BANGKOK: Just hours before parliament prepared to vote in Thailand’s next prime minister, with Bhumjaithai Party’s Anutin Charnvirakul expected to win the role, former leader Thaksin Shinawatra suddenly left the country.
Instead of working to sway the vote back to Pheu Thai or pushing for a fresh election, Thaksin slipped out of Thailand quietly, drawing attention late on 4 September. Immigration officers at Don Mueang Airport checked his documents before letting him leave.
Many believe Thaksin left to avoid being present for the upcoming court verdict on his “14th Floor Case” set for 9 September. He left the Pheu Thai Party office without giving interviews, claiming he was there to encourage party members.
Pol Maj Gen Choengron Rimphadi, head of Immigration Division 2, confirmed that airport staff received word from MJets about a private flight to Singapore at 4.50 p.m. Thaksin appeared on the passenger list for flight T7GTS.
There were no court bans or outstanding warrants blocking his departure. A previous order that stopped him from travelling overseas, related to charges of insulting the monarchy and false computer data, had been cancelled by the court on 22 August. Thaksin cleared immigration at 7.17 p.m.
Thaksin’s Medical Excuse
People close to Thaksin claimed he went to Singapore for a two-day health check. However, public flight tracking data showed the privet Jet heading west over the Indian Ocean near Chennai, pointed towards Dubai, where Thaksin lived for years while in exile, rather than Singapore.
The jet disappeared from online trackers soon after. His Bombardier Global 7500 has enough range to reach London in one trip, so he would not need to refuel.
Thaksin’s legal team and close allies insist he will return for the Supreme Court verdict on 9 September. The “14th Floor Case” accuses him of pretending to be unwell so he could stay on the 14th floor of Police Hospital rather than spend time in prison.
The Supreme Court’s Criminal Division for Political Office Holders has told both Thaksin Shinawatra and the Bangkok Special Prison commander to attend the ruling.
Thaksin’s journey abroad comes before a key court decision and a power shift in Thai politics. Some believe he is escaping again, either for a short time or much longer. His last extended absence followed court cases he said were politically driven, leading to 17 years in exile.
The recent removal of his daughter, Paetongtarn, from parliament by the Constitutional Court after leaked talks with Cambodia’s Hun Sen put extra pressure on the family.
Pheu Thai faces a major setback, and Thaksin Shinawatra now finds himself once more outside the country, just as Thailand heads into an uncertain political period.
Thaksin Shinawatra
Thaksin Shinawatra was born on 26 July 1949 in Chiang Mai, Thailand. He moved from the business world into politics and became Thailand’s Prime Minister in 2001, holding the post until 2006. After building his wealth in telecommunications, he started the Thai Rak Thai Party and led it to a sweeping victory.
His policies, such as universal healthcare and rural investment, gained strong backing from many of Thailand’s rural communities. These efforts helped grow the economy but also drew claims of authoritarian behaviour, media control, and corruption.
In 2006, the military staged a coup to remove Thaksin Shinawatra during a time of sharp political division. Afterward, he was accused of corruption and using his office for personal gain. Thaksin left Thailand in 2008 to avoid prosecution, yet his political influence carried on through allied groups, most recognisably the Pheu Thai Party.
His presence continued to fuel a deep split in Thai politics. Many admire him for giving a voice to overlooked groups, while others accuse him of weakening democratic norms and challenging Thailand’s monarchy.
Thaksin Shinawatra returned to Thailand in 2023 and faced court cases, but received a royal pardon that cut his sentence. In 2024, his daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra took office as Prime Minister.
The Shinawatra family’s impact on Thai politics remains strong. Opinions around Thaksin are divided, reflecting ongoing tensions between support for popular policies, loyalty to the monarchy, and the military’s role in government.
