Former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra has visited the Pheu Thai Party for the first time after he was released on parole in February.
Thaksin is the founder of the Thai Rak Thai Party which became the People’s Power Party and Pheu Thai.
At 1.34 p.m., he arrived at the Pheu Thai Party headquarters. As soon as he stepped out of the car, he went straight to greet the crowd waiting to welcome him. Amid cheers and loud shouts “We love Thaksin, his face was full of smiles as he accepted roses from the crowd.
He then walked in to hug Paetongtarn Shinawatra, his daughter and the head of the Pheu Thai Party, who was standing in front of the party headquarters waiting to welcome him.
Thaksin remembered the Red Shirt protesters who had fought alongside him during political turbulence and tried to engage in conversation and hugs, asking, “Are you doing well? Thank you for coming to welcome me,” and trying to stop for photos with everyone.
At the same time, ministers of the Pheu Thai Party, party leaders, and party members also came to welcome him, including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce, Phumtham Wechayachai.
Ms. Paetongtarn then led her father to the 8th floor, which used to be his office.
Thaksin’s visit to the Pheu Thai Party headquarters on Tuesday (March 26) marks his return after 18 years, counting from the dissolution of the House of Representatives before the coup on September 19, 2006, when this building was the former office of the Thai Rak Thai Party. (TNA)
