Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Returns from Self-Exile to Prison in His Country

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra set foot on his homeland today, Tuesday, for the first time since 2008, returning from self-imposed exile to prison, just hours before a parliamentary vote on his party's candidate for prime minister in an effort to form a government. Thaksin was taken to the Supreme Court upon his arrival today, and the court stated that he would serve a total of eight years in prison. The prison sentence covers three different cases related to abuse of power, misconduct, and issuing illegal orders to a state-run bank regarding a foreign loan, as well as illegally holding shares by disguising ownership through front companies. The billionaire and prominent figure of the populist Phuea Thai Party fled abroad 15 years ago after being sentenced in absentia for abuse of power, two years after the military ousted him in a coup, accusing him of corruption and disloyalty to the powerful monarchy, charges Thaksin has denied. His daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, confirmed today that he arrived safely and posted pictures on Facebook of Thaksin smiling with his family. She stated, "My father has returned to Thailand and legal proceedings have begun." His arrival comes as the House of Representatives and the military-appointed Senate convene before a vote later today on the candidacy for prime minister of Real Estate Tycoon Srettha Thavisin, who was brought into politics by the Phuea Thai Party just a few months ago. Thailand has been governed by a caretaker government since March, and the new parliament has been at an impasse for weeks after conservative lawmakers disrupted the Move Forward Party's attempt to form a government following the May elections, leading the task to the Phuea Thai Party.