Thaksin Makes a Comeback in Thailand, Faces Imprisonment

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra commenced an eight-year prison sentence on Tuesday after returning from a lengthy self-imposed exile. Simultaneously, his political allies faced a critical vote in parliament regarding their proposition to form a government in collaboration with military parties that have historically been their rivals. The AP reports that this was an emotional day for supporters of the 74-year-old billionaire who amassed the loyalty of millions through his populist policies, which focused on the rural and impoverished regions of the country.

Numerous individuals gathered outside the Bangkok airport hours in advance, dressed in red attire and holding signs expressing their warm welcome for Thaksin. Anticipation amongst the crowd was palpable as they chanted and sang, and erupted in joyful cheers when he emerged from the terminal door.

Thaksin’s convoy proceeded from the airport to the Supreme Court, where a special tribunal that handles criminal cases against former officeholders upheld an eight-year sentence for corruption that had been given to him in absentia. Thaksin, however, disregards the sentence as politically motivated. From there, he was taken directly to Bangkok’s main prison. Meanwhile, parliament initiated voting on the Pheu Thai Party’s effort to establish an 11-party government that includes two parties aligned with their former military adversaries. This development follows a three-month-long stalemate. Pheu Thai has faced harsh criticism from some of its supporters for deviating from its pre-election promise of not collaborating with pro-military parties. There is speculation that the party’s decision stems from their desire to lessen or annul Thaksin’s prison sentence.

Thaksin and his affiliated parties have long been at odds with the military. Having left Thailand 15 years ago after a coup truncated his second term as prime minister, Thaksin has remained in exile, during which time the country endured a period of upheaval. In 2014, a Pheu Thai government led by Thaksin’s sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, was overthrown by Prayuth Chan-ocha, the former army chief who is currently the outgoing prime minister. In the recent elections, military-linked parties were largely rejected by voters, while Pheu Thai came in second place. Because the conservative senators, who were appointed by a previous military government, repeatedly dismissed the unexpected victor, Move Forward Party, Pheu Thai was given the opportunity to form a government.

Thaksin has stated that his decision to return has no connection to Pheu Thai’s bid for power, although many observers speculate that the controversial former leader is banking on a sympathetic government to potentially reduce his sentence. Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-ngam of the outgoing military-linked government has announced that Thaksin can request a royal pardon like any other prisoner and may receive special consideration due to his age. (Read more Thailand stories.)