Thailand’s Thaksin in Singapore in preparation to return to Bangkok

Former Thai prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is scheduled to return to Bangkok on Monday, days after his abrupt departure for Dubai stoked speculation about him fleeing the country ahead of a court ruling that could see him jailed.

Thaksin, 76, arrived in Singapore in his private jet early on Monday and will travel to the Thai capital later in the day, according to a person familiar with his plans who asked not to be identified discussing private information.

Several Thai media outlets including Khaosod reported that Thaksin would be arriving in Bangkok at 5pm, without naming their sources.

The return would be keeping in line with Thaksin’s pledge to be back in time for the scheduled court ruling on Tuesday.

One of Thailand’s most prominent political figures and a two-time premier, Thaksin travelled to Dubai last week for what he called a medical check-up after his original plan to visit Singapore was aborted by delayed Thai immigration clearance.

As of early Friday morning, the jet that Thaksin took to Dubai was seen at Singapore’s Seletar private jet airport, according to Flightradar 24.

  

​Read More