Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was arrested on his return to Thailand after 15 years in self-imposed exile. The billionaire landed in a private jet at Bangkok’s Don Mueang airport early Tuesday, where he was greeted by hundreds of supporters. He was then taken to the Supreme Court, where he was sentenced to eight years in prison for three convictions handed down in his absence.
Thaksin is involved in several criminal cases that he says are politically motivated. The 74-year-old media entrepreneur, who ruled the country from 2001 to 2006, is an ogre of Thailand’s pro-military and royalist establishment and continues to cast a long shadow over the kingdom’s politics. Thaksin has lived in self-imposed exile since 2008, mostly in Dubai to avoid jail time. He was charged with corruption, abuse of power and disrespect for the monarchy.
Prisoners over 70 can hope for clemency
Political observers doubt that Thaksin will spend much time behind bars. In Thailand, convicts over the age of 70 can apply for pardon or a royal pardon.
Thaksin’s return comes hours before a new parliamentary vote on the prime minister. The Pheu Thai party, which he supports, wants to take over power with real estate magnate Srettha Thavisin as a candidate. To this end, Pheu Thai has formed an alliance with 11 parties, including those linked to the military, which the country fought against in May’s parliamentary elections. Pheu Thai had previously split from the progressive Move Forward Party (MFP), despite the latter winning the general election ahead of Pheu Thai.
In the election, citizens had clearly rejected a decade of military-backed governments in Thailand. Pita Limjaroenrat’s progressive MFP party clearly won, but especially the army-appointed senators blocked Pita’s nomination to parliament. Later, second-ranked Pheu Thai took over the formation of an alliance that includes another army-related party since Monday.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
