Fugitive Former PM Returns To Thailand, Sentenced To Jail

Ex-premier of Thailand and billionaire Thaksin Shinawatra has returned to Thailand, hours before the country’s parliament was set to vote for a new prime minister.

He was greeted by “Red Shirt” supporters who were waving banners and singing songs when he landed in a private jet at Bangkok’s Don Mueang airport at 9 a.m. local time on Tuesday morning.

According to international news sources, soon after his arrival, Thaksin was escorted by a police envoy to the supreme court. He was later taken to prison to serve out his sentence of eight years in prison for three convictions passed in his absence.

Thaksin, 74, fled the country back in 2008 to avoid a jail sentence for abuse of power, two years after a military coup that alleged the former Manchester City owner of corruption and disloyalty to the monarch, which he has vehemently refuted.

It remains to be seen whether Thaksin will serve out his sentence in jail he currently suffers numerous health issues including existing health conditions and issues with his blood pressure, lungs, heart and spine.

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