Thailand’s Supreme Court ordered the arrest of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and indicated that he should serve eight years in prison on the day the former ruler returned to the country after 15 years in exile.
However, the imminent return to power of the party linked to his family, Pheu Thai, may give him hope of a pardon or guarantee a reduced sentence.
The 74-year-old billionaire, who was in power between 2001 and 2006 before being overthrown in a coup, is expected to spend eight years behind bars on three cases tried in his absence related to his administration over the land and his former company Shin Corp ruled the highest court of the kingdom.
The telecommunications tycoon was charged with corruption and shortly after arriving at Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport, was taken under police escort to the Supreme Court in his private jet from Singapore.
The return of the political veteran, regarded as the mastermind of Pheu Thai – who has dominated Thai politics in recent years and came second in May’s elections – coincides with today’s parliamentary session, in which the candidate of the party, Srettha, will be elected as Thaivisin. Prime Minister.
Since the uprising that toppled Thaksin, Thailand has lived in deep political instability, keeping the country in a cycle between anti-government protests, military-led dictatorships and democratic vacuums.
In a bid to gain power, Phue Thai announced an alliance with two military-linked formations that staged the 2014 coup against the government of Yingluck Shinawatra, Thaksin’s sister, who also won the 2011 election. the head of government. Phue Thai and who went into exile.
Source: DN
