Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, 74, will be returning to Thailand on Aug. 22 after over a decade in self-exile.
His youngest daughter Paetongtarn, who is one of the Pheu Thai Party's three prime ministerial candidates, made the announcement on her social media pages.
She stated: "On Tuesday, Aug. 22 at 9am, I will be at Don Mueang [Airport] to pick up my father, Thaksin."
Screenshot via @ingshin21/IG.
It was previously announced that Thaksin would return to Thailand on Aug. 10, but he later changed his plans.
Aug. 22, Thaksin's new arrival date, is also the same day parliamentarians will meet up to vote on a new prime minister, putting an end to months of political deadlock.
The Pheu Thai Party is expected to nominate real estate tycoon Srettha Thavisin as the next prime minister.
Will go to jail upon arrival
According to The Bangkok Post, Thailand's deputy prime minister and acting justice minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said that Thaksin will go to jail when he returns to Thailand.
Wissanu added that officials had already made detailed preparations to receive Thaksin when he arrives in the country.
Upon his return, Thaksin will be treated like an ordinary suspect and be subjected to normal legal procedures.
He will be issued with an imprisonment warrant by the Supreme Court's Criminal Division for Political Office Holders.
He will then be escorted by Corrections Department officials to Klong Prem Central Prison.
Thaksin will be able to seek a royal pardon, or his family members could seek it on his behalf.
However, if his application for a royal pardon is rejected, he will have to serve at least two years in prison before resubmitting his application.
Reportedly travelling to Singapore first
According to Thai media outlet Khaosod, Thaksin is reportedly travelling to Singapore from Dubai via a private jet on Aug. 19.
He is supposedly travelling with his sister, Yingluck, who is also a fugitive and former Thai prime minister.
Khaosod stated that Thaksin's son, Panthongtae, will join them in Singapore before accompanying him back to Thailand.
Sources say ousted & fugitive former premier #Thaksin is flying on a private jet from Dubai to Singapore today, accompanied by his sister fugitive former PM Yingluck Shinwatra. Thaksin's son, Panthongtae, will join them in Singapore to accompany Thaksin back to #Thailand on Tues. pic.twitter.com/393qYI6kHj
— Khaosod English (@KhaosodEnglish) August 19, 2023
Thai PBS World, citing an interview with BBC Thai, also reported that Thaksin will be heading to Singapore before flying off to Thailand.
Thaksin's daughter, Pintongta, posted pictures and a video of him at Dubai airport on Aug. 19.
Background
Thaksin became the prime minister of Thailand in 2001.
In 2006, he was ousted in a military coup and subsequently went into exile in 2008 to avoid a corruption trial, which found him guilty in absentia.
Thaksin has spent most of his years in London or Dubai. He has also occasionally been spotted in Singapore over the years.
The government led by his sister Yingluck was also ousted in a military-led coup in May 2014.
Top image via @thaksinlive/Instagram