Former Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra finally received a not-guilty verdict from Thailand's Supreme Court after six years of exile, clearing the way for her to return to Thailand. It is reported that Yingluck plans to follow in the footsteps of her brother, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, end her exile and return to her homeland next year.
Yingluck Shinawatra is Thailand's first female prime minister in history and Thaksin's sister. She won ** as the leader of the pro-Thaksin Pheu Thai Party in 2011 and became prime minister. However, her administration did not go well, and she faced strong pressure and opposition from the military, the royal family, and conservatives. In 2014, she was overthrown by a coup d'état carried out by the military and was forced to **. She has since been charged with criminal charges and faces a five-year prison sentence on alleged abuse of power and malfeasance in a rice subsidy scheme. In 2017, she fled Thailand before the verdict and went into exile and has never been able to return home.
On December 26, 2021, Thailand's Supreme Court issued a final ruling in Yingluck's case, acquitting her and rescinding her arrest warrant. The Supreme Court found that Yingluck did not abuse her power to remove Thawil Pliensri, then secretary general of the Commission, and appointed her close relative, Priewpan Damapong, as chief of police. The Supreme Court said the testimony of the two witnesses did not confirm that Yingluck had "ulterior motives" in transferring Tavel.
The verdict opened the door for Yingluck Shinawatra to return to Thailand and gave her supporters joy and anticipation. Yingluck's brother, Thaksin, posted on social media to congratulate Yingluck on her acquittal and called it "good news, a good day, a good year." Thaksin Shinawatra also said that both he and Yingluck hope to return to Thailand next year to reunite with their families and supporters. "We all want to go home, we all want to see you, we all want to hug you, we all want to thank you," Thaksin said.
Thaksin Shinawatra is a Thai billionaire, former prime minister, and founder of the Pheu Thai Party. He served as prime minister from 2001 to 2006 and was popular with the poor and peasants, but also met with opposition from the military, the royal family and the middle class. In 2006, while attending the United Nations General Assembly in New York, he was overthrown by a military coup. He has since been sentenced to eight years in prison on suspicion of corruption and abuse of power, but he has been living in exile overseas and has never returned. In August, shortly after his return to Thailand, he received a pardon from King Vajiralongkorn, which reduced his sentence from eight years to one year.
The return of Yingluck Shinawatra and Thaksin Shinawatra will have a significant impact on the political situation in Thailand. Thailand is currently in power under former military leader Prayut Chan-o-cha, but the country faces strong opposition and discontent from the opposition, civil society and young people. He demanded that Prayut Chan-o-cha enact a new democratic constitution, reform the royal system, and guarantee human rights and freedoms. They also support the pro-Thaksin Pheu Thai Party and the progressive Move Forward Party, hoping they can win the next election and end the military's rule. The return of Yingluck Shinawatra and Thaksin Shinawatra will provide more motivation and confidence for these **, and will also bring more votes and support to the Pheu Thai Party and the Far Forward Party.
However, Yingluck Shinawatra and Thaksin's return to China will also face strong opposition and obstruction from the military, the royal family and conservatives. These forces have always regarded Yingluck Shinawatra and Thaksin Shinawatra as enemies and threats to Thailand, as corrupt, disloyal, and disrespectful, seeking to subvert Thailand's traditions and order. They will use the power and resources at their disposal to suppress and isolate Yingluck and Thaksin as much as possible, prevent them from returning, and safeguard their interests and status. They will also use Thailand's lese majeste law to prosecute and punish anyone who criticizes or questions the royal family in order to preserve the majesty and authority of the royal family.
The return of Yingluck Shinawatra and Thaksin Shinawatra will be a historic event in Thai politics, and it will also be a risky event in Thai politics. It will exacerbate the polarization and antagonism in Thai politics, and it will also inspire change and progress in Thai politics. It will test the stability and peace of Thai politics, and it will also demonstrate the vitality and diversity of the politics of Thailand's top authors. It will affect the future and destiny of Thai politics, and it will also determine the direction and direction of Thai politics.