In his absence, Thaksin has been convicted of four charges, although one of the charges has expired.
The former prime minister of Thailand who spent 15 years in exile Thaksin Shinawatra scheduled to return to Thailand today. Thaksin is scheduled to arrive at Don Mueang International Airport at 9 a.m. local time, after which he is scheduled to be arrested immediately.
The country’s parliament will vote later in the afternoon on whether the businessman will stand up By Srettha Thavis as the new prime minister. The country has not yet been able to appoint a new prime minister after the parliamentary elections held in May due to political problems.
Thaksin served as Thailand’s prime minister twice, but was ousted in a 2006 coup. He has now said he is ready to face criminal charges against him, which he has fled abroad.
– I would like to ask for permission to return to live on Thai soil and share the air with my Thai brothers and sisters, Thaksin wrote yesterday on X (formerly Twitter).
Thaksin faces a ten-year sentence
At the airport, Thaksin is to be met by the police.
– We are ready whenever his return is, said the head of the national police Damrongsak Kittiprapas.
The police have prepared for Thaksin’s supporters to arrive to receive him. Thaksin’s Pheu Thai party has announced that thousands of people will attend.
In his absence, Thaksin has been convicted of four charges, although one of the charges has expired. In total, Thaksin faces a ten-year sentence, but his allies hope he will be able to serve the sentence under house arrest after a short incarceration.
Thaksin, on the other hand, is known to have repeatedly broken his promise to return to Thailand. Most recently, on August 10, he appealed for a health check.
Source: AFP