Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was arrested and subsequently jailed upon his return to Thailand after spending 15 years in self-imposed exile. Thaksin, who had amassed his wealth through the telecommunications sector, arrived at Bangkok's Don Mueang Airport via a private plane from Singapore at around 9 a.m. local time on Tuesday.
After paying his respects to the king upon arrival, Thaksin was taken into custody by a police convoy and transported to the Supreme Court. There, he faced charges of abuse of power and other criminal offences that he claimed were politically motivated. Subsequently, he was taken to a Bangkok prison, where he was sentenced to serve a total of eight years in jail, according to reports from Reuters.
Thaksin, who had risen to power in 2001 on a populist agenda that appealed to rural communities, was removed from office in a military coup in 2006. He faced allegations of human rights abuses during conflicts in the country's southern provinces and a controversial ‘war on drugs’ that led to numerous deaths. Following his conviction for abuse of power, he went into exile in Dubai in 2008.
His return triggered a gathering of his supporters, known as the "red shirts," who assembled at the VIP terminal at the airport. Amid a celebratory atmosphere, marked by traditional music and chants, they expressed their loyalty to Thaksin and his policies, which included introducing a universal healthcare scheme and promoting economic development in rural areas.
The political landscape in Thailand has been characterized by unrest since the 2006 coup, with ongoing clashes between pro-Thaksin factions and establishment-backed groups. The recent arrest of Thaksin adds a new dimension to the country's political dynamics, as his party, Pheu Thai, is working to form a government in coalition with other parties, following the failure of the leading party, Move Forward, to gain support from military-appointed senators.
Thaksin's arrest marks a significant event in Thai politics, reigniting debates about his legacy and the future direction of the country's governance.
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