid his respects by bowing and placing a floral garland at a portrait of King Maha Vajiralongkorn. He then waved to his supporters gathered at the scene.
Additional Red Shirt supporters were stationed along the streets as Thaksin, the former owner of Manchester City, was escorted to the Supreme Court.
Within the court premises, a verdict was handed down, sentencing him to eight years for three convictions made in his absence. These convictions pertained to various cases, including one associated with his former company, Shin Corp, another linked to a bank loan, and a third related to a lottery matter.
“Welcome back to Thailand daddy. My father has now arrived in Thailand safely and has entered the legal process,” his daughter Paetongtarn wrote on Instagram, with a photo of Thaksin with his three children and seven grandchildren in the airport’s VIP lounge.
Thaksin’s return coincided with a crucial parliamentary vote to potentially establish a new government led by his allies. Many speculate that his return might be tied to a potential comeback of his party and possible leniency due to his age.
Eager Supporters
Hundreds of Red Shirts gathered at the airport, eagerly awaiting his arrival, through the night. They greeted him with songs and banners, clad predominantly in their customary crimson attire.
“This is the day I have been waiting for. When I talk about it I feel like I want to cry,” Sansuk Termsrisuk, 62, said, adding that she believed that when Thaksin was in power, the economy was much better and she had everything she needed.
“I am a real Red Shirt — whenever they want our support, I will always be there for them,” Karuna Wantang, 70, a retired bureaucrat from Nongkai, in the country’s northeast, told reporters.
“I don’t only like him but I love him.”
Thaksin’s arrival also caused divisions among his supporters, some of whom are excited about his potential return, while others criticize his party’s coalition with military-aligned parties.
This controversial alliance aims to secure enough backing for the candidacy of Srettha Thavisin, a Pheu Thai nominee for prime minister. The move is seen as an unprecedented compromise between parties with differing ideologies.
Willing to Confront
After dominating Thai politics for decades and being ousted by a 2006 military coup, Thaksin faced various charges that he claims are politically motivated.
Previously, expressing his willingness to confront the legal system to come back and reunite with his grandchildren, Thaksin had consistently asserted that the criminal allegations against him are driven by political motives
“I would like to request permission to return to live on Thai soil and share the air with my fellow Thai brothers and sisters,” he tweeted on Monday.
Thaksin’s previous tenure
Thaksin’s policies, such as universal healthcare and rural economic stimulation, endeared him to voters, particularly in the northern and northeastern parts of Thailand. However, his tenure was marked by confrontations with the military and allegations of corruption. Political turmoil and unrest persisted, with street protests and military intervention, leading to a tragic army crackdown in 2010.
As the current political landscape shifts, the question of Thaksin’s influence on Pheu Thai’s future looms large. His return may mark a pivotal point in Thai politics, as supporters and critics weigh the implications of his presence after years of absence.