As Thailand finds itself on the brink of a momentous turn of events, all eyes are fixed on the impending return of the country’s former Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, who has been living in self-imposed exile. The atmosphere is charged with anticipation and uncertainty as arrest warrants await public scrutiny, and the specter of imminent jail time looms large.
Scheduled to make his comeback tomorrow, Thaksin’s return intriguingly coincides with the ongoing parliamentary proceedings that are geared towards selecting the nation’s 30th leader. It’s a convergence that has captured the collective imagination of the nation, setting the stage for a potentially transformative chapter in Thailand’s political landscape.
Making the announcement of her father’s imminent return is none other than Paetongtarn “Ung Ing” Shinawatra, a name that holds its own weight in Thai politics. Once considered a prime ministerial candidate for the Pheu Thai Party, Paetongtarn took to social media to convey the significant news of her father’s impending homecoming. Her message carried a sense of profound import: Thaksin’s private plane is all set to descend upon Don Mueang airport at the early hour of 9 am tomorrow.
Reports circulating in the media suggest that Thaksin, accompanied by his sister Yingluck, embarked on their journey from Dubai to Singapore prior to the final leg that would bring them back to their homeland. The movements of the Shinawatra siblings have been meticulously tracked, their return becoming an event that is as closely followed as any major international development.
For those in the know, it’s an open secret that preparations are underway at the VIP section of Don Mueang airport. Here, officials are gearing up to receive Thaksin upon his touchdown on native soil. With a well-orchestrated plan in place, senior police officers are poised to promptly initiate a briefing session for Thaksin. This session, a significant one, would acquaint him with the various arrest warrants that await him, as well as other legal intricacies pertinent to his case.
Following this briefing, the script of Thaksin’s return takes him through immigration procedures before ushering him to a significant location: the Police Club on Vibhavadi Rangsit Road. This will be the site where he finds himself in the throes of yet another chapter in his eventful journey—one that has seen moments of triumph and turbulence in equal measure. From here, his journey’s end will culminate at none other than the hallowed halls of the Supreme Court, where he is mandated to make his appearance.
Thaksin’s tale is one that is marked by strategic decisions and clandestine maneuvers. His exit from Thailand in 2008 was no exception. The timing was of the essence, with his covert departure transpiring mere moments before he was slated to receive his sentencing from the Supreme Court. The charges against him stemmed from allegations of having provided assistance to his former spouse, Khunying Potjaman Na Pombejra, in the acquisition of prime real estate in the Ratchadaphisek area—a transaction that allegedly transpired at a price that defied market norms.
In an interesting twist of fate, Thaksin’s own words took to the virtual realm. Prior to the sequence of events that would see his return, he took to Twitter to share his original plan: a return to Thailand by August 10. However, the best-laid plans often encounter unforeseen obstacles. Scheduled medical considerations caused a ripple effect, pushing his return by an additional two weeks.
Now, as the legal repercussions of his actions catch up with him, Thaksin finds himself on the precipice of a challenging journey. The Supreme Court’s judgment from the Criminal Division for Holders of Political Positions is one that he must grapple with. He is now positioned to face incarceration, the embodiment of the law’s retribution, in relation to three distinct cases. The fact that his conviction was delivered in absentia only serves to intensify the complexity of the situation.
As the countdown to Thaksin’s return continues, his supporters find themselves animated by a mix of curiosity and hope. The United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) and its followers are particularly engaged in the unfolding drama. With their