His supporters gathered at the airport to greet him

MADRID, 22 AUGUST (EUROPA PRESS) –

Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who is in exile after leaving the country 16 years ago after being convicted of corruption, was on a plane back to Thailand.

His sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, also a former prime minister, has shared her moment of farewell via her official profile on the social network Facebook, where she took the opportunity to wish her good luck and a good journey back.

Thaksin is expected to arrive in Bangkok early in the morning (local time), while his red-clad supporters have gathered at the airport to welcome him.

Upon arrival, he will be transferred to the High Court’s political crimes section to answer the charges against him, The Nation newspaper reported.

Billionaire Thaksin, who served as prime minister between 2001 and 2006, was ousted that year by Thailand’s military junta and exiled in Britain, after being accused of corruption, abuse of power and even abuse of the monarchy. in countries where these institutions are highly respected and protected by law.

In March, two months before the general election, he gave an interview to Japanese news agency Kiodo, in which he reaffirmed his intention to return to Thailand, whatever the election outcome and even if it meant a prison sentence. “I have spent 16 years in a big prison because I was prevented from seeing my family,” he said, referring to his exile in London.

The country is in a political lockdown, after the election winner, Pita Limjaroenrat, of the progressive Avanzar party, was unable to gain enough support to become prime minister due to her intention to reform the Constitution. Senators close to the old military junta want to avoid a possible review of the monarchy’s protections.