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Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister of Thailand who returned home after 17 years in exile. He was taken to prison after coming home, but fell ill. Photo/REUTERS
JAKARTA – Thaksin Shinawatra, a former prime minister (PM) who became one of the most influential and polarized figures in Thai politics, has finally returned home after 17 years of exile.
The 74-year-old was greeted by hundreds of cheering supporters when his private jet landed at Don Muaeng Airport on Tuesday morning, arriving hours before Thailand’s Parliament elected Srettha Thavisin as the new PM.
Thaksin was brought before the Supreme Court, which sentenced him to eight years in prison, based on charges in a criminal case which he said was politically motivated.
He was then taken to prison. Just one day in prison, he was rushed to the hospital.
Despite his absence from Thailand, Thaksin remains an important figure in the country’s politics.
The Pheu Thai party, now led by his youngest daughter Paetongtarn, 37, is likely to play a major role in the new ruling coalition.
Profile of Thaksin Shinawatra
Quoting the BBC, Wednesday (23/8/2023), as a telecommunications billionaire, Thaksin Shinawatra is the first PM in Thai history to lead an elected government through a full term.
He was immensely popular, particularly among the rural poor, but also proved to be a divisive and highly unpopular figure among Bangkok’s wealthy elite.
After more than five years in power, he was ousted in a military coup in September 2006, accused of corruption and abuse of power.
