Thailand Jail Former Prime Minister, Thaksin For Eight Years Over Criminal Charges

by Victor Ndubuisi
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After 15 years in exile, Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister of Thailand, has been imprisoned upon his return.

However, a lot of people think he got a deal that will spare him from spending more time behind bars than necessary.

The front-runner for the position of next Thai leader is from his Pheu Thai party, and he arrived on Tuesday morning in a private plane.

On the basis of prior convictions for crimes that he claims were motivated by politics, he was then given an eight-year sentence.

UPDATE: I’m Not In Exile But Daura – Muhammadu Buhari

Conservative royalists have long feared Thaksin, Thailand’s most successful elected leader, and have supported military coups and contentious court proceedings to damage him.

But despite being overthrown by a military coup years ago, the flamboyant, politically aspirational telecoms tycoon is now back. Hundreds of devoted fans who had camped overnight to greet him cheered as he touched down in Bangkok’s major airport. He momentarily left the airport terminal flanked by his two daughters and son to pay tribute to a portrait of the king and queen, according to BBC Reports.

The 74-year-old was transported right away to the Supreme Court, where he was found guilty three times and given an eight-year term. He was then taken to Bangkok Remand Prison.

Given his senior age, the prison officials there said he will be kept in a ward with particular medical equipment. Additionally, he will start a 10-day quarantine right away, the first five days of which he will be confined to his room, authorities said.

See What Nigerian Ambassador To Thailand Said About Buhari

According to prison officials, Thaksin will be able to submit a petition from behind bars right away. It has been rumoured that he will ask the king for a royal pardon. One to two months may pass during the process.

To celebrate the former leader’s return, hundreds of his “red shirt” ardent followers gathered at Bangkok’s Don Mueang Airport on Tuesday morning.

The 63-year-old Samniang Kongpolparn had been waiting to see Thaksin since Monday night. She had come from Surin province in the northeast, which had long been a Thaksin’s party stronghold, like many of the other followers.

“He’s the best prime minister we’ve ever had. Even though I won’t get to see him today, I still wanted to come to show him support,” she said. “I’m ok with them reconciling with the pro-military government, or else we’re stuck with the senators. We don’t want that.”

 

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