Thaksin Shinawatra

  • Politics NewsEx-PM Thaksin begins 8-year prison term in medical ward

    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 NewsThaksin Shinawatra’s 15-year exile ends with immediate jail term upon return (video)

    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 NewsAwaiting arrest, ex-Prime Minister Thaksin returns to Thailand amidst political unrest

    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…

  • World NewsSibling surprise: Thailand’s ex-PMs special guests at Cambodian PM’s birthday bash

    Sibling surprise: Thailand’s ex-PMs special guests at Cambodian PM’s birthday bash

    Thailand’s ex-prime minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, and his younger sibling, Yingluck, were notable guests at Cambodian PM’s birthday bash in Phenom Penh at the weekend. Fresh News and The Phnom Penh Post reported yesterday that the 74 year old Thaksin, and his 56 year old sister Yingluck graced the 71st birthday festivities of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen in Ta Khmao,…

  • Politics NewsThaksin Shinawatra delays Thailand return sourcing health check as deciding factor

    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 NewsThaksin Shinawatra’s return to Thailand delayed amid prime ministerial vote postponement

    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 NewsRoyal pardon for ex-PM Thaksin?

    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 NewsThai lottery tip-offs: Thaksin’s return, python video and snake sightings spark lucky number predictions

    Thai lottery tip-offs: Thaksin’s return, python video and snake sightings spark lucky number predictions

    In the weird and wonderful world of lottery-related news, several potential lucky lottery numbers have emerged from various sources for Monday’s draw. Notable figures, peculiar occurrences, and numerological predictions all form the basis of ‘lucky’ numbers in speculation for this month’s draw on July 31. A set of potentially auspicious numbers is connected to Thaksin Shinawatra. Thaksin, born on July…

  • Thailand NewsPrawit and seek: Deputy PM shuts down Thaksin meeting rumours in UK

    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 NewsThaksin hails MFP’s social media mastery, urges generals to retire

    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 NewsThaksin’s tweet about grandchild seen as political gambit

    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…

  • Thailand Election NewsThai election explainer – Constitution, House and Senate

    Thai election explainer – Constitution, House and Senate

    Thailand’s democratic structure consists of a Constitution, House of Representatives and Senate. The constitutional monarchy is ruled by King Maha Vajiralongkorn, the head of state. The king has limited formal power but is highly influential in politics. He has significant influence over the military. Constitution, House and Senate – Constitution The current constitution was developed by a committee appointed by…

  • Thailand NewsNot our problem – Paetongtarn dismisses father’s comeback

    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 NewsCome home soon, Thaksin, and go to jail – ex-minister

    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 NewsPheu Thai Party electioneering promise of 600-baht daily minimum wage

    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…

  • Thailand Election News‘Big Joke’ goes back to school to hunt visa crooks

    ‘Big Joke’ goes back to school to hunt visa crooks

    As Big Joke leads his investigation into Chinese gangs operating in Bangkok, the probe is expanding so fast that it is only a matter of time before the cops are investigating every business in the nation’s capital. There are no untouchables as criminal Chinese businesses appear to have pervaded almost every corner of Thai life from the scum floating at…

  • Politics NewsFormer Thai PM slams govt’s miserly 5% minimum wage rise

    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 NewsThaksin hints he lives rent free inside Thailand PM Prayut’s head

    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 newsThailand News Today | Tham Luang cave rescue divers receive honours

    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 NewsThaksin predicts the opposition parties will win election in a landslide

    Thaksin predicts the opposition parties will win election in a landslide

    Talking on a social media chat program this week, fugitive and former Thai PM Thaksin Shinawatra says the opposition parties, or as he described them, the “pro-democracy” parties, will win. And win with an absolute majority. The interview was conducted on ‘Care Talk’ on the Clubhouse app on Tuesday this week. Thaksin was speaking online from his house in Dubai.…

  • Economy NewsMP calls House sub-committees ‘dens of money extortion’

    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…

  • Politics NewsFormer Thai PM issues death penalty warning to coup-makers

    Former Thai PM issues death penalty warning to coup-makers

    Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra last night fired a warning to the nation’s coup-makers that they could still face the death sentence in the future. Thaksin, who also turned his ire on current PM Prayut Chan-o-cha labelling him “a dictator” and someone “increasingly disconnected from reality,” says he hopes he will receive justice for the wrongs against him and punishment…

  • Politics NewsFormer Thai PM denies his daughter will run for the top job

    Former Thai PM denies his daughter will run for the top job

    On Clubhouse this week, a favourite platform for former PM Thaksin Shinawatra, Thailand’s former elected leader denied rumours that his youngest daughter, Paetongtarn, will run in the next Thailand election as the nominated PM candidate for the Pheu Thai Party. Instead, he wants to see her in the party working on the marketing and strategic side of things. On April…

  • Thailand Protest NewsCoup anniversary marked by car mob with over 1000 vehicles

    Coup anniversary marked by car mob with over 1000 vehicles

    A massive car mob of protesters numbering well over 1,000 vehicles braved the heavy rain to call for the prime minister’s removal and to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the coup that began the trend of military control over Thailand. This latest in a continuous succession of protests against the current leaders of Thailand marks the anniversary of the coup…

  • Technology NewsClubhouse app a new platform for political debate

    Clubhouse app a new platform for political debate

    Clubhouse, a popular audio social media app, is attracting political debates, despite the Thai government threatening prosecution under the Computer Crime Act. The law forbids posting against the monarchy or government, but the app creates a perfect channel for government and politicians to directly connect to targeted social groups. The appeal of the Clubhouse app comes in its exclusivity, as…

  • Politics NewsFormer Thai PM Thaksin makes appearance on popular Clubhouse app

    Former Thai PM Thaksin makes appearance on popular Clubhouse app

    Ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra, who has been living in exile for over 10 years, has made an appearance on the new “Clubhouse” social media app, in which he discussed his battle with Covid-19. Thaksin’s appearance was confirmed by the CARE movement, as he joined a forum hosted by the organisation on Monday night. Nation Thailand reports that also taking part in…

  • Thailand Protest NewsFormer Thai PM Yingluck reminds Prayut of protests calling for her resignation

    Former Thai PM Yingluck reminds Prayut of protests calling for her resignation

    Former PM Yingluck Shinawatra has taken to social media to remind the current Thai leader of the situation she found herself in 6 years ago, when she faced mounting calls for her resignation from Prayut Chan-o-cha and the People’s Democratic Reform Committee. The PDRC were instrumental in organising anti-government protests between 2013 and 2014, which culminated in a military coup…