BANGKOK: In a dramatic turn of events, Thailand’s former leader Thaksin Shinawatra has returned to his home country after 15 years of self-imposed exile, only to serve a jail sentence.
The billionaire entrepreneur arrived on a private jet at Bangkok’s Don Mueang airport, where he was greeted by a boisterous crowd of “Red Shirt” supporters, known for their allegiance to Thaksin’s political movement. The homecoming marked a pivotal moment in Thailand’s political landscape, coinciding with the parliamentary vote to install his party’s candidate as the new prime minister.
Amidst the jubilation of his supporters, Thaksin took a moment to offer respect to the country’s monarch, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, before being taken to the Supreme Court. There, he faced sentencing for three convictions that had been handed down in his absence, including cases related to his former Shin Corp. company, a bank loan, and a lottery matter. The 74-year-old leader’s return occurred on the same day that parliament was poised to appoint business magnate Srettha Thavisin as prime minister, leading a coalition led by Thaksin’s Pheu Thai party.
Although Thaksin had been convicted in absentia in four cases, with the statute of limitations having expired in one case, the duration of his imprisonment remained uncertain. Many speculated that his return, coinciding with his party’s ascent to power, might signify a behind-the-scenes arrangement that could grant him leniency in his legal predicament. Thaksin’s daughter expressed her relief on social media, stating that her father had returned safely to Thailand and was engaged in the legal process.
Thaksin’s journey on that day encapsulated the tumultuous trajectory of his career. Departing from Singapore on a private jet, he ended the day in a Bangkok prison cell. This marked just another chapter in a life characterized by political victories, a coup-induced downfall, criminal allegations, and years of exile.
While he had been absent from the nation for over a decade, Thaksin’s influence over Thailand’s political landscape remained undeniably potent. He garnered the loyalty of the rural poor by implementing policies like affordable healthcare and minimum wage standards, but his rule was fiercely criticized by the pro-military and royalist elite, who perceived it as corrupt and authoritarian. His return thus reignited the polarization that had defined Thai politics for years.
Thaksin’s supporters, the “Red Shirts,” gathered at the airport to celebrate his return, draped in their signature crimson colours. The emotional connection between Thaksin and his followers was palpable, as expressed by one supporter who declared, I am a real Red Shirt — whenever they want our support, I will always be there for them. I don’t only like him but I love him.
As the former leader navigated the legal process, his party formally nominated Srettha as its prime ministerial candidate in parliament. Despite the Progressive Move Forward Party’s success in the elections, their leader’s bid for the prime ministerial position was thwarted due to resistance from conservative senators, leading to Pheu Thai’s renewed prominence. The party, joined by coalition partners including the army-linked Palang Pracharath Party, aimed to secure the confirmation vote in both houses and further solidify its controversial coalition.
In the broader context, Thaksin’s return underscored the enduring schism in Thai society, marked by his devoted followers and his vehement detractors. As his return coincided with his party’s political rise, it illuminated the intricate interplay between politics, power, and public sentiment in Thailand. The nation now watches with keen interest to witness how Thaksin’s reentry will shape the country’s evolving political narrative.
