1-8-2023 (BANGKOK) Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister of Thailand and political fugitive, is reportedly planning to return to Thailand on a private jet, according to a senior member of the Chartthaipattana Party and a close friend of Thaksin. Chartthaipattana secretary-general Praphat Phothasuthon revealed this information after meeting Thaksin in Hong Kong, where they celebrated Thaksin’s 74th birthday.
Mr. Praphat, who is also 74, stated that he and Thaksin have been long-time friends, and he always visits him on his birthday, no matter where he is. He quoted Thaksin as saying that he would arrive in Thailand at Don Mueang airport on a private jet and willingly face any legal proceedings, including going to jail if required. However, the date of Thaksin’s return was not disclosed.
During their meeting in Hong Kong, Mr. Praphat denied that they discussed any special political agreement. He emphasized that Chartthaipattana and Pheu Thai, the political party closely associated with Thaksin, have maintained a close relationship for a significant period.
Thaksin’s daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, is one of Pheu Thai’s candidates for prime minister, and she recently mentioned that Thaksin is expected to return on August 10 at Don Mueang airport.
Thaksin was ousted by a military coup on September 19, 2006, while he was abroad. Since then, he has been living in self-exile, mainly residing in Dubai, except for a brief visit to Thailand in 2008.
During his absence, Thaksin was sentenced to a total of 12 years in prison in four separate cases by the Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions. These cases involved charges of abuse of power, malfeasance in a lottery case, misuse of position for authorizing loans to Myanmar, and using nominees to hold shares in Shin Corp, a telecommunications company.
While the statute of limitations for one of the cases has already expired, the other cases remain relevant, raising questions and uncertainties about Thaksin’s potential legal status upon his return to Thailand.
