Former Prime Minister of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra, has returned from years of self-exile to face a significant legal battle. The Supreme Court has announced that he is to serve a cumulative eight-year prison sentence, spanning multiple cases involving abuse of power and malfeasance.
The case against Thaksin
The charges against Thaksin encompass a range of offenses, from influencing a state-run bank to issue a foreign loan illicitly, to holding shares via intermediaries, in violation of the law. His return on Tuesday led to his appearance in the Supreme Court, where legal proceedings began.
Thaksin’s return comes after over a decade of evasion, triggered by a 2008 self-imposed exile to avoid a prior prison sentence for abuse of power. His departure followed a military coup in 2006, which accused him of corruption and disloyalty to the monarchy – allegations he has vehemently denied.
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As Thailand navigates its political landscape, Thaksin’s reappearance coincides with parliamentary discussions concerning prime ministerial candidates and ongoing deadlock between different factions. The country’s recent political developments and Thaksin’s legal circumstances have intensified the existing complexities within Thailand’s governance.
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