Thaksin Shinawatra
- Politics News
Democrat demands probe into Thaksin’s hospital stay amid preferential treatment claims
Watchara Phetthong, a veteran Democrat and former Member of Parliament, urged the House panel overseeing police affairs to investigate the circumstances surrounding the hospitalisation of the ex-prime minister, 74 years old Thaksin Shinawatra. Accusations of preferential treatment have been fuelled by an undisclosed photograph of Thaksin seen enjoying pool time with his grandchild. At a press conference to highlight his…
- Thailand News
Former PM Thaksin Shinawatra to be eligible for parole next year
Former Prime Minister of Thailand Thaksin Shinawatra will be eligible for parole in February next year, 2024. The ex-PM will not have to wear the Electronic Monitoring (EM) bracelet and will be able to express his views on Thai politics. The Committee on Human Rights, Freedom and Consumer Protection of the Thai Senate invited the Department of Corrections and Police…
- Thailand News
Thai PM denies plans to appoint Thaksin Shinawatra as adviser post-prison
Prime Minister and Finance Minister Srettha Thavisin denied reports that he plans to appoint former premier Thaksin Shinawatra as his adviser upon his release from prison. PM Srettha addressed these reports while attending the 78 Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The 61 year old PM clarified that he was asked by a journalist if he…
- Thailand News
Thai PM sparks debate with plans to seek advice from ex-PM Thaksin
The Thai Prime Minister and Finance Minister has sparked heated debates among politicians with his new intention to seek counsel from former Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, upon his release from prison. Srettha Thavisin revealed in an interview with Bloomberg Television that he values Thaksin’s political advice, describing him as the country’s most popular prime minister, hence “it would be unwise of…
- Thailand News
Bangkok Special Prison seeks ‘checkup’ on ex-PM Thaksin at police hospital
Bangkok Special Prison is set to send an inquiry to the medical team at the Police Hospital about the condition of former Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who has been receiving treatment there. Thaksin has been in the hospital for almost a month, and the prison officials, led by Nasathi Thongplod, insist on following doctors’ orders above all else. Even…
- Thailand News
Ex-PM Thaksin’s special treatment risks unrest, warns senator
A cautionary note has been sounded by a senator who has advised the government to exercise equal treatment for all prisoners. The senator has expressed concerns that the special treatment accorded to Thaksin Shinawatra, the former prime minister who has been convicted, could potentially invite future complications for the government. The warning was issued on Tuesday during the second day…
- Thailand News
Justice whispers: Thaksin’s sentence may shrink yet
Undisclosed sources within the Justice Ministry leaked news that the sentences handed to Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra could be reduced further. Thaksin’s return to Thailand on Tuesday, August 22 this year marked the initiation of legal proceedings against him, encompassing three charges that had been levied against him before he departed from the country in 2008. The 74…
- Thailand News
BREAKING NEWS: Former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra granted royal pardon, sentence reduced to 1 year
Thailand’s former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has been granted a royal pardon, effectively reducing his punishment to a one-year sentence. According to the announcement published in the Royal Gazette this afternoon, King Rama X extended royal clemency to the 74 year old Thaksin, slashing his previous sentence of seven years, eleven months, and 20 days down to one year. The royal…
- Thailand News
Calls for CCTV footage to verify Thaksin Shinawatra’s health claims
Political activist Jatuporn Prompan called on the Department of Corrections (DoC) and the Police General Hospital to disclose CCTV footage to address public concerns surrounding the health condition of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Jatuporn, who has been imprisoned five times, pointed out that all inmates’ actions, including their medical treatments and transfers, are documented through CCTV. He stated on…
- Politics News
Ex-PM Thaksin begins 8-year prison term in medical ward
Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, 74 years old, is currently housed in a private room in the medical ward of the Bangkok Remand Prison due to his four underlying health conditions, including heart and lung problems. The head of the Department of Corrections, Aryut Sinthoppan, revealed this information to journalists yesterday. The news follows the Supreme Court’s decision to sentence…
- Politics News
Thaksin Shinawatra’s 15-year exile ends with immediate jail term upon return (video)
Former Thailand Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was jailed this morning only hours after his aeroplane touched the tarmac at Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok – ending his 15-year self-imposed exile. The 74 year old ex PM’s aircraft landed at 9am today and he was immediately escorted to the Supreme Court to acknowledge and begin an eight-year prison sentence. Despite…
- Politics News
Awaiting arrest, ex-Prime Minister Thaksin returns to Thailand amidst political unrest
As Thailand anticipates the arrival of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, fresh from a self-imposed exile, arrest warrants are ready for viewing and inevitable jail time awaits him. His expected return is scheduled for tomorrow, incidentally, coinciding with parliamentary proceedings to elect the country’s 30th leader. His daughter, Paetongtarn “Ung Ing” Shinawatra, a former prime ministerial candidate for the Pheu…
- Politics News
Pheu Thai Party confides challenges in forming new Thai coalition government
In an evolving political landscape where the constitution, power structures and group conflicts have become major challenges, the Pheu Thai Party acknowledged that manoeuvring the formation of a new coalition government is far from simple. According to Pheu Thai’s Deputy Leader, Phumtham Wechayachai, the party has to remain committed and steadfast in its approach to lead the nation out of…
- Politics News
Thaksin Shinawatra delays Thailand return sourcing health check as deciding factor
Thaksin Shinawatra, former prime minister of Thailand, announced yesterday that he would be delaying his return to his homeland from his current location of self-exile. Shinawatra, whose background lies in telecommunications, took to the popular social media platform Twitter to inform followers of his upcoming health checkup, which resulted in the need for him to reschedule his original plan to…
- Thailand News
Thaksin Shinawatra’s return to Thailand delayed amid prime ministerial vote postponement
The return of Thaksin Shinawatra, former prime minister of Thailand and reputed de facto head of the Pheu Thai Party, has been delayed. The strategy appears aimed at facilitating his smooth return, once a government led by his party comes into play, disclosed an unnamed source within Pheu Thai yesterday. The initial return plan for Thaksin was for Thursday, August…
- Politics News
Royal pardon for ex-PM Thaksin?
The unseated ex-Prime Minister of Thailand, Thaksin Shinawatra, is eligible to request a royal pardon upon his return to the country. When he returns, he would be imprisoned but can request a pardon, according to the acting Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-Ngam in an announcement yesterday. According to the deputy premier, who also holds the interim role of justice minister…
- Thailand News
Exiled ex-PM Thaksin pledges return to Thailand for driver’s funeral
Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, exiled since 2008, today confirmed he is returning to Thailand next month. The 74 year old ex PM is returning to pay his respects to Wichai Changlek, Thaksin’s driver, who passed away at the age of 73. Thaksin wishes to return to attend the cremation ceremonies. The family of Shinawatra, including his daughters Paetongtarn…
- Thailand News
Prawit and seek: Deputy PM shuts down Thaksin meeting rumours in UK
In response to recent speculation, Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon denied meeting with exiled former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra during a visit to England. The deputy PM, a list MP and leader of the Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), stated that he hadn’t been in contact with the fugitive politician in almost two decades. The 77 year old’s recent journey to…
- World News
Thaksin hails MFP’s social media mastery, urges generals to retire
Thailand’s former prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, praised the Move Forward Party (MFP) for their recent election victory, attributing their success to their mastery of social media and user-generated content (UGC). Thaksin, who remains an influential figure in Thai politics despite his self-imposed exile, highlighted the party’s ability to gain votes organically without resorting to big-spending campaigns or vote-buying. In a…
- Thailand News
Thaksin’s tweet about grandchild seen as political gambit
Academics speculate that a recent tweet by fugitive former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was a political ploy to garner support for the Pheu Thai Party, as pollsters predict it may lose votes to the increasingly popular Move Forward Party (MFP) before the General Election scheduled for May 14. Yesterday, Thaksin tweeted that he would return to Thailand now that his…
- South Thailand News
Anwar’s maiden visit to Thailand raises hopes for peace
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar’s maiden visit to Thailand this week has raised hopes for peace in the troubled south. Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was sworn in as the 10th Prime Minister of Malaysia last year. The visit is expected to add momentum to the peace dialogue. Malaysia is the facilitator for the dialogue to end decades of conflict in Narathiwat,…
- Thailand News
Not our problem – Paetongtarn dismisses father’s comeback
Paetongtarn Shinawatra, daughter of ex-PM Thaksin and Pheu Thai Party‘s chosen candidate for her father’s old job, said her father has to find his own way home. He will not need, and not receive, any help from the Pheu Thai Party. Paetongtarn – known by the pet name “Ung Ing” – dismissed her father’s comeback plans at a Pheu Thai…
- Thailand Election News
Come home soon, Thaksin, and go to jail – ex-minister
An ex-Democrat minister and legal expert mocked Tuesday’s suggestion by fugitive former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra that he might come home soon. On Thursday, Nipit Intarasombat, an MP for Phatthalung, said Thaksin could fly anywhere in the world but if he touches down in Thailand, he’ll land in jail. Nipit Intarasombat said.. “Khun Thaksin is still a rich man who…
- Politics News
Pheu Thai Party electioneering promise of 600-baht daily minimum wage
The Pheu Thai Party was out in full force electioneering ahead of the New Year’s Day celebration promising life-changing policies. The party, founded by Thaksin Shinawatra and now in its third incarnation, was out and about the kingdom with its pre-election billboards and promises that included a 600-baht daily minimum wage for Thai workers. Pheu Thai Party Secretary General Prasert…
- Politics News
Thaksin libel case to touch on Krue Se, Tak Bai massacres
President of the National Assembly of Thailand Chuan Leekpai has acknowledged a libel charge he made about former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Chuan, who also serves as Speaker of the Thai House of Representatives, gave a lecture to members of the Democrat Party on October 28, 2012, blaming Thaksin for making “mistakes” regarding the Krue Se, and Tak Bai…
- Politics News
Former Thai PM slams govt’s miserly 5% minimum wage rise
A day after the Thai government announced a nationwide 5% salary increase the kingdom’s former prime minister condemned it as “not enough.” The Thai Cabinet yesterday agreed to increase the minimum wage throughout the country by 5%. The highest rate is 354 baht per day in Chon Buri, Rayong, and Phuket while it is 328 baht per day in places…
- Politics News
Thaksin hints he lives rent free inside Thailand PM Prayut’s head
Exiled Thaksin Shinawatra poked fun at Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha hinting he is living rent free inside the Thai premier’s head. The former Thailand PM took a humorous swipe at the current prime minister on a social media platform saying he is “obsessed” with him after PM Prayut mentioned Thaksin on the first day of the censure debate on Tuesday.…
- Thailand video news
Thailand News Today | Tham Luang cave rescue divers receive honours
The University of Bristol has awarded 2 British cave divers with honorary degrees after recognising their heroic efforts in rescuing 12 boys and a man from a flooded cave in Thailand. The University hailed John Volanthen, Rick Stanton and the other rescue divers for performing an impossible task in rescuing 12 children and their football coach from the Tham…
- Politics News
Thai PM makes bizarre ‘go easy on me’ plea to media
Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday made a bizarre appeal to the nation’s press to “go easy” and give him a fair crack of the whip. The 68 year old prime minister made the plea after a recent poll put him in fourth position as potential picks to be Thailand’s next prime minister, a long way behind the daughter of former PM…
- Economy News
MP calls House sub-committees ‘dens of money extortion’
A Democrat MP yesterday pointed the finger at closed-door meetings of House sub-committees and called them “dens of money extortion.” Rangsima Rodrasamee, Democrat MP for Samut Songkhram, insists all meetings of sub-committees vetting the 2023 budget bill, after it passes its first reading, should be televised live. The Democrat MP says broadcasting the meetings live would scrutinise how the bill…
