19-8-2023 (BANGKOK) Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, currently in exile, will face imprisonment upon his return to Thailand, says Wissanu Krea-ngam, Deputy Prime Minister and Acting Justice Minister.
Wissanu discussed the procedures for Thaksin’s return following an announcement by Thaksin’s daughter, Paetongtarn, that he would arrive at Don Mueang airport at 9 am on Tuesday.
Despite no official confirmation from the government regarding the planned return, officials have made extensive preparations to receive Thaksin based on previous reports, according to Mr. Wissanu.
When Thaksin lands at Don Mueang, he will be subjected to standard legal procedures for individuals of similar status, including being served with an imprisonment order by the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions. Subsequently, corrections officials will take him to the Corrections Department and Klong Prem Central Prison in Bangkok’s Chatuchak district.
Before entering the prison, Thaksin will undergo a physical examination similar to other inmates. Mr. Wissanu expressed uncertainty regarding whether Thaksin’s family members and relatives would be able to meet him in the prison immediately.
It has been speculated that Thaksin may immediately seek a royal pardon and would not return to the country without assurances of a favorable outcome.
Mr. Wissanu confirmed that Thaksin could seek a royal pardon, or someone else could request it on his behalf. However, if the request is denied, Thaksin would need to wait two years before reapplying. During this waiting period, he would remain in prison.
When asked if authorities had additional concerns given that parliament was set to vote for a prime ministerial candidate from the Pheu Thai Party just hours after Thaksin’s arrival, Mr. Wissanu responded that he was unsure if Thaksin would truly return on that day.
Since his overthrow by a military coup in September 2006, Thaksin has been living in self-imposed exile, with the exception of a brief visit to the country in 2008. In his absence, the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions sentenced him to a total of 12 years in prison in four cases.
In the first case, Thaksin was convicted of abusing authority over his then-wife’s purchase of state-owned land at a below-market price, resulting in a two-year prison sentence. The statute of limitations for this case expired in October 2018.
The second case resulted in a two-year prison sentence for Thaksin for malfeasance related to the two- and three-digit lottery.
In the third case, Thaksin received a three-year prison sentence for authorizing 4 billion baht in loans to Myanmar through the Export-Import Bank of Thailand, which was used to purchase equipment from his family’s telecoms firm.
The fourth case led to a five-year prison sentence for Thaksin for using nominees to hold shares in Shin Corp, a telecommunications company, which is prohibited for any political office holder.
The statutes of limitations for the court decisions on the second, third, and fourth cases have not expired.
Previously, Mr. Wissanu confirmed that the combined jail term for Thaksin was 10 years.
