As soon as his private jet lands in Thailand, former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who has lived in exile for 17 years, will be taken to the Supreme Court for processing into the judicial system.

Press reports state that upon Thaksin’s arrival, he will be apprehended by immigration police and taken to Don Mueang Police Station to have his arrest recorded as stipulated by the new Prevention and Suppression of Torture and Enforced Disappearance Act B.E. 2565 (2022).

He will then be taken to the Supreme Court’s Criminal Case Division for Persons Holding Political Positions to hear outstanding court verdicts.

Thaksin has reportedly been implicated in 8 cases. Of these, 3 have resulted in guilty verdicts carrying prison sentences, 2 were dismissed, and 2 are still under investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Commission.

Thaksin has been sentenced to a total of 12 years in 4 cases. However, the statute of limitations for a two-year sentence related to the Ratchadapisek land scandal has expired.

Thaksin will face prison sentences of 10 years in 3 cases, which include:

- 2 years for lottery fraud;

- 3 years for malfeasance in the provision of a 4 billion baht loan from EXIM Bank to Myanmar;

- 5 years for the illegal use of nominees to hold Shin Corporation shares. An arrest warrant was also issued in the case.

The duration of his prison time depends on whether the court orders the sentences to be served consecutively or concurrently.  If the latter, Thaksin could serve a maximum five-year sentence, the lightest penalty.

Conversely, under consecutive sentencing, he could be imprisoned for up to 10 years.

After concluding court procedures, Thaksin will be handed over to the Bangkok Remand Prison.