[News Figures] Former Prime Minister 'Taksin' Returns Home After 15 Years, Shaking Up Thai Politics

Fled Abroad During 2008 Trial After Coup
Returned Home and Sent to Prison... "Royal Pardon Possible"
Prime Minister Elected in Thai Parliament That Day... Thaksin Faction Favored

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra (74), who had been living in exile abroad for 15 years, finally set foot on Thai soil on the 22nd. Having been sentenced to prison in 2008 on corruption charges and having lived abroad to evade punishment, he returned to Thailand after indirectly intervening in domestic politics through his daughter and reaching an agreement to ally with the military faction. Upon his return, Thaksin immediately headed to prison, but it is reported that he is likely to be pardoned soon.

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra (74) (left) and his youngest daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra [Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

According to Bloomberg and other sources, Thaksin arrived at Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok around 9 a.m. on that day, aboard a private jet. Wearing a navy suit and a red tie, Thaksin greeted family members including his youngest daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, at the terminal. Immediately after arrival, he clasped his hands together and knelt in front of a portrait of the King and Queen to pay respects. Facing hundreds of welcoming crowds, he greeted them with clasped hands and waved. The former prime minister, who had lived abroad to avoid punishment, appeared as if he was returning home in triumph.

After greeting family and supporters, he moved with police, passing through the Supreme Court before being transferred to a prison in Bangkok. During Thaksin’s period of exile, a trial in absentia was conducted, and the Thai Supreme Court sentenced him to eight years in prison. However, there is currently speculation that Thaksin may be pardoned immediately. In Thailand, all prisoners can petition for a royal pardon on their first day of incarceration.

Born in 1949, Thaksin is one of the most controversial figures and a politician who has shaken Thailand for over 20 years. Serving as prime minister from 2001 to 2006, he clashed with entrenched powers such as the monarchy and military. In 2006, while visiting the United States to attend the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, a coup occurred, making it difficult for him to return home. He returned in February 2008 but left again ahead of a trial in August of the same year and remained in exile until recently.

Thaksin often described himself as a self-made man from a rural background, but in fact, he grew up comfortably thanks to his parents who had accumulated wealth through silk businesses and other ventures in the early 20th century. Thaksin tried various businesses including movie theaters and real estate, and during the IT boom of the 1980s and 1990s, he achieved great success in telecommunications businesses such as computers and cable TV, eventually joining the ranks of chaebols.

Leveraging his financial power, Thaksin declared after the Asian financial crisis that he would provide affordable medical services to the common people and implement debt relief measures, gaining popular support. He emerged as the only competitor to the traditional establishment and was elected prime minister in the 2001 general election. His popularity continued, and in the 2005 general election, his party won 75% of the seats, securing a landslide victory and a second term.

As a result, Thai politics split into pro-Thaksin and anti-Thaksin factions, and political conflicts culminated in the 2006 coup. After Thaksin fled abroad, his sister Yingluck Shinawatra won the 2011 general election and became Thailand’s first female prime minister. However, another coup occurred in 2014, placing her in a situation similar to her brother’s.

Coincidentally, on the day Thaksin returned, the Thai parliament held a vote to elect a new prime minister. Srettha Thavisin, the candidate from the pro-Thaksin party Pheu Thai, is expected to be elected. In the May general election, Pheu Thai became the second-largest party. When the leading Move Forward Party (MFP) failed to form a government, Pheu Thai allied with military-aligned parties such as Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP) and Ruam Thai Sang Chart Party (RTSC) to form a government. Some interpreted Thaksin’s return on this day as a show of confidence that a pro-Thaksin figure would be elected prime minister.

However, before entering the country, Thaksin stated, "I want to return to Thailand to take care of my grandchildren," and added, "My decision to return is unrelated to the political situation, and I am prepared to serve my sentence." Nevertheless, few believe his words at face value. There is speculation that his return was part of an agreement with the military forces.

Foreign media described Thaksin’s return on the day of the prime ministerial election as a "political drama," predicting that Thailand’s political turmoil will intensify further.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.