Thaksin Shinawatra, the popular former prime minister who united and divided Thailand

Bangkok, February 18 (EFE).- Thailand’s former Prime Minister and tycoon Thaksin Shinawatra was released on parole this Sunday, half a year after returning from 15 years of self-imposed exile, once again making headlines in that country. where it arouses both passion and deep disapproval.

Baptized by some in Thailand as the “Asian Berlusconi” and described as a “populist”, but much loved by others, Thaksin left a Bangkok hospital where he was in a black Mercedes at around 6 a.m. He was serving his sentence in Benzinga (GMT+7), surrounded by dozens of journalists and accompanied by his political heir daughter Pathongtarn.

The popular former prime minister revolutionized Thai politics in the 2000s with measures favoring the poorest classes and promoting universal health care, although he was accused of causing the deaths of more than 2,500 people in the “war on drugs”. And he was also accused of evading taxes.

At the age of 74, Thaksin benefits from a parole permit due to his health or advancing age, and has not spent a single night in jail since his return.

The former leader returned to the country on August 22 after 15 years in exile and was arrested for corruption crimes during his mandate (2001–2006), he received a royal pardon last September, commuting an eight-year prison sentence. The punishment was reduced.

The influential politician will initially serve the rest of his sentence at his home in Bangkok.

Considered the shadow mastermind of Phu Thai – which currently rules in a coalition -, Thaksin returned the day after a political break following the May 2023 elections, to succeed his ally Shrettha Thywisin from the said party to become Prime Minister. Having received the support of Parliament, he won. By Avnazar.

The reformist formation could not govern due to the blockade of the elected Senate by the former military junta (2014–2019).

Pheu Thai, who finished second in the polls, managed to do so after forming an unusual alliance with two groups linked to the military, which led a 2014 coup against the government of Yingluck Shinawatra, Thaksin’s sister and winner of the 2011 elections. Was. .of that training.

Thaksin’s return and release is interpreted as a further sign of the former president’s apparent reconciliation with the former president’s circle of Thailand’s pro-military and pro-monarchy elite, and opens the door to his possible return to the public scene.

This was hinted at by Shretha Thawisin, who said in an interview in September that she saw Thaksin playing a role in the government after completing his sentence, emphasizing that “he is the most popular head of state in Thai history.” Was a minister and probably will be.” ,

And it is also believed that from exile and hospital Thaksin continues to shape the political future and that Phu Thai’s main asset in the last elections was the candidacy of his daughter Pathongtarn.

Born on July 26, 1949, into a wealthy family of silk merchants in the northern province of Chiang Mai, Thaksin graduated as a police officer in 1973 and received a bachelor’s degree in criminology from the University of Kentucky (USA) two years later. of.

In 1987, at the age of 33 and with the rank of commander, he left his military career to run a lucrative computer distribution and rental business, a company that negotiated contracts signed with the government and mobile telephone and television monopolies. With help it grew rapidly. , Wire.

He began his political career in 1994 with the portfolio of Foreign Affairs, later serving as Deputy Prime Minister twice (in the government of Banharn Silapa-archa and the government of Chavalit Yongchaiyud), and after a few years in the opposition. , he won in 2001. Election. With their new formation, “Thai Rak Thai”.

Despite some policies, he ruled with strong popular support, and renewed his mandate in 2005, until he was ousted in a coup in 2006, when he fell out with the pro-military and monarchist elite. Which later also led to the downfall of his sister Yingluck. , still in exile…

Thaksin was sentenced to prison in his absence for crimes of corruption and abuse of power during his tenure, including concealing assets and causing damage to the state worth 60,000 million baht ($1,815 million or 1,335 million euros), which That his party had made a politically motivated complaint.

His release on parole has already rocked the political landscape, and Awanzar, the winning party in 2023, questioned in a statement today whether Thaksin has been treated above the law, while Khashoggi media ran an editorial headlined: ” Who is the Prime Minister now, Shretha or Thaksin?” efe

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