The daughter of former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who has been living in voluntary exile, revealed that he "plans to return to the country on Tuesday," as Thailand struggles to overcome a political impasse following the general elections held in May. His youngest daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, stated in a social media post on Saturday that she "will meet her father at Don Mueang Airport in Bangkok on Tuesday, August 22."
The former telecom tycoon, who served as Prime Minister from 2001 until he was ousted in a coup in 2006, has been in voluntary exile since fleeing Thailand in 2008 to avoid a prison sentence for corruption. He still faces imprisonment upon his return.
Tuesday will also see another parliamentary vote for the Prime Minister candidate from the Pheu Thai Party (For Thais), which Thaksin supports. Thaksin previously postponed his return from August 10, citing the need for a medical examination. He continues to face a potential prison sentence of up to ten years. Suratchat Hakparn, Deputy Chief of the National Police, stated that Thaksin (74 years old) will undergo judicial proceedings upon his return. Some analysts mentioned that "Thaksin's return indicates that Pheu Thai has reached an agreement with political parties regarding the formation of a government after receiving support from military-backed parties."