Thailand’s former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will be returning to Thailand on Aug. 10.

This was confirmed by his daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, in an Instagram post to wish him a happy birthday.

He turns 74 today (Jul. 26).

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Paetongtarn Shinawatra (@ingshin21)

She wrote that her father would be arriving in Thailand via Bangkok’s Don Mueang International Airport, and expressed her excitement about his return.

Family reunion

In May 2023, Thaksin had expressed his desire to return to the country after almost 17 years in self-imposed exile and being away from his family.

Shortly afterwards, he, his daughter as well as Yingluck Shinawatra met in Singapore.

Both Thaksin and his sister Yingluck are former Thai prime ministers, while Paetongtarn is the prime minister candidate for the Pheu Thai party, which came in second in the May 14 general elections.

Response

After the announcement, incumbent Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-O-cha reportedly remarked that Thaksin had repeatedly said he would return to Thailand, but has not done so.

In the case that the former Prime Minister actually returns, he will be faced with immigration police at Don Mueang International Airport, said Prayuth.

Caretaker PM Gen Prayut said Weds he has heard many times in the past that fugitive former premier #Thaksin will return to Thailand but it didn't materialise. In case Thaksin really returns on Aug 10, immigration police will handle him at Don Mueang Airport. #Thailand #ทักษิณ pic.twitter.com/1Av7FOORGM

— Khaosod English (@KhaosodEnglish) July 26, 2023

Thailand’s Corrections Department chief Ayut Sinthoppan also said that Thaksin will be taken away by immigration police upon arrival, while a record would be made of his arrest, according to Bangkok Post.

Additionally, in the case of imprisonment, Thaksin will be treated as an elderly prisoner and will receive medical treatment.

Political backdrop

Thaksin faces 10 years imprisonment should he enter Thailand, but he has said he will follow all legal processes upon his arrival, Reuters reported.

The ex-policeman and politician was ousted in a military coup in 2006. He subsequently went into exile in 2008 to avoid a corruption trial, which found him guilty in absentia.

Thaksin then spent most of his exile years in London or Dubai.

The government led by his younger sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, was also ousted by a court ruling in 2014.

The announcement of his return comes shortly after Thailand postponed the third voting session for a new Prime Minister, in light of Move Forward Party leader Pita Limjaroenrat's blocked re-nomination on Jul. 19.

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Top images via Thaksin's website & Instagram/@ingshin21