Thaksin Shinawatra, the billionaire and former prime minister of Thailand, finally returned to his home country on Tuesday, after more than a decade of living overseas in self-exile.
Thaksin Shinawatra, the billionaire and former prime minister of Thailand, finally returned to his home country on Tuesday, after more than a decade of living overseas in self-exile. His return, which had been widely anticipated, coincides with a scheduled vote the same day by Thailand’s parliament to select a new premier.
Upon his arrival at Don Muang airport on the outskirts of Bangkok, Thaksin was greeted by hundreds of supporters and throngs of reporters. Thai police said earlier that the 74-year-old former leader would be formally arrested and taken directly to the nation’s Supreme Court.
Thaksin was ousted from power in a bloodless military coup in 2006. Two years later, he fled the country to avoid spending up to 10 years in prison on multiple charges of corruption and abuse of power.
Despite his absence, Thaksin’s family has continued to be involved in Thai politics. His sister Yingluck also served as prime minister before fleeing the country in 2017 to escape arrest over a rice subsidy scheme. Thaksin’s youngest daughter Paetongtarn currently holds a senior position in the Pheu Thai Party, which was the second-biggest winner in May’s national election.
