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Thaksin Shinawatra, a prominent figure in Thai politics, has returned to Thailand after 15 years of self-imposed exile. The 74-year old was greeted by hundreds of cheering supporters upon his arrival at Don Muaeng Airport. Thaksin had been sentenced to eight years in jail by the Supreme Court on politically motivated criminal charges. Despite his absence from the country, Thaksin still holds significant influence in Thai politics. The Pheu Thai party, now led by his youngest daughter Paetongtarn, is expected to play a leading role in the new ruling coalition.

Thaksin, a telecommunications billionaire, made history as the first prime minister in Thailand to complete a full term in office. Although he was popular among the rural poor, he was also a polarizing figure and faced criticism from the wealthy elite in Bangkok. In 2006, he was ousted in a military coup on charges of corruption and abuse of power. Thaksin has since lived in self-imposed exile, primarily in London and Dubai.

During his time in power, Thaksin introduced populist policies such as cheap medical care and debt relief, which resonated with poorer voters. He also implemented economic measures that revitalized the country after the Asian financial crisis of the late 1990s. However, his government faced challenges, including criticism over the handling of the bird flu outbreak and the violent crackdown on drugs.

Thaksin’s downfall began when his family sold their shares in Shin Corp, one of Thailand’s largest telecom groups. The sale sparked outrage among urban Thais, who accused Thaksin’s family of tax evasion and selling a national asset to foreign investors. Mass protests led to a snap general election in 2006, but opposition parties boycotted the polls, and the situation escalated further. The military seized power in September 2006, while Thaksin was out of the country.

Since then, Thaksin and his family have faced numerous corruption charges. Despite the support of his rural voter base, Thaksin has been unable to regain power. Parties backed by Thaksin have won elections but have been disqualified or unable to hold onto power. In May 2019, the progressive Move Forward party won the most seats in the lower house, leading to Thaksin’s return as Pheu Thai brokered a power-sharing deal with military-linked parties.

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