Fugitive former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra will go to jail when he returns to the country, according to Wissanu Krea-ngam, deputy prime minister and acting justice minister.
Mr Wissanu discussed procedures for Thaksin’s return after an announcement by Thaksin’s daughter Paetongtarn that he would arrive at Don Mueang airport at 9am on Tuesday.
It was the latest of several announcements in recent months about a possible homecoming, but Ms Paetongtarn insists that this one is for real.
Although the government has not been informed officially about the planned return, officials had already made detailed preparations to receive Thaksin in response to earlier reports, Mr Wissanu said on Saturday.
When Thaksin lands at Don Mueang, he will be subject to the normal legal action and procedures for any people of similar status, Mr Wissanu said.
Thaksin would be served with an imprisonment order by the Supreme Court. Then officials would bring him to the Corrections Department and the Klong Prem Central Prison in Chatuchak district of Bangkok, the deputy prime minister said.
Before entering the prison, Thaksin would undergo a physical checkup like other inmates, Mr Wissanu said. He was uncertain if Thaksin’s family members and relatives would be able to meet him in the prison right away.
It has been speculated that Thaksin will immediately seek a royal pardon, and that he would not be returning to the country unless he had assurances that his request would be treated favourably.
However, if the request is turned down, he would have to wait two years before resubmitting it. During the two-year-long wait, he would remain imprisoned, Mr Wissanu said.
Since being overthrown by a military coup on Sept 19, 2006, Thaksin has been living in self-imposed exile, except for a brief visit to the country in 2008. During his absence, the Supreme Court sentenced him to a total of 12 years in prison in four cases.
Earlier Mr Wissanu confirmed that the combined jail term for Thaksin was 10 years.
