Thailand’s Thaksin Shinawatra poised to return as Pheu Thai seals pact with ex-political foes
- A possible ‘super-deal’ with former political foes may allow Thaksin to be held in special detention and swiftly seek a royal pardon from the Thai king
- Thaksin’s return comes as members of his Pheu Thai party pledge to resign over its pact with conservative rivals
“Tomorrow at 9am, allow me back to live in my homeland and [breathe] the same [air] as my Thai brothers and sisters,” the 74-year-old said in a tweet on Monday.
Authorities say Thaksin will be met by police after he lands at Bangkok’s Don Mueang airport, taken to court to hear charges against him and then to Bangkok Remand Prison where he will be held over three convictions in absentia which carry 10 years in prison.
Thaksin, a former policeman turned telecoms tycoon who throughout his exile contended his convictions are a political hatchet job, insists he is ready to face justice and no longer has any political ambitions.
“I don’t want to offend people. I want everyone to love each other. I want the country to be peaceful,” he told BBC Thai on Saturday. “I’m old, I miss my grandchildren, I want to be with my family.”
His sudden return – after years of failed attempts – comes with Thailand enmeshed in a new political crisis.
