Thaksin was overthrown in a coup, and in 2008 he was sentenced to prison in absentia for abusing his power. For the past 17 years, he has lived in self-imposed exile.

– Welcome back to Thailand, dad. My father is now safely back and will begin legal proceedings, Thaksin Paetongtarn’s daughter wrote on Instagram with a photo of her father and children in the airport’s VIP lounge.

He wanted to be with the grandchildren

Back in his home country, the 74-year-old billionaire must face trial at the same time that a party formerly associated with him begins the task of forming a new government.

He was sentenced to 10 years in prison, but as his old party is about to take power, some speculate if he struck a deal that would mean he gets away with a reduced sentence.

According to a statement from the Supreme Court, Thaksin must serve eight years of his sentence.

Thaksin said his desire to meet his grandchildren made him ready to return home and answer the charges against him. However, he claims they are politically motivated.

“I will ask permission to live on Thai soil and share the air with my Thai sisters and brothers,” Thaksin wrote on X/Twitter on Monday.

lighter penalty?

In an interview with the BBC, he said that the date for the return trip was decided because it was clear that the National Assembly would vote on the same day whether the Pheu Thai candidate would be the country’s next prime minister.

It was foreseen in advance that Thaksin would be captured as soon as he landed. When he got off the plane in Bangkok, he bowed before a portrait of the Thai king. After that, a number of officials took the former prime minister to present the charges he faces.

Thaksin’s supporters, known as the Red Shirts, lined the road where the former prime minister was on trial.