Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is expected to be arrested upon his return as he ends almost two decades of self-imposed exile, waves at Don Mueang airport in Bangkok, Thailand August 22, 2023.
RThe return of Thailand's former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra after years of self-exile could mark the end of a chapter in the country's politics, even as some analysts believe he will still be pulling some political strings — albeit from behind.
The founder of Pheu Thai party and widely seen as its de facto leader, Thaksin returned to Thailand on Tuesday after 15 years in exile, and was sentenced to eight years in prison upon his return.
But he will be the key person driving Pheu Thai Party behind the scenes," said Kasem Prunratanamala, head of Thailand research at CGS-CIMB.
Pheu Thai is the latest iteration of his old party Thai Rak Thai after several before were disbanded by the courts.
Persons:
Thaksin Shinawatra, Thaksin, Srettha Thavisin, Kasem Prunratanamala
Organizations:
Thai, Chulalongkorn University's Institute of Security, International Studies, CNBC, Thai Party, CGS, Thai Rak Thai
Locations:
Don Mueang, Bangkok, Thailand, Thai, Pheu, Thai Rak