Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra arrived in his northern hometown of Chiang Mai by private jet on Thursday, his first visit since fleeing the country after a 2006 military coup.
The influential billionaire has been a prominent figure in Thai politics for two decades, during which time his family-backed Pheu Thai party has won nearly every election and is now in power.
In August, he made a dramatic return from 15 years of self-imposed exile to avoid jail time for alleged abuse of power.
Thaksin was paroled in February after spending six months in a prison hospital, although he did not spend a night in jail because the king reduced his sentence from eight to one year.
Wearing a mask and a neck brace, Thaksin arrived for the three-day visit accompanied by his daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Agriculture Minister Thammanat Prompao and dozens of officials, but did not speak to the media.
“Miss you,” one supporter told the former prime minister during his first visit to the park, where he met dozens of people and clasped his hands in a traditional greeting gesture before she posed with him A selfie.
“Prime Minister in our hearts,” read the caption beneath a photo of Thaksin’s letter on another’s jacket.
When he was released from prison, an official described him as “very sick” and needed a wheelchair and had his arm in a sling.
Justice Minister Tavi Södersson said Thaksin had requested permission to visit to seek alternative medical advice and pay tribute to his ancestors.
Critics complained about Thaksin’s leniency. Thaksin’s return last year coincided with the election of his ally, political newcomer Sreeta Thawisin, as prime minister, leading many to suspect a deal between Thaksin and powerful foes in the royalist military establishment.
Thaksin and the government denied the speculation.
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