Older rural voters swept him to power and many still support him despite his arrest on arrival
, he had not set foot in Thailand in more than 15 years. But despite this, he has remained one of the country’s most influential and polarising politicians.
Born in Chiang Mai in northern Thailand, Thaksin became a policeman before developing a fortune as a telecoms tycoon. Aged 48 he formed the party Thai Rak Thai andThaksin was the first politician to harness the electoral clout of rural voters in the north and north-east of, and he offered policies that improved their livelihoods.
“Thaksin represents the grassroots people,” said Damrong Khongpanya, 61, who travelled for 10 hours from his home in Nong Khai in north-east Thailand to welcome Thaksin at the airport. Thaksin cared for farmers, said Damrong, who farms rice and owns a rubber plantation. “I didn’t have a car before, but I was able to buy one, I was able to send my children to graduate from university,” he said.
Thaksin became an increasingly divisive figure, however. His critics, often associated with conservatives in Bangkok, accused him of corruption and abuse of power. In particular, he faced a major scandal over the tax-free sale of the Shinawatra family’s majority stakes in his telecoms empire Shin Corp to a foreign company. He was also accused of lacking principles or sufficient deference for the monarchy, and of being a threat to its power.
A struggle between Thaksin and his opponents in the military-royalist establishment left Thailand bitterly divided and led to periods of political turmoil. The military seized power in a coup twice, the courts repeatedly dissolved parties and banned individuals from politics, prolonged street protests gripped Bangkok and an army crackdown left more than 90 of Thaksin’s supporters dead.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Thai party of Thaksin Shinawatra strikes deal with ex-military rivalsArrangement angers many Pheu Thai supporters and could coincide with former PM’s return from exile
Read more »
Thaksin Shinawatra: anger and anticipation in Thailand as exiled former PM expected to returnEx-leader due to arrive back in the country as parliament votes on whether a new PM can take office
Read more »
Thai billionaire ex-PM returns from exile after 15 yearsThaksin Shinawatra flew home to Thailand in his private jet, adding to the country’s political drama on a day that parliament was to vote for a new prime minister.
Read more »
Australia’s population to grow at slowest rate since federation, intergenerational report forecastsAustralians are expected to live longer and remain healthier to an older age, while having fewer children over the next 40 years
Read more »
The billionaire patriarch of Thailand's fabled political dynasty is heading home to be arrested. Here's whyThe return of a billionaire fugitive will set the stage for one of the most dramatic days in Thai political history. Here's what you need to know about former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
Read more »
Thailand’s fugitive figurehead returns home and goes straight to jailOverjoyed fans have welcomed home ex-Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as he returned to the country after years away. But he was then taken to jail.
Read more »