He had spent fifteen years abroad to escape convictions. As soon as he set foot on the soil of his country, Thaksin Shinawatra was caught up in his past. The former Prime Minister (2001-2006) was imprisoned upon his return to the country. The 74-year-old billionaire must spend eight years behind bars for three cases tried in his absence, relating to his management of the country and his former company Shin Corp, meant the Supreme Court.
His return to the country coincides with the vote of Parliament, which must appoint a new Prime Minister on Tuesday, three months after the legislative elections of May 14 which inflicted a scathing setback on the generals in power for almost ten years.
The ex-leader denounces lawsuits aimed at excluding him from power
The only candidate for the post, under the banner of Pheu Thai, Srettha Thavisin is running at the head of a controversial coalition mixing pro-democracy and pro-army formations but which does not include Move Forward, the reformist party that won the election. This alliance allows the maintenance of the government of the soldiers who, in exchange, would have tolerated the return of Thaksin, their former pet peeve.
The former owner of the Manchester City football club has polarized political life for more than twenty years between the “reds” (his supporters) and the “yellows” (conservatives loyal to the monarchy). Thaksin has long denounced prosecutions aimed at removing him from power, in favor of the military-royalist elites.
Abroad, he remained an influential player through the Pheu Thai party controlled by his family even if the last poll showed signs of running out of steam. The return to power of his party could allow him to benefit from an adjustment or a reduction in sentence.